Read Online Delivered with Love by Sherry Kyle - Free Book Online Page A

house six months ago. The kitchen is what sold me on the place." Blake sighed. "I'd better check out the damages and see if anything's salvageable." He nodded a farewell and joined the firemen standing on his front porch.
    "At least the fire didn't consume the whole house." Nancy rubbed her arms. "It's chilly out here. Can we see the rental now?"
    Claire pointed next door.
    " Blake's the neighbor?"
    "Can we go? I've changed my mind." Claire glanced at Blake, then walked down the sidewalk. A small white card was wedged in the bushes in front of the rental house. She leaned down and picked it up. Michael Thompson's business card. It must have fallen out of her pocket when she fell. The memory of Blake helping her up and picking the debris out of her hair brought a smile to her face. But how could she face him again?
    "Claire? Wait a minute. Did I miss something?"
    Claire walked down the street toward Nancy's car. "Blake does not want me for a neighbor."
    "I didn't get that impression."
    "The fire is my fault. If he hadn't shown me the place, the fire never would've started." Claire took quick steps toward Central Avenue. She glanced over her shoulder. Nancy stood with her hands on her hips in the middle of the street. Claire spun around. "What? Can we go?"
    Nancy shook her head. "Not until I see the place."
    "Why? I can't afford it anyway." Claire grabbed the collar of her jacket and pulled it tighter around her neck. "It's cold out here. Can we please leave?"
    "Claire, I know we've only just met, but I feel God sent you to Capitola for a reason. Please, let me help you."
    First Geraldine, then Pearl and Harry, and now Tom and Nancy. She'd never been helped so much in all of her life and didn't know what to make of it. Her insides shivered.
    Nancy interrupted her musings. "Look, I have an idea. But before I tell you, I'll need to see the house."

 
     
11
     
     
    W hat's your idea?" Claire walked toward Nancy and stood in front of her.
    "I'd like to see the place first." Nancy linked her arm through Claire's. "To see if it's right for my sister. We've been estranged for many years, but I've wanted her to move here and now may be the time to make things right. So, how do we get in?"
    Her sister. Claire whipped out the business card from her jacket pocket and handed it to Nancy. If anything, maybe Nancy's sister will end up renting the place. "Call him."
    "Michael Thompson, Realtor, huh?" Nancy pulled her cell phone out of her backpack-style purse and punched in the numbers. "How did you get his card?"
    "He gave it to me."
    "You've met the owner?"
    "More than once." Claire thought back to her mom's funeral. Mr. Thompson had looked out of place with his fancy designer suit and tie. Claire didn't remember him being social. She had wondered why he had come.
    "Hello, Mr. Thompson?" Nancy and Claire walked in the direction of the rental house as the rain came pouring down again. "My name is Nancy Daniels, and I'd like to see the inside of your rental home on Saxon Avenue . . ."

    Michael couldn't believe his good fortune—two viewings of his rental property in one day. He loaded his briefcase with paperwork and swung his overcoat over his shoulders.
    Eric stuffed a donut in his mouth and followed it with a swig of coffee. "Where are you headed in such a hurry?"
    "Got a call on my rental." Michael pulled his car keys from his pants' pocket. "I've got to run." He waved. "I'll be back, though, so save one of those donuts for me."
    "Yeah, right, Mr. Fit. When's the last time you've eaten a donut?" Eric called to Michael's back.
    Michael swung around. "If I find a renter, I'll want to celebrate. "He pushed the door open and slid out into the pouring rain. He covered his head with his briefcase and dashed to his car.
    He saw a fire truck pass by on his left, and the neighbors milling about. He didn't see an ambulance, so decided not to be overly concerned. Two women huddled together under the eaves of his rental. Michael squinted as he