Read Online Hearts at Home by Lori Copeland - Free Book Online

Lord, who has always watched over Heavenly Daze with special care, hold you in the palm of his hand until we are reunited in eternity.
    With all my love,
Olympia
    â€œI never cared for the stuff—I cared about her.” Lowering the page, Annie met the doctor’s gaze. “She told me she planned to leave the house to me, but I thought she was just rambling. I mean, it’s not like we could agree on anything for more than fifteen minutes, so I was sure she’d change her mind.”
    â€œShe didn’t. And it suddenly occurs to me that I should treat you with more respect—you’re my new landlady.”
    Annie brought her hand to her cheek. In her younger years she had dreamed of being a thousand things, but never a property owner.
    The doctor arched his brows into twin triangles. “Her letter may sound strange to you, but Olympia shared her reasoning with me. As much as she loved Edmund Junior, she knew he had made a life in Boston. Since leaving Heavenly Daze, he has never looked back. You, on the other hand, have begun to turn your heart toward home. Olympia thought you had begun to understand how deeply you are connected to the island.”
    Annie stared at him as a tumble of confused thoughts and feelings assailed her. “But I don’t belong to the island! I live in Portland! I don’t have time to maintain this house and give tours like Aunt Olympia did.”
    Dr. Marc dropped his hand to her shoulder. “Calm down, hon; don't get yourself worked up. Take a few days, get past the funeral, and settle things with Edmund Junior. Tourist season doesn't begin until late April, so you have a few months to decide if you want to stay.”
    â€œIf I don't stay . . . what on earth am I supposed to do with the house? The heating bill alone would drain my bank account. I know it was draining Aunt Olympia's. But Caleb still lives here, and you-”
    â€œYou could always sell.”
    â€œSell . . . the house?” Annie blinked. “I couldn't. Aunt Olympia would die if I even-” She caught herself. “I mean, Aunt Olympia wouldn't want me to sell. What did she say? It's my heritage.”
    Sighing, the doctor sank into a chair at the kitchen table. “Olympia made her wishes clear, but there are no stipulations attached to the will, Annie. The house is yours to do with as you think best. If you really don't think you can handle it—well, Olympia might not have approved, but in the end she would agree that you shouldn’t keep an obligation that will strangle you financially.” He gave her a small smile. “I only hope the new owner will allow me to continue using the guest cottage for a medical clinic.”
    Annie stared down into her coffee cup, where the brew had gone cold. “Maybe I could rent the house to someone, but sell it? Who on earth would want it?”
    â€œI think you’d be surprised at the market for older, well-kept homes. I also think you’ll be surprised at how expensive a house like this would be to spruce up for selling. Your instincts about the heating bill were right, and you’ve probably noticed that the exterior is sorely in need of painting and caulking. The windows leak, so do the sinks, and the electrical system needs updating.”
    Annie closed her eyes. “Why would Olympia leave me a house I can’t afford? Her decision makes no sense at all. Edmund Junior has money. He could fix up the house and spend his summers here, then go back to Boston after the tourist season.”
    â€œOlympia wanted you to have everything she owned. The furniture, the bank account—it’s all yours.”
    She shot him a quick glance. “And Edmund Junior is the executor of the will?”
    Dr. Marc shook his head. “I am. I know where every cent of your aunt’s money is, and I know where it’s supposed to go. That’s the good news. The bad news is there’s less than two hundred