Read Online Heating Up by Stacy Finz - Free Book Online

yet.”
    â€œYou’re a good egg, Dana,” Walt said.
    â€œYou guys should stay at the Lumber Baron tonight . . . my treat. Get the flavor of the town, eat at the Ponderosa, maybe check out the mill pond in Graeagle. I’ll admit Nugget doesn’t have the chichi factor Healdsburg does, but it has its own charm. And more important, it’s retained its agricultural roots.”
    â€œThat’s for damn sure,” Walt said. “Sonoma has turned into a playground for the rich and famous.”
    Two hours later, the Griswolds sat in Dana’s conference room, writing up paperwork for an offer. Dana had gone to get them cold drinks from the refrigerator when her cell phone rang. Aidan.
    â€œHi,” she said, surprised to hear from him. “What’s up?”
    â€œI got called out on a suspicious fire in Lassen County. Looks like I’m gonna be here a few days. My moving truck is coming and my sister and Brady are in San Francisco. Any chance you could unlock the door and let the movers in?”
    â€œWhat time?”
    â€œThey gave me a window of between two and six. Maybe you could put a note on the door to call as soon as they get there; that way you don’t have to wait for four hours.”
    â€œAll right. But how will they know where to put everything?”
    â€œI’ll have to deal with it when I get home. Could you just make sure to lock up after everything’s delivered?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œThanks, Dana. I’m sorry to stick you with this.”
    â€œIt’s not a problem.” She wanted to get a start on painting anyway.
    After they ended the call she smiled at the Griswolds. “Sorry about that.”
    â€œDon’t be silly.” Josephine waved her hand in the air. “Life happens.”
    Indeed it did. “I’ll call the listing agent to let her know we have an offer and hopefully we’ll hear something soon. Should I see about getting you a room at the Lumber Baron?”
    â€œWe’ve got animals that need feeding and it’s a four-hour ride back,” Walt said. “As much as we’d like to take you up on your offer, we’ve got to get home, Dana.”
    â€œAll right. Keep your fingers crossed and your cell phone on. I’m thinking we should hear back fairly quickly. There will probably be some back and forth, though.”
    â€œThat’s what I figured,” Walt said.
    Dana got their signatures, made sure the documents were in order, and walked the Griswolds out to their car.
    â€œLet us know as soon as you hear something,” Josephine said.
    â€œI will. It’s a good offer. Maybe a little less than he’s willing to take, but we’ve left you some wiggle room.”
    She watched them drive away, went inside to email the offer to Century 21 in Quincy, and called to make sure they’d received the email and that the listing agent had her cell number. Before going to meet Aidan’s movers, Dana took a detour to Farm Supply with a gift for the Millers.
    The store was the size of a warehouse and carried everything from tack and feed to clothes and kitchenware. Grace was at the counter, ringing up a customer, when Dana walked in. She browsed the aisles, waiting for Grace to finish.
    â€œHow you doing, Dana?” Grace called across the store.
    â€œGood.” With the customer gone, Dana carried the basket she’d made to the cash register. “I just wanted to thank you so much for all the clothes. You saved my life.” She motioned at the jeans and the boots. “Did Carol tell you my sizes?”
    â€œShe sure did. My daughter and I had a wonderful time picking out everything. I’m glad it’s working for you. We don’t carry the suits and professional clothing you usually wear, but I figured you needed some starter pieces until you could get to a department store.”
    â€œEverything is beautiful, Grace. I brought this for your