Yes, but with bluebells nodding on the hill? With a stream running through it? She shook her head. Cora had to sell!
Cora looked up eagerly from the magazine she was reading when they returned, still the only occupant of the office. 'Well, did you like it? Do you want it?'
Amanda smiled at her. 'I did like it and I’d be interested in it. If,' she cautioned, 'it’s structurally sound. Also, if you would consider leaving the furniture.'
Cora's face clouded. 'Oh, the furniture. I don't know. I hadn't thought about it.' She fell quiet while Martin went to take his chair. Amanda moved to sit at his desk, in the chair next to Cora.
'Landsakes, nothing there worth much. I will need to take the sofa and one bed, but the table and other bed can stay. If you want them, have them,' Cora decided.
'When can I take possession?' Amanda asked Martin.
'Well, that depends,' Martin said slowly. 'First we have to get the credit approvals, then the bank does the credit check, appraisal..' He doodled figures on his notepad.
'Probably a month or so, if all goes well.
'So long?' Cora whined. 'I want go sooner than that.'
'I don't need a credit check,' Amanda said quietly, 'I plan to write a check.'
Two pair of eyes stared at her.
'Write a check,' Cora repeated.
'I thought the price we discussed was seventy-five thousand dollars,' Martin said, jogging her memory.
Cora's eyes widened at the figure mentioned, but she kept quiet.
'Yes, with furniture. I'd like possession as soon as possible, if the inspection’s all right. Not,' she was firm, 'in a month.'
Martin was at a loss for words.
'I can write the check now, and you can call my bank for verification of funds. I have identification.' She was matter-of-fact, assured, taking her check book from her purse. She took a pen from Martin's desk and began to write. Before signing her name, she paused and looked up.
'I do have another condition, in addition to the furniture. I don't want it to get out how I purchased the house.'
Cora shook her head, her expression still one of stunned disbelief. Write a check for a house!
'No, we won't say anything,' Martin added.
'I'd like to move in as soon as I can,' Amanda said, signing her name with a flourish. 'Do I make it payable to Cora or the real estate firm?'
'First Title Trust Company. They’ll handle escrow, though I don't think they have ever had a house paid for all at once before,' Martin said, still looking a bit shell-shocked.
When Amanda had filled in the name she ripped the check from her book and handed it across. Martin took the check and looked at it. Glancing at his watch, he pulled the phone closer and dialed the number of the bank printed on the face of the check.
Amanda sat calmly watching him as he spoke, the tinted glasses hiding her expression.
Cora licked her lips. Her eyes darted from the check to Amanda, and back to Martin as he identified himself, asked for verification, and waited for a senior bank official to respond to his questions. While Cora was on edge as the minutes dragged by, Amanda sat serene and quiet. Inside she was almost dancing a jig. Who knew she’d find a perfect solution the first minutes in town. It augured well for the future.
'Hello, Mr Fairfield, this is Martin Roberts. I'm a real estate broker. I have a check for a house that a Miss Amanda Smith wishes to purchase. I'm calling to verify the funds are in the account. Your teller forwarded my call to you.' He paused while the official on the other end spoke. 'Sure, she's tall and thin, with black hair. It's long.' He peered at Amanda. 'What color are your eyes?' he asked politely.
With an amused smile, she removed her tinted glasses, revealing beautiful, clear blue eyes, the dark lashes surrounding them needing no artificial aids to enhance their loveliness.
'Yes, Mr Fairfield, it's her.' He spoke to the phone, but did not take his gaze from Amanda.
Cora looked at her, a puzzled frown on her face.
Martin's eyes widened and he looked confused. 'But ... No, that's fine. We just didn't realize. Yes, of course. Thank you.' Slowly he replaced the receiver.
'Amanda,' he said, still looking at her. 'Amanda.'
She inclined her head. 'Yes, but I'm traveling, um, incognito as it were for the summer. The last few years have been very hectic. Exciting and fun, you realize, but tiring and a strain. I just want to relax, rest. Maybe write a song or two. Just be myself for a while.' She leaned forward in her chair. 'Please help me get this a small place for myself in Timber, Mr Roberts. I’ll be a good neighbor. Just lend me some support. I want to be just plain Mandy Smith for a while. Not a celebrity, not sought after for what I do, but liked, or disliked, for myself. Just for myself. I want to be an ordinary person again, for a while. For a summer. Can you understand that, Mr Roberts?'
He nodded. 'Martin,' he said, as if still in a daze.
‘Would someone please tell me what is going on?' Cora broke in fretfully. 'Is the check good?'
'Oh, yes, Cora. Today’s your lucky day. This check is very good. When you sign over your deed, the place becomes Miss Smith's and you are seventy-five thousand dollars ahead–less my commission of course.'
Cora sat back. 'I still can't believe anyone can just write a check for that amount.'
'Anyone probably cannot. This is Amanda. I know you've heard her songs: Riverboat Gambler, Sing the Mountain Down.'
Cora's head jerked round. 'Is that true? Of course. I thought you looked familiar without the glasses. My granddaughter has some of your CDs. I always thought the photo of you had been touched up, but your eyes are real. You're a right pretty gal, Miss Smith.'
Amanda smiled. 'Thank you. My hair's different, too,' she volunteered.
'Yes, I remember it as curly and wavy and sort of flailing around.'
'This is my disguise, such as it is. Do we have a deal, Mrs. Rosefeld?'
'We do indeed. We do indeed.' Cora turned a beaming face to Martin. 'There, I knew I could sell it to someone other than Mac!' she said triumphantly.
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About the Author
Barbara McMahon is an award-winning, best selling author of more than eighty novels. Known for warm family type stories, she enjoys capturing the first stage of a relationship and showing how despite obstacles thrown in their way, a man and a woman can find true love and lasting happiness.
Her books have been translated into 23 different languages and sold in more than 50 foreign countries.
For more than twenty-five years she's made her home in Northern California, the last seventeen in the rural county of Amador—in the heart of the Mother Lode, California's gold rush country.
Electronic books now available:
Bluebells On The Hill
Cowboy's Bride
Crazy About A Cowboy
One Stubborn Cowboy
Never Doubt A Cowboy
I'll Take Forever
The Bachelor's Baby Promise
Come Into The Sun
Island Rendezvous
Island Paradise
Rocky Point Hero
Love And All The Trimmings – a short romance
Unsuitably Perfect (Boxed Set)
Love Me Some Cowboy (Boxed Set)
Visit Barbara at: www.barbaramcmahon.com
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Destination Romance Page 51