The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

Author:Lori Nelson Spielman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Brad carries Rudy across my mother’s threshold like his new bride. With his free hand, he drags a sack of dog supplies into the foyer while I click on lamps and plug in my Christmas tree. Smelling of pine, the room glows with the ethereal brilliance of the colored lights.

“This place is gorgeous,” he says, lowering Rudy. Wasting no time, Rudy romps to the tree, sniffing at the red foil packages beneath it.

“Come here, Rudy. Let’s get you some food.”

Brad fills the water dish and I empty kibbles into the dog bowl. We move about in the kitchen like Fred and Ginger, each with our choreographed duties. He dries his hands on a terry-cloth towel, and I rinse mine in the sink. I turn off the water and he hands me the towel.

“How about a glass of wine?” I ask.

“I’d love one.”

I reach for a bottle of Pinot Noir, and notice Brad’s eyes roving the kitchen like a prospective buyer’s. “Ever think about buying this place?”

“This house? I love it here, but this house is Mother’s.”

“All the more reason to keep it.” He leans against the center island. “To me, this house looks like you, if that makes sense.”

I twist the corkscrew. “Really?”

“Really. It’s elegant and sophisticated, but it also has a warm, mellow side.”

Honey runs through my veins. “Thank you.”

“You should think about it.”

I pull a wineglass from the cupboard. “Could I even afford it? I’d have to buy it from my brothers, you know.”

“Sure, you’ll be able to afford it. Once you get your final inheritance.”

“But you’re forgetting, I need to fall in love and have babies. The love of my life might not want to live in my mother’s home.”

“He’ll love this place. And there’s a park just down the street, perfect for your kids.”

He says it with such certainty I almost believe him. I hand him his wine. “Did my mom ever tell you why she wanted my brothers and me to keep the house for the first year?”

“Nope. But I’m guessing she knew you’d need a place to stay.”

“Yeah, that’s my guess, too.”

“And she probably figured the place is so nice you’d never want to leave.” He swirls his wineglass. “Which is why she included that thirty-day clause. She didn’t want you to get too comfy.”

“Wait … what?”

“That clause in the will. Nobody can stay more than thirty consecutive days. Remember?”

“No,” I say honestly. “You mean I can’t stay here? I have to find another place to live?”

“Yup. It’s all in the will. You have your copy, don’t you?”

I clutch my head. “I just bought a dog. Do you realize how hard it’ll be to find a place that takes animals? And my furniture! I gave it all to Joshua House. I don’t have money—”

“Hey, hey.” He sets down his glass and seizes both my wrists. “It’s going to be okay. Look, you spent the night at Joshua House last week, so technically the clock’s just starting. You’ve got plenty of time to find something.”

I pull free my wrists.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.