Matthew smiled.
“Your dad was a genius, Dawn.”
I was unable to resist. For the first time since his death, I laughed—truly, really laughed.
All of the debt was owed to Charlotte, but she also owned the house. And the only person who could keep her from losing everything had just been thrown out.
A few days later, Charlotte called while I was still staying at the bed and breakfast. As I went to fetch a drink of water for myself, I let it ring.
I picked it up after that.
I said gently, “Hello?”
She spat, “You knew, didn’t you?”
I said, “Knew what?”
Her words, “The house,” were abrupt. “I just got the call from the lawyer. Debt exists. Lots of stuff. similar to thousands of dollars. Dawn, the house is taken if they are not paid. And you…” she exhaled nervously. “You have the money, don’t you?”
I twirled my dad’s watch around my wrist while leaning back in an armchair.
“I might have the money…” I said. “However, we don’t exactly have a stellar past, do we? I was kicked out by you.”
