Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) (151 page)

“What’s
the
maximum
capacity?”
It
was
perfect
in
Aggie’s
mind.

“A
hundred
forty-eight
with
tables.
More
just
sitting
in
rows.
They
built
with
an
eye
to
the
future.
It
was
one
of
the
later
schoolhouses
.
It
was
technically
one
room
designed
for
expansion
when
the
area
grew,
but
it
didn’t.
Brunswick
grew
instead.”

“What
decorating
leeway
would
we
have?”
As
she
spoke,
Aggie’s
eyes
traveled
to
the
curtains
and
then
back
to
Tina.

“Nothing
permanent
or
disfiguring
,
but
as
long
as
everything
is
back
in
place
and
undamaged
by
Monday
…
”
The
woman
glanced
around
her.
“What
did
you
have
in
mind?”

It
sounded
lovely
,
but
Aggie
wanted
the
curtains
changed—or
at
least
removed.
Tina
stepped
in.
“Curtains.
Can
we
remove
them?
We’d
envisioned
hanging
tulle
instead,
but
we’d
be
fine
if
we
could
just
remove
them.”

“That
shouldn’t
be
a
problem.
They
are
just
pocket
rod
style.
Go
ahead.
Anything
else?”

While
Aggie
tried
to
imagine
where
the
cake
would
go
and
what
kind
of
table
set
up
she’d
have,
Tina
discussed
particulars.
“
Let Luke know that
I’m
on
my
way,”
she
called
as
plans
were
finalized.
“If
he
likes
it,
you
guys
can
sign
the
contract.”

Ten
minutes
later,
the
contract
was
signed
and
Aggie
and
Luke
stood
in
front,
grinning.
“I
feel
like
celebrating.”

He
slid
open
his
phone
and
typed
out
a
text
for
Tina.
WE
NEED
A
COUPLE
OF
HOURS.
MIND
STAYING
ON
DUTY
A
LITTLE
WHILE
LONGER?
“There.
How’s
that?”

Aggie
peeked
at
it
and
grinned.
“Send
it.”

In
less
than
fifteen
seconds,
a
message
came
back.
DON’T
COME
HOME
BEFORE
TEN.
PRETEND
YOU’RE
TEENAGERS
AND
BE
LATE
FOR
CURFEW.
DARE
YA.

“Where
do
you
want
to
go?”

“Show
me
your
new
houses
and
then
feed
me.”

“We
can’t
go
in,
but
we
can
try
to take a peek through the windows
.
I’ve
got
a
flashlight
in
the
truck.”

The
first
house
was
brick
and
beautiful
externally
,
but
the
interior
was
lost
in
the
mid-seventies
and
half-demolished.
“What
happened
in
there?”

“People
started
demo-reno
but
obviously
didn’t
have
the
skill
s
to
go
any
farther.”

“
They just
knocked
out
part
of
the
drywall?
Why?”

Luke
showed
the
top
of the wall near the ceiling
.
“They
were
looking
to
see
if
it’s
load
bearing.
My
guess
is
they
thought
it
was
and
quit
there.
It’s
not.
That
wall
is
coming
down.”
He
led
her
around the corner, dodging a half-dead shrub,
to
the
next
bedroom.
“This
is
a
four
bedroom,
but
it’s
going
to
become
three
with
a
large
master
and
a
master
bath.”