Lost and Found: Sara Martin Series
Page 23
After packing my Jeep to the brim, I went back for Faith and her things. When I got to Derek's, he started in right away.
“So, what's the plan, sweetness,” he said, arms folded, leaning on the counter.
“You, my dear, need to go pack a bag for an overnighter or two or three. Pack extra. Who knows how long we'll want to stay.”
“Seriously? Where are we going?” he asked.
“Somewhere you’ll love. I'll tell you on the way,” I said with a wink.
Derek motioned me toward his room. “Come with me. I need help.”
Fifteen minutes later we were heading out to the Jeep, bags packed. I opened the trunk of my Jeep, and he saw the cat stuff and the cooler and looked at me funny. I helped him throw his stuff on top. When we got in, he sat sideways in the passenger's seat and folded his arms. “Okay, Chicky, spill!” he demanded.
“All right. There are a few things about me you don't know,” I started, as I turned out of the lot. I looked over and he had his eyebrows raised.
“Should I be concerned?” he asked.
“Maybe,” I said, toying with him. “I'll start back a generation or two.” I winked, and pulled out on the highway. “My Grandpa and Grandma we're very lucky in the real estate market . . .”
I brought him up to the part where grandma passed and left me a letter. I continued on and told him that, in the letter, she told me to continue working or volunteering and to “find my place in this world.” We spent the next half hour driving and talking. Derek remained quiet and smiley. He told me he liked my grandparents and could tell where I’d gotten my drive from. I thought Gran would have approved of him as well.
“So as you've probably guessed, I recently received an inheritance. And I just made my first big purchase with some of the money!” I turned to look at him.
“So you bought us a weekend vacation?” he asked smiling.
I laughed out loud. “You see, when I got to the cabin the first time, I absolutely loved it there. And when I went back with you, I loved it even more. The morning I was there alone, the day I went to the library and researched Carrie, I learned something. Before I went to the library, I met up with Reggie and Maureen from the little shop on Main Street. They helped me learn more about the Carrie story and the lake. When I questioned them about the neighbors of the lake area, I asked why it was so under developed. They told me most of the land was owned by one family, and they had owned it for a long time and didn't want the lake to become busy or to turn too commercial, so they never sold it. Hawsawneekee was one of those quiet lakes that’s a hidden gem, and they wanted it to stay that way.
“When you and I went back to Nisswa the night you had to tell Bill and Nancy the news, I saw them again in the diner, and they joined me for pie. I learned a lot more about them. It turns out that they are the owners of all that land! They'd had dreams of moving closer to their children and grandchildren in the cities.
“The problem is they didn't want to split the land into lots and no one could afford the asking price except builders and contractors. They didn't want to sell to them because the lake would soon get developed, so they felt kinda stuck. They also had the gift shop “Lost and Found” in town, on Main Street. They sell gifts, clothes, handmade jewelry, home decor, clothing, and more. They put their hearts into that store, and it does very well, but now it seems harder and harder for them to keep up.”
“I think I see where this is going,” Derek said with a huge grin.
“I made them an offer! Not just on the lake land, but on the store, too. I can hire a couple part-time employees to help out so I'm not working all the time. I have enough money that I never have to work again, but I want to make sure that I take Gran's advice. So this will give me something to do and be proud of but not control my life and time. It's perfect!”
“Oh, my gosh, Sara! I'm so happy for you! You must be so excited,” Derek said.
“I am! And this is the best part . . . the cabin is part of the lake land and the purchase! The cabin is mine! The pontoon too. I get the keys today! All the paperwork was finished on Wednesday at the diner, while I waited for you. I'd been making a lot of phone calls this last week and had everything ready to go when I got there. I had to wait on a couple documents until my divorce was final, but it all worked out. I’m meeting Reggie and Maureen at two this afternoon to get the keys. They’re going to walk me through the store operations on Monday and Tuesday next week. I asked them to kinda shadow me for a few days until I learn the ropes. They have a small house in town too, that they're going to list on Monday with a local realtor. They said that the two employees they have there now are interested in continuing to work with me if I'll have them. Which I am, so it's a total “turn-key” business! I wired them the money yesterday. I now own two-thirds of the land on Lake Hawsawneekee and a cabin and pontoon, and I own Lost and Found!”
“Wow, Sara, that is so amazing! I’m so happy that things are turning around for you. I’ve never seen you smile this big. It's beautiful,” he said and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you. So, we’re going to the cabin to celebrate! For Sunday I invited Kat and my parents up for a Bar-B-Que, so you can meet them, and they can see my land, cabin, and store. And then I thought we could all go out on the pontoon and tour the lake,” I said grinning. “And you can stay as long as you'd like. I planned enough food to stay until Tuesday.”
“Really? I get to meet your parents?” he asked, not looking concerned. “Are you sure? That's a big step,” he said.
“I'm sure. I know it's big, but I want you to meet them,” I said. “And, more importantly, my parents want to meet you.”
“I'm looking forward to it,” Derek said with a grin.
We rode in silence for a little while and then I added. “I also think that you should keep your options open for any job prospects that might come up. This is a really nice area.”
Derek smiled. “Yes it is. I do love it up here.”
It was noon when I pulled up to the cabin. It was a beautiful, sunny day, sixty-three degrees and a little breezy. I put the car in park, rolled the windows down and inhaled the cool, fresh, clean air.
Derek quickly escaped the Jeep, ran around to my side and opened my door. He offered me his hand, “Welcome home, sweetness.”
I took his hand and he pulled me out and into him for a big hug, then he kissed me . . . for a long time. When our eyes finally opened, I took his hand and led him to the dock. We sat on the edge and let our feet dangle just above the water. I looked up at the beautiful, blue sky and mentally thanked God.
They say everything happens for a reason. I wouldn't want to do it all again, but I knew I was stronger and in a better place now. It wasn't very long ago, I felt completely lost. And now . . . well now, everything was falling into place. I guess He knows what He's doing after all.
I looked over at Derek. He smiled. “I think you found your place,” he said.
“I think you're right,” I said with a smile, then leaned over and kissed him again.
Check out these other great books by Danelle Helget
Found and Destroyed
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Destroyed and Detained
Coming June 1, 2013