A Fragmented Journey (The New York Journey Book 1)

by Gracie Guy

  Build your own dream house. 42 acres with barn, pastures and a mile of frontage on the Kinderhook Creek. Perfect for horses or small beef operation. Ichabod Crane Schools. $98,300.

  She blinked a few times before scrolling through the pictures. The fences looked relatively solid; the hayfields looked clean cut. And the barn. OMG, the barn was to die for. Big, beautiful box stalls with sliding doors. Matted wood flooring in the center aisle. Crossties, ample lighting, a grain room, and a tack room.

  Quickly she browsed the realtor’s website for a contact link. She wanted to see the place, tomorrow. The barn was perfect for her horses, lots of room for the dogs, and she could build a house near the creek. If she pushed hard, she could close before Christmas and get a builder in place in early January.

  For the first time since Dan’s death, Kara felt herself smile with unbridled excitement. And it felt good.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The next morning, Kara sent an early text to Dave, letting him know she was taking the day off to look at property. She assumed he wouldn’t care after the success in Dallas. His reply was a single smiley face, indicating, as always, the more money she brought in, the happier he stayed.

  Her eight o’clock phone call to Colby and Teller was answered on the second ring by co-owner, Matt Colby. After a brief introduction, Kara mentioned the listing she found the night before.

  “Sure, I’m familiar with it. It’s a nice location.”

  “Would it be possible for me to see it this morning?” Kara held her breath waiting for his response.

  “Sure, sure.”

  Kara smiled to herself over his easy response.

  “What time did ya have in mind?” Matt queried.

  “How about in the next half hour? I’m in Valatie so it won’t take me long to get there.”

  “There’s an auto parts store on Route 9, about a mile south of Keil Road. Meet me there and I’ll show you where the driveway is. I’ll see you there at eight thirty?”

  “Awesome. Yes, thanks very much!” She looked at her phone in disbelief. This might be it. I might have my own farm soon!

  She grabbed her purse and keys, whistled for the dogs, locked the front door and piled all three of them into the truck. A quick trip through Dunkin’ Donuts produced fresh coffee for her and a box of donut holes for her faithful companions, then she continued south on Route 9, arriving five minutes before scheduled.

  When an older Chevy Tahoe pulled in bearing magnetic signs from Colby & Teller, she knew she would like Matt Colby. He slid down off the driver’s seat wearing jeans, rubber boots, a quilted plaid shirt, and a fleece-lined cotton duck hat pulled over his ears. His gait bore the rolling and slight limp of aging hips, but his smile hid any pain he was feeling. With an outstretched hand, he gave her a single wink from a pair of ice blue eyes set in wrinkled layers.

  “Kara, I assume.” The calluses on his massive paw were comforting to her.

  “Yes. Hi Matt. Thanks for meeting me on such short notice.”

  “Glad to see you’re driving something sensible.” He pointed to her truck. “You’re gonna follow me down what is essentially a tractor path, right over there.” He motioned to the copse of trees at the edge of the parking lot.

  A few minutes later, both vehicles parked in front of the barn. The dogs sniffed the realtor, then raced in circles, pushing their heads into any open spot they could find. After a quick run up the steps to the second story, they returned to Kara with ancient and dusty cobwebs wrapped around their heads. Laughing, she brushed them off while Matt finished the details about the barn’s construction.

  They walked along some of the fencing on the way to the creek. Matt pushed against the tops of a few posts to show how sturdy they still were. “Locust. Takes forever to rot.” Kara nodded silently. She’d spent enough years on a farm to know locust and cedar were the best for the job. When they reached the top of a knoll, she gasped in surprise at the glistening beauty below her. A bend in the creek’s path held a set of mini-rapids, whitecaps cascading over the rocks and slowly fading as the water entered a large pool—the morning sun caused a delightfully blinding splash of diamonds on the surface. To her side, she saw a gentle slope to a pristine sandy beach, marked only by the cloven feet of whitetail deer. An outcropping of rocks, covered by moss and unfit for human travel, dominated the other side. From where she stood, a house could be built well above any flood plain.

  “How long has this place been on the market?” She turned to look at Matt.

  “Aw, as I recall, it’s been at least three years.”

  “What? Why hasn’t a developer picked it up for single-family homes?”

  “’Cause the owner won’t sell it that way.” His lips twitched with a grin. “All a-this was part of the Carson family farm.” He spun around, slowly, his right arm in a broad arc. “When their son died in a plane crash about fifteen years ago, there was no one else to inherit the place. So, to keep it rural, Mr. and Mrs. Carson wrote up their wills so the estate couldn’t sell any of it as less than a forty-acre lot.”

  “But the barn’s newer, right?”

  “Yep. A few years after the old couple died, a downstater picked up this parcel. Built the barn, put in the fencing throughout the summer and fall. Winter hit before he could get the house started.” Matt squinted at the barn before continuing. “He works for one of those computer companies. Shortly after Christmas that year, they offered him a high paying job somewhere down south, so he moved. He’s been holding this ever since, waiting for a buyer.”

  “I don’t understand. What’s the problem?”

  “Well the Carson’s deed put it in a land trust of sorts requiring it to stay rural. Not too many people wanna own a piece like this. It’s too small for farming but carries a pretty good tax bill for the average owner, even without a house on it.”

  Kara thought about the restrictions as they walked back to the barn. Reaching for the door of her truck, she gave the dogs the signal to get in. While they checked the back seat for stray donut holes, she turned to Matt Colby.

  “Have you lived around here a while, Matt?”

  He gave her a slight nod. “Round about fifty-seven years, now.”

  “Do you think I’ll have any trouble getting a building permit to put a house on the knoll where we were just standing?”

  “Probably not. My twin brother’s chairman of the Planning Board in this town.” She saw the sparkle in his eyes increase. “You’d like him.”

  “Matt. Do me a favor,” she reached out to shake his hand. “Give the owner a call and tell him I’ve got ninety-three thousand in cash if we can close before Christmas.” She felt his grip change at the drop in money. The fifty-three hundred dollar difference would cost the realtor some commission. “If he gives you any grief, you can tell him I said I’ll have to put the difference into a driveway. Like he should have.”

  “I sure will.” His face finally split in half with a smile, exposing a crooked, but white, set of teeth. “I’ll call you before noon with his answer.”

  Kara knew she’d go crazy waiting for his phone call, so she decided to kill time, anywhere but sitting in her rented house. Her first stop was for a late breakfast at the Village Café, halfway down the main street—one so narrow that people folded the mirrors on their truck so they weren’t torn off by a passing vehicle. She’d found it after her initial visit to the office of the veterinarian practice she intended to use.

  Perched above the confluence of two creeks, the humble village of Valatie was an ancient Dutch settlement founded in 1665. During her first visit, she’d enjoyed a surprisingly good lunch there and got lost in the din of the mid-day crowd.

  With no cell service in this part of the village, she sat alone—with no electronic distractions—leaving her no choice but to eavesdrop on her neighbors in the crowded room. Tables full of businessmen trying to out-shout one another. Older patrons, sitting in groups of two or three at the small pine tables, struggled to hear each o
ther amidst the other diners. With waitresses rushing to and fro, the wainscoting on the ceiling and walls did little to absorb the cacophony of conversation.

  She ordered a gyro, despite reservations anyone in this tiny village would know how to make it. But minutes later, it arrived with the shaved lamb hot, moist and companioned with fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, feta cheese, and Tzatziki sauce. For dessert, she chose the lemon cake; the thick cream cheese filling and confectioner’s sugar topping melted on her lips. And through it all, the waitress—Tina—wore a genuine and warm smile; her crooked teeth were shown with no embarrassment. Great local eateries were a gem, and Kara was thrilled to have found one.

  This time when she arrived, several of the waitresses said hello. Learning about her new town was a challenge Kara accepted with fervor. Finally, she felt like one of the locals. With little pretense, she sat at the counter, ordered a three egg omelet—loaded with spinach, mozzarella and Swiss cheese—then picked up the local paper to read while she waited.

  After she’d gorged on the abundance of protein, Kara left the tiny village to stop at a farm stand on Route 9. Apples for the horses, pumpkins for her mother, and cider donuts for her and the dogs. Ahhhh. Fall ecstasy for a country girl. Just as she pulled in the driveway and killed the motor of her truck, her cell phone rang.

  “Hi Kara, this is Matt Colby.”

  “Wow. That was fast.”

  “Well, we’ve got a motivated seller with this one.”

  “So is that good news?”

  “It is. Congratulations. He took the offer immediately.”

  Kara danced around the driveway, the dogs yipping at her sudden game. “Contract? When can I sign a contract?”

  “Come by my office later this afternoon and I’ll have it ready for you.”

  “Thanks Matt. Thanks a million.” She really liked this guy. “Hey, do you know a good builder in the area?”

  Now it was his turn to sound excited. “As a matter of fact I do. His name’s Michael Corbin. I’ll see if he can drop by later when you’re there for the contract.”

  “Great. I’ll see you both around three.”

  She felt like she was walking on a cloud when she entered the tiny ranch, despite the weight of produce she carried. Dropping everything on the table, she grabbed the handset of her landline. There were people to call with her news and the first one would be Robin.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Over the next couple of hours, Kara carried on animated conversations with her mother, her boss, and Robin. All were quite pleased for her, though her mother wished she’d chosen somewhere in Saratoga County instead of going south of Albany. She just doesn’t get it. I don’t want to be so close she can just drop in. With less than half-an-hour until her appointment, she locked up the dogs and drove through Kinderhook to the office of Colby and Teller in Stuyvesant Falls.

  She recognized Matt Colby’s Chevy outside a small, unmarked office building. Really? Not even a sign? How do these guys ever sell anything? Inside she found Matt sitting at an enormous wooden desk. He waved her over to take a seat while he wrapped up a phone call.

  “Hi there.” He shook Kara’s hand. “That was Michael Corbin. He’ll be here in about ten minutes.” Matt slid some papers across his desk. “This contract is pretty boiler plate, but take a look.”

  He left the room for a few minutes while she read. Considering the number of contracts she’d written for Avion, Kara breezed through this one. And he was correct, it was generic. But it listed the property, barn, fencing and the price she’d offered. She didn’t hesitate to sign at the bottom where he marked it with a red “X.”

  “Do you always move this quickly on things?” Matt surprised her when he re-entered the room carrying an additional chair.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You only just looked at the place this morning and now you’re signing a contract. Nobody to check with on this decision?”

  “Are you asking me if I’m married?”

  “You’re an attractive woman and you asked me a lot of smart questions out there this morning. Seems crazy you’d be single.”

  Kara chuckled. She loved the way some older men approached her. The ones up north always deferred to Dan if they were together. As if a woman’s thoughts didn’t go any further than what to make for dinner. Matt appeared to be a little more progressive than the men in the Adirondacks.

  “I’m a widow.” She studied her hands. It felt odd to be telling this to a stranger. “My husband died in an accident a few months ago. So I sold all of his stuff, and our house, and moved.”

  Matt nodded at her.

  “I’m renting a place over in Valatie until I find one of my own. And today, I did just that.”

  “Where ya from?”

  “Saratoga. My mom still lives there.”

  “So why do you wanna live down here?”

  “I work in Albany. And this is affordable horse country. Forty acres in Saratoga County would eat up all of my money.”

  The realtor smiled at her from across his desk, then busied himself with the paperwork she’d signed. Moments later the windows rattled from the deep rumble of a large truck parking outside. When Matt stood up, she turned to look at the door, curious to see the contractor who was coming to meet her.

  “Hey Mike, thanks for coming over. This is Kara Elliot.” He waited a moment for them to acknowledge each other. “She’s buying the last piece of the old Carson farm. You know, the one where the city kid built a barn and fenced it in, but never built a house?”

  “Yeah, sure. It’s a nice spot on the creek.” He shifted his gaze back to Kara. “It’s nice to meet you. Call me Mike.”

  “Likewise, Mike.” Kara firmly shook his calloused hand. Another hard working man. Ever since her time in the trades, she found she was very comfortable with men who worked with their hands. There was an honesty to them, which appealed to her. The thin covering of dirt on his boots reflected his time spent outside.

  “So, Matt tells me you might be looking for a contractor to build a house.”

  “I sure am. Since you know which piece of property it is, are you interested in showing me some designs?”

  “Wow. Straight to the point.” Mike smiled.

  Kara stole a glance at Matt to see his reaction before returning to the contractor. These two men would quickly figure out that she was no bisque doll when it came to business.

  “Well, I’m on a six month lease. And I’m not interested in renewing it. Matter of fact, I’m not sure the bank will renew—they’d rather sell it.” She had trouble looking away from Mike’s eyes. Behind a nearly wireless pair of glasses, they were a light hazel surrounded by a distinct blue ring. She’d never seen anything like it. “But it’s too small for my taste. There’s less than two acres with it.”

  He started to stand up from the extra chair Matt brought in.

  Kara felt her pulse quicken watching his thighs and forearms flex with his weight when he paused in mid-stand to retrieve his wallet from his back pocket. His solid build reminded her of John. Where did that come from? You’re thinking about him again?

  Sitting back down, Mike pulled out a few well-worn business cards.

  Watching the hand holding his wallet, she felt a slight disappointment about the wedding ring she saw. Really? You need another man to complicate things? No, she knew she didn’t. But, there was no denying how sexy this one was. His unruly, deep blonde hair carried flecks of auburn, two layers of dimples accented his smile, and on the end of his patrician nose was a funky divot. If his ring hadn’t been there, she definitely would have flirted with him. But I can be all business.

  “Any idea what type of floor plan you’ll want?” His question interrupted her thoughts about him.

  “Simple, one story, and with lots of windows. Other than that, I’m open to suggestions.”

  “Okay. Call me once you’ve had your closing.” He handed her one of the business cards as he stood to leave. Columbia Timber and Con
struction. “In the meantime, I’ll work on some sketches.”

  “Thanks. It should only be a few weeks.” Kara smiled as she released his hand from yet another firm grasp.

  After the contractor left, she and Matt discussed the closing, what the seller’s bank would require, and how soon he’d speak to his brother about the building permit. All in all, it was a glorious day and the sun was still high enough for her to get in a long horseback ride.

  Kara couldn’t suppress the goofy grin on her face as she drove to her friend’s farm. I need to tell, someone! She pulled to the side of the road to look at her cell phone. As she scrolled through her list of contacts, her eyes were riveted to John’s number. Why him? She looked out at the sun-kissed pavement next to her truck. Why not him?

  Before she could lose her nerve, she pressed the little green phone icon next to his name.

  “John Harley.”

  “Do you ever say hello when you answer the phone?”

  His deep laughter filled her ear.

  “I rarely look at the screen before speaking. Do you want to call me back and we can try it again?”

  Now she was the one laughing. “Nah, I’m too excited to waste time.”

  “What’s up?” His voice carried a quizzical inflection.

  “I just bought a farm. And I’m like a little puppy spinning in circles. Had to share with someone.”

  “And you chose me?”

  Kara had trouble interpreting his question. Does he think I’m pathetic, like I don’t have someone else to share my news with? Hey, don’t get paranoid here. You’re just feeling guilty for flirting with the contractor. Now tell him the truth about why you called him first.

  “Yeah, I chose you. ’Cause you supported my idea to move out of the mountains and away from some very bad memories.”