Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [32]
Alex nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Listen, if you need me for anything, Mor’s going to help me pack up Jase’s things at his cottage.”
Elise said, “I wish I could help, but somebody has to be here for our guests.”
“Thanks anyway,” he said as he left her in the hallway.
Downstairs, Mor asked, “Is everything okay?”
“No, but it will be,” Alex said as they walked out of Hatteras West.
Chapter 10
“So how’s your life going?” Alex asked Mor as they loaded up another box of books. “Have you made up your mind about what you’re going to do with Les’s offer?”
“Not yet,” Mor said. With a grin, he added, “I’m kind of hoping if I put it off long enough, Les will change his mind.” “Any chance of that happening?” Mor shook his head. “I don’t think so. The man’s in love. He’s leaving, and I’m tired of trying to convince him to stay” Mor taped up the box he was working on, then picked it up. Alex grabbed another box, and the two men walked out to Mor’s truck. Alex had wondered if he should have brought his truck as well, but Mor convinced him that they could get everything into the back of his long-bed pickup.
Sadly, it looked like there was going to be room left over. Mor said, “How are you holding up?” “It’s tough, I won’t deny it, but I’m finally starting to accept the fact that Jase is gone.”
Mor nodded. “Elise’s fiancé picked a bang-up time to come to town, didn’t he? That can’t be helping matters.”
Alex said stiffly, “It’s none of my business. I figured he’d be here sooner or later.”
“Come on, Alex, this is your old buddy you’re talking to. I know it’s killing you to see her with somebody else.”
Alex said, “I’ll get over it. She made her choice a long time ago, and I’m just going to have to live with it.”
“Did she, though? Elise didn’t know you when she said yes to him.”
Alex said, “I’ve got to face facts and get on with my life. Elise and I just weren’t meant to be.”
As the two men walked back inside, Mor nodded as he surveyed the cottage’s small rooms. “That looks to be the last of Jase’s personal stuff in here. Alex, should we head over to the law office and do the job right, or do you want to save it for another day?”
“Let’s just get it over with. If you don’t mind, why don’t you go ahead and get in the truck? I’ll be out in a bit. I just need a minute or two alone.”
“Take your time,” Mor said. “I decided to take the whole morning off. I figure I won’t get the chance after Les retires. If I buy him out, that is.”
After his friend was gone, Alex walked around the cottage alone, trying to capture the last essence of his uncle there. It was odd, but with the books gone and Jase’s clothes sent off to the Salvation Army, the place was just an empty shell, not the home Jase had made for himself. There was nothing of the man left there. Alex wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but there was no trace of Jase’s quick laugh or his bright smile in the walls around him. The essence of his uncle, what made him special, was long gone in one sense, and in another very real way buried deep in Alex’s heart.
There was nothing left behind to savor, to grasp, to love.
Peter was welcome to all that was left behind.
It was quick work packing the few personal things of Jase’s in his office. Sandra had agreed to take care of the law books and his pending files, a dealer was taking all the furniture on consignment, and what little was left fit into three packing boxes.
Nadine hovered over them as they worked. As Mor carried a box downstairs, Alex finished packing up the last bits of his uncle’s life and found the companion book to The Treasure Below, Treasure in the Hills, on his desktop. Alex added it to his stack as Nadine said, “I swear I meant to do this myself. I just didn’t realize you’d want it done so quickly.”
Alex said, “I don’t mind, Nadine. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m surprised you’re still here. I can’t pay you anything for your work. I wish I could.”
Nadine said, “Your brother’s taken care of it till the end of the week, Alex. He said