BOMAW Vol. 10-12 by Mercedes Keyes Read Free Book Online Page A

things here, that's not such a bad idea."
    Shanna and Royce both burst into big grins.
    "So you'll be needing the keys then," She reached across the counter and removed a set of keys from the key hooks. "Here you go, the keys to the Navigator is on there as well if you need it; seeing as how you left your truck in Chicago."
    "Thanks, what you cooking for dinner? Got the boys with me; make enough for us?" He asked.
    "I'll make plenty for you and the boys, I'll call you when its done."
    "So Jake, you gonna be looking for a place huh?" Royce asked.
    "Yeah, I'm gonna have to. As I said, until I have one, I'm not gonna get her up here."
    "Don't know if you know this or not, but there's some property, an old place not far from here, down from your brother's land, in fact ... it might border his land from behind. Wait, rather, Sylvia's land. No, come to think of it, there's some property between hers and this place I'm talking about. Either way, it's before you get to Hustler, between Barwood lane and Orange Mill lane, there's this old dirt track that leads to an old farm house, on about 8 acres of land. House looks a mess, like something out of a haunted movie, but its well built. Big, Victorian frame house, basement, two floors and a nice size attic. Had to chase some kids out of there the other night. They'd busted the windows and was partying there. Old man, Sparky used to live there, he passed away just a couple of weeks ago."
    "Old man owned it huh?"
    "Yep, retired military. Wife took off on him years ago, he raised his kids, they left and he let the place go. Hasn't seen repairs or a lick of paint in I don't know when. Land hasn't been worked either for that matter. It's rough looking, but hey, considering the state of the place, I bet someone will get a good price for it. Dirt cheap I'm bettin'. With the type of building you're used to doing and working in a lumber yard, I bet you'd have that place top shape in no time."
    Jake stood a moment letting that bit of information sink in, curious he asked, "Where is it again?"
    "Let's go get your boys, I'll take you by there." Royce volunteered, turning to Shanna, "We'll be back in a bit darlin'." He kissed her cheek and then put his shoes on so he could take Jake by the place.
    Going down the long drive and then pulling into the yard, all three McPherson's mouths fell open. The place was a mess! There was garbage strewn all over the land like a badly neglected junk yard. Old, rusted out, gutted vehicles here and there. Old furniture, broken down, stuffing pulled out. The greatest collection of beer cans were loaded into a trailer, many of which had spilled out onto the ground. There was unrecognizable garbage as well; garbage that had been there for so long, the rain, wind and elements had turned it into a heap of black trash. The dirt track or road in was loaded with pot holes and broken pavement, in fact, what there was left of the pavement was more like rock chunks broken away from the track. Weeds had grown tall everywhere they could. They surrounded the house, surrounded the barn and another out building lean-to that was barely standing. Jake and his sons stood outside of the car staring in disbelief. The place was horrendous. As Royce said, the house had not seen a lick of paint for years; Jake was thinking, 25 to 30 years at the very least. Windows were broken and on the large porch that stood on two sides of the house, like an L, full of trash with spokes missing from the railing that surrounded it.
    It was simply horrible.
    They walked away from the car and made their way through the yard, quietly looking around.
    "As you can see, ol'man Sparky wasn't much for keeping his property up. Word is, his son and two daughters came for the funeral, saw the property and turned their backs and walked away from it. I believe it was left for the son. He said he's going to sell it, as is . Wants nothing to do with it. He lives in Virginia and hasn't the time or money to be bothered