Read IN FOR A PENNY (The Granny Series) for Free Online Page B

big misunderstanding.”
    The hopeful expression on his face slid straight off his chin. “But my anniversary is today.”
    Her heart went out to him. It really did, but she wouldn’t just hand over a piece of history out of Lil’s house. Goodness knows , she would’ve given anything for George to have been this passionate about an anniversary gift for her. She’d always appreciated the new split-leather tool belts and wire cutters, but flowers and hand-picked furniture would’ve been nice now and then.
    Maggie sighed. “Tell you what, we’ll go upstairs and take a look at it and maybe by the time we’re done she’ll be home.”
    She hated to string the man along, but disappointing people always made her feel like she was being rubbed all over with sandpaper.
    “I’d appreciate that.” He situated his cap back on his head.
    She led him inside. “Can I offer you a cold drink?”
    “That’d be nice.” He smiled, and even with the sweat and a streak of grease on his cheek, the man was attractive.
    “Your wife’s a lucky woman.” Did I say that aloud? By the fact that the man’s eyebrows had disappeared under the bill of his cap, the answer was yes. “I mean…I didn’t mean… Oh, shoot.” How was she ever going to find romance again when she acted like such a ninny around a man? And why in the world was she even thinking about romance?
    “I’ll be sure to tell her you said so.”
    Maggie poured him a big glass of sweet tea and led the way to the second floor.
    Summer Haven was normally meticulous, but upstairs looked like a band of Merry Maids had waged an attack on dust and dirt. The floors shined with a recent waxing and the doorknobs had been buffed until they gleamed.
    “It’s this way.” Maggie opened the door and found it as immaculate as the hallway. Nothing was even slightly askew on the highboy dresser.
    A shiver cruised over Maggie’s spine. It made her think of how she’d cleaned and arranged George’s den right after he passed away. Something wasn’t right at Summer Haven.
    The Jenny Lind trunk sat at the end of the bed, its rich pine rubbed to a glowing patina. The four iron bands were studded by brass buttons. And the rare brass double lock still worked perfectly, with the original key tucked securely inside. Of all the treasures in the house, this was one of Lil’s favorites.
    “My wife will flip over this.” He stared down at the trunk and lifted a shoulder. “Like I said, I don’t really get all this excitement over a bunch of wood and metal, but if it makes her happy, then I’m all for it.”
    “Why don’t I take down your phone number and I’ll have Lillian call you when—”
    Just then, the sound of the front door opening and closing filtered upstairs.
    Good. They could clear this up now. He would go away disappointed, but at least he wouldn’t have a false sense of hope.
    Maggie rushed into the hallway and called down the stairs, “Lil, can you come up to the Cherokee Rose Room for a sec?”
    “Maggie Rawls!” Lil’s tone was as sharp as a diamond-edged saw blade. “What in Pete’s sake are you doing in that room?”
    Lillian’s wildly swinging moods the past couple of weeks were getting on Maggie’s last nerve. If she didn’t know Lil had already gone through the change, she’d suspect PMS. Maggie didn’t appreciate being scolded like a child, but she wasn’t going to kick up a fuss in front of this nice man. “I have a gentleman up here who says he’s supposed to pick up the Jenny Lind trunk. I already told him he’s mistaken, but he’s insistent. Can you come talk with him?”
    Maggie stood there waiting for a response, but there was only silence from below.
    Finally, with a weariness Maggie had never heard before, Lillian said, “It’s not a mistake. Five hundred dollars and the trunk is his to take.”
    Maggie reeled back from the balustrade and glanced over her shoulder at the man who was already scooting the trunk away from the bed.
    He