When Fate Steps In

Chapter 66 House hunting for Shira

Chapter 66 House hunting for Shira

Logan and Ricky returned Monday. Rory had talked with Logan several times before they flew back. She set up appointments with Logan's real estate agent. She told her what Logan was looking for. She called Evelyn and asked her to organize a deep cleaning of the Huntzburger Manor. She also explained that Logan wanted all of Shira's personal items removed, boxed up, and put in storage.

Ricky returned with all his belongings from California. Rory was helping him sort everything out. He was boxing up items to put in storage also. Logan had been preoccupied since his return. Rory was giving him space. She knew that Logan had a rough exterior, but she also knew the sweet, big-hearted man. She knew Logan was hurting. She wanted to help, but she didn't know-how. She had talked to Honor several times. Honor was mad, hurt, and disappointed, but she was not silent. Rory thought that Honor had the right idea. Vent about it. Logan had closed himself off. Rory was worried.

Logan had an appointment Wednesday to look at apartments. Rory was going to meet him at his office and go with him. When she pulled into the parking lot at the Hartford office, she noticed the parking lot was full. When she entered the building, she headed for Logan's office. She was stopped by a red-headed female sitting at the reception desk. "Welcome to Huntzburger Publishing Group. How may I help you?" Rory stopped at the desk. "I'm here to see Logan." The redhead smiled at her. "If you have a seat, I will see if he is available." She said as she picked up the phone. Rory thought about just walking into Logan's office, but she decided this girl was just doing her job. "I'm sorry miss, but Mr. Huntzburger is busy today, he will not be available for walk-ins." Rory decided to have a little fun. She stood at the reception desk and pulled out her cell phone. She called Logan's cell phone. When he answered, "Logan darling, please tell this lady at the reception desk that it is okay for me to come to see you." Logan was laughing. "Give her the phone. Renea, that is my wife, she does not need an appointment or permission to come to see me." "I'm sorry, Mr. Huntzburger. I didn't know." "That's quite alright. She is just playing with you" Renea handed the phone back to Rory. "Let me get you a visitor's pass."

Logan was laughing when she entered his office. "Why didn't you tell her you are my wife?" "Just thought I would take her down a notch. Order her some flowers. The front desk looks bare." Rory said. "Are you ready to go? I have two viewings scheduled for us to look at today. Then we can go to lunch." "Yes, let's feed the baby," Logan said.

They arrived at the first apartment. Logan pulled into the parking lot. There were five 2 story buildings. 2 buildings had 4, 2 story apartments, and 2 buildings had 8 apartments per building, 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. The last building, they would find out later was the recreation area. It held a laundry as well as a meeting room and an office. When Logan and Rory got out of the car, Sandra, the real estate agent, met them in the car. "Logan '' She reached out and shook his hand "and this must be your wife, Rory. I have been talking with you about what you are looking for in an apartment. I must say, Logan, this is not your usual type of housing." Logan nodded "Sandra as I am sure my wife told you, this apartment is for my mother. She will not be needing much." Logan said with a smile that told her not to ask any more questions. "Okay, this building here is the recreation center. There are meeting rooms, a pool table, tables set up for checkers, chess, cards. It also has a laundry room. As I told your wife, Rory, the townhouse apartments are set up with a washer and dryer hookups. She indicated that you were interested in the townhouses." "Yes, Rory said." As she grabbed Logan's hand. She was tired of this female looking at him like he was lunch.

"Okay, this townhouse has been emptying for several weeks. It was a rental, but they are willing to sell." She opens the door and stands back for them to enter. "As you can see, it has been freshly painted. The carpet has been replaced in the living room." Logan looked around. The living room was not excessively big. It could probably fit a sofa and two chairs. Off to the left was the dining room. The dining room table would have to be small. Logan turned around and almost ran into Rory. "Ace," he said as he grabbed her so she would not fall. Sandra continued to show them the rest of the townhouse. There was a bedroom, and bathroom to the left of the front door. The kitchen was small. It had a stove, a microwave, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator. Do the appliances come with the townhouse?" Rory asked. "Yes, or if you would like to pick out your own, we can remove them for you," Sandra explained. They turned to go upstairs. The upstairs was a huge bedroom with a walk-in closet that led to a big bathroom. Logan looked at Rory. "I like this. If it were only me, this would be perfect. Not a lot to clean" Rory said. "Well, it is a good thing you have a family," Logan said as he kissed her cheek.

When they left the townhouse, Sandra told them that the other place was a small house. "a little over 1200 square feet. Three-bedroom one bath, an attached garage. It is in a nice neighborhood. Would you like to see it?" Sandra asked. Logan looked at Rory. Rory looked at her watch. "Sure, if you have time." "Here is the address" She handed Logan a card. "I will meet you there."

Logan pulled up to the address he was given ahead of Sandra. He and Rory got out of the car. It was a small brick home. "I like this, Logan." Logan just nodded. He wanted to see the inside. He was looking for a place for his mother to live, but this also was an investment. This would be rental property when she was gone. He expected his mother to find her another rich husband, so he didn't think she would be in this house long. Logan looked around the lot. He estimated the lot was around 7000 square feet. That was a surprisingly good size. He would have to check on someone to keep the yard up.

They toured the house. There are two small bedrooms and one decent size bedroom. There is only one bathroom. There is a dining room as well as a breakfast nook. The kitchen is open to the dining room and breakfast nook. The living room is a good size. The laundry room was in the one-car garage. Rory commented that the closets were small, but Shira could use one of the bedrooms as a closet. Logan nodded. Sandra met back up with them in the kitchen. "Well, what do you think?" she asked. "What year was this built?" Rory asked. "Around 1947. But the wiring and plumbing were updated last year." Logan looked at Rory. "What's the price?" Logan asked $199,000. I'm sure you could probably offer less although I showed this to a couple yesterday." Logan took a deep breath and walked around the kitchen, looking out the windows in the backyard. I can have a fence put up and she would be able to keep her dog. Logan thought. "How much are the HMO's" "$500 a month and that included yard care." "That's a little steep," Rory said. "Yeah, but is there a way of keeping the riff-raff out?" Logan told her. "Do you have the paperwork to make an offer with you?" Sandra nodded. "I want to make an offer," Sandra told them that she would be right back. The paperwork is in the car.

While she was gone Rory asked Logan how much he was going to offer. "I'll offer $200,000. I am not getting into a bidding war." Sandra came back in with the paperwork. She filled it out, leaving the amount blank. "How much do you want to offer?" $200,000. I don't want to get into a bidding war."

Rory and Logan left Sandra to lock up. On the way back to the office Logan asked Rory if she had time to get with a decorator and approve the decorations for the house as well as the furniture. Rory agreed. She will contact her decorator as soon as she is giving the word that he owned the house.