Falling to Pieces Read Online Free PDF Page B

clip on his leash.
    Checking the mirror over the hall table, she decided at least her appearance had improved since yesterday’s fiasco.
    She was dressed.
    She was clean.
    And she’d eaten.
    These days it didn’t get much better.
    Clipping Max’s leash to his collar, she hurried down the stairs, and exited the door at the same time the two men started up the walk.
    The younger of the two men nodded, but didn’t offer his hand. “Hello. I’m Jonas Yoder. I believe you met my
fraa
yesterday.”
    “Deborah?”
    “Ya.
She asked me to bring Eli by.” Jonas nodded at the older gentleman, who put his hand on his hat and nodded at her. Light streaks of gray peppered his beard, and gentle lines feathered out from his blue eyes.
    “My name is Eli King. I help people buy and sell their property.”
    “You’re a realtor?” Callie’s heart tripped a beat, as she realized one of her problems might be solved.
    “Ya,
I suppose that’s what you English would call me.” He shared a smile with Jonas, leaned on the cane. The old guy seemed spry enough. Callie had the oddest feeling the cane was more of a prop than a necessary aid. “You might have noticed we do things a bit differently here in Shipshewana.”
    “I noticed.” Callie tucked her hair behind her ear. “Can you help me sell the shop, Mr. King?”
    “I believe I can.”
    No one spoke as Max settled between the three of them.
    “Can’t say as I’ve been in the shop before, though of course I knew Ms. Powell.” Eli studied the building, then turned and looked her directly in the eye. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you.”
    Tapping the side of the stucco wall with his cane, he smiled mischievously. “I remember when this building was first put up. Construction’s good.”
    “Nice to know.”
    “Can’t sell it like it is though. Folks don’t like to buy a place that looks abandoned.”
    Callie’s head snapped around, and she glanced at Jonas to see if she’d heard the old guy right.
    Jonas grinned and stooped to scratch Max behind the ears.
    “I suppose you know the shop’s been empty since my aunt died. I only arrived last week.”
    He nodded. “Landscaping will have to be tended, windows washed, displays redone.”
    Callie hurried to catch up with Eli King, who was indeed surprisingly spry.
    “I don’t want to reopen it. I want to sell it.”
    He turned to study her. “Reopening it is a fine idea. I’m glad you suggested it.”
    “I didn’t suggest it. I said—”
    “Of course it’s your decision, but you’d have the best chanceof getting top dollar for a business that’s open and thriving versus one that’s …” His voice trailed off as his cane took in the state of the parking lot where weeds had run rampant.
    “Abandoned?” she asked sarcastically.
    “Excellent choice of words.”
    Callie closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath. When she opened them, Eli had disappeared around the corner of the building. Suddenly remembering Max, she turned and nearly bumped into Jonas.
    “He can be a bit opinionated,” Jonas said, handing her the dog’s leash.
    “A bit?” she accepted the leash and hurried to catch up with Eli King.
    Jonas kept pace with her.
“Ya,
but on the other hand, he’s usually right.”
    After Eli had surveyed the exterior of the building, he walked through the inside, then asked to see the apartment. Callie was relieved she’d at least picked up the dirty laundry upstairs. Jonas wrote down Eli’s suggestions as they walked through each room. By the time they’d returned to the buggies, the list covered two sheets of paper.
    “You want me to do all of this?” Callie’s voice rose like the birds chattering in the trees.
    “Where are you from, Miss Harper?” Eli studied her from beneath bushy eyebrows.
    “Texas.”
    “In Texas, do you not clean up a piece of property before you attempt to sell it? Put on the best possible face, as if you are preparing it for a grand celebration?”
    “Yes,