Garage Sale Diamonds (Garage Sale Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

words in her head then blurted them before she changed her mind. “You’re right, Hannah, a house is an inanimate building. But this isn’t just any old house. It’s where Adam, your husband, endured terrible abuse for the first six years of his life.”
    “Good second-hand furniture makes sense since we only expect to stay a few months. You and I could have fun giving a big garage sale to get rid of what’s there and afterward shop together for replacements. Our tastes differ, which is normal for different generations, but you know all the resources and I can make the selections. And if Adam goes to law school as his new dad suggested, we’d live on my new job’s income until the other acres sell.”
    Jennifer stared at her daughter. Had Hannah missed what she said about Adam’s torture at the house or chosen to ignore it? She thought about Ruger’s experience at the farm. Did his similar plan to start a new life there prompt him to comb local garage sales to replace his hated mother’s belongings? If so, his plan didn’t work. Purging the house didn’t purge its horror for him.
    How could she share this connection and her resulting uneasiness with Hannah? She reached across the table, touched her daughter’s hand and looked directly into her eyes. “Honey, didn’t Adam tell us repressing those awful childhood memories allowed him to move forward and develop into the balanced person he is? What if living in the house reawakens those torturous memories? Doesn’t ‘repressed’ mean the experiences still exist, just buried deep in his mind until something jars them out?
    Hannah’s gaze dropped to focus on her plate. A tear spilled from the corner of one eye. “Oh, Mom, I don’t want anything to threaten our happiness together, especially a risk we take voluntarily. Adam and I talked about this, and he’s convinced bad vibes from the past can’t change the person he is now. I’m nervous because I don’t want anything to hurt someone I love, but he thinks our plan is logical and practical. He thinks country living would be fun and eco-sound. I admit that the idea of using the old house startled me at first, but I’m not the bold visionary he is and, of course, I want to support his ideas. At best, the plan seems like a harmless, quaint way to spend a few months in a beautiful country setting.”
    “But…”
    “…but frankly, Mom, I’m nervous about anything that might threaten our life together.”
    Moe reappeared. “Dessert for you ladies today?” They shook their heads and Jennifer produced a credit card from her purse.
    “Oh, Mom, what should I do?”
     
    “Honey, this is one of those dilemmas life keeps handing out. You make the best decision by learning as much as possible about the situation. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don’t. If you don’t, you try again.”
    “You’re not going to tell me what to do, are you?”
    “Of course not, Honey. This is your life. But I’m glad you’re not overlooking anything affecting your best choice. And here’s an idea that might influence your decision.”
    Hannah’s eyes widened. “What?”
    “A house safety inspection. You’d want one if you bought a house. They only cost a few hundred dollars. The inspection checks the electrical system, plumbing, foundation, roof, chimneys, drainage, HVAC and water heater; even radon gas and carbon monoxide. A farm’s tests should include well water and septic tank.”
    “Adam told me Greg Bromley—I still have a hard time calling him ‘Dad’—advised him not to invest in structural repairs since the old house will be torn down for rebuilding. So if it isn’t safe, I can’t imagine Adam would want us to live there.”
    “Well, there you go.”
    “Oh, Mom, thanks. And by the way, guess what?” Hannah flashed her winning smile.
    “I give up.”
    “Adam took me to a shooting range to learn to fire weapons. Police work teaches every person should know how to defend himself, so it’s