Donovan's Barn - Part Two

This is the second installment of Donovan's Barn. If you are interested in reading the first one, you may find it here.

***

Rachel dialed the number on the sign. The call connected and a voice announced, “You have reached Holmes Sells Homes Realtors. At the tone, please leave your message. Sebastian Holmes will call you back.”

The tone sounded and Rachel spoke in response, “Hello Sebastian. Rachel Mitchell calling. My husband Trenton and I are interested in finding out more about the Donovan place. Please call us back at your convenience. My number is 893-351-6780. Thanks. We look forward to speaking with you.”

She pressed the ‘End Call’ button on her phone and turned to Trenton who was driving toward the city, and their home. “Well, it’s done. I hope he calls back soon. I’m dying to find out what the asking price is on that place.” Rachel reached over and placed her hand on Trenton’s knee. He automatically covered her hand with his and gave a quick squeeze before putting it back on the steering wheel.

“I’m hoping it will be within our reach, but a place like that – that yard, and garden. Even minus the barn, it’ll likely go for a pretty penny.” He knit his brows together and gave Rachel a wishful grin. “Let’s wait and see what Sebastian tells us.”

They drove along the highway. The traffic was good today, moving swiftly in both directions. Often their trips back from Taftsville were filled with traffic jams and the occasional accident, but today seemed different; like the trip was a forbearer of something good to come. Even the twins, Kylee and Ashlee, sat together closely, captured completely by the game they were playing together. Yes, all was eerily positive. They were only about 20 minutes outside of Taftsville when Rachel’s phone warbled its standard tone for a caller outside of her immediate circle.

Rachel glanced at the number. The display read "HOLMES SELLS HOMES." Her heart fluttered; she cleared her throat and spoke clearly into the speaker. “Rachel Mitchell. Good afternoon.” She clicked the "Speaker" icon. She wanted the conversation broadcast throughout the interior of the vehicle, so both Trenton and the girls could hear everything.

“Rachel. Good to talk to you. Sebastian Holmes here. I’m returning your call regarding the Donovan place.”

“Yes, hello Sebastian. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly,” Rachel tried to hide her excitement and anticipation. We are inquiring about the asking price on the Donovan place. We noticed the sign today when we were visiting with family in Taftsville. Mrs. Donovan kindly let us look around.”

“Ahh. Glad you had a look around,” Sebastian replied. “Let me tell you the terms of this eventual sale.” The Mitchells all sat intently waiting to hear what Mrs. Donovan’s realtor would say next. Mrs. Donovan is selling this entire property – house, garden, yard and barn – for only $5,000.” He became silent and waited for the number to sink in. When the family heard his words, as if one being, they gasped and their mouths fell open in a state of confusion and amazement at the same time.

Trenton coughed and then sputtered as he spoke. “Excuse me? We must have a bad connection. Did you say $5,000???” He couldn’t hide his surprise, nor his disbelief.

“I did,” Sebastian’s voice confirmed. “But there are a few, shall we say, 'catches,' for lack of a better term. It’s by no means a quick cash deal. We should meet in person to discuss the details, if you are up for it.”

“Oh, we are definitely up for it,” Trenton interjected almost before Sebastian had even finished the sentence. “We are actually on our way back to the city though. How urgent is this meeting? Can it wait until next weekend? We will be staying with Rachel’s dad in Taftsville.” By this time, he had pulled into a rest area so that they could talk freely. Rachel sat in the seat next to him, eyes wide and filled with a sense of hope, and the girls had set aside their video game and leaned in toward the front seat to hear every word.”

Sebastian’s tone was professional. “Of course, it can wait until the weekend; however, I should tell you that there is some interest starting, and that is not unusual, considering the price. You should also know that since this is a very unconventional sale, Mrs. Donovan will be taking the house off the market on the 23rd of this month. She will be personally reviewing each offer. It’s anything but a normal ‘the best offer gets the property’ kind of sale. There’s a lot more to it. I will explain all that when we meet in person.”

Rachel and Trenton looked at each other and then at the girls. This was going to be a decision that would affect them all and if they were successful, it would have an impact on all of their futures. “Sebastian, we would be happy to meet you next Saturday? Where and when would you like to meet?”

“You know, I could actually come to you. How does 2:00 p.m. sound? I will just need an address.”

Throughout that next week Rachel often thought about the Donovan place and the asking price. Trenton also pondered Sebastian’s words. Even a search of the listing on the internet provided no new information. The very low asking price was something they knew they could easily manage, but what were the ‘catches’ Sebastian spoke about?

Friday evening after a quick dinner, Trenton, Rachel and the girls headed out for Taftsville. There was a lot of talking and chatter as they travelled. Kylee and Ashlee were extremely excited about the prospect of the family purchasing the Donovan place. They already had some good friends in Taftsville and enjoyed being there. Plus, they had fallen in love with Mrs. Donovan’s strawberry patch and hoped that it might soon belong to them. This pleased Trenton and Rachel. If they actually bought the place, it would make the move that much easier knowing the girls were agreeable.

It was almost dark when they arrived at Rachel’s dad's home. Lyle Benson lived there alone since Rachel’s mother passed away suddenly five years earlier. He greeted them at the door with hugs for everyone. Every minute he got to spend with his daughter and her family pleased Lyle, but more than anything he loved Rachel's cooking and always relished the leftovers he would have for the following week.

Bounding into the house, the girls grabbed their backpacks and ran straight to their bedroom on the second floor; they would be gone for the rest of the night. Lyle and Trenton headed for the family room where the television was playing an old episode of a game show. “I’ll put the kettle on and make some tea,” Rachel announced. “I’m also going to bake a chocolate layer cake for our meeting with Sebastian tomorrow.”

“So, you kids are really interested in that Donovan place?” Lyle asked as he clicked the remote control, and the television faded to black.

Trenton chuckled. “Let’s just say for now we are intrigued by what the realtor told us last week. He said there were some ‘catches’ along with the extremely low asking price.”

“I’d be intrigued too,” Lyle responded. “I'll take the girls out for the afternoon and leave you to meet with the realtor on your own.”

Rachel brought in some tea and cookies and set them down on the coffee table. “Not necessary, Dad. We want them to be a part of this decision. It will affect them as well.” She turned to leave and then added, “and I want you to stay too.”

At precisely 1:55 p.m. Sebastian Holmes drove up and stepped out of his car. He went around to the other door to let his passenger out. Rachel, Trenton and Lyle stepped out onto the veranda to greet them and were taken aback when they saw Mrs. Donovan step out of the car. “Mrs. Donovan usually accompanies me to these meetings. She’s the mastermind behind the terms of this sale. I was sure you wouldn’t mind,” Sebastian spoke as he helped Mrs. Donovan up the steps.

“Certainly not,” said Rachel as she offered her hand to greet Mrs. Donovan and then Sebastian. Following her lead the men did the same. “Please come in. Our girls are already at the dining room table. They’ll be joining us to hear all about this sale. We want to make this decision as a family.”

Trenton and Lyle lead their guests into the dining room and the girls offered a pleasant hello. Rachel brought in coffee, cake and lemonade. “May I interest you in a piece of chocolate cake?” she asked pleasantly. Rachel cut and served pieces of cake as everyone nodded in agreement. “So, tell us about these ‘catches’ to the sale of your property, Ms. Donovan. We are all fascinated.”

Mrs. Donovan accepted her piece of cake, and took a little bite. “Delicious cake, Rachel.” She paused. “But enough pleasantries. Let’s talk about my place.” Everyone turned their attention toward her. “I have a very specific reason for the extremely low asking price for the property. As you know, my husband passed away two years ago. The rest of our property has been sold and I have done quite well with those sales. I thought I would be able to manage the house and the yard myself, but, I’m not a young woman anymore and have realized the upkeep is just a bit too much for me. I want to sell and move into a nice little apartment here in town. I don’t need much.” She paused again. “As I contemplated selling the rest, I remembered what an active place we had for so many years; all those barn dances, weddings, and parties in that barn.” Mrs. Donovan’s voice trailed off and a collective sigh enveloped the room.

“Please go on Mrs. Donovan.” Trenton put his arm around Rachel’s shoulder and pulled her close.

Mrs. Donovan took a sip of coffee. “All right. Here are the terms. I will not accept anything higher or lower than the $5,000 asking price. All potential buyers are required to write me a proposal of how they will revitalize the property; most importantly, how will they utilize the barn. If you are at all interested, Sebastian is accepting proposals on my behalf until the 23rd of this month. I am blindly reading and ranking them all as they come in.”

“Blindly?” Lyle asked.

Sebastian answered, “When I get the proposals, I am removing all identifying information. Mrs. Donovan doesn’t want to be influenced by who the proposal is from.”

“I want it to be fair,” Mrs. Donovan added. “But I want to be sure that whoever gets the property is going to do something with it and not just let it rot to the ground. There is one more thing you should know though.” Trenton gave Rachel’s shoulder a little squeeze and she smiled back knowing that he was as ready as she was to write that proposal.

Mrs. Donovan went on, “The winning proposal will have to include a notarized certificate stating that they will follow through on those plans for no less than 10 years.” Everyone sat silently.

Finally, Trenton stood up with Rachel by his side, and offered his hand to Mrs. Donovan. “Mrs. Donovan, thank you for all the information. You have given us a lot to think about. We are definitely considering submitting a proposal.”

Mrs. Donovan shook Trenton’s hand and stood, “Well then, we shall leave you to your thoughts.” Sebastian rose and everyone followed Mrs. Donovan out the door. The Mitchells and Lyle waved from the veranda as the car backed out of the driveway and drove off.

Trenton pulled Rachel close with one arm and the twins with the other, “I think we have a proposal to write. What do you say?”

You may now read part three here.