Page 84 of Ghost

“The downside is really good, and not a whole lot to do.The bathroom upstairs is a total gut-job though.”

Paul sighed again, this time more in frustration.“I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“However, Alfred, Mr.Stockbridge, has given uscarte blanchein doing the bathroom and kitchen renovations.”Mason took a deep breath.“But—”

“Oh, now what?”Paul cut him off before Mason could finish.

“Don’t go getting your panties in a wad,” Mason chuckled.“Thebutis, we won’t make any money on doing the renovation.”

“Do what?”Paul almost screamed.

“Alfred will pay for all materials and supplies and even all the paint, but...in exchange for our labor, you and Mitch will pay no rent for at least one year.”

There was complete silence.

“Paul?You still there?”

“Are you serious?”Paul asked, his voice a mere whisper.

“As long as we complete all the renovations to the house, you live rent free.”Mason smiled.“Luckily for us, all the electrical and most of the plumbing is new.”

“You’re not kidding me?”

“Nope.”Mason’s face was almost hurting from smiling.“I worked it out to where our labor is the rent for one year.”

“Woo-hoo!”Paul yelled, causing Mason to flinch and pull the phone away from his head.“Deb!Deb!You ain’t gonna believe this!Come hear this!Woo-hoo!”

By the end of the call, they’d arranged for Paul to come down when Mitch moved and start work on the house that Paul and his family were going to move into.That would leave Deb to pack up most of the Atlanta house and get ready to move.Once the move was all done, Paul, Mitch and Mason would return to get their old house ready to put on the market.

The one bad thing about all of this was telling Patty that the renovation on the apartment over the store was going to have to be put off until all of it was done.Mason was not looking forward to breaking the news to her.Oh well, there’s nothing that I can do about that.He smiled to himself.But in the long run, it will get done much quicker with the three of us working together on it!

Chapter Thirty

“Francis, I’m home,”Mason called out.He’d managed to catch Nick alone at his store and told him the bad news.

“Oh, I’m not telling her,” He said quickly.“Don’t get me wrong, Mason, I understand the delay, but Patty...she’s been looking forward to having that done.”