“Okay…” Helen was confused, trying to figure out where I was taking this.
“When you moved in I asked him to look into your purchase of the property.”
I looked over at her and she was staring at the ground, twiddling her thumbs and breathing slowly.
“He said you don’t actually have the deed to the property yet. That it’s currently in his lawyer’s name. Is this true?”
“I’m not sure why it matters,” Helen looked straight ahead and crossed her arms, still walking forward.
“Because when I told you I was interested in purchasing your property, you didn’t mention that you technically had no legal power to sell it to me.”
“Why are you still harking on this? I thought you were past just using me to get Dudley’s land?”
Helen looked me in the eye now, her face more sad than angry.
“I am. I’m wondering why you lied to me. Why didn’t you trust me with that information?”
“Look, it’s no surprise that Dudley didn’t like you. And on the day I inherited the home, I was told by Wally to stay away from you. But for some reason, I can’t. And honestly, it scares me.”
“I see.” I wasn’t sure what to say. My hands were twitching and my heart was pounding. I opened my mouth to tell her how I really felt about her, but she beat me to it.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t entirely honest with you, but I am hoping to own the house soon.I just have to work out a few kinks first. And I would really like to sell it to you. I do trust you, Brenton.”
“I trust you too.”
We smiled at each other, clasping hands. I walked the rest of the way back with an unshakable grin on my face.
We made it back to our homes and I walked Helen to her door.
“Thank you for another eventful outing. Will we ever have a normal date?” She asked me.
“Is that what this was?” I asked, unreasonably nervous for her answer.
“I think so.” She grinned and I realized I would never get tired of seeing that smile.
“Good.”
“Let me know if you need any help retrieving your car.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably call my friend to see if he can drive me back down there and help assess the issue.”
“Alright. Good luck.”
“Let me know if you find anything out about your family and TruFruit.” As I spoke, she broke our eye contact.
“Oh yeah. And you as well,” she said, still looking down.
“I will.”
“Bye.”
“Lock your door,” I told her.
Helen smiled and shut the door. I heard the lock click into place. I went back home, anxious to know more about the Washington’s connection to TruFruit.