“I know.”
“And you let Richard book guests anyway?”
Richard interrupted.
“She didn’t know about today’s reservation until later.”
I turned toward him.
“Then you did.”
He shrugged.
“I knew there was someone interested. I didn’t realize you were serious about selling.”
I looked at Madison.
“Tell me exactly what you promised him.”
She began crying.
“Mom—”
“No. I need the truth.”
Evan moved beside her.
“Madison, what did you tell Dad?”
She looked at her husband.
“I told him that if Mom decided not to sell, I’d probably inherit the house eventually.”
I waited.
She continued.
“And that maybe we could manage rentals until then.”
Richard nodded triumphantly.
“Exactly.”
“But I didn’t tell him he could rent it indefinitely,” Madison added.
He frowned.
“You said we should show your mother how much income it could produce.”
“I said we could discuss a trial after she agreed!”
Richard waved his hand.
“Semantics.”
I stared at him.
“No, Richard. Permission.”
