

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, my call has barely rung once when Asa answers, a smile in his voice.

I reach for my phone and start for the door mumbling, “Perfect.” Her look turns resigned, her voice bland when she replies, “Take your time. “You want to trudge through the snow with me, or should I meet you back at the cars?” “I need to make a phone call and look at the outbuildings.” I turn back to her and raise an eyebrow, glancing down at her feet. I’m ready for something different, ready to retire from the life I’ve lived the last ten years, even if it means I have to train my replacements. I nod, looking back out over the countryside thinking this could be it. It’s part of the program-they have to learn to live in the conditions. We won’t need much heat and absolutely no air in the summer. There’s heat for the winter and air for summer months,” she utters, flipping her jeweled hand toward the window. The previous owner was a mechanic specializing in large farm equipment.

Not that her commission on this place won’t be a mint. She sighs, realizing she isn’t going to sell me a penthouse in Georgetown. “You said the outbuildings have heat and water?” If you insist on the country life, your neighbor shouldn’t be of concern.” Properties such as these are hardly ever broken up. I believe it dates back to the sixteen hundreds. The building and land are on the National Register because of its history and the age of the original structure. Apparently, everyone thinks they can make wine. It’s changed hands four times in the last nine years. I looked into it when you insisted on viewing this property. It’s her turn to exhale, her voice going bored. “You said this is two hundred and seventy acres. I wanted three hundred and sixty acres so I don’t have a neighbor. Ignoring her, I deliberate on the only drawback to the property. Vega?” she calls for me and I have to exhale to keep my patience. My loan approval is a fake, because at this point, it’s none of her business I’m paying cash. Do I look like I boat? I wish she’d shut up. “With your loan approval, you can afford a lovely penthouse overlooking the Potomac. She moves closer, her spiked heels clicking on the aged wood echoes through the empty room. Looking over the snow-covered mountains, or what they consider mountains in Virginia, I think about space and privacy. I wonder what I’ll do staying put for more than a few days at a time. I stare out the window from one of the top-floor bedrooms, wondering what I’ll do with all this square footage. Your commute from way out here will be a bear.” “Are you sure I can’t show you something in the District? Perhaps Georgetown or a brownstone in Arlington would better suit you. Read a sample from Vines, The Killers, Book 1 by Brynne Asher
