Chapter 14
The elderly mail carrier squinted through thick bifocal glasses at Leo’s military frame, shifting his weight from one foot to the other on the welcome mat.
“Mr. Leo Vance?” the mailman asked, his voice cracking slightly with age.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Leo replied cautiously, keeping his hand resting on the edge of the doorframe. “Can I help you?”
“Name’s Arthur Higgins,” the old man said, holding out the thick manila envelope. “Well, not your uncle Arthur—different Arthur entirely. I’m the retired postal carrier who used to deliver mail on this route for thirty-five years before I hung up my satchel last December.”
Leo stared at the envelope, then back at the old man’s face. “Mr. Higgins? What brings you out to Maple Lane?”
The mail carrier let out a heavy sigh, removing his tweed cap and wiping his balding forehead with a handkerchief. “I heard about the bank trying to foreclose on this house down at the VFW hall last night. Folks were talking about how your uncle pulled that fast one with the reverse mortgage while you were overseas. It didn’t sit right with me. Not one bit.”
Maya appeared in the hallway behind Leo, her eyes wide with cautious curiosity. “What do you mean, Mr. Higgins?” she asked, stepping up beside her brother.
May you like
Mr. Higgins adjusted his glasses, looking between the two siblings with a solemn, sympathetic expression. “I mean, I happened to be delivering certified m
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