Daddy by Christmas Read Online Free

Gillard’s sister, Amy, in high school. It hadn’t ended well, so Matt had suggested that he make a generous offer to the building tenants. They had written up something to appease the judge and, they hoped, the tenants.
    â€œGood morning, Ms. Saunders,” Jarrett said.
    She nodded. “Mr. McKane.”
    He was quickly drawn into her sparkling gaze and lost the ability to say more. That was when Matt stepped in and guided him to his seat.
    The court deputy soon called their case. “The Mountain View tenants versus Jarrett McKane Properties.”
    â€œHere, your honor,” Matt acknowledged. He and Jarrett went to the front of the courtroom.
    â€œWe’re also here, your honor.” Mia Saunders walked up with two elderly people.
    Everyone waited in silence as Judge Gillard glanced over the case papers in front of her. There were also pictures and estimates for several repairs. The judge’s gaze turned to Jarrett. “How can you expect your tenants to live like this?”
    Jarrett started to speak, but Matt stepped in. “Your honor, as you read in our deposition, my client only purchased the property three months ago.”
    The judge just looked at him, then said, “I assume, Mr. McKane, you did a walk-through of the property before purchasing it so you had to know the conditions. And if that wasn’t enough, Ms. Saunders contacted you several times. So you should have, at least, begun to make some of the repairs.”
    â€œYour honor,” Matt tried again. “It would be a waste of time and money. Mr. McKane will be demolishing thebuilding so a factory can be built there—a computer-chip plant that will bring several new jobs into the area.”
    â€œYour honor,” Mia Saunders interrupted. “The tenants had to sign a lease agreement when they moved in. It states that if the property is ever sold they have six months to relocate.” She flashed a cold stare at Jarrett, then went on.
    â€œEven with the change of ownership, until each tenant is contacted about their eviction, they still have five months and three weeks to stay in their apartments.”
    Matt fought back. “Your honor, isn’t six months a little excessive? A thirty-day notice is a standard agreement now.”
    The judge looked at the lease in her hand. “Well, this agreement is from 1968.” She glanced over her glasses. “But no one thought to change it.” She held up the photos. “I’m more concerned that many of these apartments aren’t suitable to live in.”
    Nola stepped forward and introduced herself. “Your honor, I’m Nola Madison, one of the longtime tenants. May I speak?”
    The judge nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Madison, you may.”
    The tiny woman made her way to the front. “Many of us have lived at Mountain View Apartments for a long time. It’s our home, and like all of us, it’s getting old. With a little work and some minor repairs, we can live comfortably for the winter. Please don’t ask us to leave yet.”
    â€œYou know that in six months you will have to move anyway,” the judge told her.
    Nola glanced around to her group of friends and neighbors. “Next week is Thanksgiving, your honor. For years a lot of us have spent it together. Christmas, too. If this is our last year, I really would like to be with my friends. My family. And we need the time to find affordable places tolive and to save the extra money to move. So staying until March would be helpful.”
    Seeing the judge blink several times, Jarrett knew he was in big trouble.
    â€œYour honor,” Matt tried again. “This is not a good situation, but there is an important business deal pending here. A factory is to be built on this site. A factory that will bring jobs into our community.”
    The judge straightened. “From which your client will benefit nicely, I’m sure. While these people will lose their