“Ned’s a moron.”
“The signs were definitely there.” Funny how mentioning Ned didn’t bring nearly as much heartache today. As if some of the old hurt had moved out to clear space for a little happiness and hope for what was beginning here on the farm.
Miller stuck the antique key in the door lock, gave it a twist, and pushed open the door. “After you.”
As I stepped inside the house, I became aware of two things. One: Miller’s hand was at my back, and the warmth of his skin seeped through the fabric of my shirt. Two: The living room I stood in was just slightly south of awful.
If the exterior of the home was Joanna Gaines, the inside was Edward Scissorhands.
“Mamie and I didn’t get word you’d need the house until yesterday.” Miller looked about as if taking in what was left after a natural disaster. “We have a crew coming out this afternoon to get the place in working order.”
Worn blue paint covered every wall as far as the eye could see. Old rugs rested atop dirty, dusty wood floors that had probably known better days in the Nixon era. There was an odd, musty smell, as if something had once resided inside a wall and its corpse now remained. The ceiling fan above us looked like it could drop its wilted, burdened blades with one more tiresome rotation.
The living room connected to the kitchen, whose windows begged for a good washing. Peeling Formica held down the counters while cabinet doors hung ajar, as if they’d reported for work drunk and were unable to stand upright.
In a word, it was terrible. Tragic, really.
And yet…I fell instantly in love. “I’ll take it.”
Miller drew a finger over the dusty cooktop. “I haven’t told you how much rent is.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Really?”
“If it’s exorbitant, I’ll ask my boss for a raise.”
He brushed a blot of dust from my shoulder. “I doubt he’d give you one.”
“I’d probably have to remind him of his senior year of high school.” I tapped my temple, trying to ignore the chills that touch had caused. “I know things. Scandalous details.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Homecoming night. The school fountain mysteriously flowing with nacho cheese instead of water.”
“That’s extortion, and I deny it.” Miller’s left cheek dimpled with a half-smile. “The house is a catastrophe, but it is structurally sound. How about rent is free until it’s presentable. If you’re okay staying with your grandma a few more weeks—”
“I want to move in this week.”
“Are you sure?”
I looked around the house, feeling more energized than I had in months. “I am.” I took a deep breath of dusty air. “Now…take me to the stables.”
Chapter Seven
It was an honor to step inside someone’s realized dream.
That it was my sister’s dream made it all the more poignant.
“Rosie, I love it.” That night I turned around in a circle admiring the building that would become my sister’s bookstore.
“You’re currently standing where the young adult section will be.” Rosie pointed to the floor, a fanciful smile stealing across her face. It was good to see her happy. “Over there will be mysteries, to your left a sitting section. Sylvie’s favorite genre of romance gets the larger area to the right…” She led Olivia and me through the building, stopping every few steps to share her vision. “And here will be the coffee bar, which will feature a specially designed menu of coffees, smoothies, and bakery items provided by Aunt Frannie.”
Olivia’s high heels clicked on the concrete floor. “She’ll have book signings, media events, book club meetings, craft nights, wine tastings, and book previews.”
Rosie flung her arm around Olivia. “Meet my publicist.”
“Your publicist could do even more work for you if you’d tell me the name you’ve chosen for the shop,” Olivia said.
