“An apartment or something simple. I’ll be so busy with the theater I won’t have much time for upkeep.”
“I heard of an apartment in a nice older building right on the gulf. Used to be a huge house. Now it’s divided into two living areas. This is the upper level. Heard about it from Beverly. I can make a call and see if you can go see it if you’d like.”
“Thank you, I’d love that.” A sense of relief washed over her. If she could take this step and find a place to call her own, maybe she’d start feeling more like she belonged here.
“I’ll call first thing in the morning and let you know.”
“Thank you, Darlene. You’ve been so helpful with everything.”
“I like to keep my guests happy.” Darlene smiled. “And besides, after all this time you’ve been here, I consider you a friend.”
A friend. She had a friend in Magnolia. The thought brought an unexpected sense of warmth. Maybe she would find her place here on the island.
Chapter10
The next morning Tori arrived at the address Darlene had given her. She had an appointment with the landlord at ten. As she walked up the sidewalk to the house, she smiled at the long front porch, freshly painted, with a pair of rocking chairs at one end and a porch swing at the other. It was charmingly picture-perfect. She knocked on the door and was greeted by a smiling man in his sixties, she’d guess.
He reached out and took her hand, shaking it warmly. “You must be Tori. I’m Pete.”
She smiled at him. “I am.”
“Well, come on up and see the place. Both the upstairs and downstairs renters have a key to the front door. Their unit is through there,” he pointed to a door to the left, “and the unit for rent is up these stairs.”
She followed him up the stairs, and he opened the door for her. “Go ahead,” he said as he stepped back.
She stepped inside and the large room spread out before her. Sunlight spilled across the room, and she could hardly contain her delight. High white ceilings with sturdy beams gave the room an airy feel. The hardwood floors were worn but inviting with multiple colorful rugs scattered about. Large windows stretched across the back of the house, perfectly framing a view of the gulf. An unbidden gasp escaped when she stepped over to take in the view. The immense gulf stretched out before her, the turquoise water topped with foamy-tipped waves. The white sand at the edge of the waves shimmered in the morning sunshine, beckoning anyone to come walk on it. She turned to Pete. “This is an amazing view.”
He grinned. “Yep, sure is. And wait ’til you see the sunsets from here. They’re spectacular.”
He showed her the kitchen where more sunlight spilled in on the gleaming cream-colored counters. Warm maple cabinets and shiny stainless appliances greeted her as if asking for someone to come in and cook.
“It was all updated last year,” Pete added. “And I’ll show you the bedroom.”
He continued the tour. “That small bedroom has been used as an office, mostly. Not much in it. You could use it for whatever you like.”
They continued down the hall and stepped through the paneled door that was ajar and into the main bedroom. A comfortable queen bed stood on the far side, and the walls were painted a light sea foam green. An overstuffed chair sat by the window with a reading lamp and a small table. The room was cozy and inviting, with lots of closet space.
“Comes furnished. The kitchen is pretty well equipped too. Unless you’re some kind of master chef and need fancy equipment.”
She turned to him and smiled. “Not much of a cook, I’m afraid. Though that kitchen makes me want to learn.”
She swept her gaze around the room one more time before following him out to the main room. “This is just… perfect. Just perfect.” She couldn’t chase the word home out of her thoughts.
“You need some time to decide?” Pete asked.
“I have decided. I want it. I love it.”
“Perfect. It’s yours. I have a copy of the lease on the buffet.” He walked over and retrieved it.
“Don’t you need to run credit checks or something?”
“Nah, if Miss Eleanor was fine doing business with you, then so am I.”
She looked at him, slightly surprised he knew all that. But then, it was a small town. And everyone seemed to know each other’s business.
They signed the lease, she wrote him a check, and he handed her the key. “All ready whenever you are.”
She clutched the key in her hand, happy to have this place of her own.
