“But I want to. Let me help.”
She stared at him for a moment. “There are more buckets and squeegees in the storeroom.”
He nodded and walked away, returning soon with his own supplies. They worked side by side—silently—until every window in the lobby was crystal clear. The lobby slowly transformed as sunlight filtered in through the now gleaming windows. She set down her bucket and swept her gaze around the lobby. “That looks better.”
“It does.” He agreed. “Now what?”
“Well, everything needs a good cleaning, but the windows were bugging me the most, so I started there. I’ll need to get someone with a large ladder or platform to clean the chandelier. I’m going to vacuum every single seat in the theater too. It’s been sitting here collecting dust for so long.” She shoved back her hair again and swiped at her face, but only managed to add another streak of dirt to her fair skin.
“You could hire this out,” he suggested.
“I will for things I can’t do myself. But I can do a lot of it myself. I do have the contractor coming tomorrow with his workers. Electrician, plumber, and some carpenters. I’ve hired someone to come out and steam clean the stage curtain.”
“Then let me help you. I want to help you. I enjoy watching old buildings come back to life.”
“Like the lighthouse?”
He flinched slightly. He still could barely stand to even think about that project. He just bobbed his head in answer.
She set her squeegee in the bucket and looked at him for a long minute. “Okay, I’ll accept your help under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You don’t tell me how to do things.”
He could do that, couldn’t he? Probably. Maybe. But he nodded his head in agreement. “Sure thing, boss.” He winked at her.
She just rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’m calling it quits for today. I have to pack up my things. I found an apartment and I’m going to move in tonight. I’ve already called Darlene and told her I’m checking out of the B&B. And I want to go get some groceries for the place.”
“You’re going to do all that after doing all this? Aren’t you tired?”
“A bit. But I’m excited about moving into my own place.”
“I could help you.” The words came out unexpectedly.
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ve got it. I only have a few suitcases right now. I’m going to send for some of my things now that I have a place.”
“So, I’ll see you here tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here early. I’m meeting the contractor at seven. But you don’t have to be here then. I’ve got it.”
He nodded. But he had every intention of being here at seven a.m. sharp. And he was going to find a way to talk to her about a few of the suggestions he’d thought of. But it would be better to do at a time when he hadn’t annoyed her quite so much. He grinned to himself. If that ever happened.
Tori swung by the market and got some groceries and supplies for her new apartment. Then she went to Darlene’s and packed up her things. She carted her suitcases down the stairs and Darlene greeted her in the foyer, her eyes holding a warmth that expressed more than just a casual host-guest relationship.
“I’m going to miss having you here.” Darlene hugged her.
“I’ll miss you too.” She hugged her back, lingering momentarily, sad to be leaving her newfound friend.
“You come over any time to visit. We’ll grab tea and sit on the porch,” Darlene insisted as she grabbed one of the suitcases.
“I will, I promise.”
They carried the suitcases to her car and loaded them into the back seat.
Tori climbed into the car and waved as she pulled away. It was a quick drive over to her apartment, and the sound of the crushed shell drive welcomed her as she parked in her space. She tugged a suitcase from the back seat and headed inside. Once upstairs, she set the suitcase down, smiling at the late afternoon sun spilling into the room with a warm, inviting embrace. Yes, this could definitely feel like home.
By the last trip up the stairs, she was out of breath. She was beginning to see the allure of a ground-floor apartment. But as she closed her door and looked out at the beginning of a sunset sprawling before her, she knew there was nowhere she’d rather be. And hopefully, she wouldn’t have to make so many trips up and down those stairs again anytime soon.
