Page 76 of Dublin Brute

“The nursery that is currently a glorified walk-in closet?” Finn asks.

Laine chuckles. “Currently it’s a glorified walk-in closet, but in a couple of weeks, it will be a perfect little nursery nook.” Laine’s easy smile lights up her entire face.

Bryan rolls his shoulders back and grins. He loves a chance to flex those muscles even if it’s only for lifting baby furniture. “Lead the way, baby mama. We’ve got you.”

Nora

“We appreciate you letting us have a look at the apartment on such short notice, Mr. Pearsall.” Kate won over the old man with her winning smile and sweet-talked him into letting us look around the flat he’s renting.

It’s a self-contained space, upstairs from where he and his wife have lived for forty-five years. It’s a convenient five blocks away, with easy access for us to get to Legend. And best of all, it’s vacant and ours for the taking.

The other four flats we lined up this afternoon are in different areas of the city and have their quirks and their selling points—but even with those scheduled, I’ve got a good feeling about this one.

Mr. Pearsall unlocks the door with a long, old-fashioned, silver key and pushes the door open for us, standing aside like a gentleman. “The rooms get a bit drafty in the winter, but you can plug in a space heater or two and be snug as a bug.”

Kate is so excited, she’s almost buzzing as we step inside.

The door opens into the front sitting room, the kitchen off to the right, and two bedrooms and a bath to the left. It’s not large, but it’s big enough for the two of us.

“The missus and I keep to ourselves mostly, but you’re always welcome to join us for a cuppa if you’ve got something on your mind.”

The blank walls could use a couple of pictures, but the color isn’t terrible.

It’s a pale icy blue—hardly a color at all.

“It’s clean, and the furniture is only two years old. Of course, you can bring furniture of your own if you’ve got it.”

Kate shakes her head. “Furnished is great.”

Mr. Pearsall nods. “Well, you’re welcome to add your own personal accents to spruce the place up.”

I peer out the big front window into the street below and I can see halfway across the city. “It’s a lovely view of Dublin from up here.”

Kate rushes out of one of the bedrooms and hustles over to take it all in. “Ooh, look at that, Nora. You can set up an easel right here and paint to your heart’s content. This view is sure to inspire a masterpiece.”

I love that she’s thinking like that. I’d also love to be struck by inspiration again.

Mr. Pearsall waits until we’ve finished exploring and then escorts us out and locks up. “The apartment is empty—as you saw—so you can move in anytime and I’ll adjust the first month’s rent accordingly. A partial month to move in, but a full month will be required for the security deposit.”

“Of course. That’s wonderful.” Kate waggles her dark brows at me, her gaze dancing with delight. “We have a couple of other flats booked to view, but I like this one a lot.”

Mr. Pearsall pockets the key and gestures toward the stairs. “Don’t take too long to decide, girls. I have another showing tomorrow afternoon at three. If you think you like it, be sure to let me know.”

“Oh, we will.” Kate flashes him a dazzling smile. “And thank you again. Give our best to Mrs. Pearsall.”

The two of us hold it together until we get outside and into Kate’s car. Then the squealing begins in earnest.

“Ohmygoodness, can you believe that view?”

“I can’t believe how cute it is and how nice our landlords would be. Honestly, I’m used to the fist-banging and threat-shouting kind of landlords.”

I’ve never had a landlord, so I have nothing to go on. My father has always owned our homes or been provided a house from his office. Even so, there was no one overseeing us.

Kate turns the key and the engine sputters to life. “Okay, we need to see the other four and decide tonight. I don’t want to miss out on this one.”

“Agreed. Unless we find something that changes our minds, I’m ready to pack my bags and move in here tomorrow.”

Kate drums her palms on the steering wheel and laughs. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to freedom day!”

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