Page 29 of Big Island Summer
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“The light’s out.”
“Oh yeah, sorry about that. It’s been like that since we moved in.”
“I can fix it.”
“You can?”
“Of course.”
“Well, great.”
“I’ll take it.” Ethan closed the fridge and turned to look at her. “If you’ll have us.”
“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have as an upstairs neighbor than Theodore.”
“You might change your mind when you hear him crying at five in the morning.”
“Worth it. I’m up at first light anyway.”
“Well, if you’ll let me move in along with him, you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“I suppose I can allow that.” She shifted Theodore into her left arm and held her hand out.
Smiling for the first time that she’d seen, Ethan shook it.
“How soon can we move in?”
“Soon as you’d like.”
“I might spend a few more days with my sister – and my daughter. I’ll use the time to buy some basic stuff: dishes, sheets. I didn’t bring anything over from the mainland. My truck will be here next week, though. I can move in then?”
“Sounds good. I’ll get some sort of contract together. They sell pre-fab ones at the hardware store, I think.”
He nodded along, staring down at the floor. She trailed off and traded Theodore from one hip to another, still swaying. It felt so natural that she couldn’t convince her body to stand straight and hold still. The baby was content, and his father didn’t seem to be paying attention.
“How would you feel about me putting in some new flooring?”
“New flooring?” she repeated.
“Yeah, something nicer than linoleum. No offense.”
“None taken. But I’m just renting, I can’t really afford…”
“I would cover it. I’m a contractor, at least I was in California. I am in California, still. When I’m there. You know what I mean. I need something to do, that’s all. I’m happier when I have a project. I could just do something simple, like puzzle-piece flooring.”
“Sure, have at it.”
“Good. Cool.” He looked suddenly surprised as his eyes went to Theodore. “Sorry, I can take him back now.”
Reluctantly, she handed the baby back to his father.
They were beautiful together.
Ethan looked tired, and the front of Theo’s shirt was soaked with drool, but goodness… there was just something about a man and a baby.
“Well, we’ll get out of your hair.”
