Page 12 of Finding Basil
“Good. Okay, we’ve got all that handled, and oh, I’ll need your help to unpack my car. I brought you some groceries to get you started. I’ll send a bill.”
He had a feeling he’d get a lot of bills from her. “I’m grateful. I don’t have a lot.”
After he unloaded her car of the six bags, she helped him put everything away in the cabinets and fridge, and then she suggested a maid. “You might not need one to come regularly, but for now, to help get this place spick and span, you’ll want the help.”
“I think I can manage that. I’m a pretty clean guy.”
“Most men think they’re clean when they’re not, but it’s up to you. Now, have you found anyone to help you with the farm?”
“Oh! I actually have. Basil Jimenez is going to help me out.”
Her eyes widened, and then she smiled. “Wonderful. He’s such a nice boy. Gay, you know.”
He perked up right before he grew annoyed. “You shouldn’t out people, Cordelia.”
“I wouldn’t if I thought you were a bigot, but you’re gay too, are you not?”
He took a step back and asked, “How did you know that?”
“I do my research,” she said with a wink of her dazzling blue eye. “Well, you’re set for now. I’ll be back in a day or two. And beware. You have a neighbor that is…less than welcoming.”
“Lila?”
“You’ve met her already?”
“She came by very, very early.”
Scoffing, Cordelia said, “She’s a mean old snake that didn’t want this place sold. She said it was nice having no neighbors here. She didn’t get along with the last owners and really hated their grandson. Well, anyway, I’ll see you soon.”
Exhausted already, and it wasn’t yet noon, Herb went into the kitchen to make himself a sandwich from the food Cordelia had brought. As he sat eating, he thought of what she’d disclosed about Basil.
He was gay.
Well, at least his gaydar was still functional.
With an extra skip in his step, he went up the stairs with another box to unpack in his room and heard pipes clanging together in the bathroom. As he stuck his head in, he asked, “Going okay?”
“Oh sure, but you might want to order some fixtures. These in here are shot. The main line is done so once you get those, I can have your water running again. O’ course, the water heater is shot too, so you’ll need one of those.”
His sigh was of resignation. “Great.”
When Basil came to get him the following day, Herb got into the truck and admitted, “You were absolutely right. I really do need to know where the hardware store is. I need all new fixtures for my plumbing.”
He laughed a little and said, “Yeah, old houses, huh?”
“Well, maybe you can help me pick out some faucets before you get the glass cut?”
He started the truck and headed it toward town. “Sure. I measured last night, and you need a lot of glass, so I actually thought we’d order them, and I’d go back later, but you will need some other things from the hardware store for the farm. They have new irrigation valves, a new pump for the well in the field, and a bunch of soil for seed starting. In the shed and greenhouse are all the pots you’ll need to get you started, grow lights, seed cells. We need hoses, a couple outside faucets and a few things for the greenhouse.”
“That’s a hell of a list,” he said, laughing dryly. “God, this is an undertaking.”
“Think of it this way. Once you get all these things fixed, you won’t have to worry about them for a long time. Years. So, in a way, you’ve made the house new, for you. And new faucets mean new tiles, because I’m betting the bathroom is as outdated as the kitchen.”
“You would be right about that.”
“Well, it will feel more like your home the more you put into it. And still hold the character and good vibes of the people that lived there before you. Kind of perfect.”
Herb smiled over at him, and his profile was every bit as handsome. “Are you one of those annoying, glass half full, optimist people?”
