Page 14 of Finding Basil
“Well, I didn’t do it, obviously. Can you imagine me doing this kind of work in heels? No, I called in a favor. A man that recentlyretired to Florida from here sold his company to a friend. They’re always busy, but he’s got a ten-man crew and could spare five of them today. They were done with it in two hours.”
“I was gone for two hours?”
“How would I know?” Out came her tablet again. “All right…let’s see…oh, there’s that. Hmmm.”
“Cordelia?”
“Mmhmm?”
“What else can you get done for me that needs done?”
“What do you think I’m doing? Oh, for sure, you need another car. That thing will never navigate the roads around here in the winter, and it’s just…well…”
“What? I love that car!”
Ger face scrunched up as she said, “Right, well…it’s pretentious.”
After rolling his eyes, Herb said, “So?” Then he remembered what Basil had told him at the hardware store. “They’re judging me.”
“Harshly. You may want to…dress and drive…down.”
“Got it. How about I park my baby in the garage and get a…truck or something? I can always drive my car to go visit my folks or friends in the city.”
“That would help. Here is the used car lot you should use,” she said and handed him a card.
She thought of everything. She could make millions as a personal assistant in the city, but he had the feeling she’d make nearly that much from him before he didn’t need her anymore.
“Okay. And the clothes?”
“There are two places in town to get some jeans, casual shirts. Flannel for spring and fall, t-shirt for summer. Winter will be layers, of course, and when it comes to that, I’ll just go with you. You’ll be looking for what looks good, I suspect.”
“I like to look good. Is that a problem?”
“No, but…not sooo good.”
He smiled and said, “Well, that is either a weird compliment or terribly judgy.”
“It’s both. You are a very handsome man, which turns heads of the female persuasion, as you should know. So, you’re gay? Doesn’t stop small town women from looking at the new guy, which makes the men in town less than cordial.”
“So much politics.”
“Welcome to small-town living. Now, what else? I think that’s it for a bit.”
“The groceries are great,” he began, unwilling to offend her. “But…does the local store have, well, more exotic foods? And where can I find good wine?”
“All can be found in town. The grocery store has local foods, but for certain spices and such, you may have to order those online. We have great produce and local cattle, pork and chicken.”
“Great.”
“You cook?”
“It’s a hobby. I think it’s why I’m interested in growing herbs. I know how much better a recipe is with good, fresh ingredients.”
“You’ll cook for me, of course?”
“Of course,” he said, laughing. “Let me get settled, and I’ll invite you and your family over for a meal.”
“It’s a date, once you get settled, and running water, and we should probably check your gas lines and electrical.”
