Page 38 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
But Andy didn’t pressure her or act impatient. He pulled up behind her when she rounded the corner, then followed her on the meandering route to her house. When they arrived, she cut the engine and took a moment to soak in the view. Merry Cottage.
The yellow house with the lavender shutters and front door warmed her insides. As someone who’d intentionally chosen to live like a nomad, it was weird to feel this attached to a place. Over the course of her adult life, she’d made sure not to get attached to anything but her cameras. Otherwise it would have been too difficult to move on. Besides, early in her career, she’d reminded herself she could always return to any places that felt particularly special and meaningful. Unfortunately, war sometimes destroyed those places, which had taught her to enjoy the moment.
When she exited the car, Andy gave a shrill whistle. “You weren’t kidding about the cottage. It’s out of a cartoon. I don’t know if I can walk in there and retain my Man Card.”
“My dad said the same thing when he came over to mow the grass, but his manhood is still intact. I think you’ll be okay.”
He scanned the yard. “If you end up getting a poodle to go along with this house, I might have to schedule an intervention.”
Like she’d ever own an animal. It didn’t suit her lifestyle. “No worries there. Come on in.”
She dug into her purse for her key. Her dad had given her a key chain with the Hairy’s logo on it. The leprechaun’s charming smirk put a smile on her own face.Of course, most people didn’t lock their doors around here, but she would sleep better at night knowing the deadbolt was securely fastened. Opening the door, she gestured grandly for Andy to precede her.
“Ladies first,” he said, so she stepped inside ahead of him.
“Make yourself at home,” she said, looking for somewhere to drop her purse. Everything was still so new she hadn’t settled on the right spot yet.
“I have to say, Luce,” Andy exclaimed. “You sure know how to pick them.”
“It’s charming and homey!” she shot back, setting her purse down on the window seat in the parlor.
“It is if you like lace, tea, and crumpets,” he said, rocking back on his heels. “Seriously, Luce. I can see why this place hasn’t been rented, but at least it doesn’t smell like an old basement.”
Old basement indeed. “Would you like a beer? Dad made sure I was stocked for visitors.”
“I had one earlier, but I wouldn’t say no to another.” He followed her into the kitchen, chuckling under his breath. “What did your mother bring you?”
“Besides eggs, milk, and butter?” she asked, gesturing to the selection of beer arranged on the shelf in the refrigerator door. “Cosmopolitan fixings.”
“Figures,” he said, grabbing one of her favorite microbrews from Portland.
She took one for herself and handed him the bottle opener—another piece of Hairy’s swag—after popping her own. “To good friends.”
He clicked his bottle against hers when she extended it. “The best.”
They took a drink to seal the toast. “Come sitat my green 1950s aluminum table with matching vinyl chairs. Mom couldn’t believe it. Isn’t the set incredible?”
“Green? It looks…ah…”
“What?”
“Blue to me,” he said, clearing his throat.
She wasn’t exactly surprised, but her spirits sank all the same. “Really?”
He rubbed her arm. “One of those blue-green colors. Like aquamarine.”
She started tracing the scuffed-up metal edge of the table as she tried to shake off her tension.
“I’d forgotten how much you like vintage,” he said, watching her carefully. “You were always wearing something old in high school. Antique.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and let herself fall into their usual easy banter. “It was fashionable. Besides, I like things that have a story.”
“This table sure has a story,” he mused, shaking his head. “I shudder to think what your bed looks like. Princess and the pea meets…Marie Antoinette or something.”
Snorting on a laugh, she said, “It’s one of those old-school brass beds.”
He started laughing. “You’ll have to show it to me.” Then a shadow passed his face. “If that’s not too weird.”
