Page 67 of Maybe This Christmas
She drew an arm around his waist.“Maybe a long wood slab for the cash register?Built into the wall to save space?”She gestured to a blank spot of wall by the front door.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the perfect piece of wood in the back room of my uncle’s hardwood store.”
She leaned against him.“I’m not crazy, am I?For wanting to do this?”
“If you are, then so am I.I can see it, Em.Yours Truly can be a real thing.You’ve got a good idea here.”
She rested her head on his arm.“Well, if we two overthinkers agree, then it must be a good idea.We still need to convince Sebastian to invest.”
He looked down, finding her already gazing up at him.“My brother wouldn’t have mentioned it if he wasn’t already seriously considering it.”
She let out a giddy noise.“Let’s get this key back to Sebastian, then.What time did you have to be back at Sky House?”
“Sabrina was vague.Just by sometime this afternoon to set up the letters to Santa event, then help set up for the choral concert in the chapel.”
“Wait, there’s a chapel?”
He laughed.“Yeah.It’s not fully renovated yet.It’s at the back of the property, surrounded by trees.It’s beautiful.”
“I must’ve missed that on the daily list of activities.But I’ve been a little busy.”
Her phone buzzed in her coat pocket.She pulled it out, rolled her eyes, and shoved it back where it’d come from.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.Come on, let’s go back.”
He wanted to inquire further, but she was already at the door, key in hand.
He followed her, offering his hand as they stepped onto the street.She looked up at the gray sky, with the sun making a feeble attempt at shining.
“You know, if I’m going to stay here, I guess I need to find someplace to live.”
Caleb said nothing at first.He wasn’t sure if she was dropping hints that she wanted to move in with him.
She gave him a nudge.“You should see your face!I wasn’t asking to move in with you, Caleb.I guess with everything else, it just occurred to me that I’ll need a place to stay.”
He exhaled.“I didn’t think that’s what you were asking, but I wanted to be sure.Especially when it comes to Emerson and Poppy.That would be a big change for everyone.I want to be sure you understand what living with a toddler and a preschooler is like.It can be total chaos.”
“Of course.Do you know anywhere that’s renting?I mean, this isn’t the type of town that has those luxury apartment buildings every two feet.”
“I know of at least one apartment for rent in town.And Sabrina has a guest suite on the top floor of her house that she could rent out.She’s only there about half the time, anyway.Do you like cats?She has two.”
“I like cats just fine.So, you’re saying I have options.That’s good.Hopefully, the rent is a lot less than what I was paying in DC.“
Loaved Up came into view.Apparently, that’s where everyone in town was congregating, as the line wove out of the door.
“I can only imagine what that cost,” Caleb said.“I guarantee it’ll be cheaper here.”
“It wasn’t as much as you think, mainly because Davis covered most of those costs.But he lives in one of those ultra-modern buildings with every amenity, so it was expensive.Even for DC.”
“Well, here you’ll find such amenities as running water and furnaces that may or may not go out in the middle of winter.But they’re priced accordingly.”
As they approached the line of people snaking outside his brother’s bakery, several people turned to say hello.More than a few asked who Emma was.Including his annoying cousin, Dennis.
“So, a pretty lady moves to town, and you’ve already laid your claim on her?That’s lame, Caleb.”
He had to laugh at that.“About as lame as your pickup lines.”He turned to Emma.“You should thank me for saving you from Dennis.”
