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“Many times. It was the place to hang out during junior high and high school. Parents who worked would have their children meet them here.”
Laurel walked to the marble soda counter, running her hand over the surface. “A gathering place.”
Sam stared at the round stools, each one covered in new black vinyl. “Wouldn’t it be something if you were able to combine your flower shop with the soda joint?”
“What a great idea, Sam.” Daisy walked behind the counter. “There are plenty of shelves. Someone must’ve maintained everything.”
Juneau joined them. “The tenant retired just a few years ago. He and his wife kept the place immaculate.”
“Oh, I remember them,” Daisy said. “Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg. They had a son two years older than me. Very smart, but also very quiet. I wonder whatever happened to him.”
Juneau smiled. “Isaac graduated from law school last year. He’s with a big firm in Seattle. I believe the Goldbergs are still deciding whether to sell their home in Brilliance and join him on the coast or keep their place and travel.”
“I’d love to have a choice like that someday.” Sam’s voice held a wistful tone.
“The owners couldn’t decide what to do with the building. One wanted to sell. The other preferred to find another tenant. Preferably one who’d reopen the café. They finally came to a decision to sell. It’s been on the market less than a week. Go on upstairs. I was up there a few days ago. It’s quite impressive.”
All three younger women ran their hands over the wood banister as they took the stairs to the second level. Reaching the top, Laurel spotted a door to her right.
“This must be the entry. It’s a little odd looking.” Laurel gripped the knob.
“I hope the inside is as good as downstairs,” Sam said.
Turning the knob, Laurel led them inside. “Wow. This is nice.”
“Really nice,” Sam said.
“And huge.” Daisy walked farther inside and stopped. “The kitchen is incredible. Everything looks brand new.”
“I wonder how many bedrooms.” Laurel walked down a hallway. Sam followed a moment later. Daisy continued her scrutiny of the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
“One large bedroom and two smaller ones. Two bathrooms.” Laurel walked to the front window and looked out. “There’s a park across the street.”
Daisy joined her. “The city organizes different events which are held there. Concerts, mainly. The baseball fields are a few blocks away. The ranch has a team. They did pretty good last year, and are doing even better this year.”
Laurel returned to the kitchen and opened the cabinets and drawers. “There are pots and pans, plates, bowls, utensils. This is an amazing apartment.”
“You could live here,” Daisy said.
Laurel shrugged. “It’s a little large for one person.”
“Then rent it out. You might get enough to cover most of the rent for the flower shop.” Daisy pulled out one of the stools and sat down. “I like this high counter.”
“I do, too.” Laurel took a seat beside her.
“So, what do you think?” Sam asked.
“Well, it’s much larger than I need. Which means the rent will probably be more than I can afford.”
Daisy slid off the stool. “Sounds as if it’s time to find out.”
Logan helped Jake and Quinn unload another stack of lumber near the site of the destroyed barn. As an employee of Whistle Rock, Jake had an obligation to help prepare the area for a replacement barn. Quinn and Logan didn’t have the same obligation, yet both had volunteered.
Grabbing three bottles of water, Logan kept one, tossing the other two to Jake and Quinn. Twisting off the cap, he took a long swallow.
“The barn will take about a week if everyone puts in a few extra hours every night.” Logan drained the rest of the water before taking a seat on the tailgate of his truck.
“There are a good number of guests who are helping out,” Jake said.
