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My laugh is conspiratorial. “I went to the store thismorning. Rum was the first thing I bought.” In college, that was our choice of drink. I hadn’t forgotten.
“I’ll take that then.” She nods and continues to sort through my suitcase.
“You got it.”
Feeling happier than I have in a long time, I head out of the room, down the hall, and through the still-cobwebby living room. I start to hum to myself as I enter the kitchen, but I stop short when I step through the threshold.
“What the…?”
Just inches from my toes is a rose petal. Just one, beautifully curved by nature, rose-red petal. I bend to pick it up, take a sniff, and then glance around to see if there are more. There aren’t, so I head to the trashcan and toss it away. I must have dragged it in somehow when I was putting away groceries.
When I get back to the room with both drinks in hand, I pass her one, and she gratefully takes a sip. “We aren’t getting wasted,” I warn her when she sips from it again.
“Oh no.” She holds up her cup. “It’s just been a long day of showing houses to a needy couple with a mile-long ‘want’ list that you certainly won’t find here. One drink should do the trick.”
“Just be lucky that I didn’t ask to see houses.”
She chuckles and sets her drink on top of the dresser. “You wouldn’t have been so picky. I mean, look at what you chose. At least, the outside will be pretty once it’s mowed.”
“Speaking of outside, let’s get some air.” Even though I cleaned the bedroom and bathroom today, it’s still a dusty atmosphere, and I’ve been on the verge of sneezing for a while now.
She sets the shirt down, nods, and grabs her drink as wehead out of the house and into the backyard. The grass comes up to our knees, but the cooler night air brings about a certain comfort. Somewhere in the distance, I can hear the sound of a horse neighing, a reminder that we aren’t alone out here.
I met their owner today, a nice elderly lady. Well, I didn’tmeether. We just waved at each other as she fed them corn husks through the barbed fence.
The night sky is clear, and from where we stand, there are so many stars. These stars were never visible in Chicago, and I find myself marveling at them.
“There are so many,” I murmur.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” Tori whispers.
“Yeah,” I agree. “I can see why you love it here so much. Everything is so . . . raw. Untouched.”
She nods in answer. “I knew you’d love it too.”
I bring the cup to my lips and let the liquid slide down my throat. My eyes pin on the roses that are visible by shadow only, thanks to the moon. “So, what do you know about Derek Wordon anyway?”
She blows out a breath that tickles her hair against her cheek. “He’s rich.”
“Oh?”
She nods. “He has a lot of business ventures. Occasionally, we rub elbows when he’s looking to purchase another house to turn into a rental. He never takes out a loan, either. He just pays with a check.”
“Wow, must be nice to have so much money.”
She drinks some rum. “He may be a weird-looking dude, but he’s successful.”
“Is he married?”
She shakes her head. “No kids either.”
“Interesting.”
“I’m not surprised. He seems to enjoy the bachelor lifetoo much, making his own decisions without having to discuss it with a partner.”
I chuckle.
“What?” she asks, looking at me.
