Chapter7
Rusty’s enthusiasm for house hunting dimmed by the time evening arrived. Harper had shown him two of the houses he’d printed out for her, but neither one of them would work for him and Senior. One was brand-new construction in a sprawling neighborhood where the houses sat too close together. He didn’t want to live right on top of his neighbors. The other one had a basement and a wraparound deck on the back, and neither had been shown in the pictures on the listing. The stairs would eventually cause a problem for Senior.
Then there was the Miles Road property. The Realtor hadn’t returned Harper’s call, and when they drove by it, they’d seen a sign on barbed-wire fencing that said No Trespassing. But even that limited drive-by had firmed up Rusty’s interest. Miles Road was a short, unpaved road only a mile from the main road that led into Maple Falls. The leaves on the hickory trees were turning golden yellow amidsturdy green pines and a few bright-red maples. When they got out of his truck to take a closer look, all he could hear was the cool breeze rustling the leafy branches and the faint sound of birds chirping. Otherwise, it was quiet. Peaceful. A man could think out here. Maybe even entertain a dream or two.
“Rusty?”
He turned to Harper, unable to keep from smiling. Today she wore a cherry-red turtleneck, navy-blue pants, and a white leather jacket. He could see why she gravitated toward the color red—she was unbelievably beautiful wearing it. Even her lipstick matched her sweater. A lock of blond hair blew across her forehead, and she brushed it back behind her ear, revealing a tiny diamond stud on her perfect earlobe.Yeah... a man could dream...
“What do you think?” she asked.
“Gorgeous,” he murmured.
She turned to face the fence. “It really is. I had no idea this place existed. It’s not that far off the beaten path, but it’s still private. I can see why you like this place.”
He blinked, her words bringing him back from whatever trance he’d fallen into while staring at her. “Uh, yeah. I really like it.”
She put her hands into her jacket pockets and turned to him. “We can’t see any more than this today, but as soon as Brielle calls, I’ll set up a showing.”
“Thanks.”
After that, she showed him one more house, but he didn’t care for it.
“It’s going to be dark soon,” she said as they climbed into the truck. “Did you want to look at anything else?”
He shook his head. “Naw, I’m done for the day. Sorry I’m being so picky.”
“You should be picky,” she said, turning to him. The sun was setting behind her, the autumn sky streaked with blues and pinks in between swirls of flat clouds. “This is a major purchase that you have to live with for many years. Sometimes even a lifetime, like your grandfather has.”
“You can call him Senior. Everyone else does.” He leaned back against the seat. “I reckon I’m a little overwhelmed,” he admitted. More than a little, actually. He couldn’t picture himself living anywhere else but in Senior and G’ma’s house. Not even the Miles Road land. But out of what he’d seen today, at least he could gin up a little excitement over having his own fishing hole.
“We can go to my office, and I can show you some listings online if you’d like. Maybe narrow things down more.”
Her phone buzzed in her purse, but she ignored it. Rusty was learning that when something had Harper’s complete focus, she didn’t get distracted from it. Right now he was her center of attention, and he had to admit it felt kinda nice. But he was tired of house hunting.
“We can do that another day,” he said.
“All right.” She fidgeted with the edge of her seatbelt.
Was she disappointed? “Sorry if I’m lettin’ you down.”
“Letting me down?” She chuckled, returning to her usual lighthearted manner. “This is all part of the process. A process that can take . . . months.” She said the last word almost in a whisper before brightening again. “In the meantime I’llbe on the hunt for the perfect place for you and Senior. New listings pop up all the time. But I’m not giving up on the Miles Road property.”
“Thanks, Harper. I appreciate it. But don’t work too hard on my account.”
“That’s my job. To be here for you.”
He knew she was talking about professionally, but it was still nice to hear. “Hopefully that one real-estate lady will call you back. What did you say her name was?”
For a split second a cloud passed over Harper’s face. Then her expression cleared again. “Brielle Weaver. I’ll let you know when she does, and if I come across anything else I think you’ll like.”
“Great.” Now it was time for him to take her back to the Sunshine Café where she had left Lois. Then they’d say goodbye or “See you later” or any number of niceties people said when they parted ways. Yet for some reason he didn’t want to go just yet. Senior had texted him earlier and said he was having supper with the Prices and then playing cards afterward. They would drop him off at the house later tonight. “Don’t waitu p,” he’d texted, keeping his running record of at least one typo per text intact. That would leave Rusty in an empty house until then.
“Would you, uh, like to get a bite to eat?” he asked as he pulled into a spot near the café. Although both the diner and the café were closed for the day, along with the other businesses on Main Street, there were still restaurants open around Maple Falls. “We could go to the Orange Bluebird. I owe you a meal anyway.” He made sure to add that last part, more for himself than her. He didn’t like an outstandingdebt, even something as small as supper—although Harper making supper for him hadn’t been small. Not in his mind. But he couldn’t admit, even to himself, that he didn’t want to spend yet another night at home alone.
“You don’t owe me anything,” she said, then glanced at Lois, her right foot swaying partway out of his vehicle.
“That’s okay,” he blurted, a little embarrassed he’d assumed she’d want to share another meal together. “I’m sure you’ve got other plans. I’ve used up a lot of your time as is.”
