His gut ached when he thought of telling Paula she might be out of a job. She’d been like family to him.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, waving her finger in his face. “And don’t you dare worry about what’ll happen to me if you decide to move on. You’ve been more than generous to me over the years and I sure wouldn’t mind retiring.” She smiled. “Give these weary old bones of mine a rest.”
“Really?” She’d once told him she’d be bored out of her mind without her work, but that was some time ago. “You sure you’re ready for that?”
She laughed as she got up and rounded the bed. “I’m more than ready, sweetheart.”
He stood and she gave him a lingering hug before grabbing his face and kissing him on the forehead. “I’m going to miss all of you something fierce, but it means I’ll be able to go and spend some time with my other family now.”
Gunnar smiled. She hadn’t called her sons and grandchildren her real family. They were her other family. “You don’t know how much I needed you in my life,” he whispered, choking up. “When I met you I was young and dumb and—”
“And your star was rising so fast, just watching you made me dizzy.” Paula smiled. “I remember everything about those early years, Gunnar.”
He linked his hands through hers. “And I can’t tell you how happy I am that you were there to experience it with me. Thank you.” He kissed her cheek. “For everything.”
“It was my pleasure.” She relinquished his hands and patted his cheek. “I mean that.”
He watched her walk toward the door. “When will you be leaving?”
“I’ll be here as long as you need me. Just let me know when you plan to put the house on the market and I’ll take care of everything I can on this end.”
“Thanks.” He knew he could count on her and he’d make sure her loyalty was rewarded… in a big way. “Will you come visit us in Vista Falls?”
She grinned. “Honey, I thought you’d never ask.”
***
Gunnar shocked the realtor by offering to run to the bank in town and get a certified check to buy the cottage after he’d spent just five minutes walking through it. He didn’t need an inspection. He could afford to fix anything that went wrong. He didn’t need to haggle over price, he’d be happy to pay them whatever they wanted. He just wanted a house that felt like a real home, and this one did.
The taps leaked. The old floorboards squeaked, as did the door. The windows were coated with dust and there were dead bugs on the windowsills. The old curtains were hanging off the tracks and the wallpaper was peeling in the bathroom and hall.
But he didn’t see any of that. He saw a project. A reason to get out of bed in the morning and something to take his mind off his troubles. He was tired of immaculate. Tired of perfection. Tired of paying someone to do work he was more than capable of doing himself.
“Are you sure you don’t need a little more time to think about it, Mr. Williams?” The pretty young brunette licked her glossy lips and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I wouldn’t want you to have buyer’s remorse.”
“No remorse,” he assured her with a smile. “I promised myself I’d trust my gut from now on and that’s what I’m trying to do. So, just show me where to sign and you can follow me into town so I can get that check for you.”
“Okay,” she said, beaming as she pulled a contract out of her briefcase. “So long as you’re sure.”
Gunnar scribbled his name on the contract before she shyly asked, “Um, could I ask you to do that one more time?”
His lips tipped up as he held on to the pen instead of giving it back to her. “An autograph?”
“Please. My boyfriend is a huge fan and he’ll never believe I actually met you unless I produce an autograph to prove it.”
“A selfie would prove it,” he said, eyeing her phone, which was resting on top of her briefcase.
“Oh my god! Seriously? You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not.” That was another thing Gunnar loved about Vista Falls. Instead of pushy fans who took pictures without asking, these folks took nothing for granted and respected his privacy.
She passed him a sheet of paper on which he scribbled a little testimonial, should she choose to use it.
Shanda,
You’re the best Realtor I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Thank you for helping me find a home and welcoming me to Vista Falls. You’re the Best! Gunnar Williams
“That is so sweet,” she said, clutching the sheet of paper against her chest. “Thank you.”
It still blew Gunnar’s mind how a few words from him could have such an impact on a stranger, but he was grateful that was the case. It gave him the opportunity to hopefully touch them with his lyrics.
As she squeezed in beside him and took a picture, she whispered, “I hope you’ll be very happy here, Mr. Williams. I’m sure it’s not the kind of place or town you’re used to.”
“That’s how I know I’ll be happy here,” he said, looking at the old cottage as a blank slate. The very first place he’d ever owned that would have his personal stamp all over it instead of some over-priced interior designers’. “It has everything I need… and more importantly, everyone I need.”
