Page 14 of A Simple Life

I chuckled. “I’m sorry I upset you. You do live here—or at least, you will soon.”

“So, I can have my color?” Abby held up a swatch, and I took it from her, the color a brilliant pink. I glanced at Laura, then back down at the bright tone. Normally, we stuck to neutral colors for the rentals, but it was only one room. I handed it back.

“Sure, Pumpkin. Great choice.”

She squirmed out of her mother’s arms. “I’m gonna go look, Momma! And I need to get Enid from the car so she can see our new room!” She held up the pink teddy. “This is my new friend, Fluffy. My momma gave him to me.”

“Oh,” I said, trying not to smirk. I looked at Quinn, who stared back. “And who is Enid?”

“Her favorite doll. I gave it to her when she was a baby. She takes it everywhere.”

“And now she has a pink teddy. I saw one like it recently.”

She ignored my little jibe. “She loves all stuffed things and dolls.”

“Hmm.” I didn’t know anything about dolls or little girls. Laura had never been overly girly until she became a teenager. Then things changed. She discovered boys, and the entire dynamics exploded.

“They arrived early. I didn’t think it was a problem letting them in a few days ahead of schedule. The house is empty,” Laura explained.

“No, it’s fine. A little warning might have been nice, though.”

“I called and left you a voice mail, but I’m guessing you left your phone in the truck,” Laura replied, her tone snarky.

I had. It had been an impulse to walk the short distance back to the house, and I’d forgotten about my phone. Technology and I were not close friends. I shrugged sheepishly. It seemed as if nothing I did today was correct.

“It’s fine,” I repeated, my voice coming out a little gruffer than I meant it to.

“We can pay a fee if you want,” Quinn offered, lifting her chin.

“No need,” I replied, annoyed. “I don’t need a fee.” I paused. “So, only you and your daughter?”

“Yes. I listed that on the agreement.” She crossed her arms. “Is there a problem?” She glanced at Laura. “You never said there was an issue with a single mother renting the place.”

Laura shook her head. “There isn’t one. Right, John?”

I shut my eyes, feeling embarrassed. I hadn’t read through the paperwork, or I would have known. And I wouldn’t be making an ass of myself in front of this woman.

“Not an issue. Another mistake on my part.” My voice was clipped. “I can help you unload a few things.”

“I don’t require any help, but thank you, Mr. Elliott.”

I had a feeling I had just been dismissed.

I wiped my hands. “Fine. I’ll be going, then. If you need anything, you have Laura’s number.”

And I walked out.

Back at the hardware store, Bob met my eyes, lifting his eyebrows and shaking his head. No doubt Laura had told him what an ass I had been to the new tenant. I waved him off and went to the back, checking on Cody. He was busy sweeping, the shelves tidy, a pile of garbage ready to head to the curb. He’d flattened and tied up all the boxes, and everything was in order.

I clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job.”

He looked pleased. “I had been hoping to have enough money to get my bike before the town parade,” he confessed. “A bunch of my friends are decorating their bikes to ride in it.” He looked past me, then kept talking. “My old one didn’t look so good, but I didn’t want to say anything to Mom and Dad.” He grinned widely. “Now I don’t have to. And I get to show it off this afternoon at the park.”

I felt a swell of pride for this kid. He was good-hearted and loved his parents. He didn’t want to hurt their feelings. “What are you planning on doing with your hard-earned cash?”

“Mom’s birthday is next month, so I’m gonna buy her something nice. And I’m going to put the rest in the bank. I want to mow some lawns and stuff this summer and make more.”

I smiled as I ruffled his hair. “Sounds like a good plan, kid.”