Page 19 of Searching for Love

“Hi, Parker,” Avery said cheerfully as she stepped away from Lucas.

“We could use your help again,” Parker said to him.

“Sure thing.” He turned to go.

“I can head over to the deli at O’Neil’s and grab us some sandwiches if you want?” Avery suggested. “For your guys too?”

“Sounds good. We’re going to be stuck in the basement for a while,” Parker said. “You can come get the orders from the others if you want. We have most of the water pumped out of the basement.”

Avery nodded and then followed them to the basement.

Parker was right. There were small puddles of water in places now instead of the inch or two that had been down there earlier.

He was thankful they’d shut off the loud pump so the entire building was no longer vibrating. While Avery took everyone’s sandwich orders, he answered a few questions that Parker had about the electricity and plumbing.

When he’d purchased the building, he’d been surprised at how spacious the basement was. There was a large storeroom in which he planned to put shelves for beer and wine storage. Since it was directly under where he planned to put the fountain drink dispenser, he was having Parker run the lines for the canisters, which is what Parker had questions about.

While they figured out the best place for everything, his men continued working on replacing the old plumbing for the water heater and kitchen areas.

When Avery returned, loaded with sandwiches, they all sat around and ate on the newly cleaned patio area.

He was very entertained watching the way Avery interacted with everyone and wondered if there was anyone in town whose life story she didn’t know.

He’d been born in Edgeview and had lived there his entire life and still only knew a handful of people in the larger town. He doubted he could recall any of their lives or family names like Avery could for each of the workers.

When Parker and his men returned inside, he and Avery stayed outside for a few more minutes.

“It must have been nice growing up in Pride,” he said, leaning back against the wall.

“It was.” She smiled and leaned back as well. “Still is.” She laughed. “I’m only twenty-six. My grandparents would say I have a lot more growing up to do.”

He chuckled when he remembered his grand-pap saying something similar. “I bet there isn’t one person in town you don’t know everything about.”

She frowned as she thought about it. “There are a lot of people, I’d wager. After all, the Coast Guard training center has a lot of turnover.”

“Right. I mean the real locals. The ones that stick.”

She sighed and rested her head back against the brick wall. “Some like my brother tried not to stick. When he left, everyone wondered if he’d ever return. They were pretty sure he’d gotten city fever.”

“City… fever?”

“Sure, you know, getting spoiled by being able to order Uber Eats or Grubhub. Being able to go to many different stores if you don’t find what you want. Movie theaters.”

“We have a movie theater, just back that way.” He pointed.

She chuckled. “That runs two movies at a time.”

“Edgeview is only twenty minutes away.”

“When there’s two feet of snow on the ground, twenty minutes can turn into an hour.”

“Right.” He nodded. “Still, it’s better than not having the option. Did you ever want to move to the city?” he asked her.

“Never,” she answered quickly. “You?”

“I’m from a city,” he joked. “Growing up, that’s what I thought Edgeview was.”

“Now?” she asked.

“Now it just seems too crowded with people I don’t know or care to know. People too busy to stop and have a chat or a good meal.”

She was quiet as she watched him. “You’re not going to open a hugely successful business here, then go off and franchise it all over the world?”

He laughed. “Nope, I’m going to be very content just having one successful business for the rest of my life in a town where everyone knows everyone else’s life stories.”