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“The man who changed my life forever.”
With those words she walked around Ted and out of the shop. His eyes followed her until she disappeared.
Chapter 9
Tea Total was quiet the following day, so Mandy took a few hours off before the lunch time rush. She found herself once again in front of Mr. Timms’s bookstore. She wanted change for herself, wanted to grow as a person, and this could be a step toward that. Ted was right, she needed to make plans.
Looking at the street, she remembered seeing that car yesterday. The man had looked like someone from her past, but she knew that he couldn’t be here and hadn’t found her. Plus, he’d be older now. Still, it had been a shock, and she hated herself for her reaction… especially in front of Ted. Now he would have more questions she didn’t want to answer.
Exhaling slowly, she entered the bookstore.
“Back again?”
“I am interested in expanding Tea Total, Mr. Timms, but I need to do the numbers to see if I can make it work.”
“I’d love to lease to you and your aunts, Mandy.”
“I’m not actually here to discuss that today. I wondered if you had let the apartment yet?”
“I haven’t. Are you interested?”
“I am. Could I take a look?”
“One minute and I’ll get the keys.”
He returned, handed them to her, and ushered her out the back door, telling her to drop them back when she was done. Mandy took the stairs up with excitement building inside her chest.
It was ridiculous, but her hands shook as she turned the key in the lock. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.
At her age, most people had left home. It was time for Mandy to take that step. She knew that, as did her aunts. But they’d never say that to her. In fact, she was certain they’d simply adjusted to life with Mandy.
But this, a move to here on her own, would be good for her.Wouldn’t it?
It wasn’t huge, but Mandy thought that maybe it was just the right size. There was a small kitchenette, separate bathroom, and a small bedroom. It was clean and tidy, and Mandy realized that if she took it, she had no furniture to fill it. She would have to visit Bas. His secondhand store would be a starting place.
The simmer of excitement had her walking to the window seat and looking at the main street of Ryker Falls below.
Could she do this? It was a huge step to take, but one she had to at least try.
Leaving, she handed the keys back to Mr. Timms and asked what the rent was. He told her.
“I’ll let you know tomorrow if I’m interested.”
“No worries, and I’d be happy to have you up there, Mandy.”
She left and went back into Tea Total to change into her gym gear. Her mind was still running through the possibilities of expanding it as she drove to the lodge.
She could do it, Mandy thought, pulling into a space. She would need to budget, but she could do it. Plus, if she decided to lease the bookstore she would be there to work on the changes.
It was almost unbelievable that she was even thinking about doing all these things. She had Ted to thank for so much. He’d made her look at herself. Made her start thinking about change.
Taking the stairs up to his gym, she opened the door a crack to ensure no one else was using it. He’d said it was only him and her, but still.
Slipping in, she closed it behind her. Moving to the table where a piece of paper sat, she saw her name on the top.
Hi, Mandy, do this:
She read the list, then started at the top again, having absolutely no clue as to what any of these things were. In fact, the only exercise she understood was ten minutes on the treadmill and ten minutes on the stepping beast. And maybe crunches; her aunts did those, and she knew the old-fashioned term was sit-ups.
