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Happy Friday. I’m going to pick out a tree tomorrow. Do you want to come along and get one for your place, too? I have a truck we can haul them home in.
Sophie had a few showings in the morning with her new buyer and was free after that.
“Would love to. What time were you thinking?”
“How’s three?”
“Perfect.”
And just like that, her mood lifted a little. Surely, if he’d had a wonderful night with Tessa, he wouldn’t be texting to go tree shopping with her. Or would he? That was something friends would do. Still, Sophie felt optimistic and was looking forward to it.
Chapter Forty-One
Sophie met Russ Winston at his apartment the next day at ten thirty. Their first showing was at eleven around the corner, but Russ wanted her to see his place first, and she was eager to see it. It was a lovely unit with two big bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a big living room and dining room area with a bay window that looked out over the park and museum.
Russ looked around his apartment proudly. It was well decorated with custom-made window treatments. “My wife picked all that out. I’m not sure if I should leave them here or take them with me.”
“It might depend on where you go. If you have similar size windows,” Sophie said gently. She knew he was really wondering if it would be too painful to take them or if he’d want to hold on to those memories. Only he could decide.
“Yes, you’re right. We can worry about that later. What do you think of the place?”
“It’s wonderful. A truly lovely home. Your wife did a beautiful job decorating.”
He looked down for a moment and when he glanced her way again, his eyes were shiny. He smiled. “She was a special lady. I think she would approve of this, of the move. So, shall we head out then?”
They saw three units over the next two hours. Russ seemed to like all of them, and Sophie felt optimistic that she’d be able to find him something that would work.
“What do you think? Do you have a favorite from the ones we saw today?” she asked when they left the last apartment.
Russ thought for a moment. “I think I’d rule out the first one. It seemed a little dark, not enough light coming through the windows. But the other two were nice enough. I am looking forward to seeing the others, especially the one in this building. I think I’ll know more then.”
“Of course.” Sophie had set it up for Monday at noon. It would be the third one that day. She’d set it up that way on purpose, hopefully saving the best for last, since she knew how much he loved the building.
At a few minutes before three, Sophie’s phone buzzed with a text message from Max,
Meet me out front, am about two minutes away.
Sophie pulled on a jacket, grabbed her purse, and headed downstairs and onto the sidewalk. There was no sign of Max. The wind whipped her hair across her face and made her shiver and zip her coat as high as it could go. The air was cold and raw with dampness. Snow flurries were expected later that afternoon.
She had no idea what Max’s truck looked like, so she was surprised when a huge, shiny blue Ford F-150 truck pulled up in front of her. Max waved to her from the driver’s side. She ran over and hopped in.
“Is this yours? I was surprised when you said you had a truck in the city,” Sophie said, as Max pulled into traffic.
“It’s mine. My mother doesn’t keep a car here anymore, so I took over her space. I like having it in case I want to go away for the weekend. My dad has a cabin in Vermont, and I like to get away now and then and do a little hiking and fishing and sometimes even write. It’s good for when I get stuck. Something about walking around in the woods seems to shake the ideas loose.”
Sophie laughed. “Who said ideas don’t grow on trees? That sounds relaxing.” She wasn’t much into fishing, but she did like walking and hiking in the country.
“It’s a great location, too, not far from Killington. Do you ski?” Max asked.
“Very poorly. I like to go occasionally though. I have to admit I enjoy the after-skiing more—having a hot beverage with friends and watching the snow fall.”
“Après-skiing.” Max grinned. “That’s more my speed, too. I have friends that ski circles around me. I never went often enough to get good at it.”
“Do you see your dad much?” Sophie didn’t remember Max mentioning him before.
“A few times a year. Usually around the holidays and during the summer I get up there once or twice. We’re not super close. My parents divorced when I was twelve and let’s just say that it wasn’t amicable. He remarried and has mellowed out some. His new wife is much younger, but she’s nice enough.”
“You and your mom are close, though?” He talked about her often.
