Chapter 10 #2
“Not a problem.” Fiona glanced over the contract. “Do you mind if I take it back to work to read? Then I can bring the signed copy back with a cashier’s check a bit later.”
“That’s fine.”
“And if all is well, when can I move in?”
“Anytime is fine.”
“Today?”
“I don’t see why not.” They both stood and shook hands. “I’ll give you a key when you come back.” Riva walked her to the door. “I hope you’ll be happy here, Fiona.”
“I’m already happy here.” She beamed at Riva. “You’ve truly got a beautiful home. Thank you for inviting me to join your family.”
Riva smiled. “I guess we are sort of family. A makeshift family.”
“Family is where you find it.”
As Fiona went out, Riva wondered what kind of family they would make.
Laurel and Windy seemed to be settling in nicely already.
What would happen when they added Kitty and Fiona to the mix?
Five women sharing the same home would probably cause some ups and downs.
Hopefully they would all find the space and grace to live peacefully together.
Either that or she’d consider taking a sabbatical . . . and perhaps head to Ireland?
Riva was still gazing out the foyer window when Windy, on her way out, explained her plan to fix dinner that night. “I already informed Laurel. I expect to have it ready by seven, and I won’t take any argument from you.”
“No argument, but it’s possible we’ll have more than just the three of us tonight.”
“Is my big brother crashing again?”
“No. But our new housemates will probably be moving in later today. They both seemed pretty eager.”
“And you like them?” Windy looked a little concerned. “They’ll fit in okay?”
“I think so.” Riva briefly described Kitty and Fiona. “We’re all pretty close in age. I don’t think I’d enjoy having younger, rowdier women living here.”
“Yes, but being the same age doesn’t always mean you get along with someone. But I’m sure if you like them, I will too.” Windy jingled her car keys, then smiled. “Now I’m off to get a few groceries for tonight. Need anything?”
Riva said no, then went to hunt down Laurel.
She wanted to tell her about the new tenants.
After a trip upstairs and through the house, she finally discovered Laurel sitting in a lounge chair outside, a crossword puzzle book in her lap.
Fred was sunning himself on the patio next to her.
“I didn’t know you were an outdoorsy gal.
” Riva scooted the other lounge chair next to Laurel’s.
“Probably because I didn’t get much opportunity before. My crummy apartment didn’t have any outdoor space. I got used to being inside 24/7. Not healthy. I’m soaking in my vitamin D this morning.”
“Good thinking.” Riva rolled up her pant legs.
“And I do understand feeling like a hermit. After Paul got too sick to do much, I let the yard go and quit coming out here at all.” She leaned her head back and gazed up at the clouds drifting across the clear blue sky.
“But when he was alive and keeping it up, this used to be my favorite spot to read on a summer morning like this.”
Laurel stroked Fred’s coat but didn’t say anything.
“You’re welcome to help yourself to books from the library anytime.” She told Laurel how she’d insisted Kitty read Pride and Prejudice. “For therapeutic reasons.”
“Wasn’t that written like a couple hundred years ago?”
“Jane Austen is still surprisingly relevant today. She understood human behavior better than many modern-day philosophers.”
Obviously unconvinced, Laurel just shook her head.
“Don’t you remember the character Lydia in that book? The youngest flibbertigibbet sister who was overly focused on appearances . . . and a very bad judge of men. Well, she reminded me of Kitty—or vice versa. Can you see it?”
“To be honest, I never read any Jane Austen books.”
Riva sat up straight. “Tell me it ain’t so.”
Laurel laughed. “You know I’ve never been the reader you are, sweetie.”
“Well, if you’re living in my house, you should change that. In fact, I was just thinking we should start a house book group.”
“Really?” Laurel’s mouth twisted to one side. “Well, that might be interesting. But would it be limited to this house or can we invite outsiders?”
“I don’t know. It’s not a fully developed idea.”
“I understand. But if we opened it up to others, would men be allowed?”
“You’re jumping way ahead of me now. Maybe you should plan it, Laurel. You’re the organizer.”
“Then I think we should include men. It would make discussions more interesting. And I’d like to invite Marcus to join us. He’s a reader. What book will we start with?”
“I, uh, I have no idea. Maybe we shouldn’t rush it.
Just getting our new housemates and everyone acclimated might take a bit.
Besides, summer is a busy time to start a book group.
We should wait for fall when life slows down.
” Perhaps more truthfully, Riva wasn’t ready to host a mixed group in her home.
Plus, she suspected Laurel’s interest in including men, particularly Marcus, was purely personal.
“You could be right.” Laurel reached down to scoop up her cat, setting him in her lap.
“After all, there are other activities to do in the summer. I was just sitting here, envisioning this space as a fun gathering place. We’ll have to host some barbecues.
We could hang paper lanterns and set up some music.
I have a portable CD player in storage.” She sighed.
“It’s been so long since I’ve practiced any kind of hospitality, I’m probably a little rusty.
But your home is so perfect for entertaining.
I really think filling the place with more happy people will help you to get past your grief. ”
“I’m getting past my grief.” Riva didn’t like the defensive snap in her tone, but she couldn’t seem to help it. “Everyone grieves at their own pace, Laurel. That’s something I learned in that grief group you insisted I attend.”
“That’s probably true. But you must admit you’ve been cheerier since opening your home, right?”
Riva slowly nodded. “It does feel good to have people around. For the most part anyway.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that I still need my alone time . . . in a quiet place.”
“You have a big house, sweetie. I’m sure you have plenty of quiet spots to hide out in. And if you really need to hole up and don’t want to be disturbed, why not post a sign on a door? We won’t bother you. Fred and I will skedaddle if you want to sit out here on your own.”
“No, my dear, you don’t need to leave.” She patted Laurel’s shoulder and leaned back again.
“It’s been a while since I’ve really visited with you.
We’ve all been so busy. Hopefully things will slow down, and we can all settle in.
” She shielded her eyes from the sun as she turned toward Laurel.
“You heard that Windy is fixing dinner?”
“Yes. She wants to make chicken kebabs.”
“Sounds good to me. Glad I caught her on her way out. I told her to plan on six guests tonight.”
“Six?” Riva counted on her fingers. “You, me, Windy, Fiona, and Kitty. That’s only five.”
“When Windy told me she was making kebabs, I texted Marcus the news. He told me Windy makes fabulous kebabs with a killer peanut sauce.”
“Oh?” Riva tried not to react. “Six for dinner, then?”
“Yep. He said he’ll be here with bells on.” Laurel laughed. “I’d like to see that.”
Riva wanted to ask Laurel about her feelings toward Marcus but just couldn’t get herself to go there.
In normal circumstances, she would. After all, that’s what friends did.
But for some reason, fishing for information about Laurel’s romantic feelings in this situation felt intrusive and awkward.
Especially after what Windy had hinted about avoiding a possible love triangle.
No way did Riva want to go there with Laurel—or anyone.
She flashed back to living in a college sorority, remembering how girls would get into horrible fights over guys.
She knew she and Laurel would never kick and scream and pull hair like those sorority sisters.
But even a mature cold war under the same roof would be a hot mess. Windy was right. Best to avoid it.