Chapter 19
SO . . . WHAT DID YOU TELL Malcom about your decision to date him? Brandy texted first thing the next morning.
Yeah, we’re on pins and needles here, Everly added.
Aren’t any of you working this morning? Lori wrote back.
Her mom had also called, but she let that go to voicemail because she’d been in the middle of painting the living room of her parents’ old house. Now, she was taking a short break. She’d replied to Malcom’s texts, of course. He’d started the morning early, buying a laptop in town and then heading to the bank. When the meeting was over, he’d texted her: All I can do now is wait.
Then he said he’d be looking around town for a place to stay.
Lori didn’t tell him to rush because she liked having him at her place, but maybe for that very reason, he needed to find somewhere soon. Everyone he’d talked to had suggestions.
We’re officially dating, Lori wrote her friend group. But stay off my back about it. We’re taking things really slowly. Like slower than a snail. Well, they were mostly taking things slowly, except for spending every spare minute together.
That might change if he keeps crashing at your place, Stephenie wrote.
Julie added some laughing emojis, then wrote, Ah, young love .
Her phone rang, jarring Lori from her smile. Mom, again.
“There you are,” her mother said when she picked up. “I’ve been trying you all morning.”
“I’ve been painting,” Lori said in a patient voice. Her mom had tried once , and hadn’t left a voicemail, so it shouldn’t be urgent, right?
“Oh, that’s nice,” her mother said in a conciliatory tone, obviously not all that interested. “Lydia told me that Malcom Graves’s trailer was broken into last night.”
Lori pinched her eyes shut. How did her mom find out things so fast? Oh, that’s right, talking to Lydia.
She continued without waiting for any sort of reply. “Is that what Everly Falls is coming to? I knew that larger developments would bring in more crime. Lydia told me that the project has stalled. Do you know anything about that?”
“It’s only temporary—” Lori began.
“I don’t know if this man is who you think he is, Lori. Do you really think you should be spending time with—”
“Mom,” she cut in. “You need to listen to me and stop gossiping with friends who don’t know what’s really going on.”
“I’m not—”
“You are . If you want to know the truth, then listen. If you don’t, then hang up and go about your day, doing whatever you’ve planned.”
Silence on the other end told Lori that she’d truly shocked her mom.
“I’m listening,” she finally said in a plaintive tone.
Lori gave her mom the bird’s-eye view of what had happened with Malcom’s brother, and how he was now putting together a plan to take over the condo project on his own.
“Oh my goodness,” her mom said, her voice filled with awe. “That poor man. I can’t imagine going through that betrayal.”
“He’s a stalwart guy,” Lori said. “Has a good head on his shoulders and really cares about Everly Falls and the community. And I’m dating him, Mom, so you’re hearing it straight from me. No need to call up your gossipy friends.”
Her mom squealed. “You’re finally dating someone? You should bring him for Thanksgiving. He probably doesn’t want to be around his family anyway.”
Lori laughed. “You’re probably right. But Thanksgiving is kind of a big deal. I mean, you’re in Florida.”
“You already have your ticket,” Mom said. “See what he says.”
Lori wasn’t sure about inviting Malcom for a weekend with her parents. Things were really new between them, and she had no idea what the next couple of weeks might bring with the condo project. Maybe everything would fall through. Or maybe he’d be busier than ever.
After finally getting off the phone with her mom, Lori felt drained of energy. She grabbed the lunch she’d packed and checked in with Marci to see how the store was doing. Marci said it had been busy, but nothing she couldn’t keep up with.
When Lori heard a truck rumble in front of the house, then come to a stop, she crossed to the window. To her surprise, Malcom and two other men climbed out—Austin and Cal. They walked up the driveway and crossed to the porch.
She reached the door just as one of them knocked. Opening it, she said, “What’s going on?”
Then she noticed they all carried tools.
“We’re here to help,” Malcom said, his hazel eyes landing on hers.
“I . . . I wasn’t expecting anyone.”
Last night, she’d told Malcom about some of the projects that had to be done on the house after painting. She hadn’t intended to make him feel like she needed his help. She had all winter to get the house ready.
But apparently, he’d shown up anyway.
“I’ll start painting,” Cal said. “Wore my painting shirt.”
Lori laughed. His faded blue T-shirt did look like it had been through several painting projects. “Grab a roller, then.”
“I can install the kitchen fixtures,” Austin said, walking past her, toolbox in hand.
Malcom stepped into the house last, but before he could move too far inside, Lori placed a hand on his chest. “You don’t have time for this.”
His warm eyes searched hers, his mouth lifting into a half smile. “I always have time for you.”
She felt her eyes burn, and she blinked rapidly. “How did you talk the others into this?”
“Turns out they had a slow day.”
Lori smirked. She very much doubted that, but her heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She raised up on her toes and kissed him. She didn’t care who saw, either.
For the next several hours, the house was filled with the sounds of drilling and hammering, as fixtures were installed, the paint in the living room completed, the linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms torn up, and the carpet in the bedrooms removed.
Malcom had talked her into new flooring. Said that with his contractor’s discount on supplies, the cost would be much less than putting a carpet or flooring allowance into the buyers’ contract.
Lori had argued that most of the savings came from the labor, but Malcom said he’d only charge if he needed someone to help.
“You can lay flooring?” she asked. Of course he could, but did he have time for it?
“It’s easy, and kind of fun,” he said. “You could even help.”
“Oh, I’ll help.”
They were standing in the hallway, now stripped of carpet, and Malcom had his hands on her hips. Lori rested her hands on his shoulders, his sleeves damp with perspiration. She didn’t mind Malcom sweaty in the least.
“You’re doing too much,” she said, in a last-ditch effort.
“ You’re doing too much,” he countered.
She was pretty sure he was going to kiss her, but Austin’s voice broke in from the front room. “The carpet’s all loaded into the back of the truck. Anything else we need to haul away?”
Lori stepped out of Malcom’s arms just as Austin came around the corner.
“Oh, sorry,” he said with an innocent smile. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s fine,” Malcom said, joining him in the living room. Lori followed. “How far is the local dump?”
“About fifteen minutes.” Austin wiped at his sweaty brow.
“Should I drop you and Cal off first?” Malcom asked.
“Nah,” Austin said. “We’ll come and help unload. You can buy us dinner.”
“Sounds good.” Malcom said with a chuckle.
“I should be paying for your dinner,” she cut in.
“I’ve got it.” Malcom flashed a smile. “You could come with us, though.”
“I wish. I’m going to tape the kitchen in prep for painting, then head back to the store and help Marci close up.”
Malcom nodded.
“When are you putting this place on the market?” Austin asked.
“Next spring? You want to buy it and flip it?” she asked, half-teasing, but curious also.
“I was just thinking that maybe Malcom could rent the place from you,” he said. “You know, so it’s not vacant all that time.”
“But it’s in shambles,” Lori said. “Even before you guys showed up to tear out flooring and replace fixtures, the place was not livable.”
Austin shrugged. “He could throw down a mattress, and as long as the bathroom is working?”
Lori looked over at Malcom, expecting him to say he’d prefer other options. But he stood with his hands on his hips, looking about the place. “We could work out a trade,” he said in a thoughtful tone. “My handiwork in exchange for rent. Or I could outright pay rent. Whatever your parents want—that is, if you need their permission?”
“They’d probably be fine with it,” Lori said slowly. “I mean, more than fine. But you don’t have time to renovate a house in exchange for rent. You could stay here for free. I should have thought about it before. I just don’t think it’s all that livable.”
“Like Austin said, it has a working bathroom. And I’m assuming the furnace will kick on when it gets colder outside?”
“It works.” Lori huffed out a breath. “Maybe think about it. It would be a big change.”
“An upgrade from my trailer,” he said with a laugh. “I’m good with it if you’re good with it.”
Lori gazed at him for a moment, then glanced at Austin. Malcom really was planning on staying . . . it wasn’t until this moment that it truly sank in.
“I’m fine with it too,” she admitted.
“Great.” Malcom grinned. “I’ll move in tonight.”
And just like that, it was settled. Just like that, Lori’s life had taken another turn. She stood on the porch as she watched Malcom’s truck pull away with Cal and Austin, the truck bed full of torn-up flooring. What was happening to her life?
She stepped back inside to call her parents and tell them they now had a renter.
“That’s wonderful,” her mom gushed over the phone after being updated on how much work had been done today. “Dad’s golfing right now, but I’ll tell him as soon as he returns. I’m sure he’ll want to add to the list of repairs.”
“I’m still going to be doing as much as I can myself,” Lori said. “Malcom has a lot going on right now, so I’m not going to give him a giant list.”
Her mother chuckled. “He seems to really like you, Lori. I’m so happy about that. Is he coming for Thanksgiving?”
“I haven’t asked him yet,” she said. Would she ask him? Her pulse sped up at the thought. Bringing him to meet her parents felt very . . . official.
After hanging up with her mom, she texted her friend group about Malcom moving in. She wanted to pay back some of his kind deeds. Moving party tonight for those who can make it. Malcom’s going to rent my parents’ house. I’ll order some pizzas.
What??? Brandy wrote back. You’re kidding me! Let me pick up my jaw off the floor.
It’s just practical. Austin suggested it, Lori said. No need to flip out.
Brandy sent a GIF of a gymnast doing a floor routine.
My husband’s a genius , Everly wrote, adding heart eyes.
Cal and I will be there, Stephenie texted. Can’t wait.
I’ll find a sitter, Julie wrote. Should be fun.
Thanks, everyone, Lori added. I’ll let you know the exact time when it gets closer.
She set down her phone and climbed up on the stepladder. As she began to tape the edge of the kitchen cupboards with painter’s tape, she felt, for the first time in a long time, she was not a third wheel—or a fifth wheel. She was looking forward to everyone hanging out together, everyone helping Malcom, a man who was becoming more and more important to her. And she didn’t mind who knew it.