Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The rest of the week blurred with our flurry of activities.
Brad and I rarely had a moment to ourselves, yet we chatted by phone in bed at the end of each day.
I couldn’t call it cuddling, because we often discussed the logistics of entertaining everyone at his place, going out to dinner, or Mom offering to make supper for our guests.
“Heather and Wyatt are coming tomorrow,” I told him on Wednesday night.
“I can’t believe you and your mother fixed up their room so quickly after the furniture delivery.”
“It’s not perfect,” I said, “but Heather was willing to sleep on the floor, so it’ll be fine.”
He paused a moment. “Are you angry with her?”
“For her almost leaving me in the lurch? No, because your sister came through. Heather has a lot to work on, but that’s not my concern, and I’m happy she’ll be with us on our wedding day.”
“I know why I fell in love with you,” he teased in his husky night voice. “You’re a very forgiving person.”
“Not always,” I replied cautiously. “In her case, though, she gave me strength when I needed it, and I want to do the same for her.”
“I wish you were here with me,” he murmured.
“I feel the same way,” I said longingly. “We should have just proclaimed our wedding vows and been done with it all.”
He laughed. “You wouldn’t have been happy and you’d have had to deal with the wrath of your parents. They’re enjoying every moment of this week.”
I joined his merriment. “I think you’re right. Dad’s really happy to be involved in the outside-stairs project, and he’s been talking with the contractor. I think my parents plan to extend their visit until all of the work is done.”
“That’s okay because we’ll be basking in the Cancun sun. I can hardly wait until our honeymoon.”
I never thought I’d hear those words, and my heart jumped for joy. “Me, either.”
As we ran out of conversation steam and I yawned, he said, “I’ll drop off donuts tomorrow morning, just so you don’t have to make breakfast for everyone. Well, that’s really just an excuse to give you my morning kiss.”
“I’ll look forward to that,” I replied sleepily. “I love you.”
Mom, Rita, and I went grocery shopping on Thursday morning in advance of Heather’s arrival with Wyatt. We planned to buy a pork loin, side dishes, and plenty of snacks for our visitors, then use the kitchen in Brad’s house to prepare and serve supper.
My dad had a meeting with the contractor at nine a.m. and would make himself available to show the cable guy where to hook up the new television.
We didn’t have much furniture in the room we’d use as a kitchen/laundry/lounge upstairs but I managed to find a patio set with a glass table on clearance that would work for seating and a place to eat.
We brought back sandwiches from the store and opened a bag of potato chips at my kitchen table. Mom poured iced tea while I ran upstairs to tell Dad that lunch was served.
“Do you mind if I take it up here?” he asked. “I’m trying to program the TV for you.”
“Not at all. Would you like company?”
He looked into my eyes and gave me his signature smile. “You and I haven’t had much private time, so yes. I’d enjoy having lunch with my girl.”
“We’ll christen the new table,” I said. “Be right back.”
Mom and Rita didn’t mind my abandoning them. As I put two hoagies back into a shopping bag, my mother told me that my father had hoped to have a chance to chat with me.
Rita chuckled. “Get ready for the conversation about the birds and the bees.”
Mom laughed. “I imagine it’s too late for that now.”
I glanced at the two of them, realizing they had bonded. “A daughter’s never too old to hear her father’s advice,” I remarked.
“Just smile and nod,” Mom advised. She shook a handful of chips onto Rita’s plate, then her own. “Bring the rest for you and Dad.”
I put it into my bag with the sandwiches, which I slung on my arm, then grabbed two bottles of root beer from the fridge. “The two of you had better behave while I’m gone.”
Rita giggled. “We’ll try.”
I gave them an eye roll as I opened the door to Brad’s shop. Mom closed it behind me and whispered, “Dad’s getting nervous about walking you down the aisle on Saturday, so cut him some slack.”
I kissed her cheek. “Got it.”
Dad had pulled a patio chair close to the TV and held the remote with one hand and the instructions with the other. “Do me a favor, honey, and pick a password. It doesn’t like the one I tried to use.”
Working together, we had everything functional in no time. We sat at the table for lunch, and I asked about the meeting with the contractor.
“Austin Caldwell and his son, Jerry, both came and took the necessary measurements for the doorway and the steps. They’re a nice family and willing to do zero finance charges for six months.”
“Do you think it’s a good price?”
He nodded. “I do, and the faster you can get the work done, the sooner you can collect rent. Jerry’s very interested in renting a room.”
“Yes, he mentioned that. If it were your choice, would you rent the entire floor or three rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchenette?”
“I gave that some thought,” he said. “If you can find people who don’t mind sharing spaces, you’d have more income from the three individual rooms. I imagine they wouldn’t be long term, so you’d be dealing with turnover.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” I teased.
“Okay,” he replied with a grin. “If I was your age and trying to build a business, I’d want more income. Therefore, I’d plan to rent the three rooms individually. If that didn’t work, I’d pivot to renting the upstairs as an apartment.”
“That’s what I want to do, Dad.”
He gave a hearty chuckle. “That’s because you’re a chip off the old block.”
“Yes, I am.” I took a bite of my sandwich, thinking about his words. Before my marriage to Tony, I’d always gone to my father for advice, but not since. Had I become so independent that I no longer wanted to hear his perspective? I didn’t think so.
We settled into eating and munching on chips, reminding me of times when I’d come home from college and we’d chat about my hopes and dreams. It felt right, like when we had a cold day and I could pull out my favorite sweater to wear.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I told him.
“Me, too, honey, and I think you made a good choice with Brad. Your mother and I really like him.”
I grinned. “I’m glad about that, too.”
“He and I have talked a little about what he’s been through, so I sense your common bond. He also respects your opinion and supports your work at the magazine, so we consider him a good match for you.”
I nodded my agreement. “You’re not going to cry when you walk me down the aisle on Saturday, are you?”
He laughed. “Probably, but I’ll be discreet.”
I leaned to kiss his cheek. “Do you have any advice for me?”
“Love him with all of your heart. Tony was a good guy, too, but don’t let the memory of him get between the sheets with you and Brad.”
“That was my biggest hurdle,” I admitted.
“For Brad, too, since he tragically lost his wife and daughter in a car bombing. I no longer have any doubt about you and your husband-to-be, and I wanted you to know that I’ll proudly give him your hand in marriage on your wedding day.”
My eyes filled with tears and I blinked them away. “That means so much to me, Dad.”
He smiled, reaching for my hand. “Your mother and I want to give you this second-floor renovation as a wedding gift. If you don’t mind, I’ll oversee the project while you and Brad have your honeymoon in Cancun, and you’ll be ready to take renters when you return.”
I couldn’t blink away the next round of tears. “Thank you,” I cried, leaning into his arms.
I wanted to say more, but the words overcame me with so much emotion. He let me blubber about my appreciation, then let me go. “What time will Heather and Wyatt arrive?” he asked.
“Around three, then we’re going over to Brad’s house.”
“Okay, I have enough time to get to the paint store. Do you mind if I use your car?”
“Not at all, but does the project include painting rooms?”
“Of course, as well as kitchen and laundry appliances.”
“Oh, my gosh!” The waterworks started again.