Chapter 17
“It looks like we’re going to get this done on schedule, if not a bit early.
” Nate Clark leaned against the cabinets in Fred’s kitchen.
They still needed doors and a countertop added to them, but the room was actually beginning to look like part of a house and not just a construction site.
“Your brother should be here soon.” He tipped his phone in Fred’s direction.
“Married life has had a calming effect on him. This text doesn’t sound stressed about being late at all. ” He chuckled.
Will had always been a perfectionist. To an annoying degree.
He was even worse than Eddie about needing things done the right way.
At least Eddie would let you do your thing without looking over your shoulder and “helping” by critiquing everything you were doing.
The worst was when their dad had decided that since Fred was in a hurry to get his driver’s license, Will could help him practice.
Anxious and uptight passenger seat driver didn’t begin to describe his older brother as a driving instructor.
So for him not to send a stressed-out text about being late to a meeting to go over the progress on Fred’s house was a big deal.
“Tiffany is on her way as well. I saw her at The Baked Apple. She was getting lunch for later.” He placed a couple of cardboard drink trays on the piece of wood that was acting as a countertop and took out his cup of coffee.
“She’s joining us? Does this mean you’re going to be making changes?”
Fred had been told that today’s meeting would be the absolutely final day that any changes could be made unless he didn’t want to move in on time.
“I’m not sure about the changes. I just asked her to come because I have some questions about resale or leasing.
Maybe short-term rental potential. Maybe renting to Eddie for a while.
” He was seriously considering taking the manager position in Marydale for one simple reason.
Steve and Esther were in Hatfield Falls, not Marydale.
“I know you and Will know about those things, too,” he continued as he fiddled with the lid of his coffee cup.
“But an abundance of counsel seems best.” That’s what his dad had always suggested when decisions of significance needed to be made, and leaving Hatfield Falls was no small decision.
It was huge. And not exactly one he wanted to make.
However, God seemed to be pushing him in that direction.
Therefore, he needed to know his options. Maybe that would help bring clarity.
Nate took a sip of his coffee and quirked an eyebrow in question.
“It has to do with a job offer,” Fred answered. “But I’d rather not repeat myself too many times, so I’ll explain further when everyone is here.”
The door opened at that moment, and Eddie stepped in with his girlfriend attached to his right hand. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought Ava with me. She’s been curious to see how things are going.”
“And seeing things while they are being built is awesome research – in case I need it for a story at some point,” Ava added.
“I’m pretty sure the building codes we use today aren’t the same way they were in whatever century it is you write in,” Nate teased.
“No one said I have to write Regency era romances forever,” Ava shot back as she made her way down the hallway to look around.
She was a curious sort of person. She reminded Fred of his mom in that way.
Mom had always been curious. The thought that Eddie would end up with someone who was even a little like their mom made him smile.
Eddie had always been a bit of a momma’s boy when they were growing up.
“You’re not going to go with her?” Fred said to Eddie.
“Nah, she can explore alone. I just saw the place last night, remember?”
“Checking up on us, were you?” Nate asked.
Fred nodded. “Just looking and thinking.”
“And praying,” Eddie added, while giving Fred a knowing look. They had talked about Fred’s future with Drummonds and where that would be and what it would mean for the two of them.
Nate blew out a breath. “I take it you know about whatever it is that Fred wants to discuss.”
Eddie nodded.
“And it’s big enough to need prayer?” Nate asked.
Again, Eddie nodded.
“Did you tell Ava?” Fred asked.
Eddie shook his head. “Nope. Not yet.”
“Hi. I made it, and Will just pulled in behind me,” Tiffany said as she entered. “Hey, Ava. What do you think of the place so far?”
“It’s a much better flow than it was before. Nice and open. I like it.”
“Enough to live here?” Fred asked.
Ava turned toward him slowly. Confusion was written all over her face.
“I mean, as a girl. Do you like it enough that you’d be happy to live here?
It’s not too masculine or something?” Tiffany had assured him that all his choices weren’t going to put buyers off in the future, but then, she didn’t know that the future might be sooner than Fred had expected.
When he purchased this place, he had envisioned living here forever or close to it.
Now? Well, now, he might not even spend one night in the place.
“No. I think the design choices I’ve seen would work for a wide range of people.”
“Will you trust me now?” Tiffany asked.
“It’s not that I didn’t trust you,” Fred said. “I just… well… I might be selling sooner than I thought.”
“You might be what?” Will asked from the doorway.
“Selling. Or renting it out. Or something.” Fred rubbed the back of his neck with the hand not holding his coffee.
“I have a job decision to make in the new year. Drummonds is opening an automotive center at their Marydale store, and I’m going to help get it set up and staffed.
They’ll need a manager once it opens, and Mr. Drummond would like that manager to be either Scotty or me. ”
“You’re thinking of leaving Hatfield Falls?
” Will didn’t even try to hide his surprise at such a thought – or if he did, he did a deplorable job of it.
However, it was understandable. Of all his brothers, Fred had been the most adamant that he was a forever resident of Hatfield Falls.
Leaving seemed wrong. It still didn’t feel altogether right.
“I am, though I really don’t want to.” He shrugged. “But it might be best.” Marydale wasn’t too far away. He could easily visit any day of the week. But the distance would be enough to give Esther and Steve time without him around to mess things up for them.
“How soon would you be going if you take the job?” There was genuine concern in Tiffany’s voice.
Fred shrugged. “It could be as early as February – after Henry’s wedding. But I’ll be working there before that.”
“But what about Eddie?” Ava asked.
“We need to know what would be best financially for Fred,” Eddie answered. “I can find a place. Trish’s place might still be open, or Will, Nate, or Tiffany might know of a place for me.”
“The first question is: Do I need to make any changes to my plans now, if selling in a couple of months is a possibility? According to the schedule, today’s the last day to make them.” Fred directed this question to his brother and Tiffany.
“I wouldn’t think so,” Tiffany replied. “What do you and Nate think, Will?”
Nate shook his head. “It would cost more at this juncture to make any large design changes. And the only thing that might make this place a bit less widely popular are the tool chest drawers you’re using for the kitchen island. But I wouldn’t change them.”
“You weren’t planning to build the garage until spring, so those plans, along with a quote from Nate and me, could be included with a sale,” Will added.
“And if you rent, that cement slab could just be a nice patio for the renter unless you’d still like to build the garage.
It would make the property more desirable.
” He shook his head, looking for all the world like he did not want to be making the suggestions he was making.
“But Marydale isn’t that far of a drive. You could live here and commute.”
Fred’s lips tipped up on one side. “Sure, I can drive it daily, but you thought it was too far for Lacey.”
Will laughed. “Well, that’s different.”
“He doesn’t want to kiss you,” Nate added with a laugh of his own.
“That’s a good thing,” Ava muttered, sending everyone into a tension-breaking chuckle.
“I’d hate to see you go if you do,” Will said when the laughter had faded. “But if this is what God has for you…” He let the rest of his thought trail off.
Fred understood that feeling. “I don’t know what God wants.” He shook his head. “I’ve been listening and trying to figure it out, but it’s not clear yet. I thought maybe just getting some ideas about what the possible options are might help me with that.”
“Yeah,” Eddie inserted. “One of the options might come with some peace after it’s been prayed over.”
“We should do that now.”
Fred looked at Tiffany with a startled expression. He hadn’t expected that from her. He didn’t know why he didn’t expect it. It wasn’t like she shied away from talking about God all the times they had worked on things together. And yet, it surprised him.
“When two or three are gathered in His name,” she said in answer to his unspoken question.
“Listen, I’ve tried to make things go my way in the past, and I’ve learned that my way isn’t always the best way.
In fact, it’s never the best way if it doesn’t match with what God wants.
Esther, Rosalie, Mandy, and I were just discussing that a couple of nights ago.
” She held his gaze with what could only be called ferocity.
As if he needed to know that last part for some reason.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Ava said.
“I agree,” Nate added.