She parked, and as always went in a side door and straight into the end of the building where her office was located, turning on lights as she went.
The scent of burned wood permeated everything. It was going to take a long time and a lot of airing out before that faded, and even longer to accept that a friend had died on the premises.
She put up her things and turned on the computer, then went up front to find Dub. He was usually behind the counter, talking to customers as they came up to pay. But today, both he and Wade were behind the counter, and Dub was obviously giving his nephew a rundown on how everything worked.
Dub saw Birdie approaching and smiled.
“Good morning, Birdie. Do you remember my nephew, Wade?”
“Morning, Dub. Yes, I know Wade, but I don’t think I ever knew he was your nephew until yesterday when I saw him at the park.” Then she smiled at Wade. “And a good morning to you, too.”
“Morning, Bridgette.”
Dub looked at him and grinned. “Don’t nobody call her anything but Birdie.”
“I never called her that,” Wade said. “Bridgette is a pretty name. I’ll stick with that.”
Birdie smiled, and hoped her cheeks hadn’t just flushed, because she was suddenly hot under the collar just looking at him.
“So, is there anything new I need to know today?” Birdie asked.
“One thing. The fire marshal said the fire started from an electrical short. We found signs of rats when we were clearing up. Damn things probably gnawed to raw wire, and something sparked it. We’ll never know. But Arnold was just a victim, not the cause. And before you ask, we put out live rat traps.”
“You need cats,” Birdie said.
“And that, too,” Dub said. “You saw the portable buildings. Feed will be in one, seed in the other until we rebuild. Cats are welcome. But the rebuilding is part of why Wade is here. He’s going to be running the general end of the store so I can devote my time to the redesign and rebuilding. He’ll be doing the ordering and most of the customer service, so you’ll work with him like you worked with me.”
Birdie nodded. “Got it, and my first question is where have you been putting the mail? There will be invoices to post and bills to pay.”
“Oh…it’s all on my desk. Holler if you have a question.”
“Will do,” Birdie said. “Happy first day at work, Wade,” she added, did a quick little pivot, and went to work.
Wade watched her exit with more than a little appreciation.
Dub saw him staring and grinned.
“I’m just warning you now. She’s a firecracker.”
“Is she married?” Wade asked.
“Nope. And no boyfriends, either. She isn’t a player, Wade, so don’t mess up and hurt her.”
“Aw, come on, Uncle Dub. I am not a player, either. One girlfriend in college, and for the past three years I’ve been living alone in an apartment in Boston, snowed in up to my eyeballs for what felt like six months out of every year and longing for the South. Your call rescued me. I’m so happy to be back. I don’t ever want to leave again.”
“This job isn’t as cushy as the one you had,” Dub warned.
“I know that. But there’s rarely ever snow, and it never lasts. I missed Blessings. I’m happy to be back. Now stop worrying about Bridgette Knox and teach me what you want me to know.”
Dub grinned. “Then follow me, boy.”
* * *
Donna Hollis barely slept a wink for thinking of all that money underneath her pillow, and as soon as it was daylight, she was up to begin her day.
Once she got that money in the bank, she was going to start pulling everything out of drawers and closets that she wasn’t going to take back with her and have a yard sale.
Before she could move forward, she had to let go of the past, no matter how exhausting or painful it might be.
* * *
Hunt’s first impression upon driving up to the house was delight. The new roof with pale-gray shingles blended perfectly with the fresh white exterior and pewter-gray trim. It had updated the look of the house without losing any of its cottage charm, but it was the dark-blue door with brass fittings that made the house stand out on the block.
Inside, the white ceilings, the pale-gray walls, and white trim were stunning. The electrician had come and gone, and the small chandelier in the living room gave it a little elegance, as did the new light fixtures throughout the house.
Hunt started in the attic and walked from top to bottom, from back to front, imagining a new family coming in and making new memories—happy memories—here.
The old countertops were gone, and the new, reinforced framework was waiting for the new ones to be installed today. They’d had a delay yesterday in coming, so they would be here today. But that meant that this afternoon would be about installing the new kitchen and bathroom sinks and fixtures, so the countertops had to be in before noon.
Tomorrow, they’d deliver and install the new gas cookstove, and the day after that begin refinishing the old hardwood floors. It was going to look good. So good.
He was still in the kitchen when he heard trucks driving up. Countertops were here, and it was none too soon. One week from today, Marjorie’s house and truck would go up for auction.
* * *
The glossy white countertops, with their faint hint of gray and silver marbling, had been installed, as had the kitchen and bathroom sinks and the new faucets to go with them.
Hunt walked through the house, checking to make sure everything was locked up for the night, and then went out the front door, locking it behind him. As he was getting in the truck, his phone signaled a text. It was a confirmation of tomorrow’s delivery and installation of the cookstove.
This day was over, and now that his attention wasn’t pulled in other directions, all he could think about was getting home to Ava.
Larry’s car was also in the drive when he arrived, and he guessed a family supper was in his future. He walked in to the scent of chili and cornbread, and little bursts of laughter beneath the undertone of voices.
Ava was at the kitchen table. Larry was chopping onions at the kitchen counter, and Karen was at the stove giving a big pot of chili a quick stir.
Hunt leaned down and kissed Ava on the back of her neck.
“Hey, baby.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Hey, good-looking. We’re working on a little chili party here.”
“Sounds and smells good to me,” Hunt said. “Give me a few minutes to clean up, and I’ll be right back.”