Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Mae steps up beside Isabel. “They certainly make a cute couple.”
“Don’t they?” Isabel muses, and Aaron shifts uncomfortably.
“Where’s Minnie?” he asks, as if to avoid further scrutiny.
“She’s with the other dogs in Mae’s tent,” Isabel replies.
“I’m heading out on a quick run to the motel,” Mae says, motioning toward the street and likely where she parked. “I invited Isabel to see the rescue. Hope that’s okay.”
“That’s great!” Aaron responds, clearly delighted by the idea. “I’ll, um, see you back here in a bit.”
I watch as they walk off together, already deep in conversation.
“Your mom seems great.”
“She is.” Aaron sighs. “That was nice of Mae.”
“She wouldn’t offer if she didn’t enjoy your mom’s company.” Which is true. Likely, they’ve bonded over their love of dogs.
In another couple of minutes, the tent is filled with customers asking about the prints, and Aaron helps me manage it all. It feels gratifying, having him here with me as if we’re partners in more ways than one.
We sell several framed and unframed photos, and Aaron is beaming, caught up in all the energy. He may not think he enjoys the sales part of his business, but he’s good at it. Some of the locals call him by name, and given his expression, he seems surprised by it.
When there’s a lull, I reach for his hand. “Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. That was fun.” He laces our fingers together. “What’s with the cat strapped into the stroller?”
“That’s Ms. Sussan’s cat. If she doesn’t strap him in, he’s up in a tree before you can blink.”
“Only to be brought down by the sardines she produces from her pocket?” Aaron asks, and I laugh. Evidently, he’s seen them in action. “Mom would’ve loved to see that. Seems like he’s having a ball being shuttled around.”
“No doubt. But I have a feeling your mom is having some meaningful time of her own with those needy dogs.”
“I just hope she’s not overdoing it,” Aaron replies, concern in his eyes.
“Mae will look out for her, don’t worry.”
Just as I kiss his cheek and marvel at the fact that Aaron and I are going to try and be together, June is there, offering a tired grin.
“I can handle it from here,” she announces.
“Handle what?” I ask.
“Cain and Uncle Chuck are with Aunt Dina, and now I’m with you.” She makes a shooing motion. “Go take a long break. Enjoy yourselves.”
“No, I can’t—”
Hand on her hip, June says, “Are you telling me I don’t know how to sell art and make change?”
“No, of course not. But what if someone has a question about—”
“What if this or that.” June rolls her eyes. “Who knew you were so protective of your art?”
“I knew,” Aaron teases. “But June is right. You need a break.”
I sigh, relenting. “Yeah, okay.”
As soon as we’re away from the tent, making our way through the crowd, I reach for Aaron’s hand under the pretense of not losing him, but really, it’s because I need to make sure this is real. That he is real.
“I want to show you something.” Aaron tugs on my hand, and I feel on top of the world, even though the whole declaring-our-feelings is still surreal. “I promise I’ll have you back in an hour.”
My feet falter a split second before I agree. Mostly because it feels strange to walk away from my tent and photography, no matter how much June encouraged us to leave.
“Good. Where’s your truck parked?”
“Um, on the street.”
Where in the world is he taking me?
“Let’s go. I’ll give you directions.”
In the truck, I can’t help looking over at Aaron as if I’ll be able to read his mind as he instructs me down one street and up another. “It’s right here. Pull in.”
I cut the engine in the driveway of a cottage with peeling paint in a shade of plum, with cream and green accents. This house belonged to Mrs. Martin, who recently passed away. She was a sweet lady who loved her grandkids. “What is this about?”
The For Sale sign is a dead giveaway, so I must sound dense. I can feel my pulse beating in my ears because what’s about to happen is dawning on me, and I’m scared to hear him speak the words. But I’m also scared he won’t.
Hesitantly, he replies, “I’m considering putting in an offer on this place.”
I don’t meet his eye when I ask, “To flip?”
“Nope, to live in.”
My pulse throbs at his response.
He doesn’t say part-time or permanent, but the prospect of Aaron being here for any extended amount of time leaves me winded. “I can’t… I don’t know what to think or say…”
Warily, I gaze at him, and no doubt he can see all the emotions roiling in my irises, from fear to excitement. I reach for his hand, which is trembling as much as mine.