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I pull the phone from my ear with a sigh, knowing she’s getting a little dig in. Julia Knowles was not pleased when I told her that Sarah and I had a courthouse marriage. She also told me that finding out during my interview was especially aggravating. I reminded her of her own marriage, and that appeased her somewhat.
The reaction from Sarah’s parents was more difficult.
“That’s a good point. Have you moved out of the house yet?” I ask to change the subject.
“It’s done, and the new family moved in this past weekend. Condo life suits me, Jake; I know that’s where this question is leading. Your mother isn’t dumb.”
My childhood home is gone forever. I rarely visit nowadays, but the knowledge still feels unnatural. “And the job?”
“I’ll be ready for another promotion soon.”
I chuckle. “You’ll be in charge of it all pretty soon.”
“After five kids, that will be easy.”
“True enough.”
I choked when she told me about the selling price. It wasalso the last time I asked if she needed help with anything. Mom hasn’t asked for it once, and neither have any of my sisters.
We hang up with promises to visit soon.
∞∞∞
It’s hot outside. The late summer breeze helps, but the humidity seeps into my skin, causing my t-shirt and shorts to cling.
Boone catches my eye, beckoning me over. I won’t call us friends, not yet. Is it possible to be friends with Boone Rivers? I’m not sure. Sarah claims we’ve approached a comfortable rapport, whatever that means.
“I have something for you.” He hands over a business card.
“A real estate agent?” I ask after noticing the unfamiliar name. “We already have a commercial space.” I tap the card with my thumb. “It’s right next to yours.”
“She specializes in residential.” Boone huffs, which I ignore. “This is the woman who helped us buy our place last year. A house three doors down from us will be on the market soon.”
I glance over at Sarah, who is busy talking with Maddie. She’s not paying either of us the slightest bit of attention.
“No, she doesn’t know,” Boone says, already guessing where my mind wandered. “It’s a similar layout, although smaller. Call our agent; the place is yours if you want it.”
Boone’s suggestion surprises me. Sarah and I discussed moving, but neither of us has taken the first step. She officially moved in after her apartment lease ended, and with a new race every week, there was never time. “Thank you for thinking of us.”
Boone’s trademark frown appears, although I’ve learned it’s hardly the offputting expression it seems. As Sarah says, her older brother is a sweetheart underneath. A sweetheart who would deck me if I shared any of my thoughts.
“It’s not for you. This is for me. Madelyn can’t stand having her friend so far away, so I need you to buy this house.”
Okay, now that explanation makes sense. “I’ll call tomorrow.”
“Yeah, good.” He starts to leave, so I call him back. “What’s wrong?”
It’s amusing that he assumes there’s a problem.
“It’s not just Madelyn that will appreciate it. Sarah, too. Both of us.” He once demanded proof that my love for his sister was sincere, and I did it. It angered me then, but in retrospect, it’s nearly the same as what I did to him. “She looks up to you, and I get it. I get why.”
Not all connections are instant. Some grow slowly, one awkward exchange at a time.
“Same,” Boone says and leaves.
It’s progress.
∞∞∞
