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She froze when she saw him.
Violet was in her usual teaching outfit, but she was frowning, as if she was in a terrible mood.
Great. That always went well for them.
“Is that the cat from earlier?” Violet asked.
“Yeah," Charlie said. “I’m going to keep her.”
Violet blinked. Then she smiled. Charlie felt his stomach do a strange flip. She was looking at the cat, not at him, but it was still so strange to see her smile in his general direction.
“That’s sweet. So, she’s a girl?”
“Yeah. The vet confirmed it.
“Are you going to name her?
“I named her Roo after your stunt on the roof.”
“That’s a perfect name," Violet walked over and scratched the cat gently. “Listen, I’m sorry for getting upset earlier.”
Charlie felt like the floor fell out from under him. “Uh, what?”
“I’m sorry for getting upset. And yes, some of what I said was true. You do hold all the cards and I am worried if I upset you, you’ll kick me out. But I shouldn’t have lost it on you. I’ve lived alone for a long time, so someone telling me not to do something makes me defensive.”
Charlie only gaped. Violet waited for him to say something, and her face fell when he didn’t.
“Good talk," she muttered and then turned to walk away.
“No, wait," Charlie said. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to you apologizing.”
“I’m trying, okay?” Violet said, repeating his words from yesterday. “Whether you hold all the cards or not, constantly fighting isn’t going to work while I stay here. So, I’m trying to keep the peace.”
“But you don’t have to because you’re afraid I’ll make you leave. I know I’ve not been great to you, but I wouldn’t do that. Not to anyone.”
Violet stared at him for a long moment, and he wondered what was going through her mind. Obviously, there was something that had started all of this, and he had been dying to know what it was for years.
She’d yelled at him over a stupid paper. Something more happened. Something she wasn’t telling him.
He could ask her. Technically he did hold all of the cards. Maybe she would finally be honest with him now that he had given her a place to stay.
But it seemed wrong. Charlie didn’t like manipulating people into getting what he wanted – that had always been Lauren’s thing.
No, he couldn’t take advantage of her now.
“I’m trying to believe you,” Violet said, pulling Charlie out of his thoughts. “But letting me work on the house helps me feel more comfortable. So, thank you for that.”
Charlie nodded slowly. Then he added, “Then I’m glad I told you to. But … be careful? This house means a lot to me.”
“I can tell. I promise I know what I’m doing, but you can watch over me if it would make you feel better.”
Charlie could only nod. He was a little nervous about her starting work already, and he knew he wanted to see her in action before she tackled the more difficult parts of his home.
A few minutes later, she came downstairs in jeans and a T-shirt. She set up shop in his basement and got out a rental saw from the local hardware store. He leaned against his washer and watched her test out the loose planks, and then remove them entirely. She got out the new wood, which stood starkly bright against the old planks, and screwed them into place.
They fit perfectly.
Watching her did something to his stomach he didn’t like. He’d always wondered why Violet seemed so strong, like she could take him out if she went at him. Now he saw why. Her arms were toned, and she could lift and move the wood like it was nothing. Maybe it was the yoga she did, or maybe it was all the repairs she did too.
