Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
I probably should’ve relocated with the condition the house was in, but I didn’t want Nilda to worry. “It’s livable. Just a little more work than I’d anticipated.”
“It’s a good thing my girl is the hardest worker I know.”
I smiled. “How are you feeling? Have you gone to the doctor about that pain in your back?”
“I’m working on it.”
“You said the same thing about the pain in your side a few years back, yet the only time you actually went to visit a doctor was when they took you out of the house on a stretcher because your appendix had burst. Do I need to call my mother on you?” There weren’t too many things the esteemed Dr. Melanie Preston took an interest in, but she loved to bully people into seeking proper healthcare.
Nilda sighed. “I’ll get an appointment soon. I promise. But speaking of Dr. Preston… Have you talked to your mother since your discharge?”
“She left me a voicemail, but I haven’t called her back yet.”
“I’m sure she’s concerned.”
I scoffed. “If she was concerned about how I was doing, she could’ve come to visit.”
Nilda said nothing. In the twenty-five years I’d known her, she’d never once badmouthed my mother, even when she clearly deserved it. And it wasn’t just because my mother was her employer, which she was. I doubted Nilda had ever talked crap about anyone. She was the kindest, most warm-hearted human on the planet. I owed her so much.
“Tell me about the people of Laurel Lake,” Nilda said. “Are they worthy of the America’s-Friendliest status?”
I could think of one person who didn’t represent the title Laurel Lake had carried for the last seventeen years running. Then again, I’d thought of him a little too often over the last forty-eight hours. It was time I forgot all about Mr. Grumpy. I wasn’t going to let one bad egg ruin the little town I’d fantasized about for most of my life.
“I haven’t met that many people yet,” I told Nilda. “But the guy at the home-improvement store is really sweet, and the lady at the coffee shop gave me a free cup yesterday when I told her I was new in town.”
Nilda and I talked for the next fifteen minutes while I meandered through the electrical supply and heating sections, picking up various items I hadn’t thought of when I’d made my shopping list. I wound up telling her about my neighbor, even though I’d told myself I was going to put him out of my head. Before we hung up, I reminded her to make a doctor’s appointment, but I was pretty sure I’d have to call my mother and get her involved in a few days. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past Nilda to not call the doctor just so I was forced to call Melanie. I’d never understood why she wanted me to have a relationship with my mother so badly, but I knew she meant well. After we hung up, I went to find Sam.
“I’m all ready to schedule the delivery,” I said, holding out my list.
Sam perused it. “Our guys are only allowed to deliver to your driveway. Unless you’re planning on using the sheetrock and wood right away, you might want to get a few tarps. They’re calling for a little rain in the forecast over the next few days.”
“Oh, good to know. Can you add that to my delivery, please?”
Sam winked. “You got it. And I’m going to set you up with George as your delivery driver. If you need anything carried in, he’s good about that. Some of the guys are lazy and hide behind the rules.”
“Thank you.”
He picked up a clipboard and scanned some papers. “I can have that to you between one and four today. If for some reason you’re not home, they’ll pile it all up in the middle of the driveway.”
“Okay. But I’ll definitely be home. I have a bed coming too.” I shook my head. “Thought I could get by on a blow-up mattress. But apparently my back figured out that I’m not a teenager anymore.”
Sam smiled. “You and me both.”
Hours later, I had my AirPods in while I watched a YouTube video on how to hang sheetrock when the kitchen table started to shake. I popped one earbud out and looked around. But I couldn’t figure out what had caused it. Until bang. Bang. Bang. I jumped. Jesus. It must’ve been the delivery driver, but the pounding was a little aggressive.
However, the hostility made sense when I opened the front door and found Paul Bunyan on the other side. His lips were set in a grim line. I decided to counter with an equally over-the-top greeting, but mine was happy.
I smiled from ear to ear, putting all my pearly whites on full display. “Hi, neighbor. It’s wonderful to see you.”