Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 59659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
We danced through the store for a little while, Victor humming as he held me close. I occasionally pointed out a new design or an idea, and he seemed to love all of them. I could see the excitement in his eyes and knew he was looking forward to the reopening just as much as I was.
But I wasn't finished yet.
"There is one more thing," I told him.
"More?" he asked, looking around and giving me a shocked face. "How could there possibly be more?"
"Well, there was something we needed to figure out, but I think it came out just right. According to law, all buildings in Murdock have to have a storm shelter. I'm sure you understand why."
He laughed. "I'm familiar with the storm potential in the area, yes."
"So, when we were finalizing the plans for the building, I put a lot of thought into the storm shelter. The one that was already there was good, but if I had the opportunity to create changes and make the store into what it could really be, I might as well add an improvement there as well. So, I asked them to dig a bigger hole," I said.
"A bigger hole?" he asked.
There was a note in his voice that sounded almost disappointed. I nodded, trying to contain my excitement. This was the actual surprise I had for him. I knew he would be happy to see all the amazing progress that was made on the building, but it was the storm shelter I was especially excited to show off to him.
I took his hand and led him to the door at the back of the building that opened to the steps leading down to the storm shelter. At the bottom of the steps was another door. A keypad next to it operated the locks, and I gave him the code.
"The day we met—" I explained.
He smiled. "I recognized it."
He hesitated, and I gestured impatiently at the door. "Go on. Open it."
Victor put the code into the pad and the lock deactivated. He opened the door and stepped inside. As he did, I reached around to flip the light switch next to the door. I was glad there was already power running through the building. Some more wiring and things would need to be taken care of before the store could totally reopen, but at least there was light now.
As soon as the lights burst on overhead, Victor’s mouth fell open.
"You've got to be kidding me," he said.
I laughed. "Do you like it?"
"Like it?" he asked incredulously, taking a few more steps into the huge space. "This is unbelievable."
The storm shelter was now a full-fledged apartment under the store, designed to not only provide shelter and protection to a large number of customers and others if there was a storm when the store was full and there was no safe way to evacuate them, but also a place for us. This way we could work late or handle big sales and events without worrying about needing to commute home for meals or to sleep.
"There are still some details to be taken care of," I said. "Namely, furniture." I gestured around at the empty floors. "I've already picked it all out and ordered it. I'm just waiting for it to be delivered and then we can finish it up. Do you want the full tour?"
"Of course," he said.
I brought him around the space, starting with the large area designed for the actual emergency aspect of the storm shelter.
"There's another door upstairs that leads down straight to this section," I said. I brought him to a smaller area sectioned off with a door. "This is the storage space. We'll have cots, blankets, pillows, all of that kind of stuff down here. There will also be shelves for food, water, and emergency supplies. Enough to handle a good number of people for a few days if necessary.
“I think this is something we could add to and enhance over time. Something I'd like to do is maybe have some toys and books and things down here in case any children get stuck here during a storm. Maybe it would help them be less scared and it would get them through the time more easily."
"That's a fantastic idea."
I continued the tour, making our way through the apartment and ending in the bedroom. Walking over to the far side of the space, I open my arms up to indicate the area.
"This is where the bed will be," I said.
Victor's eyes darkened and he licked his lips. He came over to me and swept me into his arms, pulling me up against him.
"Why wait?" he asked before his mouth crushed down on mine.
27
VICTOR
Camden whistled as he looked out of the front door.
"That’s a hell of a crowd out there,” he said, gesturing for me to look.