Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Hello again,” she greeted us, recognizing Dom from the garage.
I introduced them, and Dom shook her hand. He was polite and friendly.
“We’re going to move your bed, and Dom is going to check out the roof.”
“Well, you should eat first. I made my mom’s famous casserole, so there’s lots. It’ll be ready in about ten minutes.”
Dom grinned. “Never say no to a casserole. Especially a famous one.” He glanced into the living room. “We can get some of this done fast.”
We carried the bed frame in and set it up, adding the box spring and mattress once Hannah pointed where she wanted it. Then she informed us it was time to eat. We sat down, and I inhaled deeply, the scent of the food making my mouth water. “That looks awesome,” I commented with a wide grin. “I don’t think I’ve ever come home to a meal before. Brett or I would pick up something or throw a burger on the grill. But a real meal?” I shook my head. “And on matching plates?”
She laughed and patted my arm. “I unpacked a couple of boxes.”
“This is great.” Unable to resist, I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Hannah.”
She laughed, and Dom looked between us with a grin on his face. We ate dinner, chatting about Lomand and Littleburn. Dom said he planned on looking in both places for a house. He asked Hannah about working here. “Must be different from the big city.”
She swallowed and nodded, pausing before she spoke. “Very much. Fewer people, less crime, far too quiet for some officers, but it suits me.”
“Were you in Toronto a long time?”
She paused before speaking. “About two years. I realized the big city wasn’t for me. Luckily, I saw this posting.” She picked up her glass, and I noticed the slight tremor in her hand.
Dom abruptly changed the subject, and I wondered if he saw the tremor as well. After we ate, she insisted on cleaning up, and we went outside, climbing up onto the roof. Dom walked around, inspecting it, and was pleased. “I think the plywood is still strong. It feels sturdy—no bouncing. We’ll scrape off the old shingles, and as long as it’s good, we’ll have the new ones up in a weekend. Faster if I get a couple of my buddies to help out.” He paused. “Maybe a couple of weeks from now?”
“Yeah, great. I’ll have finished the sale by then, so everything will be in order.”
“Great. You can order the dumpster bin and pick your shingles. Make sure to go with thirty-year shingles. You don’t really get thirty out of them, but they are far better quality.”
“Great. I’ll do that this weekend.”
We looked at the fence, and he even gave me a couple of ideas on the deck outside. “Two levels would be nice. Put your grill up close to the door and a nice seating area below. Great entertaining spot.”
“Good idea. I hadn’t thought about that.”
He grinned. “I love home improvement.”
Inside, we moved the dresser and night tables and carried the last of the boxes marked “Bedroom” in for Hannah. She smiled as she looked around the living room. “I’ll start painting in here this weekend.”
Dom smiled. “I’ll help. With the hall leading to the kitchen, that’s a lot of painting area. Many hands and all.”
She smiled at him, laying her hand on his arm. “That would be awesome! My mom is going to help too. She’s going to be in charge of taping, bottom trim, and food.” Her eyes danced. “She’s pretty little and hates heights, so she sticks to ground level.”
Dom laughed. “Works for me. I don’t need the top trimmed. I’m great at cutting in. We’ll make a good team.” He paused. “Your dad coming along too?”
Hannah’s smile fell. “No, he died when I was younger. It’s just my mom and me.”
“Sorry, kiddo.”
“Thanks.” She smiled again, although it looked forced. “I’ll go call Mom and tell her it’s on.” She rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dom.”
I felt an odd feeling as I watched her kiss him. It was fast and friendly, yet somehow I didn’t like it. Hannah left the room, and Dom looked at me with a wide smile and he chuckled. “Relax, kid. She was just being sweet. She’s young enough to be my daughter, and even if she weren’t, it’s obvious you two are getting close.”
I blinked. “Is it?”
He threw back his head in laughter. “With the touches and the smiles at dinner? How she was worried about you being on the roof? The way she’s making this place homey? Kid, you got yourself way more than a roommate.” He grasped my shoulder and shook it. “Open your eyes. She likes you the same way you like her. Take it slow and treat her well. I think you got a good one there.”