Chapter Five
Sophie
Stepping across the threshold of an adorable cottage-style home, Sophie allowed herself a solitary moment to embrace the euphoria of possibility. She blocked out all worries about bounced checks and tight finances, and instead imaginedthiswas their very own home. It didn’t matter that the place was less than a thousand square feet. It was a house.
“You sure about this, Soph?” Denver asked, his eyebrows drawn in skepticism from his spot near the front door. Though Sophie insisted she could handle the showing alone, he reminded her that older homes came with their slew of problems and it never hurt to have a second set of eyes to look for them. “It’s so small. Won’t you and Caroline feel cramped?”
“I know it’s not much,” she admitted, stretching her neck around his broad shoulders to see whether Jolene was finished with her phone call.
Denver folded his arms, only widening the broadness of those shoulders, not a drop of amusement in his serious expression. Despite the scowl, he looked attractive in his disdain.Too attractive. “It’s a shack.”
“Are you kidding?” Sophie smiled at him until the hardened lines around his eyes relaxed. “Did I ever tell you that we lived in a four-hundred-and-sixty-five-square-foot studio apartment after Blake kicked us out? This place looks a little like paradise.”
“You deserve something better.Carolinedoes too.”
I can’t afford that right now.“I like it so far. Just give it a chance, okay?”
“I just don’t see how it’ll work, Soph.”
Despite the gentle edge to his voice, her heart buzzed a little faster at the protectiveness she sensed. Turning away, she took a couple deep inhales to slow her breathing.He’s just looking out.That’s what friends do.“Let’s at least see the rest. We haven’t looked at anything but the living room.”
Yes, the house was small. In three minutes, they’d seen it all except the basement. But it had everything she and Caroline needed: separate bedrooms, a backyard, and a breakfast bar where Caroline could do her homework.
This little home criedfamily.
“I really like these countertops,” Sophie said, admiring the light pink and silver Formica. They hinted at her favorite color. “And look! There’s even a dishwasher.”
“From 1985 by the looks of it. And is this really enough cupboard space?” Denver stood at the edge where the hallway carpet transitioned into stick-on tile. The hampered galley style was hardly big enough for two people to work together without constantly elbowing each other.
No, there weren’t enough cupboards, but Sophie could make it work. “I’ll admit, it’s a small kitchen. But I can see Caroline from here.” She nodded at the opening over the breakfast bar. “She can do homework and watch TV while I cook dinner. It’s perfect.”
“How many dinners will you actually eat here?”
Sophie didn’t answer, because Denver was more right about all of these concerns than she wanted to let on. She was touched by the fierce loyalty, but discouraged. Because shecouldmake this little house into a cozy home. Never mind that they’d still eat plenty of meals at the lodge while Sophie did laundry.
“How’s it going in here?” Jolene’s chipper voice rang out as she stepped inside. “Cute place, isn’t it?”
“It’s adorable,” Sophie managed to say before Denver lodged his complaints.
“These bedrooms are pretty small. Are you sure they’re actual bedrooms?” Denver asked Jolene. “Legally?”
“Well, only one is because the windows in the smaller room don’t meet egress requirements by about two inches,” she answered, ever an optimistic chirp to her tone. “But they both have closets and ceiling fans.”
Ceiling fanswerea plus. Hardly a house in town had air conditioning, considering Sunset Ridge rarely saw summer temperatures over seventy-five. But it was still a nice concession for those warmer days. “How’s the furnace?” Sophie asked.
“Serviced last week. Still runs without issue.”
“How old?”
“It’s an eighteen-year-old furnace,” Jolene confirmed. “However, it got an excellent efficiency rating on the last servicing. It’s been well cared for, and that makes all the difference. I have the report on file if you want to take a look.”
“That sounds good,” Sophie said optimistically. She knew very little about furnaces.
“These systems generally have a thirty-year life,” Jolene reassured. “Look, Sophie. I wouldn’t show you a dump. If the furnacedoesgo out, the landlord is required to fix it at no expense to you. It’s in the lease agreement. You’ll pay the utility expenses, but servicing and maintenance are the responsibility of the owner.”
“See?” She turned to Denver. Never mind that there’d been no word from Blake’s lawyers about the bounced check. She had the funds in savings to cover a deposit and the first month’s rent. She could make this work. “That sounds like a pretty fair arrangement.”
“It is,” Jolene agreed. “Especially for the price.”
