And I thought Mandy was the blunt one,followed by a laughing emoji popped into the chat from Tiffany.But seriously, don’t take too long.
Send him that text message you still haven’t deleted,Mandy added.
Sheesh!Hadn’t these three just last night instructed her to think and do for herself?And here they were trying to tell her what to do.She shook her head and laughed.They were good friends.They weren’t trying to live her life for her.They were just making sure she moved forward with her decision.They knew there was a real danger that she might take too long making a move.
Thanks.I’ll let you know when *I* decide what *I* am going to do.
Good on ya!Rosalie replied.
100%came from Tiffany.
Send him the text, came from Mandy, followed by,just being true to myself *wink*
Esther sent a heart emoji and then thanked God for her friends, before returning to cleaning and listing her blessings, while she tried to figure out the best way to let Fred know he was her choice and always would be.
Chapter 17
“Itlookslikewe’regoing to get this done on schedule, if not a bit early.”Nate Clark leaned against the cabinets in Fred’s kitchen.They still needed doors and a countertop added to them, but the room was actually beginning to look like part of a house and not just a construction site.“Your brother should be here soon.”He tipped his phone in Fred’s direction.“Married life has had a calming effect on him.This text doesn’t sound stressed about being late at all.”He chuckled.
Will had always been a perfectionist.To an annoying degree.He was even worse than Eddie about needing things done the right way.At least Eddie would let you do your thing without looking over your shoulder and “helping” by critiquing everything you were doing.The worst was when their dad had decided that since Fred was in a hurry to get his driver’s license, Will could help him practice.Anxious and uptight passenger seat driver didn’t begin to describe his older brother as a driving instructor.So for him not to send a stressed-out text about being late to a meeting to go over the progress on Fred’s house was a big deal.
“Tiffany is on her way as well.I saw her atTheBaked Apple.She was getting lunch for later.”He placed a couple of cardboard drink trays on the piece of wood that was acting as a countertop and took out his cup of coffee.
“She’s joining us?Does this mean you’re going to be making changes?”
Fred had been told that today’s meeting would be the absolutely final day that any changes could be made unless he didn’t want to move in on time.
“I’m not sure about the changes.I just asked her to come because I have some questions about resale or leasing.Maybe short-term rental potential.Maybe renting to Eddie for a while.”He was seriously considering taking the manager position in Marydale for one simple reason.Steve and Esther were in Hatfield Falls, not Marydale.
“I know you and Will know about those things, too,” he continued as he fiddled with the lid of his coffee cup.“But an abundance of counsel seems best.”That’s what his dad had always suggested when decisions of significance needed to be made, and leaving Hatfield Falls was no small decision.It was huge.And not exactly one he wanted to make.However, God seemed to be pushing him in that direction.Therefore, he needed to know his options.Maybe that would help bring clarity.
Nate took a sip of his coffee and quirked an eyebrow in question.
“It has to do with a job offer,” Fred answered.“But I’d rather not repeat myself too many times, so I’ll explain further when everyone is here.”
The door opened at that moment, and Eddie stepped in with his girlfriend attached to his right hand.“I hope you don’t mind that I brought Ava with me.She’s been curious to see how things are going.”
“And seeing things while they are being built is awesome research – in case I need it for a story at some point,” Ava added.
“I’m pretty sure the building codes we use today aren’t the same way they were in whatever century it is you write in,” Nate teased.
“No one said I have to write Regency era romances forever,” Ava shot back as she made her way down the hallway to look around.She was a curious sort of person.She reminded Fred of his mom in that way.Mom had always been curious.The thought that Eddie would end up with someone who was even a little like their mom made him smile.Eddie had always been a bit of a momma’s boy when they were growing up.
“You’re not going to go with her?”Fred said to Eddie.
“Nah, she can explore alone.I just saw the place last night, remember?”
“Checking up on us, were you?”Nate asked.
Fred nodded.“Just looking and thinking.”
“And praying,” Eddie added, while giving Fred a knowing look.They had talked about Fred’s future with Drummonds and where that would be and what it would mean for the two of them.
Nate blew out a breath.“I take it you know about whatever it is that Fred wants to discuss.”
Eddie nodded.
“And it’s big enough to need prayer?”Nate asked.
