While he was thinking about his mom, Jack was already walking toward the stairs. “If Grandma decided to live here, she could make new friends. Pastor John and Shelley have lots of programs at the church. And Alfie will like walking around the lake.”
Alfie was Richard’s mom’s Cairn Terrier and the reason Jack wanted a dog. On a good day, Alfie reminded him of a miniature version of an Ewok from Star Wars. On a bad day, he was an overexcited, yappy dog who couldn’t sit still.
“Grandma knows she can stay with us whenever she likes.”
That seemed good enough for Jack. Without any encouragement, he bounded up the stairs and disappeared into one of the bedrooms. “This would be a great room for Grandma,” he yelled from the first floor.
Richard made a mental note to call his mom tonight. If Jack suddenly asked her to live with them, she’d feel terrible saying no. At least this way, she could think of lots of great reasons why she needed to stay in Los Angeles.
“That’s the room I was going to use. Have a look at the other two.”
Jack hurried down the hallway. When Richard joined him in the last bedroom, his eyes were shining. “Grandma would like any of the rooms.”
“I’m sure she would.” Richard pulled back the lace curtains on the bedroom window. “You can’t see Flathead Lake from here, but there’s a great view of the mountains.”
Jack looked around the bedroom and smiled. “When can we move in?”
Richard breathed a sigh of relief. “As soon as I pay the owner, we can leave the tiny home village.”
“Does that mean we can look for a kitten at the animal shelter?”
“It does, but we won’t adopt a kitten until we’ve moved all our things here. Do you want to see the swing in the apple tree?”
Jack didn’t need a second invitation. He rushed downstairs and waited for Richard beside the doors overlooking the backyard.
Before they’d arrived, Richard was worried Jack wouldn’t see the potential in the house. But potential meant nothing to his son. All he wanted was somewhere to call home. Somewhere that gave him more stability than the tiny home they were renting. And somewhere his grandma could stay.
Paris parked her truck behind Richard’s. The two-story home looked like the other vacation homes scattered throughout Sapphire Bay.
Most people with lake views had remodeled their homes. But others, like this one, were still waiting for someone to shower them with love and attention.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, the sound of a young boy’s laughter caught her attention. Instead of knocking on the front door, she made her way around the side of the house.
Beneath a large apple tree, Richard was pushing Jack on an old wooden swing. “Hi. That looks like fun.”
“Hi, Paris,” Jack said with a carefree smile. “Do you want a swing? Dad said it’s safe.”
“I’m okay. I’m not great with heights.” Paris winced as Jack’s legs touched the branches of the tree. If he fell, he could break his legs or worse. “I like the house.”
“Dad said it needs to be painted and he’s going to show me how to mow the lawns.” With a leap that made Paris’ heart pound, Jack launched himself off the swing and landed with a soft thud on the ground. “And we’re getting a kitten, but not right away. Dad said we need to bring all our stuff here first.”
“That makes sense. Your dad said you enjoyed the muffins I baked, so I’ve brought you some more.” She held the container toward Jack. “They’re banana chocolate chip with lemon frosting.”
“Yum. Can I have one now?”
Richard ruffled Jack’s hair. “Why don’t we all have one on the veranda?”
“Like a picnic,” Jack said enthusiastically.
While he raced ahead, Paris looked around the backyard. “The property is huge. How did you find it?”
“The owner asked Pastor John if he knew anyone who wanted to buy a fixer-upper. He thought of Jack and me.”
“Did they realize how difficult it is to find houses that are for sale?”
“John recommended listing it with a realtor, but she was happy selling it through him. I’m glad she did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stood a chance of buying it. After we’ve had something to eat, do you want to look inside?”
“I’d love to.” She studied Richard’s face. “You’ve cut your hair.”
