Richard opened the front gate. Small-town life had struck again. “His name’s Louie. He’s staying with Jack at Shelley and John’s house while we move everything.”
“It’s just as well Diana’s busy at the inn and not visiting Shelley. She keeps telling me Charlie needs another doggie friend.”
“There are plenty of dogs at the animal shelter needing forever homes.”
Ethan grinned. “Don’t tell Diana. Good luck with the rest of the move.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at next week’s poker game.”
Tommy came out of the house with three other apprentices. “Is there anything else you want from your old house before we finish for the day?”
“No, thanks. You’ve done a great job.”
“Having pizza for lunch was all the incentive we needed. See you next week.”
Richard took another box out of his truck. After living in a tiny house for so long, he was worried he’d feel lost in his new home. But with the extra furniture Mabel and the rest of the community had dropped off, there was no chance of that.
Owning his own home was a big step toward finding his new kind of normal. As long as he took one day at a time, he knew everything would be okay.
Richard had only been back at the tiny home village for a few minutes when someone knocked on the front door. He smiled when he saw Paris standing on the veranda. Today, she wore a bright pink T-shirt with a matching scarf tied around her hair.
“I thought you’d still be at work.”
“I’m closing The Flower Cottage a little earlier at the moment. Once the other businesses on Anchor Lane open, I’ll stay open for longer.” She looked around the tiny home. “It looks so different without your furniture.”
“I was just thinking the same thing. When we arrived, I was worried the house would be too small. Today, I’m worried our new house is too big.”
“You sound like Goldilocks. Once you get settled, your new house will feel just right. Are Jack and Louie still at Shelley’s house?”
“They are. I’m heading there in a few minutes.”
Paris took a gift-wrapped box out of her bag. “Before you leave, I wanted to give you this. I thought it might come in handy when you say goodbye to your house.”
Richard frowned. “I’ve never said goodbye to a house before.”
“Neither had I until a few years ago. I used to move around a lot. Each time I left an apartment, I felt strange. It was almost as if I was leaving before I’d finished what I was meant to do. A friend told me what she does when she moves, and it helped.”
He opened the box and took out a vanilla-scented candle in a glass candleholder.
Paris handed him a box of matches. “Once everyone’s gone, I light a candle and sit quietly in one of the rooms. I think about all the good memories I have of the house and the people who have been there. Before I blow out the candle, I thank the house for giving me shelter and keeping me safe.” She smiled at his surprised face. “I know it sounds a little odd, but it works for me. Try it. You might be surprised by how calming it is.”
“I’ll give it a go. Do you want to have dinner with Jack and me tonight?”
“I’d love to, but I can’t. I have an appointment with a potential client. I could stop by on my way home to see how everything has gone?”
“That sounds great. Don’t worry about what time you arrive. I’ll be awake.”
Paris hugged him. “Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.” Before she left, she smiled at a photo of Jack that was sitting on top of a box. “He looks so young.”
“I took it the week after we arrived in Sapphire Bay. A lot has happened since then.”
“It’s amazing how doing one thing can change your entire life. I’m glad you moved to Sapphire Bay.”
“So am I.” Richard’s heart pounded. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but he didn’t know where to begin. “I really like you, Paris. I haven’t had a girlfriend since I met Jack’s mom. I have no idea if I’m doing this the right way or making a complete idiot of myself, but would you like to go out with me? On a date.” His heart sank when he saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
“I really like you, too, but I’m not great at relationships. I push people away. Even though I try hard to make it work, it doesn’t.”
