It didn't surprise Rudy that Hattie agreed to sell Eden the store. The woman was pushing eighty, after all. What surprised him was the phone call Eden received last night from Hattie.
After talking it over with her daughter, Naomi, Hattie decided to sell the entire row of buildings to Eden with the stipulation that Naomi and Susie could rent the salon space for reasonably low rent for as long as they wanted.
Rudy hadn't expected Naomi to agree to the sale, but shehadjust turned sixty. Maybe she figured she was too old to take on so much responsibility.
"So, what's your plan for the empty space next door to the boutique?"
"I'm thinking it would make a great dance and gymnastics studio with a gym in the back. Or a spa, but there may not be a big enough demand here in Providence for a spa. A computer repair shop might do well. Really, the possibilities are endless."
"They are." Rudy laughed.
He loved how excited Eden was about this new venture. She came alive last night after the phone call from Hattie, and she still glowed.
She had a lot of work ahead of her, including cashing in a few investments and securing funding, but he had no doubt she could do anything she set her mind to. And he looked forward to working alongside her.
His thoughts turned to the ring box in his glove compartment. Eden's mother's wedding ring. Oliver gave it to him on Tuesday when he asked for his permission to ask Eden to marry him. Rudy took the rings to have them cleaned before leaving Spokane on Wednesday, and they'd been burning a hole in his pocket ever since.
He'd planned to propose today, but a little voice in his head kept telling him he was rushing things. And it was right.
He didn't want to do anything to mess things up with Eden, so the ring had remained in his glove box all day. He'd move it to a safe place when they got home tonight, and when he felt like the time was right, he'd be ready.
He doubted he could wait much longer though, because he was eager to start his life with her.
When the fire died down and the night grew dark and chilly, he grabbed the blanket he'd brought along and pulled Eden into his arms again. For another hour, they talked, studied the stars, and kissed some more.
He hated to see the day end, but when she started to yawn, he decided they'd better head home. They had everything loaded back in the truck in no time, and Eden soon sat beside him tucked under his arm with her hand on his thigh.
He sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a lengthy sigh. The day couldn't have turned out any more perfect. He'd enjoyed every minute spent with this beautiful woman. And more importantly, nothing had gone wrong.
A loud pop sounded outside the truck, and the wheel jerked.
Oh snap!
After he brought the truck to a stop, Rudy closed his eyes and groaned. He'd spoken—or rather thought—too soon. Evidently something could still go wrong. And it had.
"What's the matter?" Eden asked, her voice tense.
Rudy was hesitant to tell her for fear she would think it was a sign that God didn't want them together. But he couldn't hide it from her either.
He cleared his throat. "We uh... We blew a tire."
"Of course we did. Because nothing can ever be simple with us." Then she surprised him by bursting into laughter.
Grateful she didn't blame this on God, he joined her.
They laughed long and hard until they had tears streaming down her face.
She was the first to sober up. "You know how to change a tire, right? You do that for little old ladies all the time, don't you?"
"Yes, I know how to change a tire." He reached for his door handle. "Although, I've only ever had to do it twice forstranded motorists." He grinned as he climbed out. "I call Scott to come help the little old ladies with their flat tires. They tend to get a little handsy sometimes."
Eden laughed as she scooted out behind him. "So youhavehelped the little old ladies."
"More times than I can count." He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. "Would you mind holding the light for me?"
"Sure."
Rudy did his best to focus on the job at hand and not Eden's shapely legs beside him. What should have only taken fifteen minutes took almost twice that because of a stubborn lug nut, but he accomplished the job.
