Riva admired the art and photos on the walls. “It’s just perfect. Cozy and inviting and pretty.” She hugged Laurel. “I hope you’ll be happy here.” She bent down to pet the black-and-white cat sunning himself on the wood floor. “And Fred too.”
“We’re already happy.”
“To celebrate my new roommates, I’m fixing dinner tonight.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t go to that trouble for us.”
“No trouble. Just spaghetti. But it feels festive to have peoplein the house again. I want to celebrate, and I’m sure you gals must be tired from a long moving day. I hope you’re hungry.” She checked her watch. “Dinner should be ready around seven. But come down sooner if you like. I plan to put out some appetizers. And I invited Marcus to join us as a thank-you for all his help.”
“Wonderful. I was about to take a shower and clean up.”
“Great. I’m going to check out Windy’s space before I start dinner.”
“It looks really great up there. I was almost envious until I remembered she’ll have to go up and down those steep stairs whenever she needs to use the bathroom.”
Riva considered this. “I hope that’s not too much for her.”
“I mentioned it, but she just laughed and said she needs the exercise.”
“To each her own.” Riva gave Laurel’s room a last glance. “I really do love what you’ve done to this space. Feels good to see it pretty and occupied again. I think you’ve made the room happy.”
Laurel chuckled. “Well, the feeling’s mutual.”
As Riva went up the attic stairs, she hoped that Windy was as spry as she sounded. Then she reminded herself that Windy was younger. Only a few years, but perhaps it made a difference.
“Hello?” Riva called through the opened door.
“Come on in,” Windy yelled back. “Check out my cool pad.”
“Pad?” Riva laughed as she went in. “That’s a blast from the past.” She looked around the room, surprised to see how much Windy had moved up here. Not that it looked overly stuffed. It was actually quite stylish and eclectic. Oriental carpets, oversized leafy green plants, interesting lamps, colorful upholstered furnishings with lots of interesting throw pillows. There was even an antique armoire and several other old wood pieces. “Wow.” Riva nodded with approval. “This is very cool.”
“And thanks to the AC, it’s getting cooler,” Windy told her.
Marcus closed a toolbox with a snap. “Just finishing up.”
“I can’t believe you had so much stuff in your apartment.” Riva sat down in the bentwood rocker.
“Most of this was in storage,” Windy said.
“Windy has been a treasure hunter in garage and estate sales for years now,” Marcus said. “Squirreling away pieces.”
“Well, I lost most of my stuff when I lost the house,” Windy explained to Riva, “so I began to dream of the day I’d get a place of my own again. Unfortunately, that began to seem like an impossible dream.” Windy’s eyes sparkled with what looked like joyful tears. “Until now. Thank you.”
Riva stood and patted her on the back. “You’re welcome. And I’m really glad you’re here, Windy. This feels like a new beginning for me.”
“For me too.” Windy looked around her room. “I just love this space.”
“And your decor is such fun. It hearkens back to the seventies.”
“To my hippie roots.” Windy laughed.
“You know what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree,” Marcus teased.
“Then what happened to you,August Storm?” Riva teased him back.
“You told her your real name?” Windy’s brows arched.
He bristled. “My legal name is Marcus.”
