Page 74 of Hidden Nature

“Ravens rule,” she declared, and walked out.

“Well, that was interesting.” Nash adjusted his cap. “Let’s finish up.”

Theo picked up his roller.

“Nash, I’m loving this.”

“Seashell Blush paint?”

“No, but it’s a nice color for this room. I’m loving it here. I mean, holy Jesus, look at the view.”

“Your view should be a wall of Seashell Blush.”

“I’m doing work I actually like, hanging with my big bro, and okay man, dating Dreamy Drea.” He did a quick shuffle. “Third date Friday night.”

“Should I find another place to stay, or are you just going to put a sock on the bedroom door?”

“It’s not just about sex. I want the sex, but I’m not going to push. She’s worth waiting for.”

Nash looked down. “Boy, you are truly gone.”

“I am truly gone. I’m loving that, too.”

While the Littlefields finished that last coat, Sam drove with Clara to cruise Cumberland.

She’d always liked the look of it, the hilly streets, all the redbrick buildings. And a lot of churches. If she’d had a yen to live in a town—and she didn’t—she’d have put Cumberland on the list.

She liked old buildings. People should respect and honor what came before. She liked the views, and she planned to enjoy the shops.

She wanted to find something fine for Sam for Christmas.

But first, they had work to do.

Dr. Rigsby closed his offices on Wednesday—so it said on his web page. Taking him from work, coming or going to it, could prove too risky, especially since his offices housed themselves in one of those nice old buildings shared by other offices and practices.

“It’ll be interesting to see if he does anything on his day off. Maybe he just lazes around the house.”

“Or watches porn all day while the wife’s away.”

“Oh, you!” Snickering, she slapped Sam’s arm.

He navigated the curvy streets, kept right on the speed limit as theyleft the downtown area with the shops she wanted to browse. They moved into a pretty little neighborhood where Clara checked house numbers for the address they’d found in their research.

“That one there, doll. That nice redbrick on the slope. Three stories! Can you imagine? Double porches, and all slicked up for Christmas. A really nice yard, too. I just bet they have gardeners taking care of it.”

She noted they had Christmas lights up, and approved, and caught a glimpse of a tree in the big front window.

“Don’t see a car, but they’ve got a garage. Neighbor on the left’s a little close. But we could figure it out.”

“We always do,” Clara said as he drove by. “We’ll circle around, park on up. There was that house with a For Sale sign.”

He had to smile. His babe thought of everything.

“If anybody says anything, why, we’re just taking a look. Out in the area looking for our forever home.”

“That’s just right.” She sighed a little. “You know, I was thinking how I liked Cumberland, but didn’t want to live in a town. But this part here doesn’t so much feel like a town. And the houses aren’t so stacked up together. They’re not that cookie-cutter deal you get either. I couldn’t stand that.”

“I love our little house.”

---