Page 49 of Sunset Serenade
“You got your name on the keys.” His dad had popped his reading glasses on, and they sat crooked on his face.
“It’s not mine,” Craig said. “It’s yours.”
His mom’s mouth fell open and she froze.
His dad let out a whoop. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m not kidding.” Craig laughed. “Welcome home.”
After some cheering and exclaiming, they went back inside, and Craig pulled a bottle of champagne out of the fridge. By the time he got a glass into his mom’s hand, she was able to speak again.
Sort of. She kept repeating the phrase: “This is too much!”
“It’s about the right size for us,” his dad said with a shrug. “I don’t love the color of the hardwoods…”
Craig jumped on his comment. “You don’t? Last year you said you loved the hardwoods you saw at–”
He laughed. “I’m just pulling your leg. They’re beautiful. Everything is just unbelievable.”
Ah, good old Dad.
Craig laughed. “I’m glad.”
An hour later, Craig was busy showing his dad everything about utilities – the furnace, the electrical box upgraded for the jacuzzi, the gas shut off – when his mom yelled out.
“Boys! Someone’s here! I think it’s a gardener?”
Craig stopped what he was doing and walked toward the kitchen. He hadn’t gotten around to hiring a gardener.
When he reached the kitchen window and peered out, he caught sight of someone kneeling, pulling weeds. He stared for a moment until she turned and he saw her face.
Rose.
His stomach dropped. “That’s not a gardener, it’s my friend. I mean, technically she’s one of my employees. Rose. She’s the matchmaker.”
“The matchmaker!” His mom put her hands on her hips. “I’ve wanted to meet her.”
At that moment, as the three of them peered out the window like a trio of meercats, Rose saw them and pushed up the brim of her hat. She smiled.
“Should we let her in or keep watching her?” his dad said with a laugh.
“I’ll get the door,” Craig said, rushing outside and making sure to shut it behind him. “Hi, ma’am. Can I help you with something?”
She took off a gardening glove and hid her face behind her hand. “I’m sorry. I thought they were coming tomorrow! I knew you were trying to get this ready for your parents and–” She stopped talking. “Oh. Hi.”
Craig turned to see both of his parents standing in the doorway, smiling like fools.
Well, this was happening. “Rose, I’d like you to meet my parents.”
“It’s nice to meet you!” his mother yelled, waving. “Come in. Have some champagne. This is our house!”
Rose laughed. “I know! It’s beautiful. Congratulations.”
“Please, come in,” his dad said, stepping aside. He caught Craig’s eye and winked.
Oh dear. His dad was in too playful a mood for this meeting. “I’m sure she’s busy,” Craig said.
They ignored him, instead sweeping Rose inside before he could do anything to stop them.
