Page 53 of The Lady on Esplanade
“So, what I was trying to say, metaphorically or not, is that I don’t think the dream was about me because I don’t drive.”She paused again.“But you do.”
“True, but I wouldn’t worry, because Jolene doesn’t let me drive her car.She says it takes me too long to park it, because I drive around the block until I find two spots next to each other.So I’m thinking it was metaphorical and about you.And you should probably hang up and get studying.”To soften my words, I said, “But I promise I’ll be careful.”
“Just in case you didn’t know, if you’ve got an airbag and a deer jumps in front of you, it’s better to plow head-on into the deer instead of swerving to avoid it, because the airbag will do less damage than rolling your car.I saw that in an injury-lawyer ad.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Okay.One more thing.Jolene says she’s going to have my colors done.Should I be scared?”
“No, Sarah.It’s supposed to be fun.Or ‘life-changing,’ according to Jolene.We’ll talk about it later.Now go study.”
I pressed the button on the steering wheel to end the call and turned to Cooper.“Maybe I shouldn’t drive.”
“If you’re really worried, then don’t.But it seems to me as if your grandmother’s dream wasn’t about you at all, and that maybe you’re looking for an easy out.”Before I could argue, he held up his hand.“Which is totally fine with me.I’m here to help, and not to pressure you in any way.Just remember that if you ever want the independence of being a confident driver, you have to actually get behind the wheel and practice.”
I stared at the interlocking rings of the logo in the middle of the steering wheel.“Yeah.You’re right.One hundred percent.”I turned my head and met his gaze before shifting the car into drive.“Let’s do this.”
CHAPTER 16
We made it to Esplanade Avenue without incident, although I did notice Cooper gripping his door handle as I attempted to parallel park in front of the house.He winced at the sound of scraping but didn’t say anything as I felt the rear wheel hike itself up on the curb.
“That’s good enough,” he said.“Remind me to get you a set of curb feelers for your new car.And maybe for mine, too.”He said it lightly, but his voice sounded a little shaky.
I wasn’t surprised to find Thibaut’s truck parked on the street, since I knew he and Beau had gone over the preliminary plans for the renovation and that Beau was eager to get started while we waited for the roof shingles for my house.Because the universe apparently hated me, the historically accurate shingles matching the ones we’d already installed on the rest of the roof were out of stock at the manufacturer, with a six-month wait.Thibaut was calling every supplier he could get ahold of throughout the country and having them sent piecemeal until he had enough to complete my roof.
Cooper exited the car while I took a few moments to figure outhow to put it in park.After parking, I crossed the street, barely avoiding a collision with a bicyclist.I joined him on the neutral ground for a view of the house.“What do you think?”I asked.“Still like it?”
A crooked smile lit his face.“I know there’s a ton of work to be done, but look at those bones!And that pediment and fan window!I think my favorite features, besides that hidden dormer, are the double-hung sash windows in the front that open all the way to the ceiling.Have you tested them yet to see if they work?”
“Not yet, but that will be part of my job.”
He nodded.“Those old windows really are an engineering marvel, aren’t they?With their system of pulleys, cords, and weights hidden inside the jambs to help open and close them.And great for creating a cross breeze on a hot day.”
“If you don’t mind the bugs.Beau and I will be installing central air, so you won’t need windows for ventilation—just to show off at parties during cooler weather.Don’t worry—it will be factored into the selling price, so you won’t be hit with a surprise.”
I felt his eyes on me, so I turned to face him.
“So, you and Beau work pretty closely together.”
It wasn’t a question, but I felt compelled to answer him anyway.“Yes.Beau’s being very generous, allowing me to use him as the general contractor for my cottage so I can afford the renovations.Because of Jolene and her social media talents, we’ve received a lot of sponsors—and free stuff.Which is pretty great since I’m basically broke right now.I’m also now working freelance for JR Properties, for their new venture in flipping murder houses—which was Mimi’s idea, by the way.”
He raised his eyebrows.“Murder houses?Like, houses where there have been murders?I already know about the woman who was killed here.”
“Yeah.Speaking of, there’s a little more to that story you need to hear.”I took his arm and, after checking the street for bike and car traffic, led him to the house.“Before you decide on anything, I’ve gotsomething to show you.”I’d brought the framed photo of the house in my backpack—with a promise to Beau that I’d find a way to get it back to Honey and Joan—for Cooper to see.If this house had picked him, he needed to go into it with eyes wide open.
As we climbed the front porch, Cooper sniffed the air.“Do you smell that perfume?”
I nodded.“Youth-Dew by Estée Lauder.”
“Yeah, that’s it.Both of my grandmothers wore it.”
“I think everybody’s grandmother wore it.But perfect timing, since that’s part of what I need to tell you.”
He opened the door and held it for me.“I find the scent comforting, which is a good thing.”
I followed him inside, where the sound of sawing could be heard from upstairs.“Probably just Thibaut cutting into a wall to find out more about the plumbing and electrical systems,” I said.“Hopefully he’ll have good news, but be prepared: Restoring old houses always comes with equal measures of love and heartbreak.Regardless, anything we find will be part of the full disclosure in any contract we give you.”
“No worries,” he said as he followed me to the stairs.“I trust you and your judgment.Whatever it is, we’ll make it work.And that pretty much sums up life in general, doesn’t it?Equal measures of love and heartbreak.”
