Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,5
by myself. I’m sure I’ll figure it all out in time.”
“I moved out young too,” Blair said. “There is a freedom in it, but also some fear. At least I thought so.”
“You understand. Thank you for the plant. It’s beautiful.”
She took the succulent array and set it on the table in the breakfast area. She’d have to figure out a place of honor for it.
“I own The Healing Touch in Albany. One of many things we’ve got there.”
“Blair brought us an aloe plant when we moved in,” Livi said. “I fall a lot and that helps heal my cuts.”
“Good to know,” Robin said. “I get a lot of scratches on me from the dogs.”
“You’ve got a dog?” Livi asked. “I want a dog. Daddy said no, but now Blair said maybe I can convince him. But don’t tell my father that we might be ganging up on him. Blair says that’s not right.”
Robin looked at Blair and saw the blush come across her face. “Sorry.”
“No worries. I don’t have a dog yet, but I volunteer at a shelter in town twice a week. It’s hard to pick and choose which ones to love and bring home. I haven’t been able to do it yet, but now I’m ready as soon as I find the perfect one.”
“That’s wonderful,” Blair said.
“Can I volunteer there?” Livi asked. “I like petting dogs. I bet all dogs need some love.”
This little girl was absolutely adorable. “All dogs do need love and a home. And if they can’t find a home right away, getting love from volunteers is the next best thing. Maybe it’s something I can talk to your father about at some point.”
“I’d like that. And here are cookies. Blair loves to bake.”
“Normally I’m told I’m the open book of the neighborhood, but someone is giving me a run for my money as you can tell,” Blair said. “These are just chocolate chip cookies. I figured they were simple since I had no idea if you had any allergies.”
“No allergies here, but man, do I love a good chocolate chip cookie. Please, have a seat and visit and share one with me.”
“Maybe another time,” Blair said, looking around at all the boxes. “You’ve got a lot to do, I know. We won’t keep you. But once you’re settled, please come on back and we’ll visit. I’m home working in the gardens or in my shop most days. Philip is a professor at RIP. I picked Livi up from school today since we knew you were moving in. She wanted to meet you, but normally she doesn’t get home until later in the day when the bus drops her off.”
“I’d like that,” Robin said and walked them both out, watching them cross the lawn. When they were behind the fence, Livi turned and waved, trying to jump up and over to be seen.
Not too bad for her first day here.
She took the wrapping off the plate of cookies and helped herself to one, knowing her eyes just rolled back in her head. These were killer.
After her second one, she went back to work. It was time to make this house her new home.
Two days after the closing, Brian found himself knocking on Robin’s front door. Since it was a Saturday, he was hoping she was home, but had no clue.
They’d closed on her house and he just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her yet.
Meena had been busting his ass the night before, telling him he was distracted and wanted to know why. “What’s going on with you? I asked you to dinner because you’ve complained you haven’t had a chance to hang out with Troy and yet you aren’t even talking to us.”
His sister hadn’t been that wonderful of a cook. That was more Troy’s thing, but the two of them had been cooking the dinner together while he sat at the island and had a beer. “Sorry. Just have some things on my mind.”
“A case you’re working on?” Troy had asked.
“Not like you think.” He hadn’t wanted to say it was a simple house closing and that he couldn’t get his client out of his mind. They’d just roll their eyes at him.
“Then it’s a woman,” Meena said. “Tell me I’m right. I know I am.”
His sister was grinning at him. Her long hair was a dirty blonde with streaks of purple in it. She always had different colored hair. The fact she was her natural color for her wedding months ago had