“Their current facility is overrun. They have more demand than space. So, they’re looking for another property to take under their wing and revamp. Plus, it would be only the second senior living facility in all of Stillsville, and with our population aging out quicker than it can replenish, more and more of these spaces are going to keep popping up. The reason I want them to take a look at the property is because I know your godfather had a heart for helping people. I have the website of the nonprofit if you want to check them out.”
“When do they want to see it?” I asked, as I cracked some eggs into a pan.
“Tomorrow.”
“Can’t do it tomorrow,” I said. “I’m in the process of restaging the house. Cecily really did a number on it when she c
ame in. It’ll have to be re-cleaned and staged, for all I know.”
“We don’t want them waiting too long, Mr. MacDonald. Otherwise they’ll start searching for other places. This is one of those rare client’s that’s looking to pay all of the money upfront without haggling too much over the price. One offer acceptance and this could be behind you with these kinds of clients.”
“Too bad it wasn’t that way when we were doing this the first time. Let them know the house won’t be ready until Thursday, and in the meantime, text me that website. I’ll be vetting them thoroughly, and personally calling them before they walk through this home. Just to make sure there are no more surprises in store for me,” I said.
“Of course. I’ll get right on it.”
I hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. I didn’t want anything else to taint the morning I was trying to put together for Michelle. I heard her stirring in her room, so I reached over and turned on the coffee pot so it would be fresh. Eggs, bacon, and buttered toast with some jams sounded like a great breakfast. Especially if I was going to be sharing it with her.
I didn’t actually have to restage the house. A bit of cleaning, sure, but what I didn’t want was to sell the property off that soon. I wanted more time with Michelle. And if Thursday was the latest I could push out the showing, then that was what I would do. I kept an ear out for Michelle and didn’t hear any more shuffling around, so I figured she’d fallen back asleep.
Then, I had an idea.
I went digging around in Anton’s cabinets and found exactly what I was looking for. A small tray with two handles on each end. I always thought he had the most random shit in his home growing up, but every time I turned around he had exactly what I needed to make Michelle’s stay a little more special. I put her plate of food and her coffee on the tray, then stacked on some silverware and some jams. Then, I picked it all up and headed straight for her room.
Breakfast in bed was always a great way to begin any morning.
I slowly opened her door before knocking it open with my shoulder. I switched on the light and grinned as a groan fell from her lips. She wiggled around and drew in a deep breath, pulling the covers over her tangled mess of hair.
But when she drew in another deep breath, she rolled over and opened one eye.
Holy hell, she was an adorable woman.
“Gray?” she asked sleepily.
“I bring food,” I said, as I sat on the edge of her bed.
She sat herself up, her robe falling open and giving me a tantalizing glance at her naked skin.
“Smells great,” she said, with a lopsided smile.
“Eggs with cheese, bacon, toast, some blackberry jam, coffee, and all the trimmings to go with it,” I said.
Her stomach let out a voracious growl as a blush tinted her cheeks.
“Sounds like I did a good job,” I said, with a grin.
“Sorry,” Michelle said.
“Don’t be. Looks like I came in at just the right time.”
“Are you going to eat with me?”
“Do you want me to?”
She nodded her head sheepishly and it set a fire burning in the tips of my toes.
“Then let me go fix a plate and I’ll be back in,” I said.
I left to go get myself some food, then came back and wiggled into bed with Michelle. Her thigh pressed against mine while we ate in silence, and I was painfully aware of how she kept glancing over at me. She was looking so intently at me that she kept forgetting to consume her own food. And her plate was beginning to get cold.