The Memory of You (Sanctuary Sound #1)(94)
How alike his daughter and Steffi were in that way. “Thanks for being patient.”
“Once in a while, I get it right,” she joked. “I hate to cut this short, but I promised Rick we’d be done by seven.”
“How about dinner tomorrow?” Ryan kicked off his shoes and stretched his legs out on his mattress.
“I close on the Weber house in the morning and planned to start demo after I leave your mom’s. Order pizza and come help me.”
“You’re determined to make me fall in love with that house,” he chuckled.
“Among other things, yes.”
His heart skipped. In love with Steffi Lockwood . . . again. Little did she know that she didn’t have to work too hard to make that happen. “Okay. Pizza, beer, and a sledgehammer. The makings of an interesting date.”
“Makes me harder to replace.”
“That it does.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow!”
He set the phone on the nightstand and breathed a relieved sigh. He’d figure out how to make all the women in his life happy. Even Val, whom he probably did owe more than he wanted to admit.
As for Steffi, somehow he’d find a way to help her recover the part of herself that had been destroyed last spring.
They’d come so far in such a short time, despite the past and the mistakes and pain they each carried around like a pack mule. Every corner of his soul believed that they belonged together, and together they would heal.
Chapter Twenty
“What did you tell Mick?” Steffi asked Molly as they walked into Gretta Weber’s lawyer’s office.
“You think he asked where I was going?” Molly chuckled. “Honey, trust me, after thirty-seven years together, he avoids me when I’m busy in the morning so he gets out of being asked to help.”
“So you’re saying you’ve got a system.” Steffi smiled.
“A good system—the key to a lasting marriage.” Molly winked.
“Thank you a million times over for this short-term loan. I don’t feel great about keeping the secret from Ryan, but I’m hopeful when this is all done, he’ll be able to buy the place.”
“I have a good feeling.” Molly sounded as if she might have another trick up her sleeve, but Steffi chose not to ask. Molly had her own way of doing things, and Steffi enjoyed the surprise of letting it unfold.
Gretta stood when they entered the windowless conference room. She introduced them to her lawyer, and within thirty minutes, they signed all the documents and funded the purchase.
“Thank you so much for selling this house to me, Gretta. I’m going to turn it into a little gem, you’ll see.” Steffi shook her hand again.
“I’m glad to see it go to someone who loved it as much as my mom did.” Gretta’s dewy eyes sparkled. “Dementia is awful. She hates the nursing home, but she couldn’t live alone safely, and I’m still working full-time, so I can’t move her into my tiny place with my husband, two cats, and a dog, either.”
“This is best, Gretta. Your mom wouldn’t want to turn your whole life upside down.” Molly gave her a neighborly hug. “My kids know I never want to be a burden. When I’m too old and sick to take care of myself, I understand where I belong. As long as they love me, that’s all I need.”
“I hope my mom understands. It’s hard to tell . . . her moods shift. She can be mean.”
Steffi couldn’t help but relate to Gretta’s mom and the sense of vulnerability and panic that accompanies mental lapses.
“Fear can make us mean. Don’t take it personally,” Molly suggested. “I’ll stop by and visit her this week.”
“She’d love that, Molly.” Gretta dug her keys out of her purse. “Well, I’d better get on with the day. Good luck with the renovations.”
Steffi shook off her personal concerns. “Come by anytime and check on the progress, Gretta. I’d love to see what you think when I’m all finished.”
“I will, you can count on that.” She smiled.
They all exited the law offices together. Then Molly and Steffi waved Gretta off.
“See you at your house.” Steffi jangled her new house keys and shoved them into her pocket before opening the van door.
“I think I’ll bring home some doughnuts to throw Mick off any scent he might have.” Molly smiled. “Toodles!”
Steffi nearly trembled from the thrill of owning the Weber house. Her childhood dream come true, right there in black and white on the deed. She was half tempted to play lotto—her only chance of buying the house for herself.
When she got to the Quinn house, she lugged the paint cans out of the back of the van. After she painted the family room, Claire would have the drapes installed and new furnishings delivered by the end of the week.
In her career, she’d worked on more complex and challenging projects, but none had produced so many positive changes in her life. Happiness bubbled inside, thanks to her good fortune. To be reunited with Ryan and the Quinns. To become acquainted with Emmy, which had been a pure pleasure until this weekend. To see a future filled with hope. All because of good timing and Molly’s scheming.
As she stood there with the sunlight pouring through the windows, warming her skin, Steffi wished she could build something to contain all her joy so it wouldn’t disappear.