Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Being quiet in the kitchen in the morning was something Brady had had to get used to. Most days, he was up before his hosts, and he didn’t want to wake them as he went about making his coffee and grabbing a bagel or toast on his way out the door.
The morning after he’d had dinner with Noelle, he walked into the kitchen to see Rob there already, sipping some coffee with his robe on over his pajamas, staring at his phone, a groggy look on his face.
Studying him for a moment, Brady tried to figure out what was going on. “Good morning,” he said.
Rob looked up, his eyes bleary, and said, “Good morning. How are you this morning, Brady?” He stifled a yawn.
“I’m good,” Brady said, thinking that was truer that morning than most days. He was looking forward to his lunch meeting, getting on with the Christmas event planning, and of course seeing Noelle and Pooch later. He went about making himself a cup of coffee using the Keurig. “How are you?”
“Tired,” Rob admitted. “But Kyla’s got an appointment with the baby doctor at eight, so we had to get up and around a little earlier than normal.”
“I see,” Brady said, hiding a grin. Most days, Rob didn’t have to be at work until 9:00, and since he worked about three blocks away, he slept well past 8:00. Kyla worked from home and set her own hours, so she also slept in when she could.
The family dog, Rufus, a border collie, was lying on the floor near Rob’s feet. Brady stepped around him in the small kitchen to get to the refrigerator to pull out his bagel while his coffee was percolating. The idea that now might be a good opportunity to ask Rob about Pooch came to his thoughts, but he didn’t know if his friend was in the state of mind to consider allowing his guest to have a guest when he was so tired.
He popped his bagel into the toaster and got a knife from the drawer to spread the cream cheese. Rob continued to stare at his phone, his blinks lasting longer and longer.
About the time Brady’s bagel was done, his coffee finished, Kyla came into the kitchen, dressed in a warm-looking purple sweater and gray maternity slacks. “Hey, Brady,” she said, slightly more cheerfully than her husband had sounded. She paused to run her hand through Rob’s curly dark hair. “Shower’s all yours. Better get going.”
Rob yawned again and managed to pull himself up off of the barstool, shuffling off to the bathroom. Brady felt bad that he’d taken over their guest bathroom. Maybe they wouldn’t have to get up so early if they could shower at the same time. The idea that they were married and could do that anyway came to mind, but then he thought of Kyla’s extended baby tummy and thought maybe not. Not that it was his business.
“How are you liking the new job?” Kyla asked with a smile, her dark blonde hair swinging back and forth in a ponytail as she headed to the refrigerator.
“It’s good,” Brady said, meaning it. “I am hoping we can bring back some of the Christmas activities this year.”
“Yeah?” Kyla asked, smiling. She had the milk in her hand and was headed to the pantry, likely for some cereal, Brady supposed. “That would be great. I hope we can have Christmas in Holiday Hills the way we used to by the time the baby is old enough to experience it.”
“Me, too,” Brady agreed. “Hopefully we can have it close to the way it used to be this year. You’re not planning on having that baby by this Christmas are you?” he asked, finishing up with the cream cheese and taking a bite of his bagel.
“Don’t tempt me.” She returned to the counter with a box of Raisin Bran and got a bowl. “I am ready to have this baby right now.” She rubbed her large abdomen and shook her head.
Brady couldn’t help but chuckle. He thought she was about thirty-five weeks pregnant, which meant having the baby right now would probably not be the best idea.
She poured her cereal and milk, grabbed a spoon, and moved to the island. Unable to see over her stomach, she almost tripped over Rufus who was readjusting on the floor. “Dog!” she shouted, catching herself. Brady moved to help her, but by the time he got to her, she was all right, having reached the island and used her free palm to keep from falling.
Still, Brady couldn’t help but put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “Are you all right?”
“I am,” she assured him, just managing to work her way onto a barstool. “Thank God we only have one dog, and he’s old. Any more, and I would have to find them new homes. I guess your new friend could help me with that.” She had a slight twinkle in her eye, one Brady couldn’t miss, even though he was caught up in the first part of her statement.
“Uh, yeah, I guess,” he stammered. Rob and Kyla had been watching TV when he’d come in the night before, and when they’d asked where he was, he’d told them the truth, that he’d been at dinner with Noelle, but he’d headed off to the guest room after that, leaving them to speculate. Apparently, they had decided that he and Noelle had been on a date—even though that wasn’t accurate. He didn’t want to go into all of that right now. That other part of what Kyla said had stabbed him in the heart. Not that it came as a surprise. Of course, they didn’t want another dog. She was getting ready to have their first baby, after all. That was enough newcomers in one house.
Brady returned to his bagel and took another bite before asking, “Do you happen to know of any houses nearby for rent? Noelle suggested a real estate agent, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet.”
“Oh, Brady! You know just because I don’t want a second dog, that doesn’t mean I want you to leave, don’t you?” She looked at him with wide eyes, as if she had offended him.
“I know,” he assured her. “But obviously, I can’t stay here forever.”
Kyla gave him a small smile. “I meant to tell you. There’s a house a few blocks away with a for rent sign out front. I just noticed it a couple of days ago when I was coming home from the grocery store. You could check it out.”
Brady stood up straighter. A house a few blocks away for rent? That sounded promising. “Thanks. I will look into it.”
“It’s over on Smith Street,” she continued. “But seriously, you can stay here as long as you need to. You haven’t been a bother at all.”
“Thanks,” Brady said with a smile. He appreciated her kindness--especially since she hardly knew him when he’d asked her husband if he’d mind if he moved in for a week or two while he got settled. He’d hated to ask at all, but Rob had helped him find this job and knew if he got it, he’d be moving across states to a place where his friend from college was the only person he knew. Rob was clearly a great guy, and he was very lucky to know him.
He was also lucky he’d gotten the job because if he hadn't, he never would’ve met a certain little dog that led him to a certain beautiful woman.
Brady put his dishes in the dishwasher and took his coffee, which was in a mug with a lid, and headed toward the door. “Good luck at the doctor, Kyla,” he said. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks! You, too!” she called after him.
Brady bundled up and headed outside, thinking he’d have to figure out where this house was and see about the potential of renting it. Maybe he could get into it sooner rather than later. And maybe it allowed small pets.