It was the first time I really saw this place as someone’s comfortable hideaway instead of my never-ending To Do list. I stood in the middle of the room and spun in a slow circle, imagining how incredible it would look when it was all put together. I wouldn’t have been able to tackle something like this without help. Maybe I could have done the renovations themselves, but not the complete package with the vision for how a couple would truly use the space once it was done.
I strapped on the kneepads and got back to work, taking breaks every so often to run back to the RV and refill my water bottle from one of the four pitchers of flavored waters Cooper had left for me. When I got back to the cabin after a water break, my phone buzzed with a text.
Cooper: You’re the only person I’d live in the closet for. The chicken closet.
I laughed, the sound echoing in the open room.
Nine: Did you have fun tonight?
Cooper: Yes. It was nice seeing my friends. I missed them.
My smile dropped even though, of course, I was happy for him.
Nine: Good. I’m sure they missed you too. They’ll be happy to have you back.
Cooper: Jacks is in the hospital.
I reread that last text before clicking the button to call. Cooper’s sleepy voice answered. “Hey.”
“Baby, how is he? What’s wrong?” I snapped to get Nacho’s attention and then led him back to the RV. If I was going to drive to his mom’s place in the morning, I needed to get some sleep.
“No, it’s fine. He just might need another transfusion.”
I opened the door and climbed up into the RV. “Do you want me to head over there to be with them?”
He didn’t say anything for a minute, and I thought I’d lost him. The town of Caswell was less than three hours away, so I could be there in no time once I got a little sleep and packed up the RV.
Cooper’s voice was soft and sweet, the way it was in the moments before he drifted off to sleep. “No, but thank you. And Nine…?”
“Yeah?”
“I’d put you in my chicken closet too.”
My chest filled with warmth. “Get some sleep, baby. Tomorrow’s a big day.”
After we signed off, I stripped down and took a quick shower before finally sliding into bed. Nacho moved up to sleep in Cooper’s spot, but I stole the pillow before he could put his doggie head on it.
I spent the rest of the night breathing in the faint scent of gardenias and praying Jacks would be okay. When I finally forced myself to get up the next morning and get going, it was only the thought of knocking out as much work as possible before Cooper got back that forced me on my feet and out the door.
The morning went by fast. I turned the Bluetooth speaker up high and left all the doors open so Nacho could wander in and out of the cabin while I was finishing the flooring. My back was killing me from all the time spent on my knees, but I managed to get it all done. Thankfully, the cabin was very small, only one open room for the combination of kitchen and living area, one bedroom, and one bathroom. For the bathroom, we were laying tile over a floor-warming mat hard-wired into the light switch. Since that was such a small space, it wouldn’t take much time at all, but I needed to get the shower in before I could tile the floor in there.
When I returned to the RV to fix a quick sandwich, I finally heard from Cooper about the audition.
“It went great,” he said with a big smile in his voice. There was still a thread of uncertainty, but I chalked it up to worry about his brother. “Everyone was amazing and the vibe was incredible.”
“That’s really good, Coop. Tell me all about it. I mean, unless you’re busy.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m headed back to the hotel now to change. I’m meeting my friend Evie for lunch and shopping.”
He sounded right at home, like LA was the place he was meant to be. I was happy for him. I knew how long he’d waited for things to come together for his career.
“That sounds fun. Are you going to pick up some stuff for the cabin?”
I heard the city sounds of people talking and car horns honking in the background. “That’s the plan. Evie says she knows of some great places that have unique pieces but aren’t too expensive.”
We had incentive to keep the reno budget low, but I hoped it didn’t keep him from picking up what he wanted for the project. “Don’t worry too much about the money. I saved a bunch on the flooring and the windows, remember?”