"Would you like me to help move furniture? I have a truck we can use."
"That's one offer I won't even hesitate over. Of course, you can help. I'm sure my Dad will be very appreciative. Now, tell me all about the house. How many bedrooms, is there a den, laundry, what colour are the carpets? I can't wait to see it." It was just beginning to sink in that she would soon have her own home and she was getting more excited by the moment.
"That's no problem. I'll take you over for a grand tour right now, if you like."
"Oh, believe me, I like!" She was impatient to be off.
The house was all he had said and more. It was very apparent to her that the former owners had spent a great deal of money, because the wiring was newly updated, and the oil furnace had been removed and replaced with a heat pump and electric furnace. All of the rooms had been recently decorated in a colonial theme with warm autumn colours predominating. She hurried from one room to the next, inspecting everything, and by the time she reached the den in the basement and found the fireplace, she felt like she had truly come home.
The room was painted with a hint of rose, a cream rug on the floor. Off to one side was a small powder room and laundry. The washer and dryer looked new. The main floor had three bedrooms, bathroom, large country kitchen and living room. She already knew which bedroom would be her office and which one she would sleep in.
McKinnon followed her around, taking pleasure in her delight. He stood now, hands in pockets, watching her as she flitted from room to room.
"Would you consider selling this house, McKinnon? You could sever a lot for me, because I wouldn't want the land."
"Why don't you just live in it for a while and think about it, Charly? We can always set up a rent-to-purchase agreement, subject to severance, if that's what you'd like."
"Would you do that? I guess when I think about it, I'm not in any position to buy until I pay back a couple of loans. But that won't take long, and then I'll be asking you again." She still had trouble believing her good fortune.
McKinnon had perched himself on the edge of the bow window and his legs were extended in front of him, crossed at the ankles. His hands were again in his trouser pockets, and his suit jacket was open.