Last week, we left off with Levi and Melody deciding how to share the house with the kindly attorney, Oliver Douglas, drawing up guidelines. This week's picture prompt is a library.
 
Excerpt

“Yes.” What else could she say? She felt a bit like Goldilocks. The twin bed would probably be too small for him now. She could give it up if it bothered him that much.  A twinge of guilt hit her as she recalled that she took down all the posters. Angry that the prodigal nephew never visited his dying uncle, she tossed the posters. Call it her one act of aggression. “Do you want it back?”

His shoulders went up in a shrug. “No big deal. You keep it.”

Oliver’s pen scratched across the paper. “That’s settled. We need guidelines for the use of public rooms such as the living room, kitchen and bathroom.”

The urge to say she’d not use the rooms died in her mouth when she realized the sheer stupidity of it. Not use the bathroom, hardly since there was only one bathroom. She’d needed the kitchen too.  Even if she were only passing through, she’d still go through the living room. It wasn’t like she’d hangout at the library to avoid encountering Levi.

 “Um, how will you feel about Charmer in the house when I am at work?” He appeared to like the dog even after he urinated on him. Jumping up she almost knocked her chair down in an effort to grab the paper towels. “For your jeans,” she mumbled, pushing the towels in his direction.

He took the towels with a smile that actually reached his eyes. “Thanks. As for Charmer, I’d welcome the company. It might give us both a chance to work on our manners.”

Old stone face actually made a joke. Was her mouth hanging open? She hoped not. “Yeah.”  Wait, that didn’t sound right. “I meant Charmer could work on his manners.”

Levi gave a short laugh. “I know what you meant.”                                                                          

Oliver looked back down at the papers, probably to hide a budding smile.  “Okay, you two. We need to plan on how you’ll handle entertaining friends and dates.”

“Aw shit!” The man swore and slapped his hand on the table. “What else can go wrong?”

Her excitement died a little. Perhaps, he wouldn’t be great roommate, but she’d had worse. Time would tell.

Instead of soothing words, or quoting legal jargon, Oliver picked up his cup and sipped it slowly. Finally, he replaced it in his saucer.  Clearing his throat, he gained both their attention. ‘I expect the two of you feel like Roy McDaniels did you wrong, but he didn’t. He was a man who had a great deal of hardship and loss in his life. I am proud to have been his friend. I imagine the two of you are feeling sorry for yourselves so stop it right now. You’re alive and have a future, which is a hell of a lot more than Roy has. He loved you both dearly. What he wanted was to give you both a home. He felt you both desperately needed one, but he only had one to give. Initially, I tried to discourage him from making the two of you co-heirs, but he wouldn’t listen to me.” He shook his head as if remembering.

“He wanted the two of you to meet. Even thought, the two of you would be friends. I explained anyone would hesitate at sharing a home. Roy finally agreed to the clause that after a year if things didn’t work out one could buy the other out. That was my doing. The rest was all Roy. The way I see it you both need a home. Plenty of people share lodgings and it isn’t costing you anything. A couple of months ago neither of you had a house. Now you both have lakefront property. After a year, the house will sell for a pretty penny with the proceedings split.  Is that such a hardship, really?”

Levi hung his head. It was hard to say if he was ashamed or despondent. Part of her was thrilled to be able to remain in the house. Still, it would be difficult living with a sullen sexy man.  She would definitely have to wear more clothes around the house.  Did Roy actually think to match the two of them? If he did, she could have explained why it wouldn’t work.

“Okay,” she volunteered her agreement since it didn’t look like Levi was talking. “I am sure we can work out some ground rules so the two of us can co-inhabit the house.”

Oliver grinned. “That’s why I am here. I thought it would be easier to do that with an impartial third party.”

It was hard to know how impartial the lawyer was. She knew for sure that he was presenting Roy’s interest as opposed to what she or Levi wanted.

Levi sighed, then, raised his head. “You knocked me down more than a few pegs. I suspect Uncle Roy gave you lessons.”

Oliver snorted at the assertion. “Who do you think taught him?” He gestured for Levi to continue talking.

He blinked once, slowly turning his head to face Melody. “I was too reactive. Always one of my worse faults. If Roy trusted you, then he had reason. With two bedrooms, I am sure we can work out a livable arrangement.” He gave a nod and tried to smile. Too bad his eyes didn’t know what was happening. They remained the same cold distant grey.

It was a start. Oliver reshuffled the papers, pulling out a clean sheet already printed with roommate agreement and numbers with blank sections in them.  Clicking his pen, he put it beside the numeral one. “Let’s get to the meat of the matter.  Melody, what room are you using?”

It felt rather awkward to talk about bedrooms and sleeping, but there was no help for it. After all, it was the only practical way to deal with things. “I am staying in the same room that I used as Roy’s nurse. It was easier that way, which means the bigger bedroom is open for Levi.”

Truthfully, she could not bring herself to move into Roy’s room.  The small second bedroom suited her, especially since she’d made changes in that room.

Her sullen roommate, instead of being surprised at her generosity in yielding the larger room to him, instead just stared at her.  “You’re sleeping in my room? In my bed?”

Today's prompt is heart, very fitting for Valentine's Day. See if you can find it.







EXCERPT 
She took out a small plate and put the chocolate chip cookies out she'd bought as a small indulgence for herself. Like the lawyer, she could stand to lose a few pounds too. Might as well share the calories and it would help Levi feel small when she signed over the house. 

The scene took shape in her mind as the wounded veteran realized what a truly unselfish person she was. Of course, he’d apologize for his uncharitable thoughts toward her. Maybe even, shed a tear or two.  A glance at his stony face made her consider the shedding of grateful tears as going a bit too far. Her heart objected strongly to her current course of action. By now, it should be used to never really having a home.

She carried the tray to the table as the coffee made its final gurgle. Taking the cups, she placed one in front of each man and another for herself.  Levi spoke in a sense of wonder as she retrieved the pot.

“Good Lord, I never expected to see these dishes again. Don’t know how many times I sat at this table with Uncle Roy drinking coffee out of these cups. Sometimes, he’d apologize for serving a kid coffee. Even as a confirmed bachelor, the man never took much to cooking. We’d usually have coffee and cold cereal every morning. Sometimes, on the weekend, he’d compliment the morning meal with a side of donut holes.”

There was real affection in his voice. Melody kept her back turned to fight the tears forming in her eyes. He’d really loved his uncle. It didn’t explain why he hadn’t come around when Roy fell sick, but it made him a little less of a jerk that she originally thought he was.

Knuckling both eyes dry, she inhaled deeply. It wouldn’t help if she started bawling. The sound of children’s voices drew her gaze to the window. A parade of children ran across the lawn heading for the lake. She’d miss that. At first, she thought it was how normal people lived. Now, she wondered if it was how extraordinary people live, surrounded by love and nature.

Coffee pot in hand, she filled each cup as she steeled herself to do what she must. Setting the pot back on the warmer, she slid into her seat. The men were sampling their coffee as she cleared her throat.

“Well, ah, I’d like to just get it over with. I am willing to sign the house over to Levi seeing as he’s the last relative and, uhm, he needs it.  I only hope you might consider taking Charmer since most apartments do not allow dogs.”

Okay, she’d done it. Made her noble little speech, but she wasn't feeling very noble. Angry, resentful, sad, rather like the first time she’d been put out of a foster home after her beautiful mother flitted in to see her and was gone just as fast.

Levi put his coffee cup down suddenly, sloshing the contents over the side.  He wiped his damp hand on his pants. “I am amenable to your suggestion, but don’t go being a martyr about it. I can arrange to buy out your share.”

Her back went stiff at the word martyr. His lips remained in a firm line, not exactly the reception she expected. A little more joy would be nice. Didn’t he realize she was giving him everything that meant anything to her?

“Not so fast.”  Oliver Douglas made sure to knock on the table to get their attention before continuing. He tapped the paper in front of him. “It appears neither one of you listen very well. According to the will, there will be no buying or selling until you both reside in the house together for one full year. I already told you,” he made sure to glance at Levi, “that the will cannot be broken.”

Today's prompt is field. A beautiful picture to illustrate it too. See if you can discover field.











EXCERPT

The men’s footsteps thudded on the hardwood floor along with the tap of the cane.  “Melody, do you want us to meet in the kitchen?” She recognized the lawyer’s voice and glanced at the kitchen table. There were some breakfast dishes along with a discarded newspaper. The dishes ended up in the sink and she tucked the paper under the counter. Running a dishrag over the table, she replied. “Sure, kitchen is good. I’ll make some coffee.”

Oliver Douglas entered with a smile and pulled out a chair. “Coffee would be appreciated. My wife calls it the devil’s brew since she started a caffeine free health kick. I try not to drink it in front of her. Removing temptation and all of that.”

Melody turned back to the counter to rinse out the coffee pot before she started a fresh batch. It also allowed her not to watch Levi prepare himself to sit. It would wound any man’s pride, having to struggle with a leg that wouldn’t cooperate, but in a man so young it must be worse. The tightness of his shoulders and his general demeanor let her know his injury was a permanent one. His face was more like a fallow field were hope would never grow even it was planted.

The aroma caused her to breathe deeply. The smell of coffee was so evocative. It reminded her of wrapping her cold hands around a warm cup countless mornings. For a second, it made her forget the wounded warrior at her table. She didn’t see any real choice. To fight him for the house would be well unpatriotic. Besides, he already had a lawyer. Was it Mr. Douglas?

The silver haired lawyer hummed under his breath as he arranged papers on the table. At least someone was happy. He could be contemplating the coffee or getting the business done with and returning back home. At least he had a home. Stop that. It isn’t anything you haven’t been through before.

It would be hard to imagine the gentlemanly lawyer penning such a stern missive. Besides, she didn’t recognize the name on the letter, only the attorney at law underneath.  Grabbing a dented tray that proclaimed the wonders of the Grand Canyon, she arranged cups and spoons on it. Never thought she’d use for this when she picked it up at the thrift shop.

“Uhm, I don’t have any sugar, but I do have artificial sweetener.” She put a couple packets of the substitute on the tray.

The lawyer stopped rustling the papers and smiled up at her. “Perfect. I need to lose a few pounds anyhow.”

Her eyes moved over to Levi. 

“I like mine black.” The words came out abrupt, rather like the man.

Just as well, she thought, since she didn’t own any creamer. She bobbed her head in acknowledgment, but it didn’t matter because he wasn’t looking at her. Well, be that way. I’ll show you who the better man is. Make that woman.