Bun for Your Life Read Online Free PDF Page A

six. She wore her gray hair like a cap of curls on her head. “You must be Molly. I’m Dorothy Rose Brand. Dottie, to everyone. Come in, come in.”
    She stepped aside so I could enter. The smell of apples and cinnamon filled my nose. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Brand. Smells delicious in here. Apple pie?”
    She wiped her hands on her apron and beamed. “I insist you call me Dottie. Yes. I got some of those new Calista Sugar Pink apples at the fair. Still got plenty left. Pure perfection. I’ll have to get more. Would you like some pie and a glass of milk? I’ve got vanilla ice cream, too.”
    I smiled and opened my mouth to say “bring it on,” then wavered, thinking of my snug size six jeans. “No, but thank you.”
    She patted my arm. “Let me know if you change your mind. Now, you called about the apartment. When do you want to move? It’s empty, and I’ve been eager to have a tenant move in to it. It’s all ready for you.”
    â€œSaturday? Right now, I’m living in the garage apartment over Addair Funeral Home.”
    â€œThat would be wonderful.” Her face clouded over. “Oh, yes. Jane Addair and I used to be close friends before her dementia set in. She was always my partner in our bridge club. I miss her. I used to visit her occasionally, but it was so hard. Most days she didn’t even know who I was. I’ll start again. I don’t want to desert her.”
    â€œI know. It’s really sad. I was married to her grandson, Brian.”
    â€œI know you! Or at least, of you. Jane adored you. Your mom’s the library director, isn’t she?”
    â€œYes, she is.”
    â€œI’m at the library every week. I’m so glad they’ll be expanding it. Come. Let me show you the apartment. It’s simply darling. Hardwood floors, two big bedrooms, tiled bathroom, and a nice new stove and refrigerator. I live here, as you cansee.” She grabbed a set of keys from a bowl sitting on a table in the hallway. “The house is really too big for me, but I can’t give it up. I decided to section it off, so I’d have two apartments to rent. We’ll have to go outside and in one of the doors at the side of the house in order for me to show you the apartment. It’s upstairs. You are okay with stairs, aren’t you?”
    â€œI’m fine with stairs,” I replied, then followed Dottie out the front door and around the corner of the house. I waited as she unlocked a door facing the side lawn. I loved the quaint wraparound porch with its Gingerbread trim.
    â€œThe gentleman in the other apartment moved in recently himself,” she explained. “He has a separate entrance, right there.” She nodded to a door to our right, which faced the street. His apartment is upstairs, too. Don’t worry, these walls are thick, you won’t hear him at all.”
    I followed her up a set of stairs and waited as she unlocked the door at the top and pushed it open. “He’s a very nice man, and a sharp dresser. Not one of those guys whose pants are sagging off their rear ends so you can see their unmentionables. Underwear, I mean. Not their private parts.”
    I tried to keep up with her chatter and laughed at the picture she painted. “That’s a good thing.”
    â€œHe’s quiet. Keeps to himself. He won’t bother you.” A smile crinkled her eyes. “Unless you want him to. He’s handsome, if you’re in the market. I didn’t see a wedding ring and he moved in alone.”
    I grinned at her report. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    â€œI don’t think he’s had any female visitors. Of course, it’s not my business if he did. As long as it’s legal, and the apartments are kept clean, it’s none of my business what my tenants do.”
    I nodded my head in agreement, following Dottie her as she gave me a tour of the apartment.