She would have to buy office and living room furniture, but it would give her a good excuse to go to auction sales on the weekend.
McKinnon showed up with his truck just after lunch on Sunday and they soon had it loaded. Her parents followed in their car and the afternoon sped by as they arranged furniture and unpacked boxes. Charly was aware that McKinnon had had someone come in and clean the house thoroughly yesterday. It had been musty the day before, but now it sparkled and smelled like it had been well aired.
It was late when they finished, and Charly was surprised when McKinnon accepted her mother's invitation to dine with them. The distance wasn't far and she knew this pleased her parents. They had missed her during her five years of school in Western Ontario and were happy that she was once more close to home.
She was curious to see if McKinnon would mention anything about metaphysics to her parents, but he kept the conversation firmly on farming and she guessed that he wasn't yet comfortable discussing it with anyone but herself.
"Well, Mom, I hate to break this up, but I've got work tomorrow, so I'd better get home." She laughed, and then added, "It seems funny to be saying that, but frankly, I can't wait to get back and see my house again."
Her Dad came over and handed her an envelope. "You can open this when you get home, Charly. It's a little something in celebration of your new job." He put his arm around her and gave her a hug. "Don't forget to come and visit."
"Thanks, Dad. I won't."
McKinnon followed her home in his truck and went inside with her. "So you think you can live happily in your new surroundings?"
"Oh, McKinnon, do you even need to ask? How could anyone not be happy here?" As an afterthought, she asked, "Would you like a coffee? I think I have all the requirements."
"Okay. But I have to check on something downstairs. I'll do that now."
When the coffee was ready, McKinnon still hadn't come up. Setting up a tray, she decided to take it down, since that's where the sofa was.
As soon as she opened the door to the basement, she could hear the snapping of the logs in the fireplace and knew he had made her a fire.
"I got the feeling you were a fireplace person, too, Charly." McKinnon was kneeling on the rug by the fire, his jeans outlining his muscular body. The sleeves of his red wool sweater were pushed above the elbow and he looked quite at home.