As Chase set a bag of groceries in the Volvo, she turned to Olivia. “That was pretty badass.”

Olivia set the last bag in the trunk and closed it with a soft whoosh. She smiled at Chase. “No, Chase. That was being an adult.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

Olivia wiped the kitchen counter clean and leaned over to catch Chase in the living room poking ineffectively at the fire she’d made in the fireplace.

“Try some kindling,” she called.

“What is kindling, exactly? Like the weird nest-looking stuff?”

Olivia set the cleaner under the sink and surveyed the kitchen. Still dated but decidedly cleaner. And cat-free. Leaving the window open had worked, and their feline squatter had found better digs. Once the glass was repaired, they could be assured they’d have no more rogue cats crawling inside. So far the board Zeke had put over the small square of window had worked to keep the night air out, too.

She walked into the living room, thankful for the warmth coming from the dying fire. The day had been plenty warm, but the house had stayed drafty. They’d put away the groceries and cleaned the mildewed carpet where the air conditioner had leaked, which, after the grocery store fiasco, had been easier than she’d thought. Maybe because they both agreed that the smell had to improve. Cleaning had also given Chase some space.

She’d learned that after a defeat, most people needed time before diving into what missteps had been made.

Olivia went to the small box her grandfather had always kept filled with kindling and fire starter and picked up a few sticks. “See these smaller pieces of wood? They’re dry and catch fire easier. The small tumbleweeds of wooden wool are used in place of starter fluid. Our fire is—well, sort of already going.” She bent and placed several sticks of kindling at the base of the larger logs that were no longer actively burning. The flames sprang up.

Chase sat the poker back on the stand. “When will the electrician get here?”

“By the end of the day. The company he works for said he survived the rodeo unscathed. Thank God.”

Chase gave a heavy sigh and sank onto the sofa.

“You want to help me clean upstairs while there’s still light?” Olivia asked.

“Tell me again why we can’t call someone to clean this dump?”

“Because we’re adults with two hands and able bodies. And I bought a duster and cleaning products,” Olivia said, starting back toward the kitchen, intent on using the time they had to get the place in a somewhat decent state.

“Then can I take a shower? I feel so gross.”