“I’ll be there in a minute, just got a phone call.”

Loren half shrugged. “You want me to put another shoulder under that going up the stairs?”

“I got it. Something sure smells good, chocolate chip cookies?”

“Mom was hoping you’d stay for coffee or iced tea and cookies—if you can take the time, that is.” Loren started up the stairs. “This way.”

“I’d like that. I’m done for the day at the store.”

Roxie, her phone to her ear, watched as they reached the top of the stairs and Loren went ahead, motioning the door to the left. They disappeared into the office.

“Thanks, MJ.” Roxie pocketed her phone and took her time walking upstairs. She waited. She heard the roll thud to the floor. When she finally arrived at the office doorway, Nate had cut the plastic bands and rolled up the paper cover. He tossed the paper out into the hall as Roxie reached the office door.

Loren asked, “Can we lay it out and move it around to see what looks best?”

“Sure. Nice hardwood floor.” Nate gave the carpet roll a push with his foot.

“Oh, my, that is even more perfect than I thought.” Roxie stood in the doorway. “It certainly brightens up the room.”

“Now how do you want it positioned, Mrs. Gilburn? Centered exactly? Diagonal?”

“First of all, please call me Roxie, and secondly, what do you suggest? I thought laid square in the middle but now I’m not sure. Come on, Loren, you’re the one with the design sense.”

“Let’s try it both ways so you can see. Centered.” He picked up a corner of the rug and pulled it diagonal. Then stepped back.

“I like it either way or both ways, whatever.” Roxie looked to Loren.

Loren waved a hand around. “Me too, but this seems more appealing. I like the floor showing this way.”

Roxie nodded. “So do I. But we need to lift up the file cabinets to slide the end under.”

“They won’t be as solid as they were, if that is important,” Nate warned.

“It shouldn’t matter.”

So Nate leaned against first one file cabinet and then the other as Loren and Roxie straightened the ends out.

Nate smiled and nodded. “Shall I lay the chair mat down?”

“Was this part of the contract?” she teased him.

“Nope. Just want to see happy customers.”

When it was all put back, including the accessories, the three stood by the door.

Roxie wrapped her arms around herself. “I have always liked my office, but now this room is perfect. So inviting.”

“Looks like you are a real reader.” Nate motioned to the bookshelves covering one wall.

“We both are. Thank you for helping lay this. Can we reward you with coffee or iced tea, and the cookies must be cool enough now to eat.” Roxie stepped backward into the hall. Nate and Loren followed, so she led the way downstairs.

“I haven’t had homemade chocolate chip cookies for I don’t know how long,” Nate commented.