6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber

up later, if warranted. It seemed a bit unusual, but they’d requested a meeting with any potential renters.
    Ian extracted the baby carrier from the backseat and carried a napping Aaron onto the porch with him.
    â€œAren’t you adorable?” The agent smiled at the baby. “I see you’re right on time,” she told Ian and Cecilia in a friendly voice, still smiling at Aaron.
    Cecilia had been ready an hour early and the wait had seemed interminable.
    â€œI think my wife wants to rent it sight unseen, but I’d like a tour,” Ian said, teasing Cecilia.
    â€œStep inside,” Judy invited as she held open the screen door.
    Gazing all around, Cecilia walked into the house. Even without furniture, the living room had a sense of warmth that came from the brick fireplace, polished oak floors and off-white walls. It was easyto imagine what this place would look like filled with their things.
    She was still examining the living room when Ian called from the kitchen.
    â€œIt’s a little small in here.”
    â€œI’ll be there in a minute,” Cecilia called back. She was studying the fireplace with its built-in bookcases on each side. This was the perfect location for a rocking chair, where she could nurse Aaron, read, daydream….
    Ian returned to the living room. “Remember this is the first house we’ve seen. We’ve only started to look. There are plenty of other rentals on our list.”
    â€œI’ll remember,” she promised, but Cecilia had made up her mind. This was it. All she had to do now was convince her husband. If they delayed, someone else would quickly snatch it up.
    Ian disappeared, and a few minutes later she heard him say, “I’m going to check out the garage.” Apparently he’d already been through the ground floor and she had yet to move beyond the living room.
    Taking in every detail, Cecilia made her way into the kitchen. Ian was right; the area was smaller than she would’ve liked but it was adequate. She noticed that the back door had a doggie entrance. Perhaps they could get a dog sometime, she thought dreamily. A compact laundry room off the kitchenled to a hallway. She followed that and came to the larger of the two bedrooms. The master bedroom was painted a soft shade of yellow that looked fresh and new. The closet was small but again adequate.
    â€œThere are two other bedrooms upstairs,” Judy, the agent, told her. “Four bedrooms in all.”
    â€œFour bedrooms,” Cecilia repeated. It felt like a mansion.
    â€œThe basement is unfinished.”
    â€œIt has a basement, too?”
    â€œThe owner didn’t use it for anything other than storage.”
    Ian bounced back into the house and the instant he did, Cecilia could tell he was happy. “The garage is great! Want to come see?”
    â€œSure.” Cecilia exchanged a smile with Judy Flint. Men and their garages. She trailed him outside and into the detached garage. Judy went with them and highlighted a number of features. There was plenty of room for Ian to work on his car, while leaving space for storage.
    â€œI do want to remind you that this is the first house we’ve seen,” Cecilia teased, throwing his own words back at him. “So don’t get too excited.”
    â€œThis is the best home I have available in your price range,” Judy inserted.
    Ian’s eyes held Cecilia’s. “What do you think?” he asked.
    â€œI think we’d be foolish to let this opportunity pass us by.”
    Ian reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
    â€œWould you like me to contact the owners?” Judy Flint asked.
    Ian responded with an enthusiastic nod.
    The agent walked outside, and Cecilia watched as she opened her cell phone.
    â€œIt’s everything I’d hoped for,” Cecilia whispered. “Everything.”
    â€œFour bedrooms is a lot for just the three of