The conversation shifted to talk about the area’s upcoming festivals. “Maybe I should start looking into joining some of the food festivals to get Ravello’s name out there.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Yes. You might be onto something,” Reese said. “Have you had any luck renting out your vacant apartments?”
“We rented the two-bedroom across the hall from me to Autumn Winter, a family friend. In fact, she’s moving in today.”
“One down, one to go. I better get to work.” Reese reached for the microphone and began narrating their trip, pointing out various points of interest to the trolley riders.
They reached Carlita’s stop. She gathered her things before carefully navigating the narrow steps. “Thanks for saving me a seat.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck with your new tenant.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.” Carlita gave her friend a quick wave before hurrying across the street and into the pawnshop.
The bell chimed, and Tony, Carlita’s middle son, gave her a quick look. She made her way across the store and waited for him to finish helping a customer. “I was lookin’ for you earlier. Shelby wanted me to give you the rest of the keys to her apartment.”
“I already changed the locks.” Carlita followed her son to the back of the store. He reached inside the desk drawer and pulled out a set of keys before handing them to his mother. “I asked Josh to give Autumn a hand with moving some of her larger pieces of furniture up the stairs.”
“That’s nice. I’m sure she appreciates it. Isn’t Autumn’s brother, Steve, here to help?”
“He couldn’t make it over until later. Sam was home. He heard the commotion in the hall, came out to see what was going on and he’s helping, too.”
“I’m sure Mercedes is thrilled,” Carlita joked.
“She might not be thrilled, but Autumn doesn’t seem to mind.”
Carlita lifted a brow. “Autumn told me she was swearing off men for a while.”
“It’s lookin’ like she may have already changed her mind,” Tony said. “Have you made a decision on my old efficiency?”
“Yes.” Carlita was having difficulty finding a long-term tenant for Tony’s former unit. Although the efficiency was ready to move into, it was only large enough for one, possibly two people. The few prospective tenants she’d shown it to had turned up their noses when they found out how “cozy” it was.
The last person to view the unit told Carlita it reminded her of an extended-stay hotel room. When she told Mercedes what the woman had said, her daughter suggested they consider leaving Tony’s furniture in the unit and turning it into a short-term rental.
“We’re going to turn it into a short-term rental.” Carlita had done her homework and discovered they could double their income if they rented the efficiency short-term. Mercedes agreed it was a wise move and began running ads for weekly and monthly rentals.
Several promising prospects had submitted applications online. Mercedes had offered to start scheduling appointments to meet with the prospective tenants.
Carlita thanked her son for the extra set of keys. She made her way into the narrow hall, squeezing past a television stand before climbing the stairs to the second story landing.
The door to Autumn’s apartment was wide open. Carlita heard a loud thump followed by a cuss word.
“Is everything okay?” She cautiously approached the doorway and peeked around the corner. Josh and Sam were moving a sofa around the living room.
Autumn stood off to the side. “Shift a little to the right and…you’ve got it.”
“Is this thing filled with lead?” Sam joked.
“No. It’s a sleeper sofa.”
“Might as well be filled with lead,” Josh grunted.
Autumn caught Carlita’s eye. “Hi, Mrs. G.”
“Hello, Autumn. I thought I would stop by to see how you’re doing. It looks as if Sam and Josh have it under control.”
Mercedes carried a box into the apartment and set it on the floor. “Hey, Ma. Autumn has almost finished moving in.”
“Where are your movers, Autumn?”
“More like losers,” Autumn joked. “I hired a couple of part-timers from the newspaper to help me move the heavy stuff. When they got here and saw the stairs, they skedaddled. Thankfully, Tony came out to see if I needed any help. He asked Josh to give me a hand. Sam stopped by to check on us and graciously offered more muscle.”
Sam straightened his back. “Those are some steep stairs.”
“It looks like we’re done moving the big stuff,” Josh said.
“Yes, and thank you so much,” Autumn said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
“You’re welcome. I better get back to work.” Josh slipped out of the apartment, his heavy steps thumping loudly on the stairs. The back door to the pawnshop slammed shut.
Carlita turned to Sam. “Thank you for saving the day.”
“I couldn’t leave a lovely damsel in distress,” Sam teased.
Autumn clasped her hands, and Carlita could’ve sworn the young woman nearly swooned. “Saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough. As soon as I get settled, I’m going to invite you over for dinner.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Uh.” Autumn shook her head. “I insist.”
“What about me?” Mercedes frowned. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“I’ll invite you over one of these days, too.” Autumn smiled widely, never taking her eyes off Sam.
“You’re welcome.” Sam strode to the door. “I better get going. I have a large tour group booked for this afternoon. We’re making a special stop at Darbylane Museum.”
“It’s a madhouse over there,” Carlita warned. “I stopped by while I was waiting for Reese and the trolley. There’s a guest of honor, some sort of duke or something. The place is packed.”
“By the time I get there, the crowds will have cleared.” Sam stepped into the hallway and Autumn hurried after him. “About dinner…how does Friday night sound?”
“I’ll have to check my
