Chapter Twenty – Liam #2
With a shrug, she replied, “There isn’t anything we can do about it now, so why worry about it? Until we have something to worry about, we’ll do it then. Right now, I don’t want anything to disrupt this amazing week I’m having with you and Winnie.”
I cupped her face in my hands and smiled. “I know it’s too soon to say this, but I am falling head over heels in love with you, Aurora.”
She smiled, and the way it energized the entire room would have knocked me to my knees had I been standing up.
“I’m falling in love with you, too, Liam.”
“I wish the shower was big enough for both of us.”
Aurora giggled. “Ladies first. Honestly, I’m exhausted.”
“How about tomorrow we start packing things up and head back to Moose Village? I have the rest of this week off, and we can just hang at the house and do nothing.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I love that idea, and I think Winnie will too.”
I gave her one quick kiss, then lifted her and used my shirt to clean her off as she balanced herself over me.
She climbed off me and turned to head to the bedroom to get her pajamas, then stopped and leaned against the wall, looking at me like she could devour me.
“Thank you for inviting me to spend this time with you and Winnie. You have no idea how much I’ve cherished every moment.”
I smiled. “Oh, I think I do.”
Turning, I watched her walk up the few steps and head to the bedroom. I placed my hand over my chest and rubbed it as I closed my eyes. Things were so new with Aurora, but I already knew I was going to love her like I hadn’t loved anyone before in my life, and that hurt a bit.
I glanced up and whispered, “I’m sorry, Hope.”
I walked up the steps of the porch and sighed as I took it all in.
My father walked up, clipboard in his hand. “This house has a lot of work to be done to it, Liam.”
Nodding, I replied, “I know, but, Dad, the bones of this house are incredible.”
He chuckled. “You always did like a good project. And you said Aurora mentioned wanting to buy this house?”
I opened the screen door only to have it fall right off the hinges.
“I’ll put that down on the list,” Dad softly said.
Slipping the key into the lock, I twisted and opened the door. I smiled when I stepped into the large foyer with a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging down.
As I looked up, I said, “She did want this house, and how surprised will she be when she finds out I’m the one who bought it?”
“I’m sure once she gets a look inside, she’ll change her mind.”
We walked farther into the house.
“Watch your steps. The floors feel okay, but you never know.”
“Look at that fireplace, Dad.”
He walked up next to me and nodded. “You know what I see?”
“Incredible craftsmanship?”
“A money pit, Liam. You could have built a beautiful home for what it is going to cost to renovate this place.”
When I turned and faced my father, I frowned. “When did you start shying away from difficult projects? I would have thought this was right up your alley.”
He exhaled. “It is, but it’s different when I’m playing with other people’s money. This time I’m playing with yours.”
I laughed. “Well, it’s a damn good thing I worked on Wall Street and knew how to invest my money, isn’t it?
I wanted to buy this place when I first moved back and Hope damn near had a heart attack when I showed it to her.
Now, well, now I can do whatever I want, and this house is what I wanted.
And what’s even better, it’s what Aurora wants too.
I’m telling you, it’s like fate meeting destiny. We were made to be together.”
My father nodded his head, pulled the clipboard out, and wrote something down.
“What did you find that needs fixing?”
He was still writing when he shook his head. “I’m writing a note to have an inspector come as soon as possible. I believe I might see a wedding in our future with this house serving as hostess.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. “Slow down, Dad, we’ve only just started to date.”
Laughing, he made his way into the next room, which was the formal dining room. “You mark my word, Liam Turner. In less than six months, there will be a wedding in this house.”
I laughed. “I hope that gives you enough time for renovations.”
“Ha!” he said, pointing the clipboard at me. “Let’s just see what we need in terms of permits and such, then we can talk wedding bells.”
Once we walked through the formal dining room, we entered a large butler’s pantry and then the kitchen. It was huge, and I could already envision the type of kitchen I wanted in this house. I’d have to find a way to get Aurora to share her dream kitchen as well.
A small breakfast area was at the back of the house. A family room was adjacent to the kitchen, and at the front of the house was a formal living room and another room that could be used as an office.
“If I recall,” my father said as he stared up the staircase, most likely trying to decide how much of the mantel to try and keep and how much to toss. “There are four bedrooms and a library on the second floor.”
“Yes, and it’s the library I really wanted to take a look at today.”
Once we walked into the large room, my father whistled. “This is a library.”
I smiled. Floor-to-ceiling red oak cabinets filled every single wall. The one large window, also floor-to-ceiling, was encased around bookshelves. Each wall had its own ladder, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“She wanted one, but she’s getting four.”
“Ladders?” Dad asked, attempting to move them. They were stuck in place. He frowned. “Nothing that a bit of grease on the wheels can’t fix.”
“Do you think she’ll like it? Everything seems to be in really good shape, minus some of these books.”
He turned in a circle. “I wouldn’t toss any of them until you have someone go through them. You never know what could be buried in them. Or if they’re worth any money.”
I nodded. “Good idea.”
“To answer your question, she’s going to be over the moon when she sees this, Liam. Should I remind you that you’ve only been dating a few weeks?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No. However, I’d like to leave this room untouched, if possible. I know the house is mine, and I may be getting ahead of myself, but I want Aurora to have a say in the library.”
“If you don’t want to spook her, tell her you value her opinion on the remodeling of it.”
I faced him. “That’s a great idea.”
“After all, you did buy this place before you knew she wanted it.”
“That is true.”
He slapped me on the back. “Come on, we have an entire house to go through and make notes. The plumber is meeting us in thirty minutes, the electrician in an hour or so. We’ve got to make some headway.”
My father and I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the Victorian house I purchased back in August. Where he saw nothing but money, I saw future dreams with both Winnie and Aurora.
After everyone left, I made my way around the back of the house and down a path. The large, open area had a breathtaking view of Moose Lake. You could also see the lake from nearly every room in the back of the house, including Aurora’s library.
Turning in a circle. I could envision a gazebo situated right in the middle, surrounded by a flower garden, with a path leading from the house to the gazebo. I pulled out my phone and found Declan’s number.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“I have a project I’d like to get Harper’s take on, but it needs to be kept a secret from Aurora. Do you think Harper can help and not tell Aurora?”
Declan laughed. “Hell yes, she can. You’re talking about the secret master.”
“Great. Are you guys free right now? I’m not far from your house. Maybe five minutes.”
“Let me ask her.”
Less than a few seconds later, Declan returned to the line. “She is intrigued.”
I chuckled. “Great, I’ll send you the address and meet me behind the house.”
“You got it. See you in a few.”
Ending the call, I let my eyes scan the surrounding trees and imagined what it would look like with snow all around.
“Yeah,” I softly said. “This will be the perfect spot.”