Chapter Ten
“We got the bid for the A-frame house on Hampton Avenue!” Steven plops down enthusiastically in the chair across from my desk.
It’s been a harsh week of long hours and short nights. Maisie hasn’t been sleeping well. Kara’s back to keeping me at a distance, her snarky comments wearing me down more each day. I’ve been trying to let it slide, but it’s getting harder to ignore.
“Oh, wow!” I close my laptop. “Nice job. I was hoping you’d work your magic.”
“Magic, hell. More like our money.” Steven crosses his legs and pulls out his phone. “It’s going to be a stunner.” He slides it across the desk and starts walking me through all the ideas he has for the remodel.
“What about the brick house on Pearson Street?” I slide his phone back over.
“We’ve had some setbacks with plumbing. The house has galvanized pipes, so we’re dealing with corrosion and a few leaks.
It’s nothing that can’t be handled.” He leans forward.
“You know I’ve got you. Let me handle the tough stuff right now.
You keep the finances running smoothly and everyone on their toes. ”
I exhale. “I can do that.”
“So,” Steven says, relaxing back in his chair. “Luke and I are going out for dinner as ‘friends.’” He air-quotes the word. “He suggested you and Sam join us.”
“No way.” I shake my head. “You’re on your own.”
“I need my best friend to support my attraction for this very sexy man who’s playing hard to get. Don’t leave me dangling on the edge of the cliff.”
“He just got out of a relationship, Steven.”
“I’m not looking for a relationship, Allie.” He wiggles his brows.
“Typical,” I say, unimpressed.
“Don’t hate the player, hate the—”
“Do not say it.” I lift a hand to stop him. “Don’t hurt this guy. He’s already dealing with a breakup.”
“Honey, I’m helping him get over that guy by getting with another. I’m a healer.” Steven stands and sashays to his desk. I laugh at his ridiculousness. “And you’re going with me. Sam has already agreed to this ‘friends’ date. She was there when Luke and I talked.”
“How did you get his number? It’s only been a week.”
“Sam gave me their card. And…I may have stopped by their shop to look at furniture earlier, which, by the way, is real craftsmanship. They’ve got skill.”
I huff a laugh. “You’re relentless.”
“He likes me. I just need to give him a little push.” Steven shuts the file cabinet with emphasis.
My phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, so I send it to voice mail.
“Don’t push too hard. He might not be the type who likes being shoved.”
“Allie, have you just met me?” Steven arches a brow. “I can be a delicate flower when I need to be. This isn’t my first rodeo, and he’s not the only cowboy I’ve had to rope.”
“Cowboy?” I laugh. “Fine, you handsome fella, but only because you’re my best friend.”
My phone rings again. It’s the same number as before. I send it to voice mail again. I’m not in the mood to talk to a telemarketer right now.
“When is this dinner?” I walk over and drop the Pearson Street folder on his desk.
“Friday night.” Steven blinks at me with those long thick lashes.
“That’s this weekend. I have children to take care of now.”
“Can Judy keep them?”
I don’t meet his eyes as I flip through the paperwork, searching for the plumbing figures on the brick house.
I haven’t told him what happened with Judy yet.
Sam’s the only one who knows. It’s not that I don’t trust Steven.
I’m not sure why I’ve kept it quiet. It’s just so crazy to believe a person would do that to their own grandchild.
“What are you not telling me?” Steven turns his chair to face me head-on.
“I don’t want them with Judy. You know she’s a bitch.” It’s probably wrong for me to withhold this big thing from my best friend. But there’s this part of me that wants to bury it forever. Maisie’s humiliation is hard to think about. I fear that talking about it further would just fuel my anger.
“She’s a bitch,” Steven agrees. Relief hits me. “Can Kara and Olivia not watch Maisie? Kara’s what, fifteen, right?”
“Not for six more months.”
“Close enough.”
“I don’t know. She’s so immature sometimes.” I consider the idea. “I’d need to talk to Sam first and see how she feels about it.”
Steven rolls his chair back to his desk, opens a file, and immediately buries his face in it. His shoulders lift slightly, like he’s trying not to say something.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“You like Sam.” He doesn’t look up. A broad smile is plastered across his face.
“Of course, I do. She’s a good mom and a friend to go to for advice about the girls.”
“Mm-hmm.” Steven shoots me a look, one brow lifted in that familiar mix of amusement and suspicion.
I gesture to his raised brow. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing at all, my love.” His smile is playful. I can see right through his bullshit.
“She’s just a friend. Stop acting like it’s more.”
“Okay, honey.” He continues to look over his papers, a goofy smile still on his face.
“I refuse to fall into your trap.” I push back, even though I know he already sees right through me. I do have a thing for Sam. I’m not sure how far it goes, but she’s intriguing. “Where’s this dinner taking place?”
“Nothing fancy.” He turns his attention back to me. “Union Street Bar and Grill.”
“That’s fine. Send me the details.” I stand and grab my things. “I’ve got to pick up the kids from school. There’s a house I need to look at next week that’s about to go on the market. We may get it before that happens. I know a lady.”
“I’m sure you do.” He wiggles his brows.
I roll my eyes. “Does your mind ever surface from the gutter?”
“Occasionally.” He flashes a smile.
“Figures.” I blow him a kiss before walking out. He pretends to catch it and presses it over his heart. We’ve done that for as long as I can remember. It’s our thing. I cherish it.
* * *
“I’m so hungry, Aunt Allie.” Maisie climbs into the car. To be so small, she sure can eat.
“I’ll fix you a snack when we get home.” We get in line for Kara. I didn’t let her ride with Olivia even though I’ve loosened the reins somewhat on her punishment.
As I pull up, I spot her talking to a boy who looks to be a couple of years older than her. He’s tall with faint facial hair. When she notices me, she breaks away quickly, her eyes fixed on the ground ahead. As she gets in the car, I hold the boy’s gaze a beat longer before he turns away.
“Who was that kid?” I ask, hoping for the truth, but not expecting as much.
“Some guy who just walked over before I left. He’s in my English class and was asking about the homework.” Kara keeps her eyes averted.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Maisie asks, giggling as soon as the words leave her mouth.
“Shut up, Maisie!” Kara hits the back of the passenger seat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Easy, Kara. You know she’s only teasing.” I already know there’s something up with this boy. Was he the one at the house the night I went out for a jog? I’m going to have to look into this further.
“She needs to mind her business,” Kara huffs.
“Let’s have a good evening,” I say, not wanting to argue with Kara today. “How was school? Anything exciting happen today?”
“Besides Kara’s boyfriend?” Maisie laughs, clearly not done teasing.
“What do you know, Maisie? You’re just a stupid baby.”
“Girls!” I say more loudly than I intend. “We’re not doing this right now. Maisie, stop aggravating your sister. Kara, stop yelling and saying mean things.”
“She started it!” Kara points toward Maisie.
“And I’m finishing it.” I turn the radio up to silence the vehicle.
My phone rings again. The same damn number from earlier. “Hello?” I answer, my tone sharper than I mean it to be.
“Hi,” a female voice says hesitantly. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting. I was told to call you about my aunt and uncle’s house that I have for sale.”
“Oh, no, you’re not interrupting.” I hurry to cover my ass.
I can’t recall her name. “Thank you for calling. Your niece Ginger mentioned that you’d like to keep the house off the market if possible.
I’d like to look at it whenever you have time.
It’ll definitely save you some money not having to use a realtor. ”
“Absolutely,” the woman says, sounding more at ease now. I mean, I did answer the phone a little aggressively, which is not like me. I should have listened to the voice mail earlier.
“When is a good time for you?”
Ginger, someone I had dated briefly, reached out to say her aunt needs to sell the house quickly to help care for her uncle in a nursing home. The house could have enormous potential. If so, I need to act fast.
“I could meet you in about fifteen minutes. I’m on my way home from work and it’s a stop on the way. Would that work?”
Not really. The girls are on edge, but this is something that needs done promptly. Opportunities like this don’t wait. “Sure. Could you text me the address?”
I hung up and turned to my nieces. “Girls, we have to make a quick stop. Please, for the love of all that’s holy in this world, be on your best behavior.”
“Do we have to go in? I’d rather stay in the car.” Kara is clearly agitated by the detour.
“I want to go inside the house,” Maisie says quickly, stating her feelings.
“If you want to go, you can. If you want to wait in the car, you can. Are we all good?” I glance into the rearview mirror to see Kara’s scowl.
I thought we’d reached a point where we were working through our differences, though I’m still not sure what those differences are.
It would be easier if I knew what I had done wrong so I could fix it.
But Kara doesn’t want to open up to me, and now she’s back to hating me for whatever reason. I don’t have the energy for it today.
I pull up to the house exactly twelve minutes after the call. The woman isn’t here yet, which gives me time to survey the property. I like to walk around the outside before going in.
“Who’s coming?”
“Me!” Maisie unbuckles her seat belt, practically bouncing.
“Not me,” Kara says flatly. I figured as much. She still doesn’t have her phone, so she can sit here and be bored if that’s what she chooses.
“Let’s go, Maisie girl.” We both hop out. I take the keys. The weather is mild enough that Kara will be fine for a bit. I’d prefer she join us, but I don’t want to force it.
Maisie and I walk the property. She skips ahead, trying to peek into the windows, while I check the foundation and siding.
The back of the house catches my attention with a big yard leading to a beautiful, wooded area glowing with orange and yellow leaves.
The large deck off the back of the house has outdoor furniture that gives the whole space nice entertaining vibes.
“Look!” Maisie says, pointing to a rabbit in the yard. “Think it’s hungry?”
“I’m sure it knows how to get food, honey.”
“I wish I had a carrot to feed it.” Maisie squats down and holds out her hand. “Come here, little bunny.” Her voice is soft. The rabbit in return hops off hurriedly toward the woods.
“It’s just scared, sweetheart.”
“I won’t hurt it.”
“I know. But the rabbit doesn’t know that.” I hear a car pull up behind us. “Let’s get back around front.”
A redheaded woman around my age exits her vehicle. I hesitate. Did Ginger’s aunt promise to show someone else the house too?
“Hi,” the woman says as she approaches. “I’m Lorrie. We spoke on the phone earlier about my aunt’s house. You must be Allie.”
“I am. You’re Ginger’s aunt?” I know my face has confusion written all over it.
Lorrie’s light laughter is pleasant. “I am. We have a big family. Ginger’s mother is my oldest sister. I’m the youngest. Ginger and I are the same age.” Her long red hair is full and wavy. It suits her. “Would you like to go inside?”
“Yes!” Maisie answers for both of us.
“I think we’re ready.” I smile at Lorrie.
Lorrie’s laugh is easy. The kind of laugh that makes you smile without meaning to.
“I’ve had it cleaned recently, but there’s still some furniture here.” Lorrie opens the door to a long foyer. Maisie leads the way.
“I think she may follow in her mother’s footsteps,” Lorrie says, referring to Maisie’s obvious interest in the property. My chest tightens with those words, though Annie would have smiled.
“Maisie’s my niece.”
“Oh, well, she still seems to have a love for this.” Lorrie’s easy presence softens the moment.
We go from room to room, Maisie by my side every step, while Lorrie tells us anything we need to know and more. The house is a little over two thousand square feet, but the open floor plan makes it seem bigger. This will be a great investment for A&S Homes if we can land it.
“Lorrie, the house is a gem.” I wouldn’t normally show my hand so easily, but with someone this kind, it feels right. I want to make it easier for her. It’s a great deal and she’s asking well below its value based on my research.
“Thank you.” She places a hand over her heart. “My aunt loved it here. She began remodeling it as soon as they moved in.”
“She did a very good job.” I take one last look around. “I’d like to buy it. Let me talk with my partner and I’ll get back with you soon. I’m willing to pay the asking price Ginger mentioned if you keep it off the market.”
Tears spring to Lorrie’s eyes, catching me off guard. “Absolutely. Please reach out to me after you two speak. I can’t thank you enough.” A sense of relief seems to wash over her.
“This is a great house.” I reach out to shake her hand, but she pulls me into a tight hug instead.
“Thank you,” she says, voice breaking. “This means so much.”
When we pull apart, Maisie and I return to the car. Kara looks bored out of her mind.
“I love this house, Aunt Allie! Don’t you?” Maisie’s hopeful energy is just what I need.
“You think it would sell quickly?”
“Oh my gosh, yes!” Her excitement radiates. “The layout is so good. There isn’t much to remodel. I’d move right in.”
My heart swells with pride knowing she pays attention to what I do and say. “I agree, baby girl. You have a good eye.”
“Can we just go home now?” Kara’s tone says how over this she is.
“Sure,” I say politely, letting the air be fresh and uncontaminated by her sour attitude. I know deep down she wants to be happy. I have to trust she’ll find her way back to me eventually.