60. Occupancy Permit
CHAPTER SIXTY
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
Claire
I finish loading the dishwasher as the back door opens, and I recognize the confident rhythm of Ethan’s footsteps. We’ve been living together again for almost four months.
“Hey, baby,” he says. I feel the soft weight of his chin settle on my head. “How did the meeting with Daniel go today?”
“It went really well. If things stay on schedule, we should break ground on Cedar House this fall.”
His eyebrows lift. “That’s incredible.”
The corners of my mouth lift before I can stop it. “I know. It still doesn’t feel real.”
“You’ve been talking about opening a boys’ home for... what, two years?”
“About that.”
“And it’s finally happening.”
“If the construction bids stay where they’re projected.” I laugh softly. “I’ve learned not to celebrate too early.”
“You should celebrate a little.”
“I’ve spent too much time watching projects fall apart at the last minute.”
“Well, from what you’ve told me, Daniel seems pretty committed.”
“He is.” I reach for a glass and fill it with water. “He thinks the community needs it just as much as Juniper House. He already has architects sketching preliminary concepts.”
His ears perk up. “Architects?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Who’s doing the design?”
“I don’t know yet. Daniel said they’re interviewing several firms.”
He nods slowly. “Have you thought about asking Bennett-Cross to submit a proposal?”
I pause, surprised by the question. “Not really.”
“Why not?”
I meet his eyes. “Because I don’t want anyone to think I’m giving my husband’s firm special treatment.”
A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I can appreciate that.”
“I’ve worked too hard to build credibility.”
He nods again, thoughtful. “Well... if Daniel asks for recommendations, I’d love the opportunity to compete.”
“I’ll mention that you’re interested but that’s all.”
“That’s all I’d want.”
The empty parcel Daniel showed me still fresh in my mind. “So, Cedar House.” I let the name sit between us. “If we can build it on the location I like best, those boys won’t have to lose their schools, their counselors—”
“I’ve always admired that about you, Claire.”
“I’ve been thinking about something.”
His face fills with caution, his eyebrows drawing together a fraction.
“Why do you always look nervous when I say that?”
“Experience.”
The corners of his mouth twitch, a small, private smile. “What have you been thinking about?”
“I want to have a vow renewal ceremony this summer to celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
“You do?”
“I do. I don’t want to make it a huge thing. God knows the first one was chaotic enough.”
“It rained,” he says, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“It poured.”
“The power went out.”
“The cake collapsed.”
“My father threatened the caterer.”
“A magical day.”
“I don’t want anything fancy, I just want our family.”
“Sloane will make inappropriate comments.”
“She’ll put them in a speech.”
His eyes shine, and I can see his throat working as he swallows hard. When he finally speaks, his voice breaks.
“Claire.”
The way he says it, a choked whisper, makes tears spill down my cheeks. He laughs shakily and wipes at his own eyes with the back of his hand.
“I love you.”
My hand settles over his heart, feeling the steady, rhythmic beat beneath my palm.
“I choose this. Including the mess we made. I choose us.”