Chapter 20 Michael #2
“Maybe you should have just parked it somewhere far away from here and not stopped by for the rest of your honeymoon,” Jeff muttered. “At least then he wouldn’t have known.”
“Trust me, I can’t take a shit in this town without everyone knowing.”
I watched from a distance as Pop headed inside, already grumbling about everything he possibly could. Jeff, never one to miss out, grabbed his cell and started taking a video of the experience.
And that’s how it would end up all around town.
Lizzy came bounding out of the house, her face slack with awe. “Oh, my gosh! You bought a tiny house!”
“Don’t start.”
Slipping her arm through mine, she rested her head against my shoulder. “I think it’s sweet. I mean, I can’t blame you for not wanting to stay with Dad. It never would have worked.”
“I’m glad someone else around here noticed.”
“Oh, trust me, they all notice. Mom’s the only one who wishes she could shove you both in the same room for a half hour and have you magically walk out best friends.”
I snorted at that. “So, you really don’t think it’s bad?”
“Bad? Not at all. Michael, you have to stop worrying about other people. You’re making a home for your family until your house is rebuilt. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. And if Blake’s happy, that’s all that really matters, right?”
Pressing a kiss to her cheek, I was happy to have my one loyal sister by my side. Out of everyone, she was always there for me, no matter what. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
Unfortunately, being such a sweetheart also put a target on her back, which only made me worry about her. But I knew Liam and Jeff would do everything they could to take care of her.
“Oh. My. God!” Krista’s voice echoed from behind me. “Just what in the hell is that?”
“Be strong,” Lizzy whispered.
Winking at her, I turned to my loud-mouthed sister. “That is our new place until the house is rebuilt.”
“That?” she snorted. “Oh, my God, it’s built for like…a dog! How are you gonna live in that?”
“Easy. That’s where we’ll sleep. It’s not like we need more space than that for a few months.”
“Yeah, but what about baths? What about her closet?”
“Believe it or not, not every woman’s closet has as many clothes as yours,” I retorted.
“They should. I just don’t get it. I have a spare room. You could have stayed with me. Or even Lizzy. We all know you’re her favorite.”
Lizzy flushed bright red. “I have no favorites.”
“Oh, please. Michael has always been your favorite. It would be a surprise if you ever managed to piss him off.”
“I’m sure I’ll find a way somehow.”
Krista snorted at that, but I didn’t care. Lizzy really was my favorite. So sweet and innocent, it was hard to be mad at her for anything she did. Plus, she was always on my side, always looking out for me when others would make my life harder.
What man wouldn’t like that?
“Well, I think it’s adorable,” Lizzy smiled. “And just think how homey you can make it until the house is ready.”
“Yeah, the trailer will be rocking every night. Careful you don’t destroy the foundation,” Krista said mockingly. “Oh, wait. There isn’t a foundation.”
“Well, I want to see the inside. I think it’s exciting!” Lizzy said, tugging me toward the tiny house.
The closer we got, the more excited I became, but that was only because Lizzy’s smile had a way of doing that to me.
I realized then that Lizzy and Blake were a lot alike. When Blake saw this house and smiled at me, I knew I couldn’t deny her anything. Because she wanted it, I would gladly give up every last penny I owned to have it.
They might have completely different personalities, but in so many ways, they’d probably end up being best friends.
I followed her grudgingly over to the tiny house and stepped up into the confined space. There definitely wasn’t any privacy. Anything that was said in the other room could be heard on this end of the house. But still, it was comfy enough for just the two of us.
“Ooh, what’s up there?” Lizzy asked, pointing to the loft above us.
“That’s either another sleeping space or storage.”
“Better keep it as a sleeping space,” Krista snorted.
“And why’s that?”
“Well, it’s obvious that the two of you are going to get in fights from time to time. Might as well have someplace to go other than this cramped thing you call a couch.”
She might have a point, not that I would admit it.
“So, where’s your bedroom?” Lizzy asked, peering around our father.
“At the end,” I pointed. “There’s a folding door, so we can have a little privacy.”
“Ooh!” Lizzy rushed over to the stairs. “Look at all this storage space!”
She pulled out drawer after drawer along the side of the stairs, marveling at the depth of each one. When she was done with that, she climbed the steps, practically jumping for joy when she saw it split in two directions.
“You have two loft spaces! This is amazing! I see a sleepover in the future!”
She ran out of sight, but I heard her jump on the bed, squealing in delight. “This is so cool! It’s like the ultimate treehouse!”
I grimaced at her words. Now, this cute little house no longer felt like a temporary solution, but something that was made for couples who didn’t have their shit together.
“Don’t worry, big brother. Just think of all the rooms of the house you can christen,” she grinned, tapping her chin. “One, two, three…three and a half?” she asked, laughing to herself.
“Well, we should all leave and let the newlyweds have some time alone,” Ma shouted, ushering everyone out of the house. “They still have to get hooked up to electric, and…well, I certainly hope this thing has running water.”
“It does.”
“I’ll bring by a casserole in the morning. That way you don’t have to worry about breakfast.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
She kissed me on the cheek before stepping carefully outside, followed by Krista and Lizzy. Pop was the last one out, but he stalled, giving a heavy sigh.
“Never thought I’d see the day you’d waste your money on something like this.”
“Don’t start, Pop.”
“You could have saved money. Dammit, why didn’t you just ask for help?”
“Because I didn’t need help,” I snarled. “This was what we wanted. It’s just temporary.”
“Right,” he huffed. “Just like leaving the ranch was temporary.” He slid his hat over his head and sighed. “Well, you did return, just not in time to save the ranch.”
And with those parting words, he walked out of our tiny home and headed back to the house I’d grown up in.”
Tension bracketed my body, and it was only Blake’s soothing hands that eased the strain in my shoulders.
“We’re gonna be happy here.”
“You think?” I grunted.
Her teeth nipped at my ear. “Oh yeah. This is gonna be good.”