Chapter Thirty-Three #2
Katie clenches her jaw. “He deserves it after what he did to me and the way he made me feel. While he might be behind bars, the loneliness I’ve experienced is more like being in prison than anything he’s experienced.”
I go quiet, not really sure what to say, so I change the subject. “So…only two more on the list.”
“Yep! I kinda get why everyone has warned me away from a fixer-upper. But I’m determined,” she says with a smile, and we turn down a gravel road. The houses are spread far apart, and the lots are acres large. We continue driving until we come up on a large brick house.
“Better get a tractor for this one.”
“Geez, you’re right. I didn’t realize this was a whole farm.” She glances around, and I see a wooden barn in the back.
I start laughing and can’t seem to stop, and when Katie joins in, we’re like silly teenagers again tickled to death over nothing.
A guy in overalls shows us around, and I can tell Katie doesn’t care for the layout. She already has enough on her plate with working full-time and raising Owen, so I don’t see her adding farmer to her list of things to do in life anytime soon.
“Okay, last one.” She lets out a long sigh once we thank the guy and head out. “I hope this one doesn’t suck or I’ll be renting forever.”
“Well, considering it’s down the street from me, it’s already promising,” I try to encourage her.
“And as I said, there are a ton of kids Owen’s age in the neighborhood.
I see them riding their bikes and fishing in the creek.
They seem friendly and always wave when I pass them.
Plus, Dad has them decorating a scarecrow for the Harvest Festival or something.
And they’ll mow your grass for twenty bucks. ”
“That’s awesome!” Her tone is hopeful.
“They’re good kids,” I assure.
It doesn’t take long before we’re slowing in front of the two-story farmhouse. The outside needs some updating but has potential, and it doesn’t look haunted either.
“Ready?” I reach for the handle, and she nods.
We take the wooden steps that lead to the wraparound porch. The door is open, so we let ourselves inside.
“Hello?” Katie studies the tall ceilings. There’s a formal dining area and a gigantic living room with huge windows that overlook the fenced-in backyard. Some of the floorboards are soft, so those will need to be replaced.
“Just up here,” a woman shouts. Katie and I take the stairs and find the seller. She’s in her mid-fifties with strands of gray mixed in with her jet black hair.
“Hi,” she offers, holding out her hand. “I’m Aurora. Welcome. Feel free to wander around. Also, I’m entertaining any offers.”
Katie thanks her, and we take our time walking through every room on the top floor. “The closets are huge!” Katie’s voice is an octave higher, and I can tell she likes the place. None of the others had her so jazzed.
“There are enough rooms in this house to give Owen a few brothers and sisters,” I say, waggling my eyebrows.
“Artificial insemination is becoming more popular. Otherwise, it might be an immaculate conception.” She shrugs.
We go downstairs and check out the kitchen, which is bigger than my entire cottage.
The counter space alone is enough to prepare a feast for twenty on.
The walls need painted and flooring redone, along with the appliances and bathroom fixtures being replaced too.
But other than that, it seems like a solid house.
With some TLC and elbow grease, it would be stunning.
“I really like this place.” Katie looks at me and smiles wide. “It does need a lot of work, though.”
“That’s true, but this might be your forever home, remember? You just have to decide if you love it enough to live here forever. After it’s fixed up, it will be gorgeous,” I admit, seeing why Katie would adore it. “Like something out of a magazine.”
“Yeah, totally!” I can sense the excitement in her tone.
“Sleep on it for a few days. Make sure not to jump into anything you might regret. Meanwhile, do some research on the property,” I suggest, loving how happy she is.
“Yes!” She grabs her phone from her back pocket and snaps a few shots of the downstairs area. Aurora meets us at the edge of the staircase and gives Katie her personal number to call if she has any questions.
“Have you had any offers yet?” Katie asks bravely.
“Not yet! But I don’t think it will last too long. There have been a few people who seemed interested, but we’ll see.” She tucks her hair behind her ears. “Thanks for checking it out.”
“Yeah, it’s a great house,” Katie admits, taking one last look before we go outside. She’s nearly giddy when we drive away. “This one gives me a good vibe.”
“I felt it too!” I say. “Plus, you’d be close to the cottage. It would be fun!”
She agrees. “Wanna do lunch?”
“Sure! I could go for a turkey wrap from the café.”
A few minutes later, we’re parking on the street in town. Belinda greets us with a big laugh when we enter. “Come in, sit, sit,” she says, then she looks at me. “The usual?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nod.
“And I’ll have what she’s having,” Katie adds.
Moments later, Belinda returns with two sweet teas.
Katie’s giddy about the last house. It’s going to be a lot of work, but if anyone can handle it, she can.
It takes less than five minutes before our wraps are delivered, which is good because I’m starving.
“Did any of the other places really speak to you?” I ask, taking a bite.
“Not really. I need to keep my eyes open for more in the area, just to make sure.”
“Absolutely, there’s no need to rush. And honestly, that house has been there for a while, so I don’t think it’s going anywhere fast. You’ve got time.”
This seems to please her. “Gotta lot of thinking to do.”
“That’s for sure. But you’ll make the right decision for you and Owen. Though I selfishly want you close, I know something better might pop up.”
“Thanks, Gemma. I appreciate you joining me today,” she says as we finish eating. “I would’ve been a nervous wreck going alone.”
“If you would’ve invited anyone else, I’d have been mad at you. I love this kind of stuff.”
We pay, leaving Belinda a fat tip, then head back to Katie’s house. We exchange hugs and say our goodbyes.
On the way to the cottage, I can’t help but think of how much of an asshole Robert is.
He’s known Katie was searching for a while and refused to help because he was too busy.
Though I know Katie’s extremely independent and would probably rather handle this herself without the help of a man.
That’s just how she is or rather, how she’s learned to be over the years.
I can’t believe it’s already the middle of the week.
It seems like I blink and the time just passes me by.
Though I can’t complain because the view of Tyler is a nice one to have.
All it takes is a single glance from Tyler, and I’m putty in his hands.
It’s more than infatuation, and never in my life did I think this is where we’d be.
I honestly thought it was over between us.
Sometimes, it takes the long road for people to get together, and destiny doesn’t allow love like we have to be wasted. Even though it was a beautiful mess to get here, it’s a journey I don’t regret.
After lunch, the florist delivers a pot of mixed purple and pink morning glories. My eyes go wide and my hand shakes when I open the note attached.
Because they’re your favorite and you’re my favorite.
-Tyler
My heart melts as I read the letter, and I want to burst through the garage doors and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the hell out of him, but I refrain. I’m sure my dad doesn’t want a show. My emotions tend to get the best of me, though, and I push it to the side.
An hour passes and Tyler comes in and hands me a pair of keys. His fingers brush against mine, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. As he leans against the counter, he smirks.
“Flowers?” He laughs, pretending they’re not from him.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I love them so much. And I love how thoughtful you were to get me my favorite. Plus, they won’t die.
I’ll plant them in my mother’s flower garden.
” I recall the moment Tyler walked into my bedroom to see the painting he remembered from my letters.
These look identical to the art my mother created.
He swallows hard when tears brim on the edge of my eyes. Tyler grabs my hand and squeezes it, being so damn gentle with me. Something I’m not used to after being with Robert. Instead of being pushed to the side, Tyler puts me first, which is a huge change that I’m adjusting to.
“What’re your plans tonight?” Tyler asks.
“Spending time with you,” I whisper.
“That’s the correct answer,” he quips with a wink, then goes outside. He’s trying not to spend too much time with me during our shifts so my dad doesn’t get suspicious. I haven’t told him about me and Tyler yet, and I’d like to keep it to myself for a little while longer.
After my day is over and Dad tells me goodbye, Tyler comes to me, pressing his body and lips against mine.
I’m desperate and needy for him, though we still haven’t crossed that line yet.
When we finally break apart, I’m breathless, and my head is swimming, drunk from him. I’m convinced Tyler feels it too.
“I need to go home and take a shower first,” he mumbles.
I tuck my bottom lip into my mouth. “You can shower at my house,” I suggest.
His eyebrow pops up. “Perfect. Maybe you’ll join me then?”
“Maybe,” I purr, grabbing my flowers. “I am a dirty girl.”
“Hot damn, baby. Keep talking like that and…” He pushes back. “Just mmm.” Tyler kisses me one last time before we lock the shop and leave. On the way to the cottage, I’m all smiles as we chat about the weather and how oddly happy my dad’s been acting.
“You think Jerry’s dating someone?” Tyler asks, and it makes me giggle.
“He doesn’t date.” I shrug. “Maybe it’s just all the fall vibes putting a pep in his step or something. It’s his favorite season too.”