32. Beckett
BECKETT
Sawyer’s Cravings:
- Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan cheese
- Sliced tomatoes with salt
“Mr. Montgomery! Always good to hear from you. How’re you doing today?
” Richard’s voice filtered through the speakers of my car as I drove down the dusty dirt road.
Lukas had texted me over the weekend to let me know he’d found the perfect property and asked if I could stop by. I told him I’d be there first thing.
Though I was regretting that just a little bit when I had to peel myself away from Sawyer’s warmth. Neither of us left my bed all weekend, save for bathroom and food breaks. She’d made me redo our snack plate from Friday night since we’d both had other things on our minds at the time.
We still hadn’t fully crossed the line yet, but that was alright. I was still somewhat nervous, and we were both having the time of our lives exploring each other’s bodies, since we’d never had the chance before.
“I’m great, Richard. Thanks for asking. How’re you?”
In a surprising turn of events, I found out that the man I thought I would end up hating was actually a decent guy. All I had to do was get past all the bullshit he pretended to be. We’d traded texts here and there over the past few weeks about my impending fatherhood.
“All’s good here. My daughter actually texted over the weekend. Asked if I wanted to grab lunch next week while she’s in town.” His chuckle was warm and hearty. If I’d learned anything, it was that Richard was a total softie when it came to her.
“That’s great news! I’m glad to hear it.”
“Me too,” he said. “It’s been a long time since her side of the conversation consisted of anything other than an obligatory happy birthday. Maybe there’s some hope there after all.”
His excitement was palpable, so I couldn’t help but smile. “There’s always some hope, so long as we keep what matters front and center,” I said, glancing at my GPS. I wasn’t far out now. “What can I do for you today?”
Richard sighed. “Well, I had a pretty nasty voicemail from your father this morning. I don’t really know where to go from here, if I’m honest.”
I’d been worried about my father since our last phone call. He seemed different somehow. Much more suspicious than I would’ve predicted. The fact that he had agreed to my terms so easily was out of character for him. “I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the issue?”
“Look, I’m going to shoot you straight here because you seem like a good and reasonable man.
When it comes to the Bennetts, my hands are tied here.
They’ve done everything by the book, clearing any obstacles we’ve thrown their way.
The environmental review passed, and I just heard from the TABC this morning.
They’re going to renew their license and approve the revised business plan. I don’t know what more I can do.”
“I see your predicament,” I said, trying like hell to keep my excitement at bay. This was the best news we could’ve asked for. With the TABC and environmental survey out of the way, my father truly didn’t have a leg to stand on. “What is your plan from here?”
Richard was quiet for a moment before blowing out a heavy breath. “The Bennetts will be notified today that their building permits are approved. They’re free to begin construction as early as next week, should they wish.”
“My father won’t be happy about that,” I warned. As much as I wished I could save the man from himself, Richard had made his bed. Now it was time to lie in it. There was no telling what my father would do when he found out. The least I could offer was my warning.
“I know,” Richard breathed. “Believe me, I thought long and hard about this decision over the weekend. My wife, too. But I can’t, in good conscience, move forward with my partnership with him.
Not if it means denying good, hard-working people their dreams, and what they can bring to Pinecrest’s economy.
” I heard the creaking of his chair when he paused, and wondered if he’d turned to stare at the picture of his family.
“Even if it costs me everything, I need to be able to lay my head down at night knowing I did the right thing in the end.”
The GPS alerted me I was almost to my destination, and I looked up as the wooden driveway arch came into view.
Lukas said the home sat on about five acres, but he failed to mention just how beautiful it was.
There was a fenced pasture on each side of the road leading up to the house, empty save for tall grass swaying in the breeze.
And then there was the house.
I’d looked at pictures online, but seeing it in person was a shock.
It was a two-story, white farmhouse that’d been built in the 1940s, complete with a covered porch that wrapped all the way around, and a cluster of oak trees standing tall in the front yard.
One of them even had an old swing attached.
Though we would probably have Lukas replace it because I wasn’t sure I trusted the integrity of the wooden plank attached to fraying ropes.
Lukas, however, did not share my opinion, as he waved to me from the questionable seat. I half expected him to fall clean through, but unfortunately, he returned to the ground safely.
“I respect that more than I can say,” I answered honestly.
There wasn’t much point in lying now. “My father is a complicated man, and a relationship with him always comes with strings. Some of which are more detrimental than helpful. I’m glad you’re able to extricate yourself from him.
” I paused, placing my SUV in park and staring toward the house. “You’re a good man, Richard.”
His voice wavered as it came back over the line. “Thank you, Beckett. You are, too. I think I just got a little lost there for a while, but you reminded me of what’s important. I’ll never forget that.”
I knew better than anyone how difficult it was to stand in the wake of my father’s wrath, but those who could hold out? They were people worth knowing. The people who would have your back in times of need.
“Neither will I, Richard. You can bet your ass on that.”
We said our goodbyes, and I quickly exited the vehicle, greeting Lukas at the bottom of the steps. “Ready to see your new home?” he asked.
I followed him up the stairs, loving the way they creaked beneath our weight.
This was so much different than anything I had growing up.
My father would’ve considered this not only outdated, but an eyesore.
If he had it his way, he’d bring in a bulldozer before the day was done and wipe all this history away by morning.
While I wanted to check with Lukas that it was structurally sound, I could feel myself already falling in love with what I saw.
“So, obviously, there are some things that need updating. The kitchen and bathrooms are probably the worst offenders,” Lukas said as we walked through the front door into the foyer.
A large set of stairs leading to the second floor was on my left.
I peeked up as we walked by, listening as Lukas gave me the rundown.
“If you wanted to, we could see about breaking down the walls between the dining room and kitchen to give you a little more space. You’ve got your dining room on the right, and straight ahead opens up into the family room.
On your left, just past the wall, are two rooms you could use as bedrooms or an office.
And there’s a shared bath between them, which would be your only one on ground level, save for the main bedroom. ”
I did as he asked, letting him lead me through the floor plan.
The roof was new. It’d been replaced a few years back after a bad storm rolled through.
The former owners upgraded to a metal material to help rainwater and occasional snowmelt slip off without doing much damage.
He was definitely right about the kitchen.
As much as I wanted to keep the plan as is, the kitchen was so small that I knew there was no way it would be feasible long-term, but everything else was perfect.
There was a room at the front of the house with a large window that would be perfect for a nursery.
It had the best view of the trees outside and let in a surprising amount of light.
I could picture Sawyer sitting in a rocking chair in the corner, looking out over our home as she nursed our son.
The thought alone nearly stole my breath.
“And this,” Lukas said, stopping in front of the last door, “would be your bedroom.” He pushed it open, gesturing me inside.
There were two windows on the back wall and one on the right.
The bathroom was spacious, all things considered.
We would definitely need to make minor updates, as he said, but I had a feeling Sawyer would fight to keep the massive clawfoot tub butted up against a large window.
Next, we went upstairs, where we saw two more bedrooms, both with their own bathrooms, surprisingly, and a massive open space we could do whatever we wanted with.
Maybe Sawyer would want to turn it into a library.
I could see her up here, surrounded by bookcases, curled up in a chair next to one of the windows.
Honestly, I could see our whole lives in this house.
We headed outside to walk around the property. I wasn’t sure what we were going to do with all this land, but Sawyer would have ideas eventually. There was a rundown barn that Lukas said wouldn’t be a viable structure if we chose to house anything inside. It’d need a complete overhaul.
“Oh, and we can easily add on a guesthouse for Grams,” Lukas said as we rounded the house to the front porch.
“Make it match the same aesthetic as the main so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
I know you guys probably haven’t even discussed that yet, but it’s better to stay on top of things.
” He bumped me with his elbow. “Plus, she can get pretty nosy. You probably want to be able to separate yourself just a little bit.”