Chapter 23
The lazy morning sun shone through the trees, bathing the cottage in vibrant light. The wisteria and lilacs fought for attention, as always, but at this time of year, the lilacs won hands down with their overindulging scent of pure joy and freedom.
Annie filled her lungs with the fragrant air while stretching her legs after the nerve-wracking drive through the narrow, unfamiliar lanes leading to the cottage. It had seemed so easy when Colton or Conrad had driven those roads, but for her, it was an exercise in patience and sheer will.
Conrad stood leaning against the red truck parked a few meters away on the side of the gravel path. He wore a white T-shirt under his light brown leather jacket, paired with classic blue jeans and brown leather shoes. He dangled a set of keys from his finger—an open invitation for her to come and take them. The keys to her grandma’s childhood home. To her home now.
Shading her eyes with one hand, Annie strolled toward the man she had met only a few weeks ago. Yet, somehow, it felt like they had known each other forever—like they were old, close friends.
“How was the journey?” he asked.
No hug. Not even a handshake.
“Fine.” Annie glanced at her rented Honda, holding all her possessions in the trunk. That single, lonely suitcase she had salvaged before leaving Darren for good. But for now, she didn’t need more.
“I took the liberty of stocking the house with food so you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
That raspy, warm tone of his voice—it had soothed her in the hospital and thrilled her when it whispered close to her ear before their kiss. Annie blinked, pulling herself out of the memory.
“Thank you so much. You didn’t have to.”
“Well, to be fair, it was Colton’s idea, as you might imagine.”
Of course. Since they’d met, Colton had been the one looking after their every need. Hopefully now, with the cash injection into Conrad’s business, Colton could keep his position. Should she tell him now?
Annie bit her lip, nodding, but before she could say anything, the keys jingled in the light breeze just in front of her face.
“Here, your legacy, my lady,” he said, his tone teasing.
She extended her hand and accepted the keys in silence. Words eluded her. Here was a man giving away his home, and she stood like a mute.
“Enjoy,” he said simply.
Conrad turned on his heel and opened the truck’s door, making it clear the conversation was over. Annie stood in place, staring at the keys in her hand. Maybe she could call him later?
“Go, enjoy your new home,” his voice urged through the open window.
“Right. Thank you. Will you wait?”
“For what?” The corners of his lips curled up, but his tone wasn’t cheerful. “Worried I gave you the wrong key and will leave you stranded?”
“Of course not.”
Did he? No, he was just teasing her, that cheeky bastard. She marched toward the door without a second glance. If he wanted to drive away, that was fine by her.
The door was slightly ajar, so she pushed it open without slowing down. It swung wide, bouncing off the wall.
The overpowering scent of lilacs filled the air. Vases stood everywhere, overflowing with purple, white, and violet blossoms.
Her annoyance melted away as she inhaled the aroma and scanned the familiar space. It looked just as it had the last time she’d seen it—furniture and all. Yet, there was a faint, fresh scent of paint coming from somewhere. Nothing around her screamed renovation, though.
Maybe a paint container had tipped over in his office—the one room she hadn’t seen—while he packed his belongings. She chuckled to herself and strolled toward the closed door.
An image of Conrad in his boxers and bare chest, standing in the doorway to his bedroom, suddenly invaded her thoughts. She licked her lips.
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
She passed Grandma Ann’s room on the way. Its door was wide open, beckoning her with a promise of peace and love emanating from the walls. It would be her bedroom now.
Annie reached the closed office door. The scent of paint tickled her nose. Acrylic? Definitely not oil-based—she would know after all those hours spent with Louise.
Pressing the handle down, she eased the door open a few inches. Nothing fell or hit her in the face. It seemed safe enough.
Annie sighed. Why did she think he’d prank her? With her lips pursed, she pushed the door fully open and gasped.
The first thing she noticed was a cot—a baby cot, complete with swirly toys hanging from a mobile above it.
He knew.
Her throat tightened, and her eyes filled with tears as her gaze swept the room. Animals painted on the walls, a night sky on the ceiling, and a squishy play mat covering the centre of the floor. She stepped farther in, drawn toward the wall obscured by the door.
“No freaking way!” The words bounced off the walls, and in response—or maybe because of the sudden breeze—the banner hanging there jiggled, mocking her.
Annie pulled out her phone and jabbed Conrad’s number. “The nerve!”
He answered after a couple of rings.
“Are you serious?” she demanded, skipping any pleasantries.
“I take it you found my little surprise?” His relaxed, cheerful tone left her speechless for a moment.
“So?” His question hung in the air while Annie pondered her answer.
She should thank him for the baby’s room. Nobody had ever done anything like this for her before. Well, except Grandma Ann, when she’d rescued her from that kerb. But Grandma was family. And Conrad?
They barely knew each other, and he had just handed over his home.
“So, what?” she shot back.
“Well, I thought you might be calling to answer the question from the banner.”
She cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“So, you are calling about the banner?” Amusement laced his voice, but there was an undercurrent of hesitation.
“No, you dummy. Yes was my answer to your question.”
The sudden silence on the other end made Annie chuckle as her eyes flicked to the vivid pink letters.
“Yes?” he finally asked.
“What? Do you want me to change my mind?” Now, she was in charge, and she liked it. Things would definitely change around here, whether he liked it or not.
“No, absolutely not. I’m coming.”
The line went dead, and moments later, hurried footsteps echoed through the quiet space like a summer storm. Annie’s heart pounded as she watched him approach—his hair in disarray, his biceps straining against the sleeves of his T-shirt.
Before she could prepare herself, Conrad pinned her against the door, his piercing eyes locking onto hers, just inches away.
“Say it again.” His hoarse, low tone made her tingle.
Annie stared back at him. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” He wouldn’t let it go. She could feel the intensity of his body radiating against hers, magnetic and overwhelming.
Her gaze flicked to the letters bouncing on the wall, spelling out the most unexpected question.
“Yes, I will marry you.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” The words were merely a whisper as he lowered his head and crashed his lips onto hers.