Page 79 of Stronger Than Blood
There had been multiple showings, but cleaning out Granny Ida’s place so I could get the money I wanted would take time. I didn’t have ready money ’cause my revenue from the shine went back into the business, and I was just about to give up when Jonah showed up one night to pick Kalinda up for their date.
“Do you mind sitting with us a moment? I have a proposal,” Kalinda asked.
“Of course,” I replied, and Rory, who’d been in the kitchen, came and sat next to me. That seemed a bit odd. Usually, when Kalinda asked to speak to someone, Rory disappeared, giving her space.
“So,” she began, reaching over to take Jonah’s hand, “Jonah and I have decided to move in together; none of that marriage stuff. Neither of us is ready for that, but we would like to own a home together.”
My mouth fell open. “Um, like this house?” I asked.
Kalinda chuckled. “Yes, Mick, I know you have difficult memories here, but for the year I’ve lived here with Ida, you, and Rory, it’s been one of the best years of my life. I’d love to make a home here with Jonah.”
Jonah was smiling like the cat who’d just caught the canary, and I guess in a way he had. Kalinda was one of the most beautiful women I knew. Even if the poor man had caught a tiger by the tail, he seemed happy about it.
“Here’s a contract for you to consider. I’ve also asked a buddy of mine to go over it with you since I’m going to be one of your buyers. He can also help you review comps in the area. We don’t want you to feel like we aren’t giving you a fair price.”
I jumped up and rushed over to where they sat and pulled Kalinda into a hug. She was laughing when I turned and hugged Jonah too. I didn’t need to look at the price. I knew it’d be fair. Of course it would—Kalinda was my business partner and friend.
She was also family.
“Here’s my friend’s card. Give him a call, and let him go over the contract with you. He said he’ll charge the minimum since he owes me a bunch of favors,” Jonah said, then he and Kalinda darted out the front door like their pants were on fire.
Rory sat next to me, smiling. “So, what do you think?” he asked.
“Oh, wow, it’s a lot to take in. Um, hold on,” I said, and when I opened the folder and pulled the contract out, my eyes bugged at how much they were offering.
“Wow, is it worth this much?” I asked.
“Apparently, Kalinda is a savvy businesswoman. She wouldn’t offer that if she didn’t think it was.”
The sales price was a few thousand more than I’d guessed from my online searches, still significantly less than what they wanted for the Victorian, but maybe I’d be able to manage the payments on it.
“Mick,” Rory said as I was about to get up.
“We.. we haven’t really talked much about you and me. I haven’t brought it up because you had so much on your plate, but—”
I sat back on the seat and faced him. Was he about to break up with me?
“What’s on your mind, Rory?” I asked, trying to hide the panic in my voice. I hadn’t thought about what was next for us. I just assumed things would stay as they were, but that was stupid of me. Now Granny was gone, and Kalinda was going to move in with Jonah—
“I want you… like I want to be with you, officially.”
Relief flowed out of me before I leaned over and took his face in my hand, then kissed him soundly on the mouth.
“I was afraid you were breaking up with me.” I said when I pulled back.
“Why would you think that?” Rory asked.
I shrugged, “I guess it’s still hard for me to hope for things… Rory,” I said then paused. “You know I love you, right? I guess I haven’t said that, even though I think it every day. I want you, too. But you already have me. I’m yours if you want me.”
“So, you’ll marry me?” he asked.
My mouth fell open. “Um… marry?”
Rory nodded. “Yeah, like promise to be mine forever, till death do us part, and all that?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be on your knee or something?” I asked, making him laugh and tickle me.
“How about we go upstairs, and I’ll get on my knees just for you.”
