Page 83 of Relentless Hearts
“Next time I will then. Now for tonight…”
“The show,” she filled in the blank.
“Uh-huh. And tomorrow…” He smiled, unable to contain his excitement about the surprise he had planned.
The Broadway show had her laughing and crying by turns, completely absorbed in the story unfolding on stage. Decker spent half the performance watching her instead of the actors. This was what he’d wanted to give her—space to heal and to feel something other than fear.
But the next morning was the real gift.
His friend Jacoby’s office was all exposed brick and industrial windows overlooking the river. Willow asked Decker a dozen times on the cab ride there where they were going andwhat they were doing. Even when she turned up the intensity of those beautiful gray eyes, he didn’t give in and spoil the secret.
“You’ll just have to wait.” He made a zipping motion over his lips.
When they arrived, Jacoby greeted them with the enthusiasm of someone who couldn’t wait to show off his work.
“Decker’s told me so much about you.” He shook Willow’s hand. “I’m excited to show you what we’ve put together.”
“Put together?” Willow looked at Decker, confused.
“Just wait.” Decker couldn’t stop his grin.
Jacoby led them to an office and seated them in front of a large monitor with a 3D rendering. When the house materialized on screen, Decker watched Willow’s face as she took it in.
There it was: the wraparound porch she told him she envisioned, the large windows overlooking the ranch and about a dozen other important features he guessed she wanted in a home.
“This is…” She pushed out a breath, shaking her head. “How did you know I want two mudrooms, one at each door? And the kitchen island with a sink?”
“Rhae told me about your Pinterest board,” Decker admitted with a sheepish look. “I might have spent a few hours scrolling through everything you’d saved.”
Jacoby walked them through the virtual tour, and Decker memorized every moment that made Willow’s breath catch.
“Coffee station right outside the master suite.” Jacoby zoomed in on the small alcove with custom cabinetry. “So you can get your morning caffeine before dealing with anyone.”
Willow sat there speechless, arms folded, fist pressed over her lips, just staring at the screen. Decker reached over to rest his hand on her thigh.
The family room appeared next, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that opened onto a patio. Beyond it, a yard with plenty ofspace for children to run and play, visible from anywhere in the main living area.
“Oh my God,” Willow whispered. “You added glass doors!”
“Colt told me about the big windows in the Tahoe house and how you love being able to see everything and everyone while enjoying the best view.”
The master bedroom was angled to catch the southern light, exactly as Willow told him. He never could have guessed that all that time, all those months of what seemed like passing conversations, had grown to mean so much.
Willow turned to him with tears streaming down her face. “My whole family helped you with this.”
“They love you,” he said simply. “They want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
They wrapped up with his architect friend and received a flash drive with their home on it so they could study the plan and make changes in the future.
After they walked out into the wintery day, Willow stopped and turned to Decker.
“When did you even have time to plan a house and a trip?” She let out a sudden gasp, her hand tightening on his. “You were on your computer almost all day yesterday.”
He nodded, a smile breaking over his face. “Carson said we can break ground as soon as spring hits.”
“This spring!” Willow’s voice was almost a squeak.
“And I don’t want you to think about the cost. We’ve never discussed finances, and I figure you have money. But I do too.”
