Page 80 of Off-Limits Love
“And just so you know, my hands weren’t dirty.”
ChapterTwenty
On Wednesday afternoon, Finn held the file folder in his hand as he left his truck and approached Sam’s house. He’d texted Sam and asked to meet regarding the property.
The man had responded immediately and invited him over, though he’d added that Mak wasn’t home and wouldn’t be home for about an hour or so.
“Come on in,” Sam called from inside the house.
Finn let himself in and saw Sam standing in the kitchen.
“Heard you coming, so I thought I’d make us a pot of coffee.”
Finn looked around the living room, noting touches of Mak and Emi everywhere from the toys overflowing a too-small bin to the thick recipe book on a table next to the couch. He’d seen the book yesterday in the kitchen when Mak had spent the day baking.
“Have a seat and make yourself at home.”
Finn moved to the dining area off the kitchen and dropped the file folder onto the table. “I brought some research on comparable land to show you as well as our offer.”
“Sit down, son. There’s no hurry. We can drink a cup before we get to that, can’t we? I’m not entertaining other offers. At least not yet.”
Finn planted himself in a seat and stared at his calloused hands, fighting his insecurities. He’d asked a lot of Mak, and even though he’d come around to the idea of letting go of the guilt he felt about the accident, he still felt unworthy of her when it came to his speech.
Sam set a mug of coffee in front of Finn and went back to the pot to fill another.
Yesterday evening, he’d helped Mak pack up her car with trays and containers as well as Emi and her belongings. She’d been quiet and hadn’t said a word about the paper or what he’d asked, so he sucked it up and told himself to give her more time.
After she’d left, he’d gone back inside to do a quick once-over before locking up, hoping to find she’d signed the paper and left it behind.
She hadn’t. But maybe with the offer and property question settled and out of the way, she’d change her mind and take a chance on him. Think he—they—were worth the hassle her ex would make it.
Sam chuckled and wrapped his hands around the mug. “Show me that offer,” Sam continued with a wave of his hand. “Let’s get this out of the way so you can focus on the important stuff like courting my niece.”
Finn blinked at Sam in surprise, but the man just grinned.
“I see it,” Sam said with a knowing nod. “Both of you wear your heart on your sleeves. Now what do we have here?”
Mak took a seat on the couch and waited for Zoey to get seated with her pad and pen. As usual, Emi was safety ensconced in the other office with Dr. Rachel. Brad had texted to say he’d pick Emi up for a movie later, and Mak dreaded seeing him again.
“So? How are you doing this week?” Zoey asked.
Mak settled in for a long hour. “Well, I took your advice and went riding with Finn.”
Zoey’s eyebrows rose, and a hesitant smile formed. “And?”
“It was…informative.” She quickly went into a condensed version of her conversation with Finn regarding Brad’s claims, Finn’s admission, as well as his guilt in regard to the accident. And also the paper he’d given her.
“That is a lot to sort through.”
A low laugh rumbled out of her as she plucked at the pillow she held on her lap. “No kidding. I couldn’t believe he blames himself. I mean he was just a kid when the accident happened. I tried to talk to him and asked if he’d blame Emi, you know? Hold her responsible in the same situation? I told him he needed to forgive himself, and I wasn’t sure if I got through to him. He seemed pretty stubborn about holding onto the guilt.”
“I hate to hear that. But Finn will have to come to terms with that in his own time. And maybe your talk helped.”
“It did actually. He wrote the letter—and asked if I’d go with him to visit his parents’ grave. I said yes.”
“And the paper he gave you?”
Mak inhaled and sighed. “I haven’t signed it.” Yet.
