Page 103 of This Heart
Aurora giggled. “Ladies first. Honestly, I’m exhausted.”
“How about tomorrow we start packing things up and head back to Moose Village? I have the rest of this week off, and we can just hang at the house and do nothing.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I love that idea, and I think Winnie will too.”
I gave her one quick kiss, then lifted her and used my shirt to clean her off as she balanced herself over me.
She climbed off me and turned to head to the bedroom to get her pajamas, then stopped and leaned against the wall, looking at me like she could devour me.
“Thank you for inviting me to spend this time with you and Winnie. You have no idea how much I’ve cherished every moment.”
I smiled. “Oh, I think I do.”
Turning, I watched her walk up the few steps and head to the bedroom. I placed my hand over my chest and rubbed it as I closed my eyes. Things were so new with Aurora, but I already knew I was going to love her like I hadn’t loved anyone before in my life, and that hurt a bit.
I glanced up and whispered, “I’m sorry, Hope.”
I walked up the steps of the porch and sighed as I took it all in.
My father walked up, clipboard in his hand. “This house has a lot of work to be done to it, Liam.”
Nodding, I replied, “I know, but, Dad, the bones of this house are incredible.”
He chuckled. “You always did like a good project. And you said Aurora mentioned wanting to buy this house?”
I opened the screen door only to have it fall right off the hinges.
“I’ll put that down on the list,” Dad softly said.
Slipping the key into the lock, I twisted and opened the door. I smiled when I stepped into the large foyer with a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging down.
As I looked up, I said, “She did want this house, and how surprised will she be when she finds out I’m the one who bought it?”
“I’m sure once she gets a look inside, she’ll change her mind.”
We walked farther into the house.
“Watch your steps. The floors feel okay, but you never know.”
“Look at that fireplace, Dad.”
He walked up next to me and nodded. “You know what I see?”
“Incredible craftsmanship?”
“A money pit, Liam. You could have built a beautiful home for what it is going to cost to renovate this place.”
When I turned and faced my father, I frowned. “When did you start shying away from difficult projects? I would have thought this was right up your alley.”
He exhaled. “It is, but it’s different when I’m playing with other people’s money. This time I’m playing with yours.”
I laughed. “Well, it’s a damn good thing I worked on Wall Street and knew how to invest my money, isn’t it? I wanted to buy this place when I first moved back and Hope damn near had a heart attack when I showed it to her. Now, well, now I can do whatever I want, and this house is what I wanted. And what’s even better, it’s what Aurora wants too. I’m telling you, it’s like fate meeting destiny. We were made to be together.”
My father nodded his head, pulled the clipboard out, and wrote something down.
“What did you find that needs fixing?”
He was still writing when he shook his head. “I’m writing a note to have an inspector come as soon as possible. I believe I might see a wedding in our future with this house serving as hostess.”
