Page 54 of No Love Lost

Addy’s heart swelled, and emotions threatened to swamp her. “Thank you. She’s an incredible young lady. I like the family vibe we’ve got going on as well.”

“What do you think about looking for a bigger place? Or expanding your place. I think it might burst at the seams if I move in, too. Would you be okay with me moving in? It doesn’t have to be today. Well, it maybe does. I don’t want you two alone. Or we could stay at the farmhouse.”

She’d never heard Heath ramble before. Laughing, she tugged on his hand until he leaned over the console. She kissed him lightly. After all, they were in the school parking lot. “You’re babbling.”

He groaned. “I am.”

That made her laugh. “I would love you to move in with us or to live with you somewhere else. We know Nina would approve. I don’t know about her, but I’m not overly attached to the house, especially after finding out someone may have been doing all of those things. Let’s talk to her and see how she feels about moving.”

Then they’d be a real family. He’d been the missing piece, and she wanted them to be whole. A fresh start in a space new to them all would be amazing.

As they drove back to town, Heath slowed down along the empty road. “How would you feel about having a brewery in the backyard?”

“What?”

He laughed, and she loved seeing him relaxed. “The guys need a bigger space for a real brewery. Levi’s hops have produced really good beer. But if we’re going to make it larger batches, we need more space. A barn would be perfect. You always wanted a farmhouse with a wrap-around porch. Has that changed?”

He remembered. She’d always dreamed of a porch with a swing where she could watch the sunrise or the sunset. In those dreams, she’d imagined sharing that swing and everything that went along with it with Heath. “That hasn’t changed at all.”

They grinned at each other. Then, they started checking out the nearby farms. Sadly, the town’s population had dropped over the past few decades and people had moved out to bigger cities, leaving many of the farms empty. But with Piper and Troy’s plans, that was turning around. There was the whole crew out at Midnight Lake, plus Heath’s teammates and more people moving in.

When they passed the property right beside Sean and Branna’s place, her pulse picked up. The house wasn’t as big as the other farmhouse, which was big enough to be a B&B. This one was the perfect size for a single family. The porch looked like it needed some boards replaced, but it was wide and wrapped around the front.

With a grin, Heath slowed and pulled in. “I never noticed this one before, and I’ve driven by it every time I go into town.”

Addy grinned. “Same here. It looks like it’s been empty for a while, but even with the boards on the windows, it’s pretty.”

Kimi’s vet business was only one more empty farm away and would be even closer for Nina. It looked like it would have enough space for them to have an office and a living room. Maybe even a dining room.

Or a baby room? Would Heath want another child? She hadn’t thought of having another baby before. Her entire focus had been on building a life for her and Nina. But they were still young enough to have another child if they wanted. How would Nina feel?

An entire future of love and family flashed in her head. Could that much joy be possible?

Addy’s phone rang and broke the moment. When she dug it out and saw the caller’s name, her stomach tightened. “It’s Jonas.”

CHAPTER 17

Losing Faith

Addy stiffened. Heath reached out to stop her from answering the phone. “Put it on speaker.”

She nodded, and he pulled out his own phone. Texting Marcus or recording the conversation?

Addy answered her phone. “Hello.”

“Hello, Addison. It’s Jonas calling.”

“Hi, Jonas.”

“I’m calling about a couple of things. First, to let you know I’m heading out of town for a few days to visit some friends in New York.”

It shouldn’t have been relief that surged through her, but after Heath had aired his suspicions last night, that’s exactly what she felt. “Enjoy your time with your friends.”

“Thank you. I will. Now, the other thing is odd. After I finished plowing my driveway, I noticed you hadn’t had a chance to do yours, so I came over to do it. Are you inside?”

That was a weird question. When she hesitated to answer, Jonas continued.

“I know your car has been out of commission, but there weren’t any tracks or footsteps in the snow.” His laugh sounded self-deprecating. “And that sounds a little creepy. The reason I’m asking is that your utility room door is wide open. I know you had some trouble with your heater before. Do you want me to check it out for you?”

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