Page 105 of Housebroke

She tried hard not to let her jaw drop. “Twenty... seriously?”

“Totally serious.”

“Wow,” she said again. “The possibilities are endless.”

“What would you do? You know, if this were your place?”

“Oh, well. My wants are a lot different from the average homeowner.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. But if this was your place, what would you do out here?”

She couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild, recalling that incredible drawing Natalie had made for her. “A place for the dogs, of course, since there’d be plenty of room for them to run.” She started walking. “You could fence in maybe a few acres for them in that grassy area to the left, to include the woodlands. The dogs would love that, especially if you put in some trails for walks.”

“I like that.”

“And then right outside the house I’d want a pool. Maybe even a pool in the dogs’ area as well, just not as nice so we wouldn’t have to worry about them getting dirt in the pool. And so many of the dogs love water.”

An image of Freddie covered in mud popped into her head. A pang hit her stomach, but she pushed it aside, concentrating instead on this unrealistic dream.

“And a big covered patio with an outdoor kitchen, with extraspace for entertaining. Lots of cushy seating so everyone would have a spot.”

“So far it sounds great.”

She took his hand and brought him back inside, already visualizing the kitchen that would never be hers. They turned down the long hallway and saw several bedrooms, all of them spacious with nice-sized closet areas. The main bedroom was huge. Like, ridiculously huge. So was the bathroom.

“A spa bath would be nice, with a soaker tub and a huge shower. And two vanities, that way you don’t have to share.”

He frowned. “Don’t like sharing, huh?”

She laughed. “You leave beard hairs in the sink.”

“I do not. And you’re a toothpaste hog.”

She wasn’t at all insulted. “See? No sharing.”

“Fine. Two vanities.”

They walked outside and through another set of doors, and into what seemed like a second house, only much smaller. But it still had a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bath.

“Guesthouse,” he said.

“Oh. That’s nice.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Would you keep it a guesthouse?”

“I don’t know. Would you, if this were your place?”

She thought about it, then nodded. “I think I would. It’s nice to have a place for family or friends to stay other than one bedroom and a bath. Gives them some privacy and independence.”

“Agree. We’ll keep it as it is—and definitely update it, like the rest of the house needs.”

She laughed. “Oh, ‘we’ will, huh?”

He turned to face her. “What would you say if I wanted to buy this place to live in?”

She blinked. “What? You want to buy this? It’s huge, Linc. What are you going to do with all this space? And did you see the price? Not to mention what the renovations would cost.”

“Okay, so here’s the thing. I want to live with you, Hazel. I also want you to have your dream. A place to call your own so you’ll never be without a house again. Plus, plenty of room for the dogs, and space for an office to write your cookbook or manage the foster paperwork or whatever you want to do with your life. What would you think about that?”

She frowned. “Are you drunk?”

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