Page 36 of Cold as (N)ice

She’d run. Again.

Barrett muttered a curse under his breath, yanking his clothes off the bed with more force than necessary. His jaw clenched, frustration a raw, pulsing thing in his chest.

Yeah.

It was going to be averylong day.

Barrett strode through the empty house, his footsteps echoing off the freshly polished floors. The place smelled of fresh paint and sawdust, an unfinished canvas waiting to become something more—a home, not justa house. Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows, casting golden pools on the hardwood, but he barely noticed. His mind was racing, a plan forming in his heart before his brain could catch up.

He slowed, his gaze sweeping over the spacious living room, the pristine walls, the promise of what could be. He could already picture Irene standing by the bay window, her arms wrapped around herself as she took in the view, her eyes wide with disbelief. And Stephen—Barrett could see him darting down the hall, the sound of his laughter silent to everyone but alive in Barrett’s mind.

The thought settled deep, making his chest tighten.

This had to be perfect.

Turning on his heel, he found the realtor still standing in the doorway, her manicured hands clasped over her clipboard. She was watching him expectantly, the faintest trace of impatience on her face.

“I need a few things changed,” he said, the words coming out before he fully realized what he was asking for. The weight of the decision settled over him, sinking into his bones, but instead of fear, it felt like resolve.

The realtor blinked.

“Mr. Coeur, we are about to sign the documents within the hour. This is just a formality.” She let out a quick, uneasy breath. “You can’t amend it now or?—”

“I can do whatever I want.” His voice was steady, unwavering. He lifted his chin, leveling her with a look that dared her to challenge him. “Nothing is final until I sign the papers—besides, I just need a few minor adjustments.”

She hesitated, her eyes narrowing. “Such as?”

Barrett turned, scanning the hallway, already imagining the changes he wanted—needed—to make. “I need three of the bedrooms painted—by Friday.”

The realtor sputtered. “Excuse me?”

“I need three of the bedrooms painted before I move in, and this has to happen, or I’m not signing the mortgage papers.” He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. This was for them. For Irene. For Stephen. For the family he hadn’t expected but somehow couldn’t live without. “And I need an electrician to come out as soon as possible. Do you have the name of someone I could call?”

The woman’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand why we didn’t discuss any of?—”

Barrett clenched his jaw. He could feel the heat of frustration creeping up his neck, not at her, but at himself for not thinking of this sooner. He needed her to understand.

“My son is deaf,” he said, voice thick with something he didn’t quite name. “And I need those flickering fire alarms that light up installed throughout the house—one in every room. You make this happen, and I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”

Silence stretched between them. The realtor’s expression shifted, the frustration fading into something more thoughtful, more measured. She stared at him for a long moment, her lips pressing into a firm line before she spoke.

“I want season tickets,” she said, no hesitation, no pretense.

Barrett barely blinked. “Done.” He didn’t care if he had to buy them himself or pull some strings. Whatever it took.

She nodded, all business now.

“Let’s label the doors so the painters know what colors to make them. Do you have any other issues?”

“No.”

“Let me get sticky notes out of my car then.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, picturing Irene’s reaction when she found out what he’d done. Gosh, he hoped she smiled or laughed at his sudden changes he wasmaking. It was for all of them, and he felt like a champion, putting his family first.

Ten minutes later, as Barrett climbed into an Uber, he found himself smiling for real. He was headed to the dealership, then the arena, but his heart was already home.

11

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