Page 21 of My Mistake To Make

I get out of my truck. There are no other cars on the drive and no sign of my sister’s new little friend.

‘What am I doing?’ I groan as I glance up at the house and then kick at the stones on the ground.

I don’t want to do this, and I want to do this more than anything. I love this house, and the idea of renovating it for someone else kills me inside, but the thought of someone else getting to do the work hurts even more. And it’s a big job; if Cara can afford to buy and completely fix up this house, her pockets are deep enough that I could possibly come out of this able to get my own place and get my kid. I’d be a fucking idiot to turn down this amount of work on the house of my dreams.

‘Hello.’

The sweet voice startles me, and I turn to see Forest Falls’ newest resident walking along the driveway toward me. Oh, Jesus, fuck, she’s pretty. That pisses me off.

She has on a cute little sundress my fingers itch to slide underneath, and that hair of hers is pulled back into a ponytail that they’re itching to pull.

Get it together, man. Your jeans aren’t tight enough that you won’t embarrass yourself if you keep thinking that way.

I look at the bottle of water in her hand, and as she gets closer, I notice the light sheen of sweat on her pale skin.Man, she’s looking to kill me.

‘Did you walk up here?’ I realize and feel my brow furrow.

‘Well, I didn’t fly.’ She chuckles, but I just feel irritated. There’s no sidewalk, no footpath. It’s a steep road that drivers round here take too fast to see her walking alone in time to stop.

‘It’s a long walk,’ I snap. ‘Steep too.’

‘What this?’ She waves her arm back in the direction of the road. ‘I’m from Scotland. This is nothing but a wee speedbump.’

She grins widely, and I shake my head. It’s not my problem.

‘So, what are you looking to do here?’ I change the subject and stomp toward the house.

‘Well, I haven’t even been inside yet,’ she says, coming up behind me, and my hackles raise. ‘I was kind of hoping you’d be able to tell me what needs doing to make it livable and safe. The cosmetic stuff can come later.’

Okay, so she’s not coming in swinging, at least. I step up onto the porch, testing the stability of the wood before inviting her up. I’ve been inside the house before. It sat empty and unused for so long that some kids decided to make it a fun place to hang out. When I heard about it, I came up to secure the place and prevent any further damage, and honestly, it just made me love the house even more. It’s damaged, broken, and in need of so much love to mend the cracks and bring it back to glory.

‘This old house was the first one built here. Did you know that?’ I ask as we walk around the wraparound porch to the back, me checking it all out, her periodically running her fingers over the wood or glass. I’m impressed that she’s not freaking out about the dirt and spider’s webs all over the place.

‘I didn’t. I don’t know a lot about the house or the town if I’m honest.’

Her voice is softer now, a little somber maybe, but her words just annoy me more. Why buy a house you’ve never seen in a place you know nothing about?

‘Why are you here?’ I snap, turning to face her, and she steps back, a little alarmed. ‘I’m serious. Why are you here, ready to tear out the heart of the oldest house in a place you’ve never even heard of? We care about our history here. It means something to us. You people come in here with your marble countertops and fake grass, trying to make a quick buck while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet and keep this place as special as we know it to be. If you think you can pay me to turn this beautiful old building into some contemporary monstrosity, you made a huge mistake.’

Her lips part, and tears gather in her eyes, which are even wider than they already were, and I hang my head, regretting my outburst. One of these days, I might learn to keep my mouth shut.

‘I’m sorry, I just…’

‘You don’t even know me.’

Her voice is stronger than I expected, and I raise my gaze to find hers, furious and trained on me.

‘I don’t know what the hell I’ve done for you to get a bee in your bonnet over my being here but do not presume to understand my motivation or my plans. I asked for your help to find a contractor, and you said no. Then your sister asked me to give you another chance, but you’re being just as rude now as the first time, so I think you’re right. I did make a mistake.’

Well, shit.

She turns to step down from the porch, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and grab her arm. Her thunderous gaze snaps to my fingers wrapped around her warm, soft skin and then up to meet my eyes, and I release her, stepping back.

‘Sorry. I didn’t.’ I take a deep breath and blow it out. ‘Cara, I apologize for my rudeness. Truth is, I love this house, and I don’t want to see it torn apart for profit.’

‘You didn’t even let us get inside before you made the assumption that I’m looking to flip it.’

‘You’re right. I apologize.’

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