Page 12 of Reckless and Rooted
I glance from it to the little sign out front and grab my phone, a plan taking shape.
“Are you sure about this?” I glance at Graham Trevors, one of the boys I knew growing up. We weren’t really friends, considering I was a bit younger than he was, but he was CT’s older brother, someone Ihadknown because he dated Dani, one of my best friends.
“I’m sure.” I grin as we walk through the house. The carpet is musty and old, the walls are filthy, and some even need replacing.
I watch Graham inspect the house as he makes his way through it. He is the town’s handyman, but I know through the rumor mill that he’s fixed up a house or two, and I know I can trust him to be discrete about it.
“It’s going to take a few weeks.” He tilts his head to the side, inspecting something on the wall. “We’ll need to get a mold inspector up here too.”
“Mold?”
Graham looks over at me, concern on his features. “You didn’t have any inspections done, huh?”
I shake my head, a swirl of regret rising in me. “I bought it cash, as is.”
He nods. “I see.” There wasn’t any kind of condensation from him in the way he said it, but I could tell he thought I was crazy.
“I know it seems silly, but I saw it and couldn’t resist. I think I could make it homey.”
“Yeah, I’m sure we can.” He shrugs. “But…”
He trails off as if not sure how to say what he wants, and I lift a brow. “I mean, it’s no secret who you are now, Felicity,” he says, running a hand over his beard. “Why not just buy something new? Or get something built?”
I bite my lip, unsure how to explain it without giving everything away. “I’m not sure I have enough time to build from scratch.”
For a moment, he watches me carefully before he lets out a slow breath and brings his clipboard up again. “All right. Well, let’s make some lists.”
“Really?” I clasp my hands together under my chin, hope written all over my face. “You’ll take it on?”
He grins, and it reminds me of his brother. “Yeah, I’ll help you get it in good shape.”
I smile broadly, wanting to hug him but unsure if he would be open to that and take a step back, letting him work while I start to dream about what kind of life I can build for myself here. For us here.
For the first time since I got off the plane and stepped foot back into town, I was finally feeling like everything was coming together. I felt that kernel of hope pop, that first initial step of going in the right direction and doing something for myself for the first time in forever.
Maybe, just maybe, I was going to succeed here.
7
jax
I slammy truck door shut and work my way around the front of it, eyeing the dilapidated place in front of me. This place was a shit show. It’s been like this for years. The old woman who lived in it was in it for as long as I could remember before she finally passed away, leaving it to her son who lived out of state and didn’t really care what condition it was left in.
Graham called CT this morning, seeing if any of the hands on the ranch wanted some extra work, and I jumped at the chance to not have to fix more fences.
Now, I regret choosing this instead.
Graham makes his way out the front door, carrying what looks like an old carpet out to the dumpster on the side. “Hey! Taking me up on my offer?” he says as soon as he sees me.
I shrug, caught before I can get back in my truck, and slip on a pair of leather gloves. “Anything to get out of shoveling shit.”
He grimaces, hoisting the carpet onto the dumpster, and I rush to help him lift it over. “I’m afraid this isn’t much better.”
I follow him as he makes his way back inside the house, grimacing at the condition it’s in. From where he ripped up thecarpet, there is hard flooring underneath, but it is impossible to see what kind of shape it’s in.
“This is quite the job,” I say, resting my hands on my hips and looking around.
Graham grins as if he’s happy about it. Given that this is part of his job, I guess that’s a good thing. “It is. We’re going to take out this wall here”—he gestures to the wall that separates the main living area from the kitchen—“so that it’s a little more open with more visibility.”
