Page 29 of Sugar Pie
“The subcontractor fell through, and the builder put the ad for the bid up this morning. I’ve been talking to his team all day, and they’re excited that you’re available for the cabinet install.”
I walked up the stairs quietly.
“Then we kept talking, and he wanted you to install all the cabinets”—I found my keys and reached for the door—“in the subdivision, so we negotiated the contract.” She jumped out of her computer chair. “You’re home!”
She was my rock. I left the bags in the kitchen and headed toward her. Then I picked her up and twirled her. She held on to me, and at this moment, it was like we were the only people in the world. When I set her down, I pointed to her chair. “Are you kidding? With the seed money, I can skip the rebuild and buy commercial property.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I want to get empty land and build from the ground up.”
“I researched architecture websites to buy building plans. I’ll email those.” She ran her hands through her hair and nodded as if she needed a second. “And dinner is in the oven.”
“Tonight we celebrate your divorce, as friends.” My email alerted me to the gossip blog. I scanned the rumor mill. My pulse quickened with the thought that someone might find us soon and blow up my plan and life with Kerry, but it was mostly incorrect speculation. I tensed but reminded myself that my brother hadn’t mentioned addresses on any public filing. We would probably be fine.
I opened up my business bank account then looked at her. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Kerry.”
She laughed as she fixed our dinner plates. “Keep talking like that. I’ll find the glasses for the wine.”
I needed to help her. I quickly filled out a mortgage application at a bank I often used, and a preapproval letter appeared the second I hit Submit. We could start working with an agent to find a property.
She finished setting the table with the chicken dinner that smelled delicious.
“I’m filling out a bank application, but the bank is going to need the contract.”
She nodded then showed me the site she’d used to find the building plans. “Everything is here for you to find a design then submit the plan for preapproval with the city.”
She’d thought ahead. Math and forward thinking were two of her great qualities. Maybe we could keep the entire twenty-five thousand in play. I joined her in the kitchen to carry things. “Maybe we can invest more, if you’re interested in keeping the money bundled for now and investing it in the bigger plan.”
“I’m listening,” she said as we sat at the dinner table.
I folded my hands in front of me and pitched the plan that was formulating in my mind. “While I’m working tomorrow, can you set up research time on getting city and county approval for a subdivision as well as researching empty land in the area.”
She tapped the side of her face as she met my gaze then blinked. “So we’re creating our own residential community.”
“Yes.” I nodded. Pitching to Kerry seemed different. “We can take the twenty-five thousand and whatever other job you book for me this month while you work with a realtor to scout land zoned for residential and get a budget together for subcontractors. What do you think?” Her opinion mattered to me.
She sucked on her bottom lip as she tilted her head to the side. “You must seriously have great credit, as this is a risky move.”
“It’s bold, but the market doesn’t have enough homes.” I reached for her hand. She had no idea that I would never let her crash and burn. “This is the number-one place people are moving right now, and houses are in demand.”
She scooted closer to me. “Absolutely.”
I rolled my shoulders back. “You and I can start a million-dollar business if we’re the main builders.”
Her eyes widened, but a smile emerged.
“I’d like for us to focus on people with money, and rich people like to feel good about themselves.”
“I agree.”
I traced her hands. “So we set up a charity program where ten percent of our profits goes to building low-income, first-time-homeowner programs on the other side of town. That way, people want to work with us.”
For a second, she didn’t say anything. She stood then grabbed the wine glasses and bottle and brought them to the table. I took the bottle, poured us each a healthy amount, and handed her glass to her.
“One of the things I like about you is that you have such a vision for your future.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed but smiled anyway. “I’m on a mission, and I need your help. While this seems like an abrupt change, it’s been on my mind for a while as I studied the needs of the community.”
