Page 110 of Say You Remember Me
“Then what is it?” He studied me, his gaze steady and patient.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged, my lips curving into a small smile. “I guess it’s just…kind of sweet.” I examined his face, the strong jawline softened by a hint of vulnerability in his expression. “You keep surprising me.”
“Hopefully, good surprises,” he said.
“Very good,” I said softly, feeling the truth of it settle in my chest.
We continued down the path, and soon Ian’s parents’ estate came into view. Their sprawling country manor that could rival Mr. Darcy’s house inPride and Prejudicestood in the distance, stately and impressive. But my attention was drawn to a smaller, more charming building off to the side. The little cottage sat nestled in a corner of the property, its quaint architecture framed by a tidy yard.
“This is it,” Ian said, unlocking the front door and gesturing for me to step inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold, my breath caught. It was even prettier than I’d imagined. The open-concept living area was bright and airy, with large windows that offered a stunning view of the backyard. The kitchen gleamed with state-of-the-art appliances, its modern design tempered by warm, inviting touches. There were two cozy bedrooms and two pristine bathrooms, each thoughtfully designed.
And the yard… Oh, the yard. My heart swelled as I took in the open space, perfect for Grant to run around and play. There was even a little garden patch, just waiting for someone to plant something in it next spring.
“This is incredible,” I said, turning to Ian. “I love it.”
He smiled, his satisfaction clear. “Good.” He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and held them out to me. “Here.”
I blinked, staring at the keys in his hand. “What about a deposit? Or a background check?”
“Not necessary,” he said simply. “Just the first month’s rent. And you don’t have to worry about that until you’re ready to move in.”
“How soon can I move in?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
“Whenever you like,” Ian said, his smile widening.
I stared down at the keys, a wave of disbelief washing over me. This was perfect. Too perfect. I was going to need to pinch myself later to make sure this wasn’t a dream.
“Thank you,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “Really. This means so much to me.”
“You deserve it, Maddie.” He nodded, his expression warm. “You and Grant both.”
The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees as we stepped out of the cottage. Grant bounced beside me, clearly excited about the house. My thoughts were a tangle of gratitude and disbelief as I imagined us living there.
We started walking toward Ian’s house, but as we approached the stables nestled just beyond the edge of the property, we ran into Ian’s parents. His mom carried a basket, and his dad had a relaxed yet purposeful stride, both heading toward the barn.
“Well, hey there,” Ian’s mom greeted us with a warm smile. “We were just heading out to check on the horses.”
“Is the mare doing okay?” Ian asked, falling into step beside her.
“She’s doing well,” his mom replied, her expression softening. “But I like to keep a close eye on her, especially after surgery.”
Ian nodded before gesturing toward me. “I was just showing Maddie the house. She likes it.”
“That’s wonderful!” Ian’s mom said, her eyes lighting up. “We’re so glad you could use it. It’s a darling little place, isn’t it?”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, unable to keep the awe from my voice. “Thank you so much for offering it to us. It’s perfect for my son and me.”
Ian’s mom glanced down at Grant who was holding my hand but eyeing the barn curiously. She crouched slightly, meeting his gaze. “And what’s your name, young man?”
“Grant,” he said with a shy smile.
“Well, Grant, it’s nice to meet you,” Ian’s dad said warmly. “How old are you?”
“I’m eight,” Grant said proudly.
“Eight is a great age,” Ian’s dad said, his tone thoughtful. “Tell me, do you like horses?”
