Page 58 of Quintessentially

“No. I need to do this myself.”

Dax goes to the large windows in the front of the room and looks down on Main Street. “I can help,” he finally says as he turns toward me. “If not money, I can physically help. On weekends when I’m here.”

“Did you buy Ruth’s house?” I hadn’t brought up the subject since he mentioned it the other night at ice cream.

He nods. “It is all but done. I’m buying it as is. I don’t want my parents in charge of the remodel if it’s my house.”

“I miss Ruth’s pictures,” I say.

“Replacing that ugly paneling in the basement was a good move.”

“I agree. It sounds like you’ll be busy doing work on your own place.”

“I’ve talked to Mick too. Since I won’t be here during the week, he said he can send crews in while I’m gone.”

“You’ll pay Mick to work on your house, but you’ll help me here. Why?”

Dax walks closer, too close, as he again snakes his arm around my waist. “Because you said you wouldn’t let me pay. And more importantly, if I’m here, I’m with you and Molly. That’s where I want to be, Kandace.”

“When are you going back to Chicago?”

“Wednesday.”

My heart sinks. “Tomorrow.”

He nods. “I’m meeting with Mr. Murphy tomorrow morning, and I have some pressing work at the firm.”

“I know you’re an attorney, but what do you do? What kind of law?”

“Mostly real estate. Large construction. Our firm has some big clients, and it’s all about getting more.” He shakes his head. “It’s not what I imagined.”

“But you did it,” I say. “I’m glad you did what you set out to do. You made your dream come true.”

He looks around. “You’re realizing your dream too.”

I look at the open space and smile. “I am. There was a time I thought it wouldn’t happen, but I never gave up.”

Dax’s palm gently cups my cheek. “Dreams change.”

“Please don’t tease me, Dax.”

“I’m not. I’m confused. I know what I want, and what I want, Kandace, is you and Molly, here.”

“You used to ask me to go to you.”

“I remember. You never did.”

“I visited,” I said, thinking about Indiana University. “I like here better.”

“And I like you. If that means here, I guess it’s here.”

I shake my head. “Don’t give up your dream for us.”

“This is now, the future. There are limitless possibilities.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I’m leaving for Chicago on Wednesday after my meeting. I won’t be back next weekend, but I will be here the next. Hopefully by then, I’ll have things worked out.”

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