Page 53 of Coming Home

“I did.” She leaned forward and retrieved a manila folder from the coffee table, opening it and showing him her sketches.

“These two are for a waterfall cake. And these three would be used for a painted cake. Do you have a preference?”

Jackson studied the sketches, placing them on the coffee table and moving them around. He finally pointed to one. “They’re all terrific, but I like this one the best. How would you make it?”

Briefly, Ainsley went through the process of painting a cake, explaining the difference between the frostings and telling him they would do a taste test to see which one he preferred.

“Fondant is easier to work with, but not as many people like its taste compared to buttercream. While buttercream is more difficult in a painted cake, the design would turn out well using either.”

He dropped a sweet kiss on her lips.” Considering I’m marrying a master in the dessert department, you probably would enjoy that challenge. I don’t need to taste anything. Run with whichever you think will make for the best cake.”

“Do you want to at least taste the fillings? I was thinking about vanilla, raspberry, or coconut, but I’d like your opinion.”

“You know me. I’m just awakening to the tempting world of sweets. I’ll like whatever you choose. You can surprise on this part.”

She placed the folder on the coffee table again and leaned into him. “Let’s talk about the house. Give me the scoop.”

“I spoke to Clancy for over an hour today. He and Myra have found the house they wish to purchase. Their bid was accepted, and they’ve set a closing date already. As far as his house in the Cove goes, we settled on what I think was a very fair price. I told him what Pete thought it was worth and the amount of work we planned to put into it. He threw in all the furniture he’d left, saying we could keep or sell it.”

“That’s very generous of him.”

“Clancy is a great guy. I drew up the papers this afternoon for the sale and purchase of the house and e-mailed the docs to him. He said he will look over them tonight and send them back signed, first thing in the morning. I’ll head over to the bank in Salty Point tomorrow morning and by the end of the day, we’ll be homeowners. Our very first home together.”

“Hopefully, our first and last,” she said, “thinking of the extra money we’ll be sinking into it. What have you told Pete to work on?”

“He understands that the kitchen is first on our list. It’s a gut job and will take the longest. He’ll have samples for you to look over. Backsplash. Cabinets. Colors. And I told him you already knew which appliances you wanted to put in. I also met him at the house late this afternoon, and we pulled up several sections of carpet in different rooms. The floors beneath the carpeting are beautiful, Ainsley. I’m not quite sure why Clancy had covered them. Of course, it might have been the owner before him who did so. It might have been a preference of Clancy’s or his wife’s. Regardless, Pete said a light sanding would get them into excellent shape.”

Jackson talked about the rest of the work being done and how Pete was balancing their house with another two streets over, one where he was adding on an extra bedroom and converting a garage into a man cave.

“How long does he think it will take?”

“He thinks between four and six weeks. His crew has already started on the other house and he can pull additional firemen on their days off to begin work on ours. He’ll move back and forth between the two, supervising.”

She thought a moment. “Did you agree to everything on Pete’s list?”

Her fiancé nodded. “I decided it would be a good investment of both time and money to have everything we wanted done completed at the same time. That way, our lives won’t have to be disrupted in the future, and we wouldn’t have to move out or have workmen work around us.” He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want it to be a few years down the road and us, with a kid or two, having to move in and share space at Boo’s with Willow and Dylan and their family.”

He paused. “Willow told me they are waiting a year before they’ll start trying for a baby. I think we need to talk about our timetable.”

Ainsley faced him, framing his face in her hands. “I wanted to address that very topic tonight.” She swallowed. “I know this may be bold, Jackson. We probably should take a little more time to get to know one another better, but we’re both eager for children. What better way to learn about each other than by starting a family?”

His smile lit up the room. “Trial by fire, I suppose. All kidding aside, Ainsley, you’ve made me a very happy man. I won’t have to keep borrowing condoms from Dylan for too much longer, much less buy a box of my own.”

She gave him a lingering kiss. “What do you say, Jackson Martin? Why don’t we start trying for a baby right now?”

CHAPTER 19

Ainsley finished getting ready and then stepped from the bedroom, seeing Jackson scrolling through his phone, looking handsome in a dark blue sports coat and tie.

He glanced up. “Ready?”

“I am,” she told him. “But I do feel a few nerves zipping through me.”

Rising, he came to her, slipping his arms around her. “Well, we are about to go apply for our marriage license. It’s a pretty big step in a relationship. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous myself.”

“You’re still certain about this, aren’t you?” she asked, anxiety now filling her. “About us?”

His response was to dip his head and give her a very thorough kiss, one which left no doubt as to his feelings as she clung to his shoulders to steady herself.

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