Page 40 of Coming Home

“Let’s call and see if he’s available now. Do you have his number?”

“No, but let me text Willow for it.”

Within two minutes, her friend had texted back, providing the contractor’s number. Jackson called Pete, speaking directly to him, explaining that he was taking over Clancy’s law practice and also might be purchasing Clancy’s home.

“I was wanting to get an estimate to see what it would take to put it in the condition I want,” Jackson told Pete.

Once he hung up, he told her that Pete was coming over. “He’d been out checking on a job as we spoke, and he’s only a few minutes away.”

The contractor arrived and walked through the house with them, pointing out things he would do if he himself were moving into the house. He also made a few suggestions, notably knocking down a few walls to open up the floorplan more and to combine the primary bedroom with a smaller secondary one in order to enlarge the bedroom and allow for a larger en suite bathroom.

Jackson asked, “What do you think the house is worth in its current condition?”

“I’m not a realtor, but I could give you a ballpark idea.” Pete named a figure and then added, “You can decide what renovations you’d like completed, based upon a list I can provide you tomorrow morning. I’ll break it down by job so that you can mix and match, putting together what you might like done if you do buy the place.”

“I’m not fond of carpet,” Ainsley said. “Is there any way we could pull up a small section and see what the flooring looks like underneath it?”

“I can do that,” Pete said, leading them from the kitchen. He pulled a pen knife from his pocket and knelt, slicing away a small portion of carpet and pulling it up. He grinned up at them. “Looks like you have some pretty sweet hardwoods here. I’d have to have more of the carpet pulled, but the boards look in fantastic shape. After a good polish, these floors would gleam like new again.”

Pete rose and shook both their hands. “I’ll have that estimate for you tomorrow morning, Jackson.” He asked for an e-mail address and then wished them a good afternoon.

Once Pete left, Jackson turned to Ainsley, pulling her into his arms. “What do you think, my lovely fiancée? Is this where you want to make a life together?”

“I do. I really do.”

“What are your must-haves on the list Pete’s providing?” he asked.

“Gutting the kitchen would be my top priority. Then again, I like to cook and spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Pulling up the carpets and restoring the hardwoods would be next. After that? I would leave it up to you.”

“I got a decent buyout for my half of the partnership. I’m hoping what I received would cover the cost of buying the house. If we’re lucky, even some of the changes we wish to make.”

“I feel bad because I don’t really have anything to contribute financially,” she told him.

“No, your funds are tied up in your business. I get that. We’re a team now, though. Our own partnership. What’s mine is yours and vice versa. Whatever I can’t cover, we can take out a loan. Together.”

“What about how much it will cause to purchase Clancy’s practice?”

“No need to worry there. Clancy really low-balled that. He has wanted me to take over for him for a long time. I’m hoping he will give us a good price on the house as well, seeing how much needs to be done to the place to make it ours.”

He gave her a slow, very thorough kiss, her favorite one so far because it was in the home they would share. She thought of the many kisses in the years to come and the family they would raise here. It caused tears to spring to her eyes.

Concerned, Jackson asked, “Is there something wrong. Are you having any regrets? I still worry that I pushed you too far and too fast. I never really asked if you wanted a typical wedding. The white dress. Walking down the aisle. Reception after.”

“I’ve never been that kind of girl. My parents also went to a courthouse to get married. They were so poor, Mom didn’t even get an engagement or wedding ring. So no, a fancy wedding has never been on my bucket list. Frankly, I think they’re a waste of money—money which could be put to better use.”

She cupped his cheek. “Now, finding a man I love and deciding to spend the rest of my life with him, definitely on the list.”

“I’m afraid we won’t be able to take a traditional honeymoon. Your busy season is about to arrive, while I don’t want to walk off the job I’ve just accepted.”

“I don’t need a honeymoon. I only need you, Jackson.”

Ainsley pulled him down so that his lips met hers. Yes, this was all she would ever need.

Jackson broke the kiss. “I think we need to have an impromptu gathering of the Game Night crowd ASAP. The way Pete eyed us, I know he was putting two and two together. I’d hate for gossip to spread about us moving in together without our friends and family knowing first.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “I’ll call Rylie and Tenley. You take care of Gage and Willow.”

“Let’s plan for pizza at six at Boo’s,” he said. “Then we can share our good news.”

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