Page 112 of Enchant the Dawn

She frowned as a new thought occurred to her. Thanks to Quill’s generosity, they had a sizable down payment, but that was just the beginning. She had no idea how much Dominic made working for his father, or whether he would still be getting paid if they remained in the States.

Deciding it was a discussion for later, she poured herself another cup of coffee and went back to house-hunting. An hour later, she found one that she loved. Brimming with excitement, she kept watching the clock, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Dominic to rise.

* * *

Maddy’s bubbling excitement penetrated the dark sleep. Throwing the blankets aside, Dominic pulled on a pair of sweatpants and sauntered into the living room. “Did you win the lottery or what?” he asked, joining her on the sofa.

“You’re up early.”

“How could I sleep with you practically bouncing off the walls? What’s up?”

“I found a house!” She tapped a few keys, then thrust her phone under his nose. “Look!”

He had to admit it was a good-looking house. A white, two-story home with a wraparound porch, a red-brick chimney, and dark green trim situated on a swath of well-kept lawn. He scrolled down to read the details: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, kitchen, den, bonus room. Even a pool. “Metairie,” he said. “That’s what, about eight miles from here?”

“Too close to my parents?” Maddy asked.

“I doubt if it will be a problem for me if it’s not for you.”

“Can we go look at it?”

“Sure. Let me take a shower and get dressed.”

* * *

“It’s perfect!” Maddy exclaimed.

“You’ve only seen one room,” Dominic said. One quick glance at the Realtor’s face and he knew the guy was already figuring out his commission. “Come on, let’s go see the rest.”

Dominic had to admit the place was darn near perfect. The paint and carpets—all done in subtle earth tones—were new, the yard well-taken care of, the pool immaculate, the rooms good-size with lots of closets and cupboards, something Maddy had insisted on.

“Well?” she asked impatiently. “What do you think? Can we afford it?”

“Not to worry, love.” Glancing over his shoulder at the agent, Dominic said, “We’ll take it.”

* * *

Never had time passed so slowly. Maddy counted the days until escrow would be complete. She had hoped for a thirty-day escrow, but had to settle for sixty. She didn’t know how she could possibly wait that long.

A week after discovering she was pregnant, she went to the doctor for an exam. She was three months pregnant, he informed her, a month further along than she’d thought. She left his office with a number of pamphlets for new mothers, a suggestion to watch her weight and exercise, as well as a prescription for prenatal vitamins.

She quit her job at the library the next day. Sixty days seemed like forever. She passed the time shopping, making a second visit to the doctor, looking at paint samples and carpet swatches. Dominic had told her money wasn’t an issue and she took him at his word. She discovered a fondness for mission-style furniture. Fortunately, Dominic liked it, too, and they arranged to have the pieces she’d chosen delivered the morning they were scheduled to take possession of the house.

At last, the day arrived when they could move in.

Dominic swung her up into his arms and carried her over the threshold. “Welcome home, love.” Setting her on her feet, he drew her into his embrace and kissed her.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, eyes shining with happiness. “A home of our own.”

“And a baby on the way.”

“I was thinking about our honeymoon,” Maddy said. “Would you mind if we postponed it until after the baby comes?”

“Whatever you want is fine with me.”

She glanced around the living room, mentally arranging the furniture. They’d bought only the necessities—a sofa and a love seat, end tables, a bedroom set, a big-screen TV, a dining table and six chairs, kitchen appliances, dishes, a few pots, silverware, towels for the bathroom and the kitchen.

As she decided where she wanted things, Dominic moved them. Having a vampire for a husband was a handy thing, she mused, as he easily put the bed frame together and lifted the mattress and box springs into place. It took him less than an hour.

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