Page 3 of By Your Side

I’m sure if Scott could see me now, he wouldn’t believe it. My heart aches. Thoughts of my husband are always a mixed bag of joy and sadness. He was everything to me, my love, my partner, and my friend. And even though we had ten wonderful years together, it wasn’t long enough.

Shaking my head, I open the door and swing myself out as a dusty black pickup pulls onto the driveway next to me. An attractive woman in a bright purple button-down and jeans hops out of the truck, her smile warm as she waves in greeting before pulling a folder of papers and a set of keys from the cab.

“Adeline! It’s so nice to finally meet you in person.” She reaches out to shake my hand; her brown eyes are friendly, the wild curls of her hair accentuating the natural beauty of her makeup free face. Something about her energy drew me to her when we first chatted and I feel it even more now, in person. Something about her feels like I’m seeing an old friend that I’ve reunited with.

“I must admit, I didn’t know what to think when you said you wanted to buy this place without coming to see it, especially considering the amount of work that needs to go into the house and property. You’re not what I expected.” Her tone is matter-of-fact, with no judgment behind the words.

My lips twitch at her directness. The curiosity in her eyes is refreshing compared to the pity I’ve grown accustomed to seeing in my friends and neighbors. Pity mixed with judgment. Apparently, the fact that I didn’t visibly fall apart after Scott passed away makes me a terrible person. It’s mind-boggling to me how people think they know everything at a glance, and I will take curiosity over the critical gazes I see any day.

Shrugging, I reply, “I wanted a project, a house that felt right, but one I could make into a forever home. Plus, I think Willowbrook Lake looks like such a nice town. Much better than the city.”

The mantra is one I’ve repeated so often to everyone asking about why the hell I would buy a rundown farmhouse on fifteen acres of overrun land. Especially when my only experience with country life is visiting my grandma on her farm when I was a young girl.

What they don’t see is the potential. The property may need a lot of cleaning up, but the inspector said that the house and the barn are safe, and, with a lot of TLC, he can see it being the dream home I’m looking for.

“A fresh start for you and a new life for the house.” Raelynn’s voice is knowing. “I’m sure being in the house you shared with your husband wasn’t easy. I can only imagine seeing him in every room.”

Since making the offer on the acreage in November and getting everything ready to sell in the home I shared with Scott, the past seven months have been a bit of a blur. Living without Scott in the house we bought and dreamed in as a couple was emotionally draining. I couldn’t handle the silence where there had once been laughter and love. A space filled with the man I was supposed to grow old with.

“Exactly. Something to create new memories in.” Something that doesn’t feel haunted by what-ifs. “It’s nice that you understand. Not everyone gets why I need to move. They keep saying they can’t imagine parting with a space that holds so many memories. But I don’t need a house for that, and it was too big for just me.”

She smiles softly. “Well, I’m excited to see what you do with the place. It has so much potential. I’m also pretty handy because I hate relying on anyone, so if you need anything, give me a call. I’m happy to help out, but I also have the card for a contractor if you decide to seek professional help with the house.” Raelynn’s voice is like sunshine, and I feel the excitement bubbling up again. “Anyway, I have the key to the gate, but the former owners informed me it can be a little sticky, so let’s get the paperwork out of the way and then I can head in with you to do the walk-through.” She looks pointedly at the overgrown driveway.

She’s efficient as she goes over the details we held off on until we met in person. Everything has been signed, but she managed to get a detailed property history for me to help with the work ahead. The property was a steal, even considering its condition, as the previous owner’s children wanted to dispose of it in a rush.

Taking a deep breath, I bundle the papers back into the folder and dump it on the back seat of the car. While Raelynn struggles with the lock on the gate, I grab my purse and phone.

Locking my car, I join Raelynn, where she’s wrestling to open the gate. It sticks and screeches as she shoves it enough to create a space to slip through, and we start the long trek to the house.

The grass tickles my bare legs, so tall it reaches my knees. I feel the remnants of gravel amongst the grass, and I think with a good mowing and the proper tools to work up the existing driveway I could get it in tip-top shape within a few days.

We round a bend, the first glimpse of my new home peeking through the trees. The siding has hail damage—significant hail damage—and needs to be replaced. The roof looks fairly new, but I can see baby trees growing in the gutters, gutters that likely need to be replaced as well. A few trees are too close to the house and must come down before they topple during a summer storm. All the windows are old and need to be replaced. Some have cracks in them from who knows what.

Underneath all that, though, the house is perfect. It’s quaint, with a porch that wraps around one side. The little dormer on the second floor adds charm and interest to the design of the home. The feeling I got when I found the house online is even stronger now that I’m standing in front of it.

Biting back tears, I smile. This is home.

two

Adeline

Raelynn leads the way up the rickety steps to the covered porch. It creaks under our weight, some boards shifting. Inhaling a deep breath, I wipe my palms on my legs. One step at a time, this house will reach its full potential.

Raelynn must see something in my expression because she pauses at the door. “It’s a lot, I know. How are you feeling now that it’s here in front of you and no longer abstract?”

Licking my lips, I meet her eyes briefly before taking in my surroundings. The house. The green landscape that surrounds us. The overgrown animal pens. It’s overwhelming and peaceful all at once. Scott didn’t leave me destitute, so the magnitude of the work doesn’t worry me financially, but a small part of me wonders if I bit off more than I can chew.

“Despite feeling a little overwhelmed seeing the work up close, I also feel at peace for the first time in seven months. I can do this. One step at a time.” Proud of the confidence in my voice, I smile at Raelynn. “Let’s see the inside.”

She grins back at me and turns the key in the lock. Raelynn pushes at the door. It jams in place, so she shoves her shoulder into it until it finally gives. The floor is filthy, with years of dirt and dust caked on it.

“Let’s leave our shoes on,” Raelynn suggests with a grimace.

I move past her, ready to explore. The front half of the main floor boasts an office, bathroom, and laundry room. Fairly basic but functional for the time being. The back half is an open-concept kitchen and living room. The kitchen takes up the entire right side of the space. The cabinets and counters make an L shape. The patio doors are adjacent to the kitchen, perfect for grilling outside. It’s not huge, but I think there’s a ton of potential with space for a table or island in the center to create more countertops.

In the center of the back wall is a massive wood-burning fireplace. I picture sitting in front of it in the winter, watching the flames flicker and enjoying the comforting smell only a crackling fire can provide.

On the left-hand side of the room is a spacious living area that’s a blank slate.

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