CHAPTER 19
BLAKE
“O h my God. This is where you’re going to live?” Angel looks around the construction site that the January George mansion has turned into. Everywhere you look, there’s debris.
“We’re still in the demolition stage,” I admit. With most reno projects, you can usually go in, tear down all the drywall, and get started, but this is a historical preservation projection, which means every piece of molding and wood carving has to be pried off with care.
“You can’t be serious about staying here.” Angel directs this at Reese, who merely shrugs.
“Why not? There’s running water, and we have a hot plate for meals.” I give Reese a sheepish look. “I wasn’t preparing to move in right away.”
“It’s fine.” She pats me on the back.
Angel, however, is not cool with my plan. “A hot plate?” she screeches. “This isn’t living, it’s punishment. Where is this running water you speak of? A hose in the garden?”
“It’s in the carriage house.” I point to the small apartment over the four-car garage adjacent to the main mansion. That part was added on in the fifties, and while it’s dated and needs to be completely gutted, it’s serviceable. I figure it has to be better than Reese and Angel living together. There might be a double homicide before the week is up based on the bickering that took place during the ride over here.
“Ohhhhh, carriage house. So fancy.” Angel waves her hands and treks over to the car park. “I guess this jungle will look good once you’re done with that, too?” she asks as she steps over a big vine.
“It’s next on my list,” I quip.
“Blake just started working on this, right?” Reese checks with me.
“Sounds like a money crunch,” Angel interjects before I can answer. She leans toward Reese, and in a loud whisper meant to be heard says, “I know Bobby is a jerk sometimes, but at least he has some money.”
Reese bursts out laughing. “You’re suggesting I go back to Bobby, who you slept with, because Blake’s mansion isn’t fully renovated a few weeks after he closed on the deal?”
“It’s been weeks?” Angel says. “Gosh, that makes it even worse. This place looks so bad you probably bought it for free. Reese isn’t going to get any money from Mom unless she comes back to work for the family.”
“I think I’ll be okay moneywise.” Reese is still laughing, so I just pat her on the back until she composes herself. Angel forges ahead to check out the carriage house.
Reese finally catches her breath and leans into me. “I guess I should be happy that Angel isn’t hitting on you, but I guess it’s because she thinks you’re too poor for her.”
“We can keep it that way.” Money talk has never been an issue for me. I’m a Justice, and everyone knows that the Justice clan is comfortable. “The bigger question is whether you’re going to be okay here. There is a toilet upstairs that works, and I’ll get someone out to replace the stove tomorrow, but it’s primitive. We could go out to the ranch, but it’s thirty minutes away, and I don’t like the idea of you driving an hour every day. Accidents can happen.”
“This will be fine. Being on site during the reno will make it easier to ensure everything is done the way we want it. Besides, it’s only for a week.” This time she pats my back in reassurance.
I flash her a quick smile. “If I’d known I was going to meet the love of my life, I’d have bought the mansion and reno’d it before. We better catch up with your sister before she falls through a literal crack.” I take a couple of steps before I realize that Reese isn’t beside me. Looking back, I find her rooted to the ground, staring blankly into the air. “Something wrong, baby?”
“Did you just say you loved me?”
I rerun my words and then nod in confirmation. “Called you the love of my life, so yeah, it’s the same thing.”
She shakes her head like she’s got water in her ears. “I…I thought that’s what you said, but…”
“Not romantic enough for you?” I drop to one knee and take her hand in mine. “Reese Meadows, I love you from the top of your beautiful head to the tips of your gorgeous toes. I plan to marry you, fill this old house up with our babies, and grow old together. If you have other plans, you’ll have to change them.”
Her free hand flies to her mouth. “No other plans,” she chokes out.
“Are you proposing? In the middle of a jungle?” cries Angel.
I drop my chin to my chest. I’d forgotten the sister was here.
“No. He’s not proposing,” Reese says irritably. I heave a sigh and get to my feet. “Even if he was, what business is it of yours?”