“You built your tree house.”
He scanned her curious face and he noted how much joy it gave him. “No, and you aren’t going to guess correctly, so just sit back. We’ll be there shortly.”
She offered a mock huff and sat back.
He smiled.
As they turned off the road onto his land, he wondered what her reaction to his house would be. When he initially gained his portion, the entire fifteen acres had been covered with trees as far as he could see: live oaks, pecans, hickory. And because of the nearby waterways, there were egrets and pelicans, turtles, frogs—none with two heads as far as he knew—a variety of fish, and, yes, alligators.
His workers were on the job. Some were putting the bricks on the kitchen, while others worked on planing and sanding the oak needed to complete the house’s floors.
“This is a pretty piece of land, Drake.”
“Thank you. I like it, too.”
He saw her viewing the men and the activity. “Would you like a tour once the surprise is revealed?”
“Yes.”
All day long he’d been wondering when he’d get to kiss her again. The quick one they’d shared earlier only whet his appetite for more. He was still grumpy about having their morning interrupted, but having gotten to spend this time with her was a boon he wasn’t going to cry over. “Will you have dinner with me this evening?”
“Depends on whether I like the surprise.”
He shot her a look.
She chuckled in response. “Yes. No matter the surprise. Dinner together would be fine.”
Were it up to him, they’d have dinner together every night, and breakfast, too, but he reminded himself that she might not stay.
Seeing his foreman, Solomon Hawk, walking to meet them, he stopped the buggy and waited for him to approach.
“Valinda, this is my foreman, Solomon Hawk. Sol, Valinda Lacy.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Pleased to meet you, too, Mr. Hawk.”
Drake said, “I’m told Hugh’s been here and brought something.”
“Yes. Had him put them in the stand of pecans over there. Figured having them in the shade would be best.”
Drake nodded. “Okay. We’ll be back shortly. Thanks.”
“Nice meeting you, Miss Lacy.”
“Same here.”
Drake drove the short distance across the cleared land to the spot Solomon indicated and stopped. He came around to hand her down and said, “This way.”
He escorted her to where the cars sat under the shade of the pecans and said,“Voilà.”
“This is the surprise?” she asked skeptically, taking in the two listing, broken-down boxcars.
Drake wondered if she might think the idea insane. “I figured I’d fix them up and turn them into classrooms.”
She stared at him for a long moment, turned her attention back on the cars, and walked over to take a closer look. “How long do you think it might take to get them ready?”
“A few weeks.”