Chapter Ten

Kelsey played the voice mail message from Carolina Marcus a second time. “Kelsey, we have our first offer. Call me when you have a moment, so we can discuss it.”

Deleting the message, she pulled up the real estate agent’s contact information. Bancroft Automotive had only been on the market for a little over two weeks. She hadn’t expected to receive an offer so soon. She’d seen homes and businesses in and around North Salem linger on the market for months before getting a single offer. Sometimes they sat for years. But two weeks? Wow. Carolina’s prediction had been spot-on.

While she waited for Carolina to answer, she added another pile of homework assignments to her bag. Between work, Drew, and issues related to the fire, she’d fallen way behind on correcting student assignments. She planned to spend several hours this weekend tackling the paperwork.

“Hi Carolina, it’s Kelsey Bancroft,” she said when the agent answered. “Sorry I missed your call.”

“Right after I called, I realized you were probably still at school. We received an offer this afternoon. Prepare yourself, when you read the offer. It’s on the low side,” Carolina said.

Kelsey’s shoulders dropped. At their first meeting, Carolina told her to expect some lowball offers; still, it wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“I already e-mailed it to you, so you can review it. Obviously you can accept it. My recommendation though would be to go back to them with a new figure. See if they’ll negotiate with you.”

Decisions, decisions. The word seemed to define her existence these days. “I’ll look it over and get back to you.”

Her first instinct was to follow the real estate agent’s recommendation. The woman did this for a living. She knew how these transactions were handled. At the same time, part of her wanted the whole thing over and done with. The fire two weeks ago had added more than enough to her already loaded plate.

Her laptop remained out, so Kelsey opened her e-mail account. She scanned through the numerous messages until she found the one from Carolina. She didn’t bother to read the actual message. Instead she downloaded the purchase offer and immediately hit print. While she waited for the documents, she sent a quick text message to Drew letting him know she was on her way home. Although it was a Friday night, she didn’t have a shift at the restaurant. Actually, this would be the fourth Friday in a row she hadn’t been scheduled. She hadn’t questioned Junior or Lou about it, but she feared the loss of a Friday night shift might be permanent. That was another good reason to accept the offer, assuming it wasn’t ridiculous, and move on with her life.

The papers sat on the printer, daring her to pick them up. “Let’s see what you have to say.” She picked up the sheets and scanned through the legal jargon, looking for the dollar amount. At the moment, it was the only part she cared about. She could go back later and read the contract in more detail.

Her eyes located the numbers. Yikes. While not as low as she’d feared, the figure was well below the asking price. She’d accepted she wouldn’t get the actual asking price. She may have never sold property before, but she knew buyers rarely paid the price listed. However, she couldn’t accept this offer. Her father’s garage was worth much more. When she got home, she’d call Carolina back and have her send the potential buyers a counteroffer. Hopefully the buyers understood the process too and didn’t expect her to accept the first offer they sent.

Kelsey unlocked the door leading from the garage into the house. Despite Drew’s insistence she treat the house like her own, she’d been uncomfortable simply letting herself inside in the beginning. Regardless of how welcoming Drew was, this wasn’t her home. The unease had passed. In fact, she no longer felt like a visitor in the house. Instead she considered it home. She already knew it was going to be hard to move out, and not because she hated living alone, or the fact Drew’s home had every amenity imaginable. No, the difficulty would stem from not having Drew there every morning when she woke up and each night when she went to sleep.

Before she managed to drop her bags, the door behind her opened again. “Good, you’re home.” Drew walked in carrying several grocery bags. “I thought I’d beat you back. Steve and Dakota are coming tonight too, so I picked up some more food.”

Even with two more guys coming, she thought they had plenty of food for tonight’s poker game and knew the others would bring stuff too. Everyone always contributed.

He set the bags down and pulled her close. “How was your day?” he asked, kissing her before she could answer—a habit she’d noticed he had. “I missed you.”

One great thing about teaching middle school, her students kept her so busy she didn’t have much time to think about anything or miss anyone. Not even Drew. After first her brother’s death and then her parents’, working with her students had saved her. Without them, her thoughts would’ve constantly lingered on her grief and the huge void left behind in her life.

“Typical.” Kelsey reached into her bag and pulled out the purchase offer. “Got some good news. Someone made an offer on the garage.” It wasn’t any of his business, but she handed him the papers anyway. “It’s too low to accept, but I’m going to have Carolina send them a counteroffer.”

Drew frowned and ran a hand through his hair. “Already? It went on the market the twentieth.”

“It surprised me too.”

“And you’re okay with this? They might agree to whatever figure you send back. Are you prepared for that?”

In this case, the word okay was a relative term. Intellectually she knew she could no longer let her emotions control her financial decisions. “I put a lot of thought into this decision. It might not be what I want, but it’s what I need to do. It is what’s best for me.”

“You do have another option.” He put his hands on her waist. “Let me help you.”

Prepared to protest, she parted her lips. Before she got a word out, he pressed a finger against her mouth. “Hear me out before you say no.” He waited for her nod of agreement. “You won’t accept a loan from me, and I doubt you’ll change your mind.”

If he didn’t plan to offer her a loan, what did he have in mind? “No mind-changing going on here. I don’t want any money from you.”

“What if I buy the garage?”

 

She’s going to say no. He hadn’t suggested it before because he knew she’d never go for it. With a possible buyer lined up, he had to give it a try. Once they married, her financial problems would be resolved. He didn’t want her doing something today she’d later regret. And they would be married soon. He’d picked out the ring earlier in the week and planned to propose when they went on vacation.

“Wouldn’t you rather have me own it instead of a stranger?”

Kelsey’s expression said she’d already prepared an argument, and he wasn’t going to like it. Before she launched it at him, he continued. “Don’t say no without considering the possibility.”

“Drew, I know you’re trying to help. But you don’t want to own a business. If anyone else owned Bancroft Automotive, you wouldn’t be considering this. This is your way of getting around my refusal to take your money.”

She’s not wrong. Whether she was right or wrong was irrelevant. Only helping her keep what belonged to her mattered.

“Please at least think about it,” Drew said as a completely absurd idea formed. He’d rather not involve anyone else, but if left with no other choice he would.

Looking over his shoulder, she took in a deep breath. When she met his eyes again, he had his answer before she spoke. “I love you and appreciate what you’re trying to do. But my answer is no to this idea too.” She brushed her lips against his. “Be right back. I need to call Carolina. After, I’ll help you finish getting ready for tonight’s game.”

She slipped out of his arms.

“When you’re done, I have a surprise.”

“A surprise?” she asked, sounding suspicious. “What kind of surprise?”

“You’ll have to wait. Go call Carolina. I want your full attention when I give it to you.” It wasn’t the only reason he wanted some time without her. He needed to consider the crazy idea he’d come up with. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom when you’re done.”

He didn’t doubt Jack would help him out. He’d roomed with Jackson Newton for three years at LSU. Later Jack became his agent. Drew trusted him, and knew he’d be willing to go along with his nutty idea.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind, Kelsey would be furious if she ever found out. They had a great thing going. Did he want to risk it? It’s for her own good, he reminded himself. If the truth came out, which he didn’t think would happen, she’d be mad, but she loved him. How many times had she told him? She’d forgive him.

Assuming the potential buyers didn’t accept Kelsey’s counteroffer, he’d call Jack the first chance he got and set his plan into action. Until then he’d work on achieving his first goal: getting an engagement ring on Kelsey’s finger. Taking the stairs two at a time, Drew sent Jack a text message letting him know he needed his help and would be contacting him soon.

“Keep your fingers crossed. Carolina’s sending the counteroffer over to the other agent.” Kelsey walked into their bedroom.

He’d stopped thinking of it as his bedroom around the same time he’d decided having her by his side every night was his future.

“And Jessie just texted me. She and Mack aren’t going to make it tonight. Grace came home from school with a fever.” She sat and crossed her legs on the bed. “I remember you saying something about a surprise,” she said eagerly.

He’d left the gift-wrapped box on the nightstand. “I don’t know, maybe I should give it to you later.” Drew picked it up and examined the box as if really not sure if he should give it to her now or later. “We need to finish getting ready for the game. After everyone leaves might be a better time.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you serious? You’re going to make me wait that long?”

Kelsey looked ready to bounce up and take the gift by force.

Drew spun the box between his fingers. “Nah.” Leaning over, he kissed her forehead. “Hope you like it, sweetheart.”

She examined the box, then gave it a shake. “You wrapped this yourself?”

Okay, it didn’t resemble the perfect boxes pictured under Christmas trees at the holidays. He didn’t have much practice wrapping presents, but he’d tried. “Hey, if you don’t want it.” He pretended to reach for the box, but she swatted his hand away.

“It looks great.” She tore the paper off. “Promise me this isn’t another coffee mug or plaque that says world’s best teacher on it.”

“No coffee mugs.”

Opening the cover, she pulled out first the new sunglasses inside. Next, she took out the flip-flops. The extra-large beach towel came last. “Uh, Drew. You do realize it’s March. There’s still snow on the ground.”

“There’s something else.” He retrieved the envelope still in the box and handed it to her.

Kelsey’s jaw dropped open when she took out the contents. “First-class tickets to Hawaii?”

“Yup. I already booked us a suite at the Sherbrooke Hawaiian Village Resort. We’ll be overlooking Waikiki Beach and sipping tropical drinks.”

“But these tickets are for this month.”

He’d checked the school district calendar before booking the trip. “During your March school vacation.”

“I know, but I still have work at the restaurant, and the house stuff to deal with.”

“A week isn’t going to make a difference with the house. And if you ask, I’m sure you can find someone to cover your two shifts at the restaurant. You help everyone else out all the time.” He took the sunglasses she’d set aside and slipped them on her face. “Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. I want to share it with you.” He hung the beach towel over her shoulders. “If anyone deserves a vacation, it’s you. Come and have fun. Just relax and leave your worries at home for a week, sweetheart.”

Kelsey reread the tickets, and a large smile formed. “First class, uh. You know how to spoil me.”

“Trust me. I’m just getting started.”

***

Kelsey disappeared into the kitchen with Ella and Cat the moment they arrived. They’d been in there for a good ten minutes, leaving him and the guys to discuss sports and get started on the food. Except for Dakota, he’d gone to school with them all, and hanging around them brought up a lot of memories. Memories that included Kelsey’s brother. Damn it, Ian, you were too young to die.

The final conversation he’d had with Ian tried to sneak into his thoughts. It’d been the day before Ian lost his battle, and if he could wipe it from his brain, he would. Once fit and strong, Ian had been a shell of himself lying in the hospice bed. It’d taken all his energy to speak, never mind move. Slowly he’d gotten the words out. He’d made Drew promise he’d keep an eye on Kelsey. Make sure she was okay, and help her out if she ever needed it. Drew had given his promise without a second thought because Ian had been his best friend since kindergarten, and because he cared about Kelsey. He’d known her all her life. Along with Ian, he’d teased her, helped her improve her basketball skills, and watched her go from a cute kid to a beautiful woman.

Without intending to, he’d dropped the ball and failed both Ian and Kelsey. He wouldn’t let it happen again.

“Hey Sean, where’s Mia tonight?” Cat asked, her voice shaking him from his unpleasant thoughts as she entered the entertainment room along with Ella and Kelsey.

“She’s looking at houses with her younger sister,” Sean answered. “Angie wants to buy a place around here.”

“Who’s next, Mia’s mother?” Tony said from across the table.

“Don’t go there,” Sean said with a scowl. “If she moves to North Salem, I’ll need to relocate. The woman’s a piece of work. You don’t know how lucky you are to have Mrs. Striker as a mother-in-law, Tony.”

Mrs. Bancroft would’ve made a wonderful mother-in-law. She’d treated everyone like a son or daughter.

“Mia’s mom still trying to convince her to move back to California?” Tony asked.

Sean nodded and dealt the cards. “And leave me. I don’t know how Mia’s father puts up with the woman.”

He had no experience with mothers-in-law, but what kind of parent tried to convince their daughter to get a divorce? It sounded like Sean had one hell of a witch for a mother-in-law.

Conversation around the table slowed as the poker game got underway. Unlike the last time he played, Drew managed to win one of the first three hands. Kelsey and Striker won the other two.

“We need to go shopping for your trip,” Cat said to Kelsey.

From the other side of the table, Ella nodded. “She’s right. What nights do you have off this week? If I’m not teaching a dance class, we can go together.”

Good luck getting her to the mall. He’d always assumed all women loved spending money on clothes and shoes. The day he spent shopping with Kelsey proved his belief false. She hadn’t spent time window shopping or trying on hundreds of outfits. Instead, she’d attacked the mall much the same way he did. She’d zipped in and out of the stores, only getting the items she considered essential.

“I’m only working Sunday and Tuesday,” she answered with disgust.

“How about Wednesday?” Ella asked.

“Works for me,” Cat answered first.

According to Kelsey, both Cat and Ella considered shopping a sport. They never passed up an opportunity to partake in it. Drew wondered what excuse Kelsey would come up with to get out of going. When she did, he’d remind her she couldn’t wear heavy sweaters and sweatshirts in Hawaii.

“Sure. Wednesday night works.”

Drew put his cards on the table facedown. “Did you say sure?”

“Yeah. I need shorts and a bathing suit. Unless you want to go shopping for me, I don’t have a choice.” She checked her cards one last time. “I fold.”

“Where are you off to?” Steve asked.

“Hawaii,” Kelsey answered.

“Lived outside Honolulu for three years when my dad was stationed over there,” Dakota said. “It’s like no other place I’ve lived.”

Despite Kelsey’s claim they were only friends, when Dakota had walked in and given Kelsey a hug, the urge to deck the dude had surfaced. When Ella and Cat arrived, he did the same thing, and neither Striker nor Tony appeared bothered by it. Drew guessed the guy was just a hugger. Although he didn’t understand it, some people were like that.

“I’m in.” Dakota tossed a few poker chips into the center of the table. “Which island are you staying on?”

Kelsey’s ringtone kept her from answering. “It’s Carolina,” she said, glancing at the screen. “I need to take this. Be right back.”

Clenching his jaw, he watched her walk away. The buyers hadn’t spent much time considering her counteroffer. Was it a good sign or a bad one?

“I hope they didn’t reject her offer,” Ella said.

Drew hoped just the opposite.

They finished the hand but held off on starting another until Kelsey returned. The fact the call was taking so long worried him. If the buyers refused, wouldn’t the agent just deliver the news? He drummed his fingers on the table, his attention in the kitchen with Kelsey rather than on the conversation around him.

“Sean, did your sister tell you she’s going for her brown belt next weekend?” Steve asked.

Steve’s question was enough to drag Drew’s attention back to the convo around him. He knew Steve owned a karate school in town. His brother had even enrolled Joey there right after moving back to North Salem. Last he heard from Mom, Sean’s sister Charlie lived in Virginia with her husband and young son. “Charlie moved back to town?” he asked.

“Charlie and Jake live in Virginia. Steve is talking about my half sister Taylor. She and my father live in Danvers.”

Sean having a half sister sounded vaguely familiar. Mom must have shared the information at some point, because if a half sister suddenly appeared in Sean O’Brien’s life, the whole town would’ve talked about it.

“Yeah, she mentioned it when she was over last week. Mia and I promised to take her out to celebrate afterwards.”

Later he’d have to ask Kelsey for the details regarding Sean and his sister.

Kelsey plopped back into her seat. She was frowning. Did that mean they had accepted, or they hadn’t? Considering how she felt about the prospect of selling, he couldn’t be certain.

“What’d she say?” Drew asked, silently hoping they’d rejected the offer, giving him time to get his plan going.

She picked up the cards Steve dealt. “They won’t budge. So, I’m back to square one.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Don’t worry. Other offers will come in.” He squeezed her arm before he picked up his cards.

“Drew’s right, Kelsey. The right buyer will come along soon,” Ella said.

Even sooner than you think. First thing in the morning, he’d call Jack and discuss his plan. Jack would come through for him. If Kelsey ever learned the truth, he’d deal with the fallout then.

***

He kicked back the blankets and searched for his cell phone. It was on the nightstand somewhere. He always left it there, but if he needed it he turned on a light. This morning he didn’t want to disturb Kelsey, and being so early, there was almost no sunlight coming through the windows.

His hand hit an object. Nope, her new sunglasses wouldn’t help him. Drew’s fingers brushed over another object. Bingo.

Without turning on a light, he crossed the room toward the door. His navigation skills were off and instead of reaching the door, he plowed his toe into the bureau. Damn it. Well at least he knew where in the room he stood.

If given the opportunity, he would happily stay and sleep until nine or ten in the morning. Not his buddy Jack. He got up before the roosters. A farmer could rely on Jack to wake him up in the morning. The first month they roomed together, Drew had thought the dude was nuts. Jack would go for his runs before the sun came up, and willingly signed up for eight o’clock classes every semester.

Today his friend’s habit of getting up ridiculously early came in handy. He could get Jack on board and not worry about Kelsey overhearing his conversation.

Jack answered on the second ring. “Give me a minute, I need to grab a protein shake. I just finished my run.”

Five thirty in the morning, and he’d finished his run. The dude was nuts.

Drew heard a blender whirling in the background.

“Okay. Shoot. What d’you need help with?”

“Do you remember Ian?” While he and Jack attended LSU, Ian had gone to Tulane, so although at different schools they’d spent a lot of time together.

“Yeah.”

Even though he was downstairs and Kelsey remained in bed, he closed the library door. “His sister is selling the family business. I need you to buy it. Sometime after Kelsey and I get married, you—”

“Whoa. Back up. When did you get engaged? You were dating some chick named Melissa when you left for Hawaii. Now you’re engaged to Ian’s sister.”

“I’m asking her in a week.” Drew glanced at the closed door. This was one conversation Kelsey could never hear. “Maybe six months after the wedding you can put the garage on the market, and I’ll buy it from you.”

“Buddy, you haven’t asked her? Don’t you think you should get a yes from her before you make post-wedding plans?”

“She’ll say yes.” What if she doesn’t? They’d been together less than a month; no matter how much she loved him, she might not be ready to marry him. One problem at a time.

“Can you help me out and do this?” He needed to bring this convo to an end. If Kelsey woke up to get a drink or use the bathroom and found him gone, she might come looking for him.

“You want me to buy a business. And later after you marry a woman who hasn’t even agreed to marry you, sell it to you?” Jack asked, sounding confused. Drew didn’t blame him. It was a nutty idea. “Why don’t you buy it yourself?”

“She won’t sell to me. Are you in? We can figure out the best way to handle the financial and legal aspects later.” He didn’t expect Jack to use his own money.

“Hey, I got your back, even if this is the craziest idea I’ve ever heard,” Jack said. “What’s the name of the business I’m buying?”

“Bancroft Automotive. It’s here in North Salem. I’ll e-mail you the listing. Be sure to offer the full asking price.”

“And when should I do this?”

“As soon as possible. Whatever you do, don’t let on we’re friends. I don’t want this getting back to Kelsey.”

“Yeah, kind of figured that one out myself. I’ll give the listing agent a call and set something up.”

“Thanks. I owe you one.”

Jack laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll collect.”

Whatever favor Jack called in, he’d do.

One problem solved. Drew’s head hit the pillow again, and Kelsey curled into him, her arm going around his waist.

“Mmm, good, you’re here,” she whispered, her voice clouded with sleep and her eyes closed.

A cocktail of emotions washed over him, and he touched his forehead to hers. “I’ll always be here for you.” Drew spoke around the gigantic knot in his throat. He’d enlisted his friend with the sole purpose of deceiving her. His heart told him it was wrong, but his brain kept reminding him she’d given him no other choice. Don’t let this come back and bite me in the ass.