Chapter Fifteen

Due to a scheduling conflict, the closing had been pushed back to April 8, but so what. It was done. Moments ago she’d signed her name on the dotted line, and soon all her loans would be paid off. She’d hoped to meet Jackson Newton, the new owner of Bancroft Automotive, today. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been at the closing. Instead his attorney had walked in with a power of attorney and taken care of everything. Maybe all Manhattan-based businessmen handled transactions this way. Whatever the case, she wasn’t going to waste any time thinking about it. Nope, instead she was going to meet up with Cat and Ella for a quick coffee before going home. Then tomorrow she and Drew would join family and friends and celebrate.

Jill, Drew’s mom, had worked hard for the past couple weeks planning their post-wedding party. The woman also made the decision regarding how Kelsey should address her after Kelsey called her Mrs. McKenzie throughout a family dinner. Usually Kelsey liked making decisions for herself, but in this instance she’d appreciated Jill’s help.

She didn’t know any of the party specifics except the time and place. Jill had reserved the entire second floor at Tuscany, the same restaurant Kelsey and Drew went to on their first date. She was okay with not knowing all the details.

Cat and Ella were both sipping lattes when she walked inside Peggy Sue’s Café. After waving, she joined the line and placed an order. With spring officially upon them, the café had changed up some of their selections. Strawberry shortcake and strawberry muffins had replaced apple pie and apple turnovers. Cupcakes topped with pastel-colored frosting now occupied the spot once filled with double chocolate éclairs. Even the drink menu contained some changes. White mocha chocolate lattes were no longer listed, but coconut crème ones were.

Kelsey skipped the new flavors and stuck with an old favorite, an iced hazelnut latte with extra milk. She paired it with a coffee cake muffin, a perfect late afternoon snack.

“Are you okay?” Ella spoke before Kelsey pulled out a chair.

They both knew she’d come from the real estate agent’s office.

“A little sad,” she admitted. Telling them anything else would be a lie. “But it’ll pass.” She had so much else in her life making her happy, she wouldn’t dwell on one tiny aspect. “I’m relieved too.” She’d long ago accepted stress as a fixed part of her life. Until she walked out of the closing today though, she hadn’t realized just how much it weighed her down.

“I can only imagine,” Cat said. “Any news on your house?”

Like other aspects of her life, things were moving along well there too. “Phil Larson came over last night to discuss the rebuild.”

She hadn’t wasted time interviewing different contractors. Phil Larson lived in town, and she trusted him. Actually, most of his family lived in town too. His younger brother, Ray, was married to Sean’s O’Brien’s mother, and Phil’s sister lived next door to Drew’s brother John. The only one of his three sons who didn’t live in town was Gage.

“He’s more or less going to rebuild the house as it was. Depending on how things go with the insurance company, construction should start before the summer.”

“That’s faster than I expected. What are you going to do with when it’s done?” Ella asked.

Good question. “I’m not sure. Drew and I don’t need two houses in town. But I’m not sure I want to sell it either.”

“You could rent it,” Cat offered, while Ella took a sip from her latte.

“Drew suggested the same thing. We’ll figure it out. First Phil needs to rebuild it.”

Cat picked up her fork and cut into her fresh blueberry pie. “Since you mentioned him, how’s married life?”

“Perfect.”

“We’ll forgive you because you’re still in the honeymoon period,” Cat said with a laugh. “Nothing is ever perfect.”

Sometimes her friends were no fun. “You both know what I mean. It’s wonderful. Amazing. I know at some point it’ll happen, but we haven’t had a single fight. He doesn’t steal all the covers at night. He even remembers to put the toilet seat down.”

“Definitely a keeper. Do you think he can teach Striker to put the seat down? He remembers maybe half the time,” Ella said.

“Feel free to ask him tomorrow night.”

***

Drew checked his watch. After five o’clock. The closing should be over. Hitting Jack’s contact info, he waited for his friend to answer. Kelsey planned to meet Ella and Cat for coffee, so he might have hours to make this call. Just in case though, he’d do it now. He didn’t want Kelsey overhearing anything she shouldn’t.

“Figured you’d be calling tonight. Still enjoying married life?”

“Yes. You should try it sometime.”

“Why settle for one woman when there are so many to choose from?”

Drew remembered Jack being engaged once, years ago. He didn’t know how or why it ended, but ever since his friend had had a different view on women and relationships. “Whatever makes you happy.” When it came to women, what Jack did or didn’t do was none of Drew’s business. “How’d everything go this afternoon?”

“My lawyer said it went smoothly.”

They’d agreed it was best Jack not show up for the closing himself. By giving his lawyer power of attorney, Jack could send him to close the deal, and Kelsey would never see the man who purchased the garage. Later, if someday Kelsey did met Jack, she wouldn’t recognize him as Jackson Newton, the man who’d bought Bancroft Automotive.

“Outstanding.” He hadn’t expected any problems, but last-minute things came up. “Thanks again. We’ll work on getting it off your hands soon.”

Footsteps echoed from the hallway. “I’m back.” Kelsey’s voice drifted to him from the doorway.

Too damn close. He turned and smiled. “Listen, I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.” They’d have to finish this particular conversation some other time.

“Yeah. Tomorrow at your reception.”

He’d given Mom free rein on the invites. It made sense she’d invited Jack. They were close friends. “You’re coming?”

“Told your mom there was no way I’d miss this.”

Jack and Kelsey had never met. A lot of men were named Jack. She wouldn’t have any reason to believe the man she met tomorrow was the same man she’d just sold the garage to. He had nothing to worry about.

“Great. Look forward to seeing you.” Drew ended the brief call and stuck the cell phone back into his pocket. He didn’t wait for her to reach him. Instead he crossed the room. “I’m glad you’re home early. I thought you’d be out later.”

“Oh really? Does that mean you were just on the phone with your girlfriend? Is that why you hung up as soon as I walked in?”

“Who has the energy for a girlfriend, married to you? You wipe me out every night.” He pulled her in close. “I was talking to my agent. He’s coming to the party tomorrow and wanted to know the best route. We both know GPS doesn’t always take you the most direct way.”

“Jill really did invite everyone.”

“Seems like it.” He cleared his throat before he spoke again. “Today must have been hard. Are you okay?” He’d offered to go with her, but she’d insisted he keep his appointment with his trainer.

“It was difficult, but I’m okay. The new buyer didn’t show up. He sent his lawyer with a power of attorney instead to sign for him.”

“You said the dude was from out of state. He probably didn’t have the time to drive out here.”

“New York City. But if he’s going to own a business in town, he’ll need to find the time to visit. Luke said the man asked him to stay on as manager. Actually, he asked all the employees to stay on. Luke knows what he’s doing, but he’ll need some input from this new owner. There are some decisions a manager can’t make.”

In another six or eight months, they’d be the owners again. With Luke still working as the manager, how hands-on Jack planned to be until then was irrelevant.

“But you know what? It’s not my problem anymore. Getting a head start on the research papers in my bag is.” She stepped out of his arms. “Do you mind if I work on reading through some of them tonight? Tomorrow I won’t touch any schoolwork. Promise.”

He’d rather have her undivided attention, but wouldn’t ask her for it. Since she’d moved in with him, he’d seen how dedicated she was to her job. She might not love teaching middle school, but she put all her effort into it. “Read away. I’ll play some video games.”

“You’re the best. I knew I loved you for a reason.” She dropped a quick kiss on his cheek. “I’ll make it up to you later tonight.”

The guilt chewing through his stomach said the opposite. Drew shifted his weight, his conversation with Jack ringing in his ears. Yeah, right, the best. “You better.”