by Erica Penrod
“And we’re clear.” Blake lowered the camera. Tori opened the door behind her and walked into Kael’s house. The room was full of people, with Eve seated on the recliner, Tori’s parents on the couch, and Alison seated on the love seat. Kael and Marcela stood in the center of the room.
“Is everyone ready?” Tori’s insides were bubbling with excitement. This was always the best part of her job, but giving Marcela—the daughter of the man she loved—a room Tori knew she’d only wished for was Tori’s dreams coming true. “Marcela, lead the way.”
They paused at the doorway, and Blake raised the camera and called, “Action!”
Marcela turned the knob, drew in a breath, and squealed when the door opened. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” She jumped up and down as laughter erupted down the hallway. Marcela threw her arms around Tori and nearly knocked her over.
The walls were painted blush pink and the ceiling a crisp white. A headboard, covered in black-and-white zebra-striped material, contrasted with the walls, and the bedspread was white with mounds of pillows in black, white, pink, and gold, all different shapes, all different sizes, and all different textures. A plush pink blanket was draped across the edge of the bed. A nightstand with metal legs and a round log tabletop, which Tori sanded and sealed herself, sat beside the bed. A large lamp created out of pipe, with an industrial vibe, perched on top with a chicken wire lampshade.
“I love it!” Marcela ran over to the L-shaped desk in the corner. Tori was proud of that project. She’d taken an old, large desk she found at a thrift store and cut it in half, then married the pieces together to fit the space. She used chalk paint and some new knobs, then added some floating wood shelves she’d left in their natural color to hang on the wall. Gold frames that contained photographs Kael had given her of Marcela growing up sat on the shelves. Tori had taken another thrift store find, an old wooden chair, painted it, and recovered the cushion in the same fabric as the headboard.
“That space is for you to hang up pictures, artwork, anything you want.” Tori pointed to the large piece of corkboard framed in black wood. Jeweled pushpins collected in the corner, along with a couple motivational quotes Tori had found and printed.
Long black curtains ran from floor to ceiling and framed the window. Marcela’s dresser, which once belonged to her grandma, stood against the wall. A gold tray with candles and a glass bottle with succulents sat on top. A framed mirror Tori had painted stood in the center of a collection of small canvas photographs of Marcela with her parents.
“Did you notice the chandelier?” Tori pointed up to the gold piece that hung in the center of the room.
“That looks like the one I showed you, but better.” Marcela stared up at the light.
“And do you like the rug?” Tori kneeled and ran her fingertips through the white faux fur that lay beside the bed.
Marcela hopped down beside her and felt the lush texture in her hands. “I love all of it. Thank you.” Marcela wrapped her arms around Tori, and she had to turn her head so that Blake wouldn’t catch her tears on camera.
* * *
Tori stood in the kitchen, sipping on a bottle of water. Everyone took turns going in to see the room. Tori’s mom came up and stood beside her. “You really are amazing. I’m so impressed with what you’ve done with the room, but I’m even more impressed with how much happiness you gave that little girl through your work. I can understand why this means so much to you.”
A lump caught in her throat, and Tori had to swallow back her emotions. She’d invited her parents for the reveal, which had been pushed back a week so that Evelyn would be recovered enough to be there. This was the first time her parents had met Kael, and the arrangement was made by Tori herself. She’d decided how and when she wanted them to meet, though she wasn’t sure how her mother would react to not dictating the gathering. After she invited them, Alison texted and said that she would like to be there, too, so she and Kael decided that baptism by fire was the way to go.
“And why didn’t you tell me Kael was Kael Santos?” Her mother’s cheeks flushed.
“I didn’t know you knew who he was.”
“Of course I do.” She wiped her brow.
“Mom, are you saying you think my boyfriend’s hot?”
“Victoria.” Her mother looked around the room. “Sshhh.”
Tori laughed. “It’s okay. He is hot.”
Kael walked in and kissed Tori on the cheek. “Everyone loves the room. I don’t think I’ll ever get Marcela out of there.”
“I think I’ll go check on your father.” Tori’s mom excused herself and went into the living room.
A line appeared between Kael’s brows. “I take it I haven’t made a good impression on her.”
Tori laughed, turned, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, you’ve made an impression, all right, but maybe not the one you were hoping for.”
He looked at her, his dark eye quizzing hers. “What do you mean?”
Tori licked her lips. “Let’s just say she knew who you were the moment she saw you. Apparently, she’s a big fan … you know, of your soccer shorts.”
A huge grin covered his face and he shook his head. “Didn’t anyone ever appreciate my soccer skills?”
Tori shrugged her shoulders. “Not sure about that, but I know they appreciated your assets. I know I do.”
“And I yours.” Kael kissed her until someone cleared his throat. They turned to see Tori’s father standing behind them.
“So, this is how it’s going to be?” He crossed his arms.
Tori smiled. “Yup.” She winked at her dad then glanced back to Kael. Forever.
Epilogue
Final Design Tip
Add a mirror to make a room appear larger.
Get a bigger mirror if you’re getting larger, too.
Tori adjusted her shirt. “How does this look?”
Blake looked through the camera. “I think we’re going to need a wider lens.”
“Ha, ha. You’re so funny. I can’t believe you’re still single.”
“Have you ever filmed a woman who looks like she swallowed a basketball and tried to make her look skinny like she asked?”
“That’s why you get paid the big bucks.”
“Well, if I pull this off, I need a raise.” Blake squinted into the camera.
“Today on Tori’s Taking Over, we’ve finished the final stages of the nursery, so be sure to join us for our next episode when Marcela and I reveal this little guy’s room to his daddy.” She patted her belly. “Thanks for watching.”
“Looks good.” Blake said and helped Tori up from the chair. “I’m glad we got this done. I’m not sure your ankles can hold up much longer.”
“Gee, thanks.” Tori waddled—a term Carley never let her forget—out the door and down the hall. “Thanks for doing the behind-the-scenes episodes while I take some time off.”
“Sure. I’ve always wanted to do something with all the extra footage I’ve got.” Blake stopped at the kitchen table and started packing up his equipment. Tori took a seat at the island.
The back door opened, and Kael stepped in, followed by Marcela dressed in her soccer uniform. “How’s my beautiful little momma?” Kael leaned over and kissed her.
“Man, I guess love is blind if you think she’s little.”
“Blake, that was so mean.” Tori glared at him, then laughed. “But very true.”
“I can see perfectly well.” Kael kissed the top of her nose. “And you are beautiful.”
“So pretty,” Marcela said as she dropped her bag and went to the fridge.
“Thanks.” Tori drew in a breath. “How was the game?”
“Super.” Kael’s face beamed. “Plays just like her dad did.”
“Speaking of prodigy, the way this little boy kicks, I think you’ve got another star soccer player on the way.”
“Let’s hope so.” Kael looked around the newly remodeled kitchen. “I’m sure glad we’re adding on to this plac
e, so he’ll have plenty of room to run.”
“I just hope Tori’s Taking Over can get this house done after this baby gets here and before another Santos is on the way.”
“Woah, what? Slow down there, little momma.” Kael’s eyes widened.
“You did say you wanted a soccer team, right?” Tori grinned, and Marcela laughed.
Kael wrapped his arm around Marcela and led her to Tori, where he hugged her, too. “Yup. That’s right. We’re a team.”
* * *
Find more romance by Erica Penrod by clicking here.
Also by Erica Penrod
Thank you for reading Romance and Renovation!
If you enjoyed reading this contemporary country novel, then you’ll love the Cowboy Reality Romance series by bestselling author Erica Penrod.
Cowboy Reality Romance: Kip
Cassie Carter, a single mother of three-year-old twin boys, needed a start after her husband died. Working as a nanny in Park City, Utah, for a wealthy family seems like the best place to start. She can keep her children with her, room and board is provided, and there's no chance of falling in love. The the mountains, mansion, and horses are all beautiful but what blows Cassie away is Kip Morgan.
Kip is a horse trainer and reality television star who can send her pulse into a stampede with just one touch. While Cassie works to sort out her feelings and what really happened to her late husband and keep her feelings for Kip at arm's length, her boys become Kip’s biggest fans. Caught in a dangerous web her late husband left behind, Cassie scrambles to protect her family from harm and her heart from Kip. However, Kip holds the key to unlocking the mystery behind her husband’s death . Cassie will have to trust him or risk leaving herself and her boys exposed to the dangers lurking in her past.
Cowboy Reality Romance: Jaxon
Jaxon Davis thought he was doing the right thing creating the television show The Cowboys, in an effort to bring his family ranch out of foreclosure. Seduced by the glamour and the lights, he let the one thing he really valued slip through his fingers. When his barely ex-wife finds out she’s expecting his baby, Jaxon works for a chance at reconciliation and redemption. Can he let go of the fame that sucked him in or will he fall to the temptress once again and lose Janie and their baby forever?
Cowboy Reality Romance: Tyson
When Tess took a break from her successful career as a television reporter to help her mother recover from back surgery, the last thing she expected was to run into Tayson Cole. The man broke her heart on New Year’s Eve and the two of them clash like bulls on a regular basis. However, she’s seen the better side of the reality television star and fallen for him which makes keeping her resolution to stay away from the professional bull fighter all that more difficult to keep.
Tess wants the real Tayson and refuses to play the games he uses to keep people away from seeing the guilt eating him up inside. The accident wasn’t Tayson’s fault and yet he continues to blame himself. The threat of losing Tess forever might be the only thing that saves this cowboy’s trampled heart.
About the Author
Erica spends her time folding laundry for her four children and husband. In between loads she loves to read, move furniture and display junk she’s collected at local thrift and antique stores. Most weekends she’s in the stands as head cheerleader watching her family compete in rodeo. Her favorite place is anywhere her husband is and she’s saddened by the thought of cooking dinner every night for the rest of her life. Erica loves to write, enjoys looking for inspiration in the candy aisle, and then eating her inspiration while typing.
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