by Tara Randel
That was true.
As much as Heidi wanted a house, the idea of homeownership was daunting. Could she do it? Maintain a house? Make it into the home she’d never had growing up? She normally didn’t let the little details stop her, so why now?
She’d saved up a generous down payment, thanks to years of living frugally. She’d already figured out she could afford the monthly payments. Her best friend and part-time boss at the stationery store, Serena, kept telling her the place was perfect and she should give it a go. Give it a go? Was she ready for the responsibility?
Then she thought about the matchbox apartment she’d been renting and decided, yeah, she’d give it a go. So, she’d taken a bracing breath and called the agent, first for a walk-through, then trying to reach Lisa to make an offer.
Heidi’s stomach still tumbled a bit over her bold move, but she ignored it. She was ready for the one thing she’d wanted for as long as she could remember: stability. And that came in the form of owning four walls and a roof.
“You’re right, as usual.”
“Not right, just sure about you, Heidi.”
Her heart squeezed. How on earth had she gotten so lucky to have this woman in her corner? Determined, she decided that as soon as she got to work, she’d call Lisa again. If the call went to voice mail, like it had the last two times, Heidi would march over to the office and insist they sit down and nail out the details on the spot.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of mature trees lining the pavement. She loved this neighborhood, how the area was well established with families whose children roamed the streets on bicycles or retirees who labored to keep the landscaping well tended. Excitement rushed over her as she motored down Hanover Lane—she loved the regal name—anticipation curling in her belly. Almost there. Halfway down the road, she slammed on the brakes.
“Alveda, I’ve got to go.”
“Call me later, you hear?”
“I will,” Heidi answered and ended the call. She stared at the sign, outraged, and yelled, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Someone had slapped a sale-pending strip across the for-sale sign.
She nearly lost all the oxygen in her lungs. Someone had made an offer on her house? Okay, technically it wasn’t hers, but in her heart she’d already decorated the interior. Painted the faded exterior. Made improvements. Yes, there was work needed. Could that be why she’d been dragging her feet? And look where that had gotten her.
Reality was like a punch to the gut. Especially when she noticed an empty pickup sitting in the driveway. She narrowed her eyes. The owner was about to get an earful.
As if on cue, a man walked out of the front door. Dressed in a black T-shirt, worn jeans and work boots, his impressive muscles on display, he appeared ready to take on the total renovation of this house. Not on her watch. Shaking out of her daze, Heidi pulled the car to the curb, put the gearshift in Park and turned off the engine. In her haste to make her displeasure known, she jumped out of the car and dropped her keys. She muttered to herself as she picked them up, then sped to the interloper, ready to demand answers, then stopped short when she recognized the guy.
“Reid?”
His puzzled expression cleared as recognition dawned in his eyes. “Oh, hey, Heidi.”
No wonder she hadn’t recognized him at first. The Reid she knew usually wore a fancy suit and tie, all business. Now that they were closer, the familiar wide shoulders, tanned skin and green eyes lighting when he smiled reached her brain. She couldn’t believe her luck, or lack thereof. Reid Masterson standing here only meant one thing, and that one thing wasn’t good for her future.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded as she stormed up the inclined path to face the dream killer.
“Good morning to you too,” came his wry reply.
She pointed to the sign. “Really, Reid. What gives?”
“I bought the place.”
Through town gossip, she’d heard that he’d started buying and fixing up houses after leaving the family business. She hadn’t seen him much since last fall when he first went into this new line of work.
The enormity of that new line of work hit her. Her heart sank with dread. “Are you flipping this house?” If this house was just one of the many he turned around for a profit, he was about to learn that some things were more important than money.
“That’s the plan.” He cocked his head to the side. “Problem?”
“Yes. I’ve been trying to touch base with the agent to put in an offer.”
He shrugged, the snug T-shirt pulling against his broad chest. “Guess I beat you to it.”
Grrr. If he wasn’t an old friend...
She’d known Reid since middle school, though they’d grown apart as adults. They ran into each other at town events, said a rushed hello after their group meetings at the community center, but Reid had always had an eye for business and was destined to run Masterson Enterprises when his father stepped down. Heidi wasn’t sure what had happened to alter Reid’s course; all she knew was the ripple had affected her goal to buy this very property.
“Is there any way you can get out of the sale?”
A confused frown wrinkled his brow. “Why would I do that?”
“So I can buy it.”
Confusion turned to incredulity. “Heidi, in case you haven’t noticed, this is a perfect house to flip and sell. I can make money here.”
“Yes, I have noticed. That’s why I wanted to buy it.”
“It’s been on the market for a month. You had plenty of time to make a deal.”
She had, and the fact that she’d ruined her chances made her want to kick herself all the more. Why couldn’t the Realtor have answered when she called?
“This is unbelievable,” she muttered.
She turned her attention to the one-story white house with faded and slightly off-kilter red shutters. Her heart pinched at the front door needing a good paint job. Actually, the entire exterior needed a fresh makeover to give the dreary structure life. Placing a hand as a shield over her eyes, she squinted as sunlight reflected off the large living room window. The number one item on her list to put any house in ownership contention was windows. Lots of them, letting in plenty of natural light. She hated the dark. This house passed the first and most important check mark for her, which was why she could see herself living here.
Puffing out a frustrated sigh, she said, “Reid, is there anything I can do to make you change your mind?”
“Sorry, Heidi. I already closed the deal. The bank cashed my down payment.”
She pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “But the sign?”
“The Realtor hasn’t sent anyone to collect it.”
So, that’s it? She’d lost her dream?
She’d been collecting paint chips since she first walked through the house, had visited online home-decorating sites with a wish list of items to buy. Her favorite was a blue-and-white comforter set for the queen-size bed she owned, the only brand-new piece of furniture she’d ever bought. She’d pictured painting the bedroom a very light shade of blue, a relaxing color for her sanctuary, buying the bed set and adding white sheers over the windows. She’d seen a DIY video on how to turn mason jars into lamps and had already imagined she’d hang them over an old-fashioned makeup table in the corner.
Don’t get her started on the kitchen upgrade.
“There are other properties for sale in Golden,” Reid said, his expression sympathetic. “I’m sure you can find another property.”
“No,” she said in a quiet voice as she stared at the house situated on top of the hill. “This was the one for me.”
How many days had she dreamed of living here? Sinking roots deep into the rich soil. Providing a home for Mr. Whiskers. Not that the curmudgeonly old cat cared, but she did. It was everything she’d never
had growing up. She couldn’t lose it now. She was so close.
“C’mon,” he countered. “It’s just a house.”
“Maybe to you.”
She wanted to get angry with him, but defeat had stolen all her energy. Had her mother been right? That homeownership was not in the cards for the Welch women?
“Heidi, I’m really sorry, but I have plans for this place.”
Yeah, fix it up, sell it and move on. She understood about making money, since she was an accountant who could spot a good business plan, but not when it cost her what she desired most. Security. Safety. Permanence.
Not giving up, Heidi pulled out her phone. “How about I transfer the cost of the down payment to you and I can take over.” She looked up at his stunned expression. “Do you have Venmo? PayPal?”
“Heidi, I’m not doing that.”
She dropped her hand.
“Instead, why don’t I give Lisa a call,” Reid said, brandishing his phone. “She can get busy searching other properties for you.”
“Don’t bother. I...I need to regroup.”
And regroup she would. On the positive side, there was always the chance that Reid would sell her the house when he was finished, but then the price was sure to rise. She’d have to recalculate all the numbers. Still, if she nailed down a few more clients...
She was already booked solid as it was. Worked too many hours a day. Living in this house was going to be the reason she slowed down and enjoyed life, even if it entailed tackling the scraggly landscaping herself. And other numerous projects too. She’d been ready to push up her sleeves and get dirty. Literally. Reid had ruined all that.
She glanced at his face. He wasn’t backing down, if that don’t-try-me expression was any indication. Just like Reid to dig his heels in. She shouldn’t be surprised; he’d been like this forever. They’d always been friends, but there were times they’d also been intense rivals. It was all or nothing for him. Of all the people in town, why did it have to be Reid to buy the house?
So caught up in wallowing in self-pity, she almost missed the mental light bulb when it clicked over her head. She could dig her heels in just like any stubborn Masterson. Rubbing her hands together in glee, she ignored the fact that her idea might not work, but she would debate the merits after Reid gave in.
His eyes narrowed. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Oh, yeah, he should be concerned.
“Okay, so, since you bought the place, I’m assuming you have big plans?”
“Yes. Not a total gut, but a few walls are coming down. Totally new kitchen and bathrooms. This house is pretty dated.”
Which had given it the Southern charm she’d first fallen in love with.
“And you’re going to sell it when you’re finished?”
He sent her a what’s-up-with-you? look. “Like I always do.”
She squared her shoulders. “I have a proposal.”
Surprise flared in his eyes, but it quickly extinguished, leaving him with an unreadable expression. “There’s nothing to propose. I own the house.”
“Yes, but I’m still determined to buy it.”
He crossed toned arms over his chest, stretching the already snug T-shirt. “Well, once I put it on the market.”
“But then the price will shoot up.” She bit her lower lip before going for it. “How about I help you with the remodel? Put in sweat equity toward the purchase of the finished product?”
He stared at her for such a long moment, she thought maybe he didn’t understand what she’d asked.
Finally, he broke the tension between them. “Heidi, I have a team I work with. Subcontractors who actually know what they’re doing.”
Okay, her forte was numbers, not craftsmanship, but she had a passion for this house that his usual crew didn’t. “Are you saying I can’t hammer a nail? Paint a wall? Run errands or do odd jobs?” She’d never really done those things, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
He ran a hand over his scruffy chin, also not very Reid-like. Usually he was clean-shaven to go along with the GQ look. But hey, her entire world was off its axis since this shift in plans, so why wouldn’t an alternate Reid exist too?
“Why not wait until I’m finished and put in an offer like most people?”
“Two reasons.”
He made a hurry-up gesture with his hand. “This I gotta hear.”
“One, like I said, the cost will go up after you make improvements.”
“Yes, and if I barter you for your work, I won’t make a profit.”
She paused, trying to come up with a counterargument.
“Face it,” Reid continued, “if you bought the house as is, you’d have some projects to do to make the place more habitable.”
“Which brings me to my second point. If I was remodeling with you, I’d have a say in colors and textures and any major design changes. I can’t do that after the fact.”
He regarded her with his savvy gaze, his green eyes probing. She shifted, not liking anyone sizing her up, but she held her ground.
“Who’s to say your suggestions are feasible?”
“We won’t know unless we try.”
“You’re making this hard on me, Heidi.”
“My intentions, exactly.” She grinned.
* * *
WHY, REID SILENTLY questioned the universe as he stared at the persistent woman standing in front of him. The brilliant sunlight picked out highlights in her ash-brown hair, her amber eyes glittered with intensity. Heidi at her fiery best. Her bold outfit of a bright red dress and black ankle boots fit her personality.
He swallowed a groan. All he wanted to do was flip this house and make a profit. Move on to the next project without any problems. He’d had enough conflict when he’d worked for his father, so working on his own had been nice. Peaceful even. Until Heidi had turned up, determined to throw a wrench in his plans.
With a sigh, he ran a hand over his thick hair. He didn’t need a partner, even one as perky as Heidi. He worked mostly alone for a reason and intended on keeping it that way.
Your brother was supposed to take my place.
His father’s words echoed in his head. Reid tried to shake them off, but as usual, the words clattered around his brain. No matter how many times his brother, Logan, told their father he wasn’t interested in running Masterson Enterprises, a real estate and commercial construction company, their father pushed. Why, when he had a son who wanted to run the family business? Had wanted it since the first time his dad had brought him to the office.
“This is something you have to see through. You can’t just do it a day or two and then claim it’s not working for you,” he told her.
“It seems to be working for you.”
If only.
Reid remembered the day he’d thought of as his destiny as clearly as if it happened yesterday. His father had asked him to come downtown. At eight years old, Reid had dressed in the suit his mother had bought him for Easter Sunday service, made sure his shoes were shined and managed a halfway decent knot in his tie. Not the clip-on kind, the real deal. Even then he’d had a thing for professional business attire.
“This is vastly different from the stationery store or bookkeeping.”
Heidi refused to budge.
He sighed. The most important lesson he’d learned in the intervening years was that dreams didn’t always come true. Heidi needed to get the memo too.
“Heidi, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but this isn’t a good plan.”
Her lower lip jutted out in a way that warned Reid she was nothing but trouble. “Why not?”
Wow, she was tenacious. “I told you. I have a crew.”
“So sign me up.”
“So you can work when, in between clients or shifts at the store?”
�
�Okay, that may be problematic, but I can sort it out.”
Birds chirped overhead as Reid watched her animated face. The fire lighting her soul reminded him that he hadn’t been passionate about anything for a long time now. Not since the day he’d gotten that first glimpse of his father’s massive desk in the huge private office. Reid had been hooked from that moment on. He’d planned his future so that he’d end up taking over that office one day.
How he wished he could find his way to that simple time again.
Shaking off his disappointment, he focused on the problem at hand. “I hate to say it, but you’d most likely be in the way.”
Heidi jammed her hands on her hips, the skirt of her dress twirling around her tanned legs. “Reid Masterson, you will not throw the inexperience card at me. Not after the times I kept your grandmother from matching you up with those society girls at her fancy parties.”
Figured she’d bring that up.
“You enjoyed messing with her plans as much as I did,” he countered.
“But I didn’t have to help you.”
True, she hadn’t, but at the time, he was thankful she did.
Reid didn’t know much about her childhood, just that she’d shown up on Alveda’s doorstep, a small cottage located on the vast expanse of the Masterson property, when they were in middle school. The details were never revealed, and he respected her enough not to push. He’d gotten to know her because Heidi hung around the kitchen in Masterson House, where he grew up. They’d been friends, then accomplices concerning his grandmother, during their shared summers. During the school year, academic adversaries. After he’d gone away to college, they’d only crossed paths every now and again.
“Now that your brother is engaged,” Heidi said, “you know your grandmother will have her sights set on you.”
He ground his molars. “Please don’t remind me.” It was the truth, but he’d figure out how to dodge that bullet, right after he convinced Heidi that he didn’t need help with the renovation of this house. “You’ll have to come up with something better than once interfering with Grandmother’s plans.”
He watched Heidi and could imagine the wheels in her head turning quickly. Scary and impressive. “What about the night you and your dad had that big argument? You were ready to do something stupid until I stopped you.”