“Tease,” he grumbles, but he still grabs my hand when I hold it out to him. Once he’s on his feet, I smack him on the ass.
“The wait will be worth it,” I promise as I pick up the bag I had dropped when he tackled me. I hear a truck coming down the driveway before I can do anything else or even close the front door. “Oli, take this.” I pass him the bag of things I had grabbed from Dad’s when the helicopter dropped us off early this morning. “Make us a coffee, and I’ll deal with the delivery drivers.”
Oliver peers in the bag, and its contents bring a small smile to his lips. “Where did you get that from?” he asks when he sees the drip coffee machine I had placed in there.
“Mrs. Heyton had it in the back of one of the cupboards. It’s the one we used to use before we got the fancy machine and became spoiled. I figured it would work until we could get one of our own over here.”
He leans in and smacks a big kiss on my lips. “You’re freaking amazing.” He heads in the direction of the kitchen, a bit more pep in his step than before, and I go back outside to greet the men delivering the dumpsters. There are three large ones in total, but the problem is they’re going to have to be dropped off on the other side of the drawbridge and wheeled across so we can use them.
Harlow asked us to work on the sex room while there were no people in the house to see us coming and going from there, so that’s our job today. Preferably, I’d like to stick the dumpster under the balcony and just heave everything over the edge, but I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to wheel it around there. I need to do a lap around the house to see if there’s room. Otherwise, it will sit at the bottom of the portico stairs, and we’ll have to carry things in and out.
Luckily, the delivery driver is quick, and we soon have them off the truck and placed on the side of the house. I thank him, and when he leaves, I push one of them back across the drawbridge with me as I go.
Does the drawbridge actually lift up?There are big heavy chains leading to somewhere within the walls, though I have no idea if they’re decorative or a functioning mechanism. If they’re the latter, we might have to get a mechanic to have a look at them before we try to use them. I’m sure Emma knows someone who could help out with that.
I make my way around to the right side of the house to see if pushing the dumpster under the balcony of the turret is practical. But I can already see the garden is way too overgrown and uneven for me to even attempt it, so I head back around to the front.
Taking the steps two at a time, I throw open both of the entry doors and look between the gap and the dumpster, trying to judge whether the space is wide enough for the dumpster to go through. I’m almost fairly sure it will fit.
“Oli!” I shout, and it echoes through the foyer before I hear his returning shout and the sound of footsteps through the silent house.
“What’s up?” he asks, coming to stand by my side.
“Help me push that up the steps. I think we can put it in the foyer so we can just throw things over the balcony once we bring them down in the elevator. It will save us from having to go up and down too many times.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” He smacks me on the ass and skips off toward the bin. Shaking my head at his antics, I follow closely behind him. I hide the smirk that wants to come out thanks to his awkward gait. He needs to stop betting with Harlow, especially with tattoos as the currency. She really is brutal with the placement of them.
Together, with a little bit of muscle and a lot of grunting, we’re able to get it up the steps and across the foyer to sit just below the balcony to the side of the staircase. It’s not exactly what I had hoped for, but it’s better than nothing.
“Close the doors. I worked out how to use the coffee machine, so let’s grab a mug before we go upstairs,” Oliver suggests, and I’m quick to agree. Although I didn't indulge too much at the gala, it was still a late night, and I really could do with the caffeine kick.
Just as I’m closing the door, a pick-up truck comes down the driveway. Frowning, I close half of the door but leave the other side open behind me and walk to see who it is.
We really need to make adding a driveway a priority. As I walk across the bridge, I recognize the oldest McCallister brother, Miles.
He hops out of the pick-up, looking a little surprised to see me. “Oh hey, Holden. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here.” He holds out a hand, and I take it, giving it a quick shake before deciding I’m going to put away any preconceived notions and be friendly. Whatever happened between them and Hope is none of my business. As long as they don't hurt her any more, I can play nicely. Especially because Harlow has her heart set on them fixing up her zoo, not to mention a little matchmaking scheme going on as well.
“Oliver and I thought we’d get a start on clearing out some of the rooms so that Harlow and Jacinta won’t have as much work when they get back,” I explain.
“Yeah, that was kind of my thinking, too. I wanted to do another walkthrough so I could draw up a few more plans, and I didn’t think anyone would be here for me to bother,” he tells me apologetically with a sheepish look on his face. “I should have called ahead.”
“No, man, that’s fine. You’re not going to be in our way. You know how to get out the back. Just go around the house, walk over the dry lake, and cross the bridge.” He points his keys at the truck and locks it before we start to make our way back over the drawbridge.
“That’s not going to be practical once that lake fills in again. I’m assuming that’s the plan?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, we’re going to run a road down that boundary over there.” I point to the left of the property where there looks to be an overgrown dirt access road. The moat and lake stop a few yards before it, and it’s wide enough for two vehicles to pass safely.
“That will make things a lot easier. I’ve got some equipment coming in over the next couple of days. I’ll use one of the loaders to clear the track to make it easier for everyone to access right now. That way they won't have to stop at the house to be directed. We’ll get some signs made so that everything is easy to see, then people will have no reason to be knocking on your door.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. We talked about it last night, and we decided that it would be best if you guys made all decisions regarding the zoo and who needs to be contracted and whatever. That way we’re not double booking or anything. So, if you could get some quotes on having the road surveyed and surfaced, I’d appreciate it.”
“Yeah. No problem. I’m happy to take care of that for you. Are you guys going to be moving in here?” He gestures to the house as we stop at the entrance steps.
“Yeah, we are. As soon as Harlow and Jax get back from their cruise, we’re going to start moving in. The furniture will probably be donated or sold, but the closets are still filled with clothes, and cupboards need going through, and so many things really.” I sigh at the thought of the job ahead of us.
“You guys really have your work cut out for you. Two massive projects going on at the same time.”
I slap him on the shoulder, chuckling ruefully. “Which is why I’mveryglad you guys are taking over the outside part of it. Do you want a coffee?” I offer, but he shakes his head.
