Part of me kicked myself for leaving Harper while knowing it was the best decision. Too much too soon could be an overwhelming thing for her. I had to show her that I was all in, and she had to believe it.
And staying would have created further complications with Jack. I hadn’t realized her parents had lived close by, but I wasn’t surprised by it, either.
My cell phone rang, and I answered it through Bluetooth. “Calum? It’s Christy Burnham. I’ve got big news…the homeowners accepted the offer!” My real estate agent’s voice spilled through the speakers, brimming with elation.
“That’s great!” I exclaimed, grinning. “Closing date and all?”
“Yup. You’ll get the keys Friday!”
“Perfect.” I grinned, relief easing some of the tension in my shoulders.
“I’ve got the paperwork right here to sign. I can meet you somewhere to drop it off if you’d like?” Christy suggested.
“The Warf is fine. I’ll see you there.” I said, ending the call and turning right onto Pleasant Street. I drove past Harper’s shop, slowing down enough to take it in again as I passed.
Once I hit Northwest Road, I stepped on the accelerator, eager to reach the pub before Christy.
I did so, pulling to the curb out front and jogged inside. I was taking my third sip of a cold beer at the bar when Christy walked in, her hips swaying with each step she took, but my focus was on the folder in her hand.
Christy had been the only agent sitting in the real estate office when I’d walked in, and she had been all too eager to help me find a place. She was the same age as me. We’d gone to different schools, but our cliques had often intersected, although I didn’t really remember her.
I hadn’t cared who helped me do it, I needed a house, and fast. I said nothing about the real reason for my return, of course. I’d only mentioned what everybody else knew; that my grandfather had passed away, and I wanted to move back home.
Christy sat in the free stool beside me, placing the folder down on the bar top, and smiled coyly at me as she produced a pen from the depths of her purse.
“Are you ready to become a homeowner, Calum?” she grinned, passing me the pen.
I took it, opening the folder. “Hell, yeah I am,” I replied, grinning down at the paper, reading through the sale’s legal agreement.
“Sign here,” Christy directed, pressing her breasts against my arm as she pointed at the document. “And here. Here. And here…”
“I’ve got it,” I arched a brow.
“I guess you’re used to contracts,” Christy chuckled, drawing back enough to let me sign the paperwork uninterrupted. Once I was through, I shut the folder and slid it over to her. Standing, I picked up my coat and tugged it on. “Have a celebratory drink with me, Calum.”
“I’ve got somewhere to be, and you’ve got to get the paperwork sent off,” I replied politely, tossing enough bills down on the bar to cover my barely touched drink and a tip.
“Fair enough,” she laughed, standing. “Another time, maybe?”
“Maybe,” I said, eager to leave. “I’ll see you Friday when I pick up the keys.”
I practically jogged out to the Jeep, a lightness in my step. I’d been drawn to the house because it was the biggest one on the market with the most private, largest lot. It had four bedrooms and a guest house I could renovate into a home studio.
Best of all, it was mine in six days.
I drove back to my parent’s house, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time. I parked along the curb in front of their home, locking the Jeep as I walked up the stone pathway.
The door was unlocked, and I found my mother and Connor sitting on the couch in the living room watching a movie. Mom paused it, looking up at me as I came into the room. Connor followed her gaze, giving me an encouraging smile when I sat down on the ottoman facing them.
“How’d it go?” Mom asked.
“Great. He’s—he’s incredible.” I couldn’t seem to find the words to explain it, but judging by the understanding look on my mother’s face, she got it. “I’m seeing them both again tomorrow. And…I just bought a house. It’s mine on Friday.”
“That’s great,” Mom smiled, her eyes misting a little. “I’m so happy you’re moving back home, Cal.”
“Me too,” Connor chimed in, jumping up to hug me tightly. “I can help you move in! I’m not going back to Halifax until Sunday night. I want to see your new place!”
“I’ll help too. You’ll need furniture. Oh! Are you planning on painting?” Mom asked, already plotting in her head.
