With a smile that melted his heart, she said, “I’ll have to find an apartment with a studio.”
Noah wrapped his arm around Cassie’s waist, hoping with all his heart that she’d want to stay with him. “I know somewhere that’s perfect. The only downside is that you’ll have to share with a roommate, and he isn’t the world’s greatest cook.”
Cassie grinned. “As long as he has a good sense of humor and likes spicy food, he’ll be perfect.”
“Did I tell you my favorite takeout is beef curry?”
“I never would have guessed.”
Cassie leaned forward and kissed him so tenderly that he didn’t want to let her go. He deepened the kiss, needing to show her how much she meant to him. How much he was looking forward to sharing his life with her. How much he didn’t want to leave.
Four days later,Noah was in his office, overseeing the marketing campaign for the tiny house village as well as running his company.
Jack sat opposite him, reading the proposal his team had put together. “It’s a big project. Do you think four homes will be built by April of next year?”
Noah knew Pastor John was working to a tight time frame. The total project included twenty-five new homes as well as remodeling the four existing houses. “As soon as the church has permission to build the village, the drains and other groundwork will start. Each house only takes six weeks to build, so it should be achievable.”
“What about the weather? When it starts snowing it won’t give them much time to complete the houses.”
That was one of the issues Noah had raised with Pastor John. “There’s an abandoned building on the edge of town. It used to be a steamboat museum, but no one has used it for at least fifteen years. Pastor John spoke with the owner and they’re happy for him to use it for the project. The tiny homes will be built inside the old museum and transported to the village.”
Noah pointed to the document Jack was holding. “Do you think other companies will be interested in sponsoring the project?”
“I can’t see why not. The photos alone will sell the village.”
That’s what Noah hoped Jack would say. He was impressed with the images Willow had supplied and what his company had been able to do. But the proposal contained more information than what the project would look like and cost. Cassie, Brooke, and Megan had interviewed some of the people who regularly stayed at The Welcome Center. Anyone with half a heart would see what a difference the tiny village would make in their lives.
Jack placed the proposal on the edge of Noah’s desk. “Granddad said you were working until after midnight last night. You’ll burn yourself out.”
“You’ve told me that before and I’m still here.”
“One day, you’ll listen to me. I know this project is a worthy cause, but why are you helping? You’ve got enough work to keep you busy without adding the village to your schedule.”
“I want to help.” Noah didn’t need to see the expression on his brother’s face to know Jack didn’t believe him.
“Is it the project that’s keeping you interested or Cassie?”
Noah frowned. For the first time in his life he felt torn between two very different worlds. He missed spending time with Cassie. She had a way of filling the darkest spaces in his life and making the impossible seem as though it were only one step away.
Since he’d returned from Sapphire Bay, the days had been long and the evenings longer. Even though he’d spoken to Cassie, it wasn’t the same as seeing her. “I enjoy working on the tiny home project. Cassie is different.”
“How different?”
“I love her.”
Jack’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“Surer than I’ve been about anything. She’s different from anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I hope so. Have you told Granddad?”
Noah shook his head. “I’ll tell him soon. I appreciate you looking after Cassie before we present her with the award.”
“That’s okay. I’m shocked no one has leaked her name to the media.”
“Keeping anything confidential is difficult. I just hope no one discovers that C.J. Davis and Cassie Harper are the same person. At least until after the presentation.”
Jack leaned forward. “What are you doing about her father?”
