“Hey, bud, be careful!” Logan called out. “We can’t damage this place, it’s about to go on the market.”
As one, we all turned towards Oliver, because he’d been cagey about when it was finally going to happen.
“I know, I know,” he hedged. “Soon, okay? Moving on is turning out to be more difficult than I’d imagined. This place is more than just a building. It’s always been the heartbeat of our family.”
We all took a moment to gaze around the latest addition to the Ashford estate. Alicia’s greenhouse fit in perfectly, and even though it was new it felt like it belonged on the property.
Candace squeezed Oliver’s arm and gave him a knowing look.
“I love it so much,” he continued. “Not just for aesthetic reasons, although I defy you to find a more beautiful place. I love it because it’s where we created a lifetime of memories. Harrison, do you remember when you were in high school and you tried to convince us that you needed to turn the unfinished open space above the garage into your… what did you call it?”
“Hislair,” Logan guffawed. “He said he needed a lair, like he was some sort of Marvel villain!”
Drew joined in. “That’s right. I totally forgot about lair-quest. Where did that even come from?”
“I needed to get away from you two jokers,” Harrison said with a teasing scowl. “You wouldn’t leave me alone, and you always got into my stuff, so I figured moving to the opposite side of the house would give me some privacy.”
“He actually brought a sleeping bag in there and camped out on the plywood for a few nights to try to make his point,” Logan added.
“Not a bad idea,” Gwen mused.
Oliver laughed. “Sure, but the kid drew up schematics for the lair that included a hot tub and an elevator!”
“I had a vision.” Harrison shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt to ask.”
Oliver clapped him on the back. “Exactly. The Ashfords are all about moon shots. Sometimes they pay off. Like when Drew brought home that injured box turtle he found in the woods and we wound up keeping it until it healed. We were a no-pet household until Bart forced his way into our lives for those few months.”
I turned to gape at Drew. “Wait. You rescued aturtle?”
I watched his expression as the memory flooded back.
“Holy shit, I totally forgot about Bart,” he exclaimed. “No wonder Winston and I get along so well. Mom loved Bart, too.”
“Mom loved every animal,” Logan added. “Even the bunnies that ate her flowers.”
We all went quiet again, and the warmth in the greenhouse seemed to increase a few degrees.
“Why don’t we head to the house?” Oliver boomed, as if he sensed the melancholy was about to eclipse the celebratory vibes. “We have plenty of food and drink to enjoy.”
We spread out on the lawn as we made our way back. It was a long walk across the beautiful grounds. Noah tagged along beside Gwen and Scarlet like he was impatient for his new cousin to be old enough to play with him. Oliver slipped his arm though Candace’s. Harrison kissed Gwen on the top of the head.
Drew took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Are you okay?”
I looked up at him. “I should be asking you that. Big day, lots of emotions.”
“It’s been overwhelming,” he agreed. “But as long as you’re by my side, I’m good.”
I bumped closer to him to rest my head against his arm. Who knew life could be this sweet?
Logan caught up to us. “Doesn’t feel real, does it? Selling the house?”
We all gazed up at it, and even though I was new to it, I could already see how easily the place could feel like home. Sure, it was grander than any place I’d ever lived, with the Versailles-style gardens and a few competing architectural styles thrown together on the façade, but the whole thing was underscored with love. Especially because Alicia and Oliver had worked together to bring it to life and make every aspect perfect. Even though there was a huge dining room I knew that we’d spend the rest of the evening spread out on the patio that flanked the pool, and if things went according to plan, at least one of the brothers would wind up jumping in with Noah.
“Yeah, it’s a damn shame to let it go,” Drew replied. “I wish there was a way to keep it in the family, but obviously Harrison isn’t going totake it since he’s already set. And it’s too far of a commute for me.” He glanced down at me. “Forus.”
Logan couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the house. “It’s way too big for me and Noah, especially when he’s with his mom most of the time. I’d feel like a ghost, rattling around here alone. But I wish …”
“I get it.” Drew slapped his brother on the back. “But it’s just a house. The family that fills it is what truly matters.”
