“I guess,” Kip sighed.
A set of French doors led to a spectacular stone patio, its tiles forming a sunburst. Kip opened the patio doors, and three steps down placed him on the deck of a lap pool.
“The minute I saw this, I made the offer,” Barry said.
“It’s the full twenty-five yards.” Kip’s jaw dropped.
Owen smiled. “Mr. Crockett confirmed the right size for us.”
“Have you been in it?” Kip asked Harper.
She shook her head. “Our lease did not include use of the grounds.”
Kip’s head swiveled to face her, revealing a bit of his temper. “That’s insane.” He opened his phone. “This is Kip Brennan; I need Brock on the phone, now.”
He sat on one of the steps, reaching for Harper to sit beside him. “Brock, I’m at the house. Harper Rousselle let me know their old lease didn’t give them ground access, specifically pool and patio. I want it specifically in the lease, full grounds access. Whatever legalese you need.”
Harper started to wave.
“Oh, it says that. I said that? I did say that.” Kip sighed. “I’m sorry. Tell Jen I apologize for disturbing daddy time. Give her a snuggle from Uncle Kip.”
“You didn’t have to do that!” Harper giggled. “Especially since you already did.”
“Sweetheart, I wanted to. I want you and Channy to enjoy living here.”You aren’t used to people doing nice things, are you?”He stood, extending his hand to her.
“Ready for more?” Owen asked.
“Sure. One more thing, once the branch opens and the storm passes, I want a design for a ten-by-twenty-foot patio off the side door of the cottage. Include seating and an outdoor kitchenette.”
Kip, with his hand on the small of her back, followed Owen to a complete home gym and the two downstairs powder rooms before they headed up the stairs. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“This is fun.” She smiled. “Um, Owen, is this for Kip’s eyes only, or will you include it in one of your shows?”
Kip could see worry in her eyes.Who was she hiding from?
“No home reveal. But the branch offices will be.” Owen grinned.
The top of the stairs opened into a small foyer with an enormous chandelier that fronted a long hall ending in a half-moon window. In the first room, the walls were covered with a branch and leaf design wallpaper. The room was decorated in cream, gold, and green, using an array of fabrics.
One by one the group viewed, and Kip inspected, each space. He saw a room of dark wood mixed with floral patterns, one with black and gold, and another with neutral colors mixed with gold and florals.
Owen continued down the hall, opening a door to reveal an office with mahogany shelves. “The room is designed as a secure workspace. Troy told me how you wake up in the middle of the night and work. Mr. Parry wired the room, and Mr. O’Mara ran the privacy parameters.”
“Looks like you’ve thought of everything,” Kip said.
“You haven’t seen your room,” Barry replied.
At Barry’s words, Harper stiffened. Her anxiety was rising.
“I thought the house had six bedrooms?” Kip swallowed.
“Your room isn’t included in the count.” Owen tossed open one more door.
The walls were adorned with a gold and green wallpaper, and a mahogany king-sized four-poster bed centered the room. Each post featured a curved design, and the foot and headboard were decorated with intricate scrollwork. Kip, childlike, hopped on the bed, sinking into the thick coverlets. “Harper, want to sit?”
She forced a smile. “I’m okay. You enjoy. Um, I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Kip scrambled to his feet and ushered Barry, Owen, and Josh out the door. “Harper?”
