Honestly, I can’t see myself living here without her anymore. Not sure how I lived here alone before she ran into my life. I love diving into projects with her on the weekends. I’ve alwaysenjoyed the tearing down and building back up of the houses I’ve flipped, but this is different.
This is me and Lizzi building a life.
One that might change today.
A glance at the clock shows me it’s beyond her usual arrival time. Which doesn’t bode well for a smooth handover.
If her grandfather reneges on his promise, he’ll be getting a visit from me. Although I’m sure Edward will have something to say about it before me.
In the months since I entered Lizzi’s life, I’ve gotten to know her brother pretty well. He’s not what I expected. He’s less affected by his grandparents’ brainwashing. Like Lizzi eventually did, he married the woman he wanted to, not the one his grandfather suggested.
As much as I hate Peter, I’ll be forever grateful he couldn’t keep it in his pants on his wedding day. If he hadn’t been careless, I wouldn’t be married to the woman I’m irrevocably in love with.
His lack of discretion doesn’t help Lizzi gain control of Foxworth Industries though. There’s no denying Gordon Foxworth is not my biggest fan. The second week Lizzi returned to work, her grandfather had me served with divorce papers. Accompanying them was a big fat check.
I’d laughed in the guy’s face and told him to take it all back to the sender and remind him not everyone can be bought. Since then, Lizzi’s life has been anything but pleasant at work.
It’s why we’re further along in our renovations. The inside demolitions are complete, and now we’re at the rebuild stage. Of course if things didn’t go to plan today, Lizzi will need something to smash so I spent the day clearing the overgrown plants around the gazebo out back.
If she comes through the door with a frown, I’ll hand her the sledgehammer and point her out the back door. I’ve even got her work overalls waiting in the mud room.
The sound of car brakes squealing filters in the open windows. It reminds me I need to get Garrett to look at her car. A slamming door is the next noise and then stomping on the porch which I hope doesn’t crumple beneath her feet.
I’m in the hallway, waiting by the staircase when she opens the front door. One look tells me we’re heading out back.
She stops short when she sees me. “Oh. I thought you were at the bar tonight.”
Is that relief in her voice? Is she glad I’m here? “No. I’m waiting for my wife to come home on what I know was going to be a difficult day.”
“Oh.” She kicks off her shoes. “It was more than difficult.”
“Yeah.” I don’t go to her. Not yet. “Did you expect anything else?”
She shakes her head. “No. But I figured he’d draw the line at getting lawyers involved.”
I cringe. “I bet Edward was pissed.”
The laugh that leaves her is not humorous. “Pissed is only a smidgen of the anger he let loose.”
“But it’s done?”
“Yes.” She sighs. “Although I doubt we’ve heard the last from him. A few of the older board members are his friends.”
I don’t want her to rehash her day standing in the hallway. It’ll go better if she’s tearing something apart. “Want a glass of wine or a hammer?”
Her smile is slow, but it grows, and once that sparkle reaches her eyes, I know she’s ready to move past this latest drama with her grandfather. “Hammer. With wine.”
“Done. C’mon, I’ve got it all ready.”
“Of course you have.” She walks toward me with a chuckle. “You always know what I need.”
“It’s my job to know what you need.”
“Is it?”
When she’s close enough, I scoop her into my arms. “Am I not your husband?”
“Yes. Yes, you are.” Her gaze locks with mine. “Have I told you how grateful I am to have you in my life?”
