AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With a raised eyebrow, he looked me square in the face. “Not that bad? Have you seen my face? I might have misjudged the situation.”
That made me giggle at the angry red mark all over again. How in the world did he manage that? Hollis tossed the broom like it was on fire. “I won’t be needing that anymore.”
I blew out a breath. There was so much to do, and we were in over our heads. “I should have asked someone else to come look at the place. I’m sorry, Hollis.”
We leaned against the wall and took in the room
. The place smelled a little better today, at least. A mixture of Pine-Sol and Dusty Old Room. I noticed some of the spindles were missing from the second-floor railing. Ugh. Just great. I nudged Hollis’s shoulder. How is he so easygoing about this? Medical equipment would be here before we knew it, and we were far from ready.
“Listen, Alexa, I saw the pictures, too. I agreed on the place. Yes, it’s rougher than either of us thought. But once we get it fixed, it’ll be great. The location is key, the layout is great, and the property is large enough for expansion. Plus, I can have a residence here, which will be helpful. I’m not worried.”
Of course he wasn’t. Hollis never worried. But I had a mortgage to pay and needed the income from the clinic. Though Hollis had offered to buy the property, I’d insisted. It was important for him to know I was all in.
More for myself, I said, “We’ll figure this out. I can start calling around to see if anyone can fit us in their schedule. It might be a bit before they can.”
I wanted the clinic to be spruced up and perfect before we had our first patient. Having a doctor here was more important than all the rest. It would come. But I wanted Hollis to be happy with his decision. In New York, he wouldn’t have to look at broken spindles on a railing.
“Are you listening?”
I focused back on Hollis. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“I think you should let me buy this place. I do want to live here. It’ll be easier, and I like it.” I was quiet for a second, unsure what to say, and Hollis continued. “Just think about it. I know you want to show you’re invested in this. I already know you are. And I know you can afford this place. But it makes more sense. Otherwise, I’m going to pay you an obscene amount of rent.”
Oh, Hollis knew how to push my buttons. “You wouldn’t.”
He winked. “Just think about it. It honestly makes more sense. And I want to make this place a home. My home.”
I hadn’t thought about it like that. As a kid, Hollis had grown up in mansions, not regular homes. And I knew he desperately wanted a place filled with love. This was something he needed.
“Okay.”
“Okay… I can buy it? Or okay, you’ll think about it?”
“You can buy it.”
A genuine smile spread across his face. “Thanks, Alexa.”
“Thank you, Hollis. For coming here.”
He put his arm around me. “I’m the one who should be thanking you. You saved me in more ways than you’ll ever know.”
“I feel the same way.”
We stared around the room. I chewed on my lip as I thought about everything that needed to be done. We’d be lucky to get it completed within a few months. The problem was the equipment Hollis ordered would be arriving here in six days.
Hollis snapped his fingers in front of my face. “Stop worrying. We’ll make this work.” He cocked his head to one side, and I knew he was about to ask a question. “So… Drake? You two are back together?”
“We are. We’re taking it slow.”
“I think that’s smart. I’m glad you two finally talked. That man can throw a punch. But I feel like an official Alaskan now. I’ve been in a brawl.”
I shook my head, laughing. “You’re crazy.”
Hollis puffed out his chest, and I had to laugh. He’d gone to the local store and bought what he thought was official Alaskan gear yesterday after his run-in with Drake’s fist: some tough, rugged fabric pants with midleg utility pockets. He paired them with a button-down cargo shirt that had all different size pockets. Definitely over the top. “What’s so funny?”
“You, in your Alaskan gear.”
“What? I look like an official Skagwayian.”
