Page 112 of Line Change

“That’s a great idea,” Sutton says, letting go of my hand and wandering around the kitchen, running her hands over the marble countertops and opening the cabinets.

“There’s a half bath through there.” Ashley points behind me. “Along with the family room, dining room, and a room they used as an office, but you could easily turn it into a library since one wall is all built-in shelves, or it would make a great playroom. Just shut the door to the mess.” She chuckles. “You two look around. I’ll hang out here. Let me know if you have any questions. The pool is out back. It’s screened in and does have a security fence around it. The backyard is fenced as well for privacy.”

“Thank you, Ashley,” I tell her.

Sutton finishes her perusal of the kitchen, and we make our way farther into the house.

“Wow,” she says when we walk into the living room. On one wall is a fireplace, and opposite it are massive windows and sliding glass doors that lead out to the pool and a well-manicured lawn.

“It’s huge,” she says.

“It is.”

“How do you feel about a vegetable garden?” she asks, peering at me as she unlatches the lock on the door and steps outside. I follow behind her. “Or is that too similar to farming?”

I chuckle. “Nah, love, if you want one, we can do that.” I’d give her anything she asked for if I was able to. And if she wants a garden, a garden she will have.

“I’ve always wanted a garden I can go out to and pick fresh vegetables from for lunch or dinner. And flowers too, native plants, all the things for the birds, bees, wildlife.”

That does sound lovely.

We wander around the screened-in patio, checking out the pool area.

“This is nice.” I imagine having everyone over for a preseason pool party, hanging out, barbecuing, the kids running around. Our daughter getting to grow up with all of my friends’ kids. My mum coming to stay with us for a few weeks. My sister and her growing family coming to visit too. And my other sister, and Sutton’s half sister and brother. The house filled with the sounds of laughter and kids playing. Being surrounded by happiness and love.

“I love it.” Sutton walks over to me and slips her hand into mine, the other resting on her belly.

“Me too. Let’s go see the rest of the house.” Although if it looks as good as the parts we’ve already seen, I’m ready to put in an offer tonight.

“So, what do you think?” I ask Sutton as I back my SUV out of the driveway half an hour later.

“I love it. I think we should buy it.”

“Me too. I’ll call Ashley when we get home and make an offer.” She clears her throat, and I glance over at her quickly before focusing back on the road. “What is it?”

“I want to pay for half.”

“Sutton—”

“Sebastian, this is important to me. It’s important that we’re equal partners.”

“I know, but …”

“Please, I know I still haven’t received the money from my grandmother, but I will. I know what you’re going to say”—she deepens her voice and tries and fails to talk in a British accent—“Love, I have the money, I don’t need yours.” She giggles, and I snort. I can’t help it. Her accent is terrible. “I know you do, but I want us to be equal partners as much as possible.”

I reach over and squeeze her knee. “Okay,” I tell her.

Even though she’s right, I have plenty of money to buy the house outright and I don’t need her to pay toward it, I also respect what she’s saying and where she’s coming from. Even though I firmly believe what’s mine is hers, I understand why she wants to do this, and if it’s what it takes to make her happy, that’s fine with me.

“Thank you.” She rests her hand on top of mine as we drive the rest of the way home.

Chapter forty-three

Sutton

I stifle another yawn as I rub my face and try to focus on the document I’m reading. Monday mornings are usually hard enough on their own, but add in not sleeping well and being twenty-three weeks pregnant, and that makes them ten times harder. I rub my stomach as little miss flips around, kicking me in the ribs.

“I don’t want to be working either, but I have to,” I mumble.