Page 6 of Under the Radar

She narrowed her eyes. “Really?” she drawled. “Just like that?”

“No, I’ve been thinking about it. You were right, Charly. I listened. You should be happy.”

She pursed her lips. “I was right,” she repeated.

“Yup. Your wisdom soaked in.”

“Isn’t that great.”

I nodded. “Yup.”

She leaned close, smiling. She tilted her head to the side. “Bull pucky,” she murmured. “I’ll find out, Chase Donner. I’ll know the real story, and you’ll be sorry you didn’t tell me.”

She got up and flounced away. I saw now why Maxx was freaking. There was no back to the tunic. It fell in folds to her butt, and her hair was up, so her back was on display. I was shocked he hadn’t covered her with a blanket. Even if she was among friends. I had to laugh at the two of them.

I did wonder, however, how long it would take Charly to put two and two together and figure out the real reason I’d decided to buy the house.

To get Hannah.

Once she discovered it, she’d never let me live it down.

* * *

I sat with Mr. Hyde that night. He showed me the three estimates he had on the property, the tax bill, and a list of repairs he had done not long ago. I offered him a cash price, and we shook on the deal. We agreed to use the same lawyer and that the ownership transfer would happen as soon as the paperwork was complete. He could move closer to his daughter, and I would have the house. Simple.

He regarded me as he scratched his chin. “All cash? You got that sort of money, son?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. It’s not an issue.”

“Your dad?” he asked.

Again, I nodded but didn’t reply.

“You know, I knew your parents when they were younger. A couple of crazy kids in love. So proud of his boys. Of being a father. He wasn’t always so bad,” he offered quietly. “He was never himself after your mom passed. He couldn’t let go of the grief, and he became bitter. Instead of finding his purpose being your father, he walked away.”

“He totally checked out. He stopped being a father and ignored both of us. He didn’t speak to me again when I got out of jail, even after I reached out. I wanted his attention, not his money.”

“It happens. And your brother going wild happens too. But neither was because of you.”

“I know.”

“You should live. Really live. You could buy a bigger place than mine, I imagine.”

“I like the house. The neighborhood and the yard. I can expand it if I wanted.”

“I always thought so. A second story was planned when it was built, but I ran out of money. The foundation was built for it to carry the load. But after we had our daughter, we never had the need since she was our only child.”

“Good to know.”

“You don’t want an inspection? Nothing?”

I laughed. “I’ve lived there long enough, and Brett and Stefano before me, to know if there was anything wrong with it. I want to buy it.”

He held out his hand. “Then it’s yours, Chase. I wish you much happiness in it.”

I shook his hand. “Thank you, sir.”

He reached over and pulled a cardboard tube from a shelf. “Here are the original plans. In case you ever decide to expand.”