Page 127 of Hometown Hottie

EPILOGUE

CARSON

Afew weeks after I’d started my new job, I was walking around my house in Silver Springs. The renovation was just about wrapping up and I honestly couldn’t believe how much they had gotten done in such a short space of time.

All the back walls were gone, replaced with stackable glass doors that let in the natural light I’d wanted. The interior had been completely redone. From walls, to floors, to fittings, it was all brand new and modern but still cozy.

At this point though, I wasn’t even sure why I was doing this anymore. I’d bought the place and it had needed to be fixed up, but I sure as hell didn’t want to move in here anymore. I’d been staying with Nova whenever we were in town and her cottage felt more like home than any other place ever had since leaving my mother’s house ten years ago.

Nova and I were both happy at her place, and I was seriously wondering what to do with this house. Like clockwork, Ryan showed up, grinning. He walked in and let out a low whistle. “Wow. I’ve been meaning to come out here to take a look at what they’ve been doing with this place, but this is amazing. It doesn’t even look like the same house.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s crazy, right? Daniel’s team has performed a miracle here.”

He nodded his agreement, and his features were slack with surprise as he kept looking around. “Very true. If you’ve got some spare time between doing videos for Nova’s subscription boxes, you should consider giving him a shout-out on social media. I’m sure you’ve got a few new followers now that you’re a big-time broadcaster.”

“That’s not a bad idea, actually. I’d have to talk to him about it before I do it, but if it’ll help his business, I’m in.”

“Of course, it’s not a bad idea. I only have good ones.”

I laughed and gave him a droll look. “Are you sure about that? Because I vaguely recall you using a singing telegram to invite Stacey McGaffin to the Valentine’s dance in the seventh grade. That definitely wasn’t a good idea.”

He groaned. “When are you leaving again? To think, I was excited about having you come home.”

“Only next week. Sorry, bro.”

He walked further into the house and took a closer look. “This place really is something now. When are you moving in?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “More accurately, I don’t know if I am. Do you want it?”

“You want to give me your house?”

I shrugged. “Not give it to you, but let you live in it? Sure. If you want to.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. Maybe someday, but for now, I’m happy in my own place. You could talk to your mom about offering it to the church? They’re forever looking for housing for people who have fallen on hard times. It could be a halfway house of sorts.”

“That’s not a half bad idea,” I said. “Keep going, man. You seem to be on a roll with the ideas today.”

He chuckled and pretended to dust off his shoulder. “It’s not just today, Drake. What can I say? I’m just that smart.”

“Yeah, okay.” I laughed and opened the fridge. I’d brought some beers over earlier just in case, and now I was glad to have them. I offered him one and cracked open my own. “How are things going on the ranch?”

“Really well,” he said, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. “Construction is in full swing and we’re definitely going to have a couple venues ready for the winter wedding season. The upgrades to the farming side of the operations are also coming along. Dad is having some issues getting used to the technology, but even he has said that it’ll help. A lot.”

I nodded. “That’s good. Nova mentioned it was going well, but the details she’s been giving me are about stained-glass windows in the chapel and the type of tables she’s ordered for the bakery. I haven’t heard much about the upgrades or any of that.”

“Well, you’re home now and you’re practically living with my sister, so you might as well come check it out later when you get back.”

“I might just do that. Thanks.” I watched him for a moment before I drew in a deep breath. “Are you okay with that? Me practically living with your sister?”

He sighed. “I think I’m getting used to it. I mean, it’d be naive of me to think that you’re not living together when you’re away from here, so it doesn’t really matter that you’re also doing it when you’re here. Speaking of which, how’s that going, her traveling with you?”

“It’s been great so far,” I said honestly. “I’ll be flying out to games during the season to do the commentary though, and once the bakery is up and running again, Nova won’t be able to be out there with me all the time.”

“So what’s going to happen then?” he asked conversationally, not seeming at all worried anymore that I was suddenly going to up and leave for good.

I shrugged. “It’s a for-now thing, but she’ll travel with me when she can and I’ll be here when I can. I’m going to try to go down to the local level soon though. That way, I’ll be able to be here full time with Nova but I’ll still be broadcasting.”

“Good luck with that,” he said. “You don’t think it’ll be a demotion?”