Page 25 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

‘Torran, why were you bidding on my house? It’s about more than restoring it, right?’

I couldn’t handle the pain in her eyes, and I reached out and placed my hand over hers.

She slowly slid her hand away. It hurt but I understood how hard this was for her. I’d been fighting my own demons for most of my adult life.

‘It’s important to me. That’s all.’

There was definitely more to the story but I wasn’t going to push her. I’d learned over the years that she would only share the most intimate pieces of herself when she was ready.

‘You wouldn’t listen to me before about working together but hear me out.’

She sat back like she wasn’t convinced but gave me a small nod. ‘You’ve got about a minute.’

‘It’s true what I said about wanting to buy the house, renovate it for Piper, but what if we could make both of our dreams a reality?’

Her left brow went up. ‘Go on.’

‘Let me contract you and Manny to historically renovate the house. I need someone to do it right, and you two need another project to work on. It makes sense that we pair up. I know that once you get it done it will be so beautiful that all of Ivy Falls will see that you really do care about this town.’

The lines of her shoulders went tight like she could still feel the weight of the stares around us. ‘I’m not agreeing to anything but go ahead and tell me your ideas for the house.’

It wasn’t a yes but it was a start.

‘First, I want to repaint the eaves and the house a warm shade of soft yellow.’ I kept my voice all business, not wanting to spook her. ‘Open up the walls between the living room and dining area and build a gourmet kitchen. Lay new sod in both the front and backyard. And, of course, fix the damn roof,’ I said, holding her gaze. ‘You may believe I went into this without a plan, and I’ll admit I wasn’t thinking straight when I outbid you, but now that I’ve had time to see the house there’s a dozen ideas forming in my head.’

‘Opening up the walls, changing the kitchen, messes with the history of the house,’ she flung back.

‘Right. Okay. Tell me what you’d do.’

There was a question in her eyes. Like she was worried that if this didn’t work out I’d take her ideas. Her gaze darted around the room. Most people had gone back to their conversations and meals, thankfully.

Slowly she twisted her coffee cup in her hands before letting out a ragged breath. ‘I’d start by looking at the old building blueprints if they’re still available at town hall. Figure out how to reframe the crumbling part of the structure to keep it period accurate. Ask Manny to either salvage or recreate the mahogany staircase.’

As she talked, her voice became more animated and it was hard not to smile. She’d always had a designer’s eye. Even when we were kids riding our bikes around the streets of Ivy Falls she’d stop at some of the old houses and tell me about the style: Georgian or Colonial. I’d stare at her in fascination as she talked and eventually she’d punch me in the arm, tell me to stop being weird.

I set my hands on the table and leaned in, getting lost in her voice. The edge of my long-sleeve T-shirt inched up showing a sliver of rough skin.

Torran’s gaze zeroed in on the spot. ‘I saw that at the house. How did you get it?’

I quickly yanked down the material. No matter how much I wanted to tell her the truth, I wasn’t ready to explain all the things that had happened to me after my parents died.

‘It’s nothing. Got it while I was cooking one day.’

She tightened her lips like she didn’t buy it, and I quickly changed the subject.

‘After what happened today at the house, it’s obvious to both of us that I can’t do this without help. I’ll pay you and Manny whatever you want if you’ll do the renovation.’

Her face stayed emotionless as she sat back and crossed her arms over her chest.

‘I have to do this for Piper, Tor. She needs this.’

‘Why? What’s wrong with her, Beck?’

‘It’s too long a story to tell,’ I said.

‘Sounds familiar,’ she shot back.

‘One day soon I promise I’ll tell you everything. But for now, can we agree to this? Please, if you won’t do it for me or my sister, then do it for Ivy Falls.’