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“So, tell me about this make-out spot.”
With a chuckle, I looked out the window. “It was really more of a party place. It’s actually on a piece of land that the Hamilton’s owned. It wasn’t fenced in so whenever we wanted to have a party, that was where we went. We called it the lookout. For years kids went there to throw parties, and I’m pretty sure a few lost their virginity there!”
Wade and I laughed.
“My father told me when he was in high school they would go there. You used to be able to see the Frio River, that’s why it was called the lookout. Over the years, trees grew up and blocked the view.”
“Did the family know kids were using it to party?”
I frowned. “I don’t know. I’m sure they did. Russ used to throw parties there all the time.”
Wade passed the little dirt drive that led to the lookout. So, we weren’t going there.
After a few miles, he pulled up to the gate at the Hamilton Ranch. The gate had been changed and a beautiful sandstone entrance was in place of the old rusted piping. I watched in awe as Wade pulled up like he owned the place.
“It did sell,” Wade said as he punched in a code and the metal gate swung open. “I bought it.”
My heart dropped and excitement filled my entire body. “Are you serious? You bought the Hamilton place?”
“Yep. After talking to Trevor and your dad, I decided to approach Mrs. Hamilton. Told her my story and that I was looking to start a new life. She dropped the price by nearly half. Turns out the day I called her she found out her ex-husband was getting married. She sold out of emotion, which sucks for her, but it was a win for me.”
I was so taken with shock, countless questions poured out of me. “I can’t believe it! Are you going to renovate? Will you live here full-time? Do you plan to ranch on it?”
He pulled through the gate and headed down the drive. “I’m going to open the ranch for your father’s cattle to graze, but I’ve got a few other ideas I’d like to play around with.”
I stared at Wade. “I think that’s amazing. You must be pretty excited.”
He nodded. “I am. I stumbled upon an area of the ranch I want to show you.”
My heart fluttered. “I’d love that.”
With a racing mind, I tried to figure out what in the world he was going to show me.
“The moment I saw it, I thought of your cabin.”
A warm feeling pooled in my chest. “I love that old cabin. There is something about old buildings that I adore.”
“I remembered you saying that, so I know you’ll love this.”
We drove down an old dirt road. Bluebonnets mixed with wildflowers, lining the sides of the road. It was beautiful and reminded me of a painting my mother had hanging up in her office.
“This is beautiful. I can’t believe how many bluebonnets are still out with it being so late in April!” I stared out the window at the open field. “Wade, this is stunning!”
He chuckled. “I know. That field sold me on this place. Well, the field and that right there.”
The truck came to a stop, and I gasped. My hands covered my mouth while I took in the sight.
“Oh. My. Gosh. Look at it.” I opened the truck door and dashed out as fast as I could.
Spinning around, I looked at Wade. “How old is it?” I asked before turning to the old, stone, two-story house.
“Mrs. Hamilton said her great-grandparents built it. I guess the Hamilton family was one of the founding families of Oak Springs, along with your family, and the Hills.”
“They were. I believe Russ’s great-grandfather was the first town doctor.”
“The house hasn’t been lived in for years. Mrs. Hamilton said her great-grandfather moved out of the house and into a small cabin after his wife died. Said the memories were too much for him to take. So, this house sat empty. The trees and shrubs grew up around it, and Mrs. Hamilton said it was forbidden for any family member to live in the house. Something Dr. Hamilton wrote into his will.”
My eyes widened as I stepped onto the porch. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Why would he do that?”
Wade’s eyes turned sad, and he stared at the house. It was like a memory hit him.
He shook his head before looking at me. “Grief does weird things to you. Fills you with fear and doubt…and so much loneliness that you feel you might go crazy on any given day.”
I walked up to him and took his hands. When our eyes met I was stunned for a brief moment. Wade looked defeated. “There is something far more beautiful here than grief, Wade.”
