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She peered inside, surveyed the interior a short while longer, and said, “This is really a good idea, Drake.”
Relief filled him.
“I could put the children in one, and maybe adults in the other. What do you think?”
“I think whatever you do will be up to you. When Hugh told me about the cars, your request for a space to teach came to mind.”
While she continued to scan them he said, “Hugh has access to more, so my plan is to use some of the salvageable wood from those to make the repairs on these. We can saw out a couple of windows in the walls, so it won’t be so dark. Add some shelves, benches for the students to sit on. Make you a desk if you want one.” He stopped. “Why are you crying?”
Her eyes were full of tears. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
He eased her into his side and draped an arm across her shoulders. “Does this make up for my rudeness to Cole?”
“Yes. It makes up for everything. All the disappointments and the setbacks. I can actually teach in these.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “Thank you, so much,” she whispered. “So much.”
She drew back and looked up. “This is so much better than a two-headed frog. And you know what else?”
“What?”
“This seals my decision. I’m staying in New Orleans.”
Drake wanted to howl his joy. “Then let’s get these cars ready for your students.”
He slid a finger over her cheek then over her mouth. He kissed her slowly, fully, letting the sweetness of her fill him. That she didn’t believe in love made the prospect of courting her challenging, but he’d go slowly, even though patience was not one of his virtues. Reluctantly drawing away, he took her hand and they returned to the buggy.
Seated beside him as he drove back towards his partially finished house, Valinda couldn’t believe he’d done this on her behalf. No one had ever gifted her with something so life-changing, and she was certain it would be, not only for her, but for her students, too. She imagined the subjects she’d teach, the good she’d do, and it was all because of him. Last night, he’d treated her to passion; today, he’d set her on the path to her future.
When he handed her down from the buggy, she got her first up-close look at the house he was building. It wasn’t as grand as Julianna’s or as large as Sable and Raimond’s, but she thought it lovely. It was two stories and twin columns fronted the entrance. Large live oaks lined both sides. The roof was complete and there was glass in the windows.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s lovely, Drake. I really like it.” She ran approving eyes over the structure.
“Let me show you the kitchen.”
Like many kitchens in the South, it wasn’t part of the main house. She supposed it had to do with the heat, but she’d never asked. His, like the one at Julianna’s, was made of brick and connected to the house by an open-sided breezeway. The kitchen was still under construction, and when they approached, the men laying the bricks stopped work and Drake did the introductions.
From there, she followed him along a cleared path through the oaks to the shed where he did his blacksmith work. Val looked around the cavernous space, taking in the large forge, and the neatly stored assortment of hammers, files, and tongs. “I’ve never seen a blacksmith work. May I watch you in here sometime? I enjoy learning new things.”
“Whenever you like.”
She took a last look around, imagining the forge filled with white-hot coals, and him in his apron and mask. “Where to next?”
“I want to show you where I’m thinking of putting the gazebo and the tree house.”
She smiled. “Lead the way.”
The spot for the gazebo was close to the house, but the land hadn’t been cleared yet. “How long will it take you to take down the trees?”
“Not too long, but I want to get the house done first. The gazebo can go in after I catch my breath.”
She thought about Julianna’s gazebo. “Are you going to put in flowers and shrubs like your mother has?”
“I suppose, but I’ll leave that decision up to whomever I marry. For now, I simply want a spot where I can enjoy a cigar and a glass of cognac after a long day.”
Holding his eyes, she thought about him marrying a woman who’d get to share all that he was—his kisses, humor, surprises. She looked away. “Where are you putting the tree house?”
“Come. I’ll show you.”
