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“They couldn’t get it for the price they needed to with the estimated cost of repairs, unfortunately. It was just out of their price range. Another property came up that was a much better fit for them, and they took it, sadly.” The realtor glanced around. “This really could be a gem with a little love.”
“How many bedrooms did you say?” Avery asked.
“Six. Plus two servants' quarters.”
“That’s a lot of room. I don’t know that we’d need it,” Avery said, pegging Wilder with a glare.
“Space for your brothers, if they want it,” Wilder murmured. “Our room. A nursery. Maybe one more room for another down the road? And a guest room. How’s that sound?”
“Two kids, hmm?” Avery replied, crossing his arms. “Spread out a bit, of course.” He turned, eyeing the doorway to the unpleasantly decorated bathroom off the main bedroom. “Though I don’t know that my brothers would want to leave Gray and Rohan’s, so what would we do with that space?”
Wilder considered that. “They might not, but a place for them to stay when they want to hang out for a night or a weekend? Or just get away for a bit and be with their brother.”
“Perhaps,” Avery said with a grin. “This place needsa lotof work.”
“But the bones are good.”
“I do kind of love that sunroom. It’s gorgeous… or rather, would be with a little love.”
“Perfect place for breakfasts with the family. Game night. Birthdays. Celebrations.”
Avery walked closer, stopping inches from Wilder. He whispered, “I think it might be beautiful. Underneath it all.”
“Me, too.” He reached out and pushed a lock of hair into place. “But the big question is… does it feel like home?”
Avery smiled up at him. “It’s near where I grew up. A block from my brothers. Near the AQ. Good school district.” Avery glanced around. “I could see us living here.”
Wilder turned to the realtor. “Remind me of the price?”
“They just dropped it twenty-thousand. It’s sitting at six hundred thousand now.”
“For this wreck?” Avery asked.
Wilder chuckled. “Offer them five. All-cash offer.”
“I’m not sure they’ll take it, but I can give it a try.”
“We might be willing to negotiate,” Wilder said. “But they have to be reasonable, considering the work that needs to be done.”
“I agree,” the realtor said. “I figured it’s not worth much more than five-fifty.”
The exact upper edge Wilder was willing to go. The realtor was sharp. “Put in the offer and see if they make a counter. Call me the minute they respond.”
“Yes, sir,” the man said with a grin. “I’ll go back to the office and write it up right now.”
After descending the sweeping staircase and exiting the dramatic front door, they parted ways with the realtor.
“Oh no,” Avery exclaimed.
“What?”
“I never saw the backyard! I mean, I saw hints of it through the windows, but it appeared to be an overgrown mess.” He slipped a hand into Wilder’s. “Let’s peek before we go.”
“Okay,” Wilder said. He’d seen the backyard and its glory. It, like the house, needed tremendous work. Yet he was sure it would be stunning once it was complete. He’d see to it.
Avery led him around the side—brimming with overgrown rose bushes that were somehow still in bloom so late in the fall, though most were wilting away—and through a rickety old gate. Once it opened, a riot of vines and dense kudzu abounded, along with more wilting roses in every shade of the rainbow.
“Oh my,” Avery said, all but dragging Wilder deeper. “Oh… it’s… it’s…”
