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“No.” His mouth firmed. “I want you to see all of it.”
As they walked closer, she was able to catch sight of his house. It was larger than Silas’. The house facing them was ablue and white two-story house. A porch wrapped around to the back and out of sight. Two rocking chairs were sitting on the porch, just waiting to be filled. Struck by the beauty of Matthew’s house, she started taking in the yard and noticed a swing attached to two trees. There was even a small picket fence with huge planters filled with orange mums. It was the small picket fence, though, that poked at a long-ago memory.
“When I grow up and get married …” Her voice cracked as she remembered telling the wind the same birthday wish she’d had for several years until the wind had stopped talking to her. “I’m going to have a blue and white two-story house, with a swing in the front yard so I can watch my children play, two rockers so when my husband and I get old, we can sit there and watch the night sky.” Alanna turned toward Matthew. “And I wanted a blue picket fence around the house.”
“How did I do?” he asked hoarsely.
Alanna stared at him in dismay. “How did you know this is the house I dreamt of having some day? I never told anyone.”
Matthew shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Do you like it?”
“Likeisn’t a strong enough word. I love it.”
“I just finished it before you came. Do you want to see inside?”
“Oh yeah …” She could barely contain her enthusiasm.
Watch yourself, Alanna, she warned herself.
She walked through the door and was awestruck by the hardwood floors. Unlike Ginny’s home, it didn’t have all modern appliances. Alanna lovingly ran her hand over the vintage red reconditioned stove.
She gave a low whistle. “I’ve only seen one of these in a house I was selling. The buyer wanted to include it in the sale of the house, and the owner wanted over five grand for it. Needless to say, the buyer didn’t get it.”
“It was in Dad’s house before he bought a new one. It was sitting in the storage building. I had it reconditioned.”
“It’s beautiful. I can see why you prefer working with this rather than having me dump something in the Crock-Pot for you.”
“I love your Crock-Pot meals.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I know I’m not a great cook. That’s okay. I’m getting better.”
“Yes, you are. You want to see the upstairs?”
As they went up the staircase, she stared down at the empty living room.
“You haven’t gotten around to picking out furniture?”
“No, I’ve been waiting.”
“For what?”
“You.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Matthew could tell from her wry smile that she thought he was kidding.
On the landing, he opened one of the six bedroom doors, letting her glance inside each empty room. He had put a lot of thought into making the home comfortable for all the children he planned to have. There was still an ache inside his chest, but after the last month, he didn’t feel as if there was a gaping wound that would never be filled. She was meant for him. Whatever trials and tribulations they would go through in their lives ahead, they could overcome. Once they cleared the first hurdle … of him confessing his family’s gifts.
This could go badly. However, he was determined to tell her tonight. Ezra and Fynn both warned him over the last two days that a dark day lay ahead, and they couldn’t see beyond today. That meant something was going to happen tomorrow that could change the direction of Alanna and his future.
Silas had come by his shop after Alanna left his house, telling him that Diamond had scheduled a meeting with Alanna tomorrow. Whatever Diamond had to talk to her about must be what Ezra and Fynn had been warning him.
He had saved the middle room facing the front yard for last. Opening the door after Alanna had checked out the others, he let her go in first. She gave him a surprised glance from over her shoulder when she saw it was the only one that had furniture.
“Ezra made the bed.”
The huge four-poster bed was made out of dark cherry wood, with swirling patterns carved at the top of the headboard and bottom.
