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“Thousands, tens of thousands, maybe even more.”
“More?”
“I can’t believe anyone would want to pay anything for this place. But maybe with some work….” She looked at Jake, who was walking around the kitchen, opening up cabinets. “Do you think we could do it?”
“Yeah…” He got down on the floor, picking at ancient linoleum that curled at the corners. “These are hardwood floors underneath.”
“The house isn’t huge,” Julia said, “but you know what they say, location, location, location. The river is only a few blocks away, there’s shopping and restaurants right along the water on Main. Plus, Pioneer Park is just down the street.”
“We don’t have the money for a full reno,” Jake cautioned.
“How long do you think it would take to fix the floors, and paint and stuff?” Hannah asked, pulling out a silverware drawer.
“A month, maybe two?” Julia checked out the view from the back door. “Fix up the yard a bit, refresh the bathrooms, maybe switch out the cabinet hardware. Definitely update the light fixtures.”
“We don’t have the time,” he said, but he was figuring out that the women in his life were ignoring him. “You’re starting school in a few weeks.”
“We can do it together. Emma can help, too.”
She bumped him with her hip. He longed to pull her to him and kiss her. He honestly didn’t think he could wait to be her husband much longer.
“The wedding’s in a couple of weeks.”
They’d decided to have a small gathering at the ranch. The vows would be said on the porch, with Millie and Emma by their sides, and Pastor Phil officiating. The Boudreaus, Gundersons, and Rylands would all be in attendance. Even Ted would be included. They had the Gundersons’ event tent and a small platform for dancing after dinner. A local restaurant was catering, which was his mother’s and Ted’s contribution. Ted actually added an open bar, and more than enough food for the whole town.
They’d done well with the to-do list, but they didn’t have time to flip a house, too.
“You could turn it over in a few months,” Julia said, as she typed on the phone. “You’d be crazy not to, with your skills.”
He blew out a breath, his hands on his hips, looking around the house. “I’m totally outnumbered, aren’t I?”
Hannah laughed, sliding her arms around his waist and pulling him into her. “It’ll be fun!”
“Okay.” He laughed at her excitement. “Let’s do it.”
He kissed the top of Hannah’s head as she and Julia talked about pulling off the cabinet doors and painting them white.
“French country ishugethese days,” Julia said, as she headed out of the kitchen.
Hannah let go and went to follow his sister. He grabbed her belt loop with his finger and pulled her right back into him.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.” She patted his chest, playing with a button on his shirt. He lifted her chin and brought her lips to his.
“I’m going to make you the happiest woman alive.”
“I already am.” And she kissed him again.
* * *
“Dearly beloved,” Pastor Phil said to the small gathering sitting under the eggshell-blue sky as Jake and Hannah said their vows.
After the engagement, Emma started referring to the Wilson farm as the Malloy Ranch. She even changed her own name, even though her adoption hasn’t been officially finalized.Emma Higgins Malloy,she’d write at the top of her papers. Her teachers didn’t mind.
“She’s a whole new kid!” one had told Hannah.
Hannah couldn’t hide her smile as she stood beside Jake, resplendent in his best suit. There he was, standing before God, and about to commit his life to her.
