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“I saw the pictures of this place. How bad he’d let things get. Staying here may have been a punishment if he’d lived long enough to serve the sentence but for me it was convenient. Staying here made it possible to keep a close eye on the contractors and make sure things were done right. If I sold this place like the other real estate holdings, it would’ve been condemned. Likely bulldozed to build more expensive housing. And I couldn't watch that happen.”
“But…why did you choose the worst trailer and let us taunt you about being stuck here when you knew you weren’t?”
His face lights up with a smile as he shrugs. “It seemed to make you all happy.”
“That’s crazy.”
“You weren’t going to trust me no matter what I said, no one here would, and it was understandable. It was something that had to be shown, not claimed. Plus, you all needed a little revenge. I know the feeling.”
I’m not sure what to say. He’s here voluntarily. He could leave any time. He didn’t even have to do repairs if he just sold the place or let it be condemned.
I was wrong about so much. All this time I thought he was a horrible person, a spoiled, rich brat who was only here by force. It’s not who he is at all.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
COOPER
Maren is quiet for a few minutes after my revelation. “You don’t have to live here through July,” she says, as if my news is just sinking in.
“No. There was no deadline for repairs.”
“When do you plan to leave, then?”
I run my fingers through her soft hair. If she only knew how long I’d stay right here, in this little bed in this little room just to be with her. “What makes you think I do?”
She scoffs and her laugh holds no real amusement. “Because the wealthy don’t yearn for the trailer park.”
It’s true I won’t live here long term, but that doesn’t mean I plan to leave her, or even this town. I haven’t figured out my plan yet, but it’s going to center around her.
Pinching her chin lightly between my fingers, I turn her head until she’s looking me in the eye. “You’re judging me for my financial situation. I’m incredibly fortunate. I know that but it doesn’t change who I am. I’m an open book, sweetheart. But you’re going to have to read past the first page.”
Her gaze softens. “I’m not trying to judge you. I’m being logical. If I hit the lottery tomorrow, I wouldn’t stay here.”
“You said you don’t have a dream job. What would you do?” I’m curious about her answer because after I’m finished here, I’m not sure what I’ll do. There’s no need to return to my job.
“First, I’d buy Pop’s house back, then start a charity to help people pay for medical care so what happened to him would never happen to anyone else.”
I know Ronnie is a cancer survivor, but she’s never talked much about it. “A charity to fight cancer?”
“No, one to pay the bills so they don’t lose everything.” She rests her head on my shoulder again and I cuddle her close to me. “When Pops got sick, it was awful. Seeing him suffer through treatments and worrying whether he’d make it. But it was worse watching him lose everything he’d worked for at the same time. His savings, his retirement fund, his house. He acts like he’s okay with it, but I know better. It broke his heart.”
In a lot of ways, I am very lucky. While I didn’t grow up the way she probably thinks, surrounded by excess and wealth, I always had the best health insurance. It was one of the few things Mom insisted on from Dad. He never had to pay for child support. She never wanted any court orders that he may want to fight. It was too likely that he’d just take me from her if she dared. Even this surgery I had, I never gave a second thought to whether I could go to the hospital or pay for it.
“What would you do for yourself? How would you spend your time?”
“If money weren’t a consideration anymore…” She pauses, thinking about it. “Learning stuff. There’s so much I’d love to learn to do. Woodworking, upholstery, stuff like that. I’ve always wanted to try making something on a pottery wheel. I’d take classes, travel, learn about other cultures, meet new people, see what things are like outside of this little world.” Her fingers play with the hem of my t-shirt. “I wouldn’t live here. So no, I don’t believe you plan to stay in a trailer park.”
“Look at me, Maren.” She tilts her head up, and I plant a soft kiss on her lips. “That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t stay with you.”
She blinks and I see apprehension build in her expression. “That wasn’t why I asked. I wasn’t suggesting we…were going to be together.”
“I’m not suggesting it either, I’m telling you.”
Her defenses are up. “I told you that I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“Because of your dating hiatus, I remember. Tell me why. Why are you avoiding a relationship?”
