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Connor Bennet is from another small town near the Alabama-Tennessee border named Tyson Creek, about a four-hour drive from here. It took a lot of convincing to get him to get all this work done in such a short amount of time, but it seems money speaks volumes, and thankfully, I had plenty of it. You can get anything done quickly for the right price.
I’m not rich by any means, but I never really saw the sense of spending money on frivolous things. I had a place to sleep, my motorcycle, and a very lucrative job. After a few very smart investments, I created a decent nest egg for myself. The money wasn’t doing anything but sitting in the bank, accruing interest. I spent a pretty penny on this house and the renovations, but all of it will be worth it if I can convince Marissa to take a chance on us.
“Thanks, Connor.” I stride toward him, reaching out my hand. “I couldn’t have done any of this without your help.”
Connor grasps my hand in his, giving it a firm handshake. “The pleasure was all ours. Lucky for you, my business partner, Vance, and I know a thing or two about renovating old houses. We just finished up his a few months ago.”
“I’ll definitely be contacting your company to help finish up the work, if things go well. I’m sure Marissa has a million plans for this place.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic, dear. Things are going to go great,” my mom chimes in from her spot on the porch swing. “You bought her a house, and not just any house, her dream house. How can she say no?”
“I think you and my business partner have more in common than you think. He brought his girl's dream house, too. He’s just waiting for her to come home and see it.”
“How’s that going for him?” I question, not sure I’m ready to hear the answer.
I rub the spot over my chest at the thought of Marissa never coming back to me, the space between us growing larger with each passing day. I imagined picking up the phone and calling her a million times over the last week or so, explaining to her I was coming back for her, but I needed to see this through. Words can only get me so far. I need to show her with my actions that I am serious about the two of us. A grand gesture to let her know I am all in. This house is just the start of my plan, but I have one other trick up my sleeve.
“The verdict is still out,” Connor responds solemnly as I hear the back door slide open. “Oh, speak of the devil. Finn, meet my business partner, Vance.”
Vance slaps me hard on the back, his booming voice causing my mom to jump slightly in her spot on the swing. “You’ve got a great place here, Finn. There are still a few things that need to be done before it’s exactly how you envisioned, but we made a list just in case you want to go with another company closer to home.”
“He’s already said he’d contact us once the missus sees the place.”
“Good man. You never want to make too many decisions on your own without consulting the lady of the house.” Vance winks at my mom, causing her to giggle.
“If I was only a few years younger…”
“Momma!” I say in mock horror as everyone laughs loudly.
“If there isn’t anything else, we’re going to get going for the day,” Connor says with a smile as he pulls a piece of paper out of the folder he’s holding. “This is the list of repairs Vance was talking about. Is there anything else on this list you might want us to tackle before the big reveal?”
I grab the paper and flip it open, wanting to make sure there is nothing pressing on it. Most of the stuff I knew already needed to be done, but most of it is cosmetic work that will make the house more visitors ready in the coming weeks, but I notice one thing missing from the list.
“Can we refinish the floors? They’re looking a little worse for the wear,” I ask as I hand the list back to him.
The two men share a look before Vance strides toward the door. “Let’s take a look, but I doubt it will be a problem.”
Connor, Vance, Ma, and I stroll back into the house, coming to a stop just outside of the kitchen where the hardwood begins. I had originally wanted to save the hardwood in the kitchen, but it was beyond repair in a few spots, and Connor wasn’t able to find the correct wood to match. Instead, we went with a luxury vinyl plank tile that was a rich mahogany color and blended well with the original flooring in the house.
Vance squats down and runs his hand across the floor before standing to his full height. “I don’t see that being a problem, but you will have to give us another week to get them refinished and stained to match the LVP in the kitchen.”
I groan internally at the mention of going another week without having Marissa in my arms.
“Or we could probably get it done in a few days if we had to,” Vance chimes in, causing Connor to chuckle. “We can have everything wrapped up and ready for the big reveal on Saturday.”
Four days. Only four more days until I lay it all on the line and let Marissa know I’m in this for the long haul. I can live with that.
“I don’t want to put you guys out, but I’d really appreciate it.”
Vance and Connor share a look before he smiles at me. “What’s a few more days away from home? I just need to make a few calls and make sure my daughter is taken care of.”
“Jade is her name, right?” my ma questions as we make our way toward the front of the house.
“That’s right. She’s been staying with some friends of ours while we are here working.”
Connor’s face lights up as he speaks of his daughter. I don’t know his entire story, but my mom has spent plenty of time here with all the workers coming in and out of the house doing work, and she’s gotten to know them all. Connor’s wife died when Jade was born, leaving him to raise her all alone. I believe he said she is fifteen now and an amazing dancer.
“Bring her with you next time. I’ll spoil her rotten.” Ma smiles at Connor before her attention shifts toward me. “I can’t wait to have some grandbabies of my own soon.”
