Ada and Enzo look at houses until her head spins. All different styles and sizes and locations. How can so many houses be on the market at once? It’s as though everyone in town is taking part in a game of musical houses.
“There are things I like about each house,” Ada tells Jamie, the Realtor. “But I’m not in love with any of them.”
“That’s part of the process,” Jamie says. “You are determining what features are most important.”
Ada aims a finger gun at him. “Exactly. Our perfect house would have the screened porch from Maple Avenue, and the Cape Cod’s outstanding master suite, and the yard with the fabulous view and sunken fire pit.” She scrunches her brow. “Which house was that? I’ve forgotten.”
“The farm outside of town,” Enzo says, tugging on her ponytail.
Jamie chuckles. “It’s no wonder you’re confused. We’ve seen a lot this week, and I know you’re overwhelmed. But I wanted you to be aware of everything currently on the market. I’ve scheduled an appointment to see a new listing for early tomorrow morning. It’s more than you want to spend, but it’s worth looking.”
“What’s the point if we can’t afford it?” Ada asks.
Jamie and Enzo exchange a look Ada can’t interpret. “Jamie shared the MLS listing with me. This one is special, Ada. I don’t see any harm in having a tour.”
“If you say so,” Ada says in a skeptical tone.
Touring a house they can’t afford is a waste of everyone’s time. And she’s more than a little irritated when she falls in love at first sight. The contemporary home is all windows and sharp edges and built into the side of the mountain.
“This is insane, Enzo. We can’t afford this.”
“Maybe not, but I’m curious to see it,” Enzo says, and gets out of his pickup truck before she can argue.
Ada traipses along beside him. “This is a bad idea. I already love this place. Are you torturing me for a reason?”
Enzo puts his finger to his lips, silencing her as he rings the doorbell. Jamie lets them in and shows them the house, which was built five years ago and features a chef’s kitchen, marble baths, and a family room with an enormous stone fireplace. A bluestone patio with a built-in fire pit makes up the top level of the terraced yard with an infinity pool on the level below, both offering stunning views of the mountains.
Ada throws up her hands in surrender. “That’s it. I’m done. I’ll never find another house I love as much as this. I’m so mad at you two for bringing me here.”
“Will you give us a minute alone?” Enzo says to Jamie.
“Sure thing. I’ll be in the kitchen if you have questions,” Jamie says, and retreats inside the house.
Enzo turns to her. “I can afford the house, Ada.”
Ada lowers herself to the bench surrounding the fire pit. “So, you’ve been holding out on me. Is there no end to your supply of royal money?”
A smirk appears on his lips. “There’s an end. We’re just not anywhere near it yet.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “But I want to contribute. Otherwise, it won’t feel like my house.”
Enzo sits down beside her. “If that’s what you really want,” he says, fingering her cheek.
Ada grabs his hand, pulling it away from her face. “We’re not married yet. What if we break up?”
“That’s never going to happen. But if it makes you feel better, we’ll have an attorney draw up an agreement. Better yet, we can elope.”
Ada grunts. “I already told you, we’re not eloping.”
Enzo pulls her close, kissing the top of her head. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves, babe. Jamie tells me there are several motivated buyers. We have to submit the winning bid first.”
She pushes away from him, sitting up straight. “Then let’s do it. We’ll make a no-contingency offer with as big a down payment as we can manage. I don’t like to lose, Enzo.”
“I’m aware. And I have no intention of losing.”
* * *
Ada leaves Enzo and Jamie to work out the details of the contract and heads over to Malone Equestrian Center for an arranged meeting with Bud. Reclaimed pine paneling lines the walls of his study and sunlight beams in through french doors that lead to a wrap-around porch. Bud hands her a file and they sit side by side on a leather-upholstered love seat.
Bud settles back and crosses his long legs. “I thought I’d start by giving you a broad overview of my operation.”
A gentle breeze drifts through the open doors, and Ada’s mind soon wanders. What will happen when I inherit the equestrian center? For the safety of the horses, I should live on the premises. But it’ll break my heart to sell the contemporary house. Then again, Bud’s Lowcountry-style home is much larger, with at least four bedrooms for all the children I plan to have.
Bud taps her on the shoulder, breaking her reverie. “Earth to Ada. You’re a million miles away.”
Ada’s face warms. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually so distracted. Enzo and I are making an offer on a house today.”
Bud closes the file in his lap. “That’s exciting. Tell me about it.”
Ada shows her crossed fingers. “Not until we get it. I don’t want to jinx us.”
Bud chuckles. “I understand.” He takes her folder and gets to his feet. “The first hint of autumn is in the air today. Why don’t we walk the property? I can tell you more about the business as we go.”
“Good idea. Maybe the crisp air will clear my mind and help me focus,” Ada says and follows him out the french doors and across the porch.
As they stroll toward the stable, Bud says, “Does this mean you and Enzo will live together? I don’t mean to pry. And I certainly don’t mind. Cohabitating prior to marriage is the norm with kids these days.”
She smiles. “We’re pretty much living together now, honestly. We’re thinking of moving the wedding up.”
They pause at the outdoor arena to watch a group riding lesson in progress. “I’d like to host your wedding, Ada, either here or at the country club. I would be honored if you’d allow me to give you away.”
A vision pops into Ada’s mind. She’s stunning in a Carolina Herrera gown on the arm of her distinguished, tuxedo-clad father. Only the father in her imagination is Daniel. “That’s incredibly generous of you, Bud. But we haven’t decided what kind of wedding we want. We may even have a destination wedding. I’ll definitely keep you in the loop.”
“I’m happy for you, Ada. Life is good.” He leans on the railing, a broad smile on his lips.
“You seem extra chipper today. Did something happen?”
“I finally convinced Ruthie to go on a date with me. She’s agreed to be my plus-one for the Coleman wedding.”
Ada’s golden-brown eyes go wide. “You mean Ruthie from the diner?”
Bud laughs. “She’s the only Ruthie I know. I’ve been trying to get her to go out with me for years.”
Ada squeezes his arm. “Go, Bud! She’s a beauty. And loaded with personality.”
“She’s a looker, all right. Unfortunately, I think she’s more interested in attending the wedding than dating me. I’ll show her a good time, and we’ll see where it leads us.”
She leans into him. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re quite the catch. Any woman would be lucky to get a man like you.”
“Having you around is good for my ego.” Bud pushes off the railing. “Let’s keep moving. I want to be mindful of your time on such an important day.”
Bud spends the next two hours giving her a bird's-eye view of his operation. When he receives an important phone call, he excuses himself and returns to his study to take it.
Ada is unlocking her car door when Stuart appears from nowhere, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her around to face him. “You thieving little bitch. I’m not gonna let you get away with it.”
“Get away with what?” Ada says, wrenching her arm free of his grasp.
“Stealing my inheritance. This farm belongs to me.”
Particles of Stuart’s spit ping her face, and she runs the back of her hand across her cheek. “But you don’t even like horses.”
“Who cares? I plan to sell the farm, the whole kit and caboodle. The property is worth a fortune.”
Ada waves a hand in the direction of the house. “Talk to your father. It’s his estate. I have nothing to do with it.”
“Like hell you don’t. You can disclaim your inheritance.”
“How can I disclaim it when I haven’t inherited anything yet?”
“You know what I mean, Ada. Tell Dad you don’t want the farm. Tell him it’s rightfully mine.” Stuart’s menacing tone sends chill bumps across her skin.
Ada pins him with a death glare. “And if I don’t?”
He grabs her arm again, squeezing it hard. “I’ll make your life a living hell.”
It was not so long ago when Ada said this same thing to Casey. And she made good on her threat. She slashed Casey’s tires and ransacked her house. The anger consumed her. Ada understands all too well how it feels to have a half sibling suddenly invade one’s life. “I was hoping you and I could have a relationship. Can we at least try?”
“No thanks. I never wanted a sibling when I was a child, and I certainly don’t want one now.”
Ada swallows the nasty comeback on the tip of her tongue. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She pries his fingers from her arm, shoves him out of the way, and gets in her car.
As she’s driving off, Stuart shouts, “Disclaim your inheritance, Ada. Or you’ll regret it.”
She’s still shaken from her encounter with Stuart when she stops at Delilah’s Delights for take-out lunch. She focuses on picking out salads without paying any attention to the other customers. While standing in line to pay, she hears a familiar voice behind her say, “Hello, Ada.”
She glances over her shoulder. “Hi, Da . . .” She stops herself from calling him Dad. She gives him a curt nod. “Daniel.”
“I’m glad I ran into you. There’s an empty table on the deck out back. Do you have time to eat lunch with me? I have something important I want to talk to you about.”
Curiosity gets the best of her. “I can spare a few minutes, but I’m going to wait and eat with Enzo.”
They finish paying and go outside to the deck. Ada sets her shopping bag of salads on the table. “Enzo is waiting for me. I don’t have much time. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“As you know, I’m not good at admitting when I’m wrong. But I’m ashamed of the way I’ve treated you.” Daniel stares down at his unopened salad container. “Anger has consumed me these past few months. I’m furious at your mother for cheating on me with my oldest friend and at Bud for sleeping with my wife. I was heartsick to learn the precious little girl I raised as my daughter is not my flesh and blood. For unjustified reasons, I pushed you away. But I miss you so much, and I want you back in my life.”
His words touch Ada. She realizes how difficult it was for him to say these things. But they can’t change the past. “I’m sorry, Daniel, but we can’t go back to the way things were before Casey entered our lives.”
His pale olive eyes are full of genuine sorrow. “Maybe not, but we can forge a new relationship built on the close bond we once shared. Can you at least try to forgive me?”
“Even if I’m able to forgive you one day, I’ll never be able to trust you again. And you can’t have a relationship without trust.”
Tears sting Ada’s eyes as she leaves, knowing their close bond is gone forever. While she’s devastated by that loss, she’s felt more at ease, more herself, these past months. She’s no longer under pressure to live up to his high expectations. Bud and Enzo accept her for who she is despite her many flaws. She must tread lightly where Daniel is concerned. If she gives him an inch, he will take a mile. And she refuses to be his puppet ever again. He is now Casey’s problem.