She had just clocked out and been ready to head down to the daycare to grab the boys when the mayor of Finley Creek strolled into the ER and right up to her. He held out a hand to her.
Annie took it before she thought. “What’s going on?”
“Come with me.”
“I can’t…the boys…I…”
“Oh, go with the Mega-Hot Mayor!” Nikkie Jean said from beside her. She practically vibrated with excitement. Cherise, Courtney, Angie, and Wanda were all shamelessly watching every move Turner made. “Caine’s off tonight. We’ll take the boys.”
“I thought his sister was bringing her two over?” Ari and the governor had a state function in Austin the next morning. They were dropping off their two children at Caine’s, then making the four-hour drive that evening. Nikkie Jean had been talking about her plans for the slumber party for two days.
She liked having a niece and nephew, she’d said. And was super-excited that Caine had two more siblings with children in St. Louis. Nikkie Jean was surrounding herself with Caine’s family enthusiastically.
“Exactly. The more the merrier.” Nikkie Jean shot her a look, one that told Annie she hadn’t forgotten what Annie had talked to her about that morning. About stopping the fear and taking risks. Nikkie Jean had understood exactly what she was saying. “I’ll take the boys tonight. Between Caine, Uncle Henry, and me there, that’s almost one adult per two kids. We can handle this.”
“I…”
“Please, Annie. I really need to show you something.” His hand was hot around hers. His darker blue eyes were beseeching. “Please?”
In that moment, like an idiot, she’d probably agree to follow him just about anywhere.
“Ok, so why am I here?” Annie looked around the huge plot of land. The creek the county had been named for ran right in front of her, less than three hundred feet away. It wasn’t a huge river, by any means. Maybe twelve feet across and four feet deep. It was actually beautiful. Almost idyllic. A slight breeze blew, taking some of the Texas heat with it. Some. Not a lot.
Even with the rain drizzling around them, it was still hot out. Much too hot even for the thin overshirt and tank top she’d thrown on after changing out of her scrubs in the break room before Turner had spirited her away. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to put in the request that the city relocate your house and the remaining three. Harley Borlin will no doubt get a check from the insurance company for his.”
Annie just gawked at him. “You’re serious.”
“Very serious. It’s a workable solution. One that the city can afford, thanks to what happened to the other four houses in the storm. Insurance checks will cover the damages to them. That frees up some resources. We can move your home here. I thought…if you go across the river there—there’s a footbridge fifty feet behind those trees—and walk through the back acreage, you’ll come up right behind Jillian and Rafe. This land is actually owned by Barratt-Handley. Houghton has agreed to give the city a good deal. If you want it. There are other lots available throughout the town that the city can purchase or already owns.”
“You didn’t have to do this.” Annie didn’t know what to think. He was so sincere. And it was obvious he’d put a great deal of thought into this. When he hadn’t had to.
He’d wanted to do it—for her.
A big piece of her heart broke off in that moment. And flew to him. She’d never get it back, and she knew it.
Annie had just fallen a little bit in love with the man in front of her.
Maybe a lot in love with him, actually.
“I had to do something. I couldn’t let you lose everything you’ve worked for since you were a teenager. I just couldn’t.” He stepped over a small river of gravel and then reached a hand back toward her. “The front porch would face this way. You’d have to fence the backyard because of the water. At least until the boys are older. Then they could fish and swim in the river. It’s not that deep here. Perfect for picnics and things. There’s that tree there. It should be far enough from where they’d put the house. I could put a tree house there for your boys, if you wanted me to. I can build things, you know.” He shot her a grin. “I’m not just another pretty face.”
“I know.” He was so, so much more than just a handsome man. Mega-Hot Mayor. One of the Garlic’s most eligible Finley Creek bachelors. A Barratt.
But he’d always be just Turner to her.
Annie slipped her arms around him. “Thank you. This…means the world to me. I don’t know what I plan to do about the house. I…like Lacy’s ranch and what it represents.”
“If nothing else, let me move your house. Rent it out. Use the money from it for the boys’ college funds or something. I just…don’t want you to see it torn down.”
“I know. You’re a good man, Turner Barratt. One of the best I’ve ever known.” She didn’t exactly have the words to express how she was feeling right then. So all Annie could do was show him.