“Are you sure about this, Lizzie?” My brother, Danny, placed his hands on his hips and screwed up his nose as he stared at the building in front of us.
I followed his gaze, noting the window shutter dangling precariously by a single hinge. The paint was peeling, the garden was overgrown, and the roof looked like it might collapse at any moment. But if you squinted your eyes, tilted your head and looked past all that, you could see the beauty it had once been.
“Yes. I’m certain. The house is stunning.”
Danny’s jaw dropped faster than my savings account balance during a Black Friday sale. “Are we looking at the same building?” His voice was three octaves higher than normal.
As a hairdresser, Danny usually worked on a Saturday, but he’d taken some time off between clients to accompany me to an open inspection of a house I was considering purchasing. It was a great idea at the time, but now I was thinking I should have come alone.
“Yes! Just wait until you see inside,” I gushed. “It’s got the most amazing bay windows, and from upstairs you can even see the river.” An unfamiliar warm feeling burned bright inside my chest.
Glancing around, I crossed my fingers and hoped I was the only serious buyer and the ten other people meandering around the grounds would just shake their heads and go home. Well… in fairness, some of them were doing just that.
The auction was in a few days’ time, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I’d never purchased a house before, and I’d never been to an auction. Danny had promised he would come along and help me with the bidding, but as he sneered at the property, I figured he’d rather sit on me and keep me at home until the auction was over.
“Come on,” I said. “You’ll soon see what I’m talking about.”
I ignored the dubious lift of his eyebrows and grabbed the arm of his shawl-neck sweater, pulling him onto the graveled driveway.
“Watch the clothing,” he warned, gently yet firmly removing my hand. “It’s new. In fact, hang on a moment. I’m going to leave it in the car for fear of anything happening to it in that, that…”
“House,” I finished for him, rolling my eyes.
“If you say so.”
I sighed but refused to allow him to dampen my enthusiasm. “Danny, if you leave your sweater in the car, you’ll freeze.”
“Better option than risking anything happening to it. Maybe you should…” He looked me up and down before shaking his head. “No, don’t worry.”
“What?”
“I was going to suggest you do the same, but...” He screwed up his nose again, as he squinted.
“You know if you keep doing that, you’ll get wrinkles, right?”
He gasped as his hand shot to his temple, and I watched as he felt around for any creases that may have appeared in the last few minutes.
I hid my grin before hurriedly assessing my outfit. The jacket was a hand-me-down from our sister, Molly. It was denim, frayed at the cuffs, and had faded in patches until it was almost white, but it was comfortable, and I loved it.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Four years ago, the jacket was divine, but I would never pair it with those overalls. Denim on denim is just a bit too matchy-matchy, if you know what I mean.”
No, I didn’t know what he meant. Instead, I threw my hands in the air and watched him march to his car.
Danny was one of the nicest humans I knew. He was kind, considerate, and would do anything to help you, but when it came to fashion, he was ruthless.
I silently admitted that his black skinny jeans and Calvin Klein T-shirt looked great under that sweater. And I loved how he had added a red streak through the side fringe he’d slicked down over his left ear before straightening the rest of his short hair. Like me, Danny struggled with his curls.
However, I chose to allow nature to fly free, rarely having the patience to fight with the hair straightener. Instead, I tied my long dark locks into a ponytail and allowed the humidity to do its thing. I may not look as classy as my siblings, but I had a heck of a lot more free time on my hands.
Tightening the band holding my frizz off my neck, I scanned my surroundings for anyone who looked like a potential buyer and not just a lookie-loo. The open house event was extremely busy. Cars lined the otherwise quiet street as groups wandered the grounds. Two couples were jostling for pole position heading for the agent stationed at the front door, and I tapped my foot impatiently until Danny hurried back and we joined them.
“Happy now?” I asked, watching him rub the goose bumps from his arms.
“Not really, but it will have to do.”
I released a slow breath as he walked ahead of me, his Italian leather loafers crunching the gravel beneath his feet as we made our way toward the front door.
“Lizzie, why don’t you buy one of those new houses over near the horse track? Andrew and I looked at them last week, and they are soooo cute!”
“Because the lights from the night races would keep me awake.”
Danny spun to face me, his eyes wide. “You sleep like the dead! How are a few little lights going to annoy you?”
“They’re not little. They’re huge. And I’ll have you know that I’m a light sleeper.”
“Since when?”
“Since living in the city for ten years. I’d hear even the tiny squeak of a mouse.” That wasn’t strictly true, but I didn’t need to give Danny anymore fuel for his argument.
His snort told me he didn’t believe me, but thankfully he bit his tongue on his retort as we joined the queue.
“Geez, why do so many people want to get into this dump?” Danny asked.
I was about to point out the gorgeous molding around the doorframe when the lady in front of us leaned toward her partner and whispered loud enough for us to hear. “How much to knock it down and clear the land?”
Danny choked on his laugh as he nudged my shoulder.
“You just have no imagination,” I replied indignantly.
Thankfully he chose to remain quiet as we patiently waited our turn to enter the hallway. Okay, I wasn’t that patient, but I did my best. Butterflies zipped in my belly as I fiddled with my thin bangle and bounced on the balls of my feet.
“Good morning.” The middle-aged Realtor greeted us once the demolition couple had stepped inside. “Welcome to number three May Street.” His blue shirt had sweat marks under the arms, his tie was loosened at the collar, and his name badge told me he was “Bob.”
“Is this your first time visiting us here?” He handed me a brochure professing the benefits of living in this old house. He needn’t have bothered. I was already in love with it.
“I had an inspection last week, but another agent was here then,” I explained, giving Bob my full attention.
“Ah, that would have been Zachary. Unfortunately, he was in a terrible accident and needs some time off work, so I’m taking over for him.”
I gasped. “Is he okay? He was really nice. He told me all about the house and how it’s been owned by the same family for generations and how it’s now being sold as part of a decedent’s estate, which is really sad. But at the same time I’m thrilled I get a chance to buy it. Oh, and he also told me all personal effects including furniture have already been sold, so it’s empty. But that’s okay, as I’ve got a good imagination and can visualize what it will look like furnished.” It all came out in a rush and left me slightly lightheaded.
Bob stared back at me, his eyes wide. “Yes, yes. Well, Zac seems to have given you the rundown then. And he’ll be fine. He’s quite clumsy, and it seems he was upstairs closing the window and he fell.”
“Out the window?” My jaw dropped, and I smacked my lips with my hand.
“Yes. But don’t worry,” Bob hurriedly added, his palm in the halt position. “That side of the house is quite overgrown, and the shrubs broke his fall.”
Danny sucked in a breath as a passer-by mumbled something about the house being cursed.
Bob glared after them. “It’s quirky, not damned,” he muttered before his gaze flicked back to me. “Please pay them no attention. Now, may I have your name for our records?” His finger poised over the screen of his electronic tablet.
“Lizzie Fuller. And this is my brother, Danny.”
“And you’re the purchaser, Lizzie?”
“Ahuh.”
Bob’s index finger moved at lightning speed as he entered my name into his database.
“Excuse me for interrupting.” A woman stepped up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Her long caramel-colored tresses were tied at her neck, perspiration beaded around her hairline, and the jacket of her Westport Property Sales uniform looked constricting. “I was wondering if I could have a quick word?” I detected a distinct tremble in her voice, as she gave me a friendly, albeit distracted smile.
“I’m sorry, Bianca, but I’m a little busy.” Bob chuckled, yet his lips pulled in a tight line as he considered her.
“It’s just that…” She leaned in and whispered in his ear. They were quiet, but the words haunted and scary definitely drifted my way.
“Not now!” Bob hissed under his breath.
He then turned to me, his smile as fake as his tan. “Please go ahead and look around. I can get the rest of your details on the way out.”
Poor Bianca. I was about to suggest that Thompson’s Smash Repairs was looking for a new receptionist when I stepped forward and tripped, falling into Bob. My hand reached for anything to stop me, and I palm-slapped his tablet straight into his nose.
Bianca snorted but hurriedly covered it with a cough. I mumbled my apologies and scurried past them, choosing to avoid eye contact with Bob.
“Good first impression, Lizzie.” Danny chuckled, dragging me away as fast as he could.
“At least I’ll be memorable.” There was always an upside.
The temperature in the foyer rose a few degrees, packed with bodies all surveying the uneven floor and faded wallpaper. Words like demolition, and not worth restoring, and perfect development site filtered into my brain causing my breathing to accelerate. I’d swear my belly butterflies were auditioning for Cirque Du Soleil. A woman with glacial blue eyes gave me the once over before looking down her nose, but I took a calming breath and pushed past her in the hallway, heading up the stairs.
I knew once Danny saw the view from the master bedroom, and I explained the plans I had for the tiny attic space, he’d be as enchanted as I was.
Entering the room, I ignored the small crowd eyeing a suspicious stain on the carpet and pulled my phone out of my shoulder bag. Opening Google images, I showed Danny my inspiration for the makeover.
“I thought in here, I could polish the floorboards and paint the walls. I love the deep skirting boards and the high ceilings, and just look at that ornate plaster around the light.” A deep, contented sigh escaped my lips as I glanced around the room.
“It’s more of a dim bulb dangling from a dodgy electrical cord.” Danny’s shoulders slumped and a deep crease appeared between his brows.
“You have to look past that bit. See the beauty this can become.”
Danny stepped away from me mumbling something about the electrical burning the house down, but I tuned him out, wishing I’d brought Grandma Mabel with me instead. She loved adventures and would have been a whole lot more excited about what this house could become.
“Oh my God!” Danny screamed, leaning out the window.
I thought, like Zac, he was falling, and raced across the room. In my haste, I bumped into a man with an earring and a crooked nose who stood with his hands on his hips glaring at everyone in turn. A scar ran from his lip to his chin, and I shivered as a chill raced down my spine. Boy, was I glad it was broad daylight, and I wasn’t meeting him in a dark alley.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “So sorry.”
He sneered, and I hurried to put some space between us.
“Danny! What’s wrong?” I grabbed the back of his shirt, hoping to keep him safe.
“Oh my God, Lizzie. You should see this guy wandering around the garden. I think it’s Adonis.” Danny fanned himself as he leaned farther over the ledge, his eyes wide.
“What? Are you kidding me? I thought you were falling!” I yelled a little bit louder than intended, and the man with the scar glared at me.
But then again, I could have earned that glare from knocking his brochure out of his hand. As he leaned down to pick it up, his dark eyes locked onto mine.
Oh geez. Luckily, I had a strong pelvic floor, otherwise I may have peed my pants. Actually…urgh!
I cringed and hurriedly turned my attention to Danny, hoping the guy would just move on, simultaneously wondering where the nearest usable bathroom was.
“If I fell, do you think Adonis would catch me?” Danny grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. A lot of good-looking men caught his attention, but few gained that reaction.
“Remember your partner, Andrew? The one who loves you, cooks for you, and puts up with your crap?”
Danny gawked at me, his hands on his hips. “You need to lighten up more. Now hurry up. You’re going to miss him, and you’ll be sorry.”
I rolled my eyes but gazed out the window, just in time to see the back of a tall, blond guy. From what I could see, I had to admit that Danny had good taste in men.
The man appeared to be inspecting the front porch, and as he moved his cotton shirt stretched across his back outlining more muscle than I had seen in quite some time. His jeans rode low on his narrow hips, and toned arms pushed on rotting timber before he stood and disappeared around the corner. Geez, if his back looked that good, what did his front look like?
I licked my dry lips and turned to Danny. “He’s gone.”
“What? Where did he go?” Pushing me aside he leaned over the window ledge. I made a mental note that if I purchased the house, I would have to get some screens made. If that opening was big enough for Danny, then it was big enough for a spider. And a spider in my bedroom was definitely not something on my wish list.
No, but Adonis would be a nice addition.
I gasped at my unwelcome thoughts. I had a boyfriend and despite the fact that his back didn’t look anywhere near that sexy, he was mine. And that was all I needed. Right?
“Come on. You need to show me the outside,” Danny called, dodging scar man as he scurried toward the hallway.
“I didn’t know you liked gardens that much.”
“I don’t. But I’m hoping Adonis does, and I can get a close-up look at him.”
As appealing as that sounded, I pulled my shoulders back and stayed strong.
“But I want to show you the attic first,” I whined, bustling after him.
“Lizzie. Attics can wait.”
“You have a partner, Danny. You shouldn’t be looking at other men.” Words I usually lived by.
“I know. But that doesn’t stop you from looking.”
“Ah, yes, it does. Remember Scott?” My throat thickened as I remembered my boyfriend and how my thoughts about the man in the garden had betrayed him.
Danny stopped short on the landing and wrinkled his nose. “Oh yeah. How did I forget about him?”
I huffed at his lack of enthusiasm. I’d always known Scott didn’t really fit with my family, but that didn’t mean Danny had to dismiss him the way he did. Choosing not to reply, I ignored the twinge in my stomach, refocused, and headed for the second set of stairs, making my way to the attic, my phone filled with dreams for what it could become.
As a bookkeeper for Bradley and Sons Accountants, I’d loved the thrill of living in a busy city, where it was constantly exciting and full of life. But in the past twelve months I’d yearned for a quieter lifestyle, to move home to the town I’d grown up in and to my family. So I’d made arrangements with my boss to work from home, and since the city was only half an hour away by car, I could just pop into the office whenever I needed to…
… which brought me to the room now in front of me. The tiny attic space would make the perfect office. With its Dormer window and angled ceilings, it gave me the character I had craved while sharing a modern two-bedroom flat with my friend Aimee.
I could envision where my desk would sit and how I would separate the space to accommodate a storeroom and maybe a tiny bathroom up here.
Lost in my daydreams, I almost didn’t notice the two women who had moved in behind me.
“I’m going to see if they’ll accept an offer prior to the auction.” The petite woman flicked her fire engine red curls over her shoulder and smiled at the brunette next to her.
My heart sank. I didn’t know you could do that.
“I’d do it quickly if I were you,” replied the brunette. “Did you see the guy in the suit staring at every other prospective buyer? If you’re not quick, I reckon he’ll beat you to it.”
“Who was he? It’s not common to see designer suits in Westport.”
“I overheard him telling Bob he was an agent representing a buyer who wished to keep their identity quiet.”
Well, that was intriguing.
“Whoever the buyer is must have money,” the redhead mused.
“Yep. That’s what I thought too. He sounds like a developer, and I reckon he’ll snap this place up, knock it down, and either build apartments or sell the land for a quick profit.”
“To be fair, I’d knock it down too. Only I’d build my dream home on the site. Did you see the view from the master bedroom? You could build an amazing home here.”
The petite woman glanced at me and gave a weak smile.
“You’d better chat to the agent now, then,” prompted her friend before they both turned and hurried back the way they came.
I moved to the window seat and sank down onto it, aimlessly staring outside, smoothing the cool sides of my phone for comfort.
I’d never fallen in love with a property before, but I’d fallen hard for this one. I barely noticed the faded wallpaper, the rotting architraves, or even the water damage to the ceiling. All I could see was what it could become and how I could build my new life here. I could bring the life back to the house that it deserved. I had no idea what kind of family had lived here, but I believed houses absorbed their feelings. It had witnessed them grow, standing proud over them and keeping them safe. It didn’t deserve to end its life as scrap timber. Nope, it needed to be restored, to be loved once again, and to live with a new family under its roof, filling it with happy memories.
With a renewed energy I stood, pulled my shoulders back and marched downstairs to find Bob.
A harsh-looking lady with short dark hair pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her beaky nose and glared at Bob. “It needs a lot of work.” She tutted.
“And that will reflect in the price, Hazel,” he announced as he dabbed the perspiration from his lip.
“What’s the price range?” she asked.
“I’m not legally allowed to divulge that. However, if you register for the auction, I’m sure you will be happy with the result.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m more interested in who will purchase it. This is a lovely street. We don’t need any riffraff moving in and spoiling it.”
“Even more of a reason to purchase it yourself,” Bob coaxed.
I shuffled from one foot to the other and wished he’d just shut up. The fewer bidders the better in my opinion.
“You could quite possibly be right.” Hazel tapped her lip as the man with the scar bumped her shoulder, making his way out the front door.
I sucked in a breath, glad it wasn’t me. Even though the look he threw my way made me wonder if he’d actually been aiming for me.
“Excuse me!” She huffed and marched after him, obviously unafraid of the dark aura he projected. “That was very rude. You should apologize.”
I silently thanked scar man for one: leaving, and two: making Hazel leave Bob’s side and giving me the chance I needed to talk to him.
“Ah, Lizzie, wasn’t it?”
“That’s me,” I trilled.
“Do you have any questions I can answer?”
“Yes. Will you accept my offer today?”
Bob laughed. “You’re keen.”
“I’ve kind of fallen in love with the house.”
Danny stepped up behind me and kicked my shoe, his code for Shut up, Lizzie. In hindsight, I guess it wasn’t smart to tell the agent how enthusiastic I was if I wanted to keep the price down.
“Good, good. That’s what we like to hear. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of interest in the house, and the seller’s solicitor thinks it’s in their best interest for it to go to auction.”
Disappointment weighed heavy in my stomach. “I guess that means the lady with the red hair can’t buy it yet either then?”
“No. I can tell you that there will be some stiff competition on auction day, so come prepared. Have your finances organized prior, and if you’d like a building inspection done, it needs to be completed before Monday at five o’clock. That doesn’t leave you a lot of time.”
“Zac didn’t mention that to me.” I bit my lip, thinking about what options I had.
“Did he give you a package on the property? All the information and bidder registration documents were in there.”
I nodded but didn’t admit I hadn’t actually read the information. I’d been too caught up with my dream of what the house could become. In hindsight, I would have been better off doing my homework rather than whittling away the hours on the internet, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“Can I get a building inspection this afternoon?” I asked, my breath bottling in my chest.
Bob checked his watch. “Considering that it’s nearly four o’clock on Friday, I highly doubt it.”
Oh.
Danny beamed, seemingly happy that this could be the stumbling block he needed.
My shoulders sank as I stepped out onto the tiny front porch. It groaned under my weight, but then that could have been me.
“Come on, Lizzie. Let’s go and grab a coffee, and I’ll show you those new builds over near the racetrack.”
The problem was the new builds didn’t stir the feelings of excitement this house did. Buying a home was a big decision that should be made with my head not my heart, but one thing I knew about myself was my heart never had it wrong. When I listened to it and didn’t question what it was feeling, my heart only led me to great things.
Stepping onto the dead grass and looking back at the house I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, listening to my emotions.
Buy the house. You know it’s the right thing to do.
But what about the hard work and money it’s going to take?
Don’t worry about that. It will all work itself out with time. Remember there’s no such thing as a bad decision. There’s only a decision.
Snapping my lids open, I grinned before releasing a deep contented sigh. Bugger the building inspection. I mean, what could it tell me that I couldn’t see already?
I took a step toward Bob, ready to complete the bidder registration, when the sound of a motor revving and tires screeching filled the air. I turned to look at the road just in time to see a black car with dark tinted windows peel away from the curb, accelerating down the street and heading straight for the petite redhead who had just stepped into the road.
My breath stilled, and the world slowed as she stared at the vehicle. Her screams were drowned by the roaring of the engine. Her hands rose to cover her face, her feet seemingly glued to the road.
My own heart raced as the desire to run and help her overwhelmed me. But time wasn’t on my side.
As her friend screamed for the car to stop, the echo of the sickening thud filled the air, before the car disappeared down the street, the driver not even hesitating in his getaway.