Chapter 34
Parker
Amonth later, I’m scanning for a driveway and watching the map pin, trying to figure out where to turn. Why was Mr. Moore—I mean, David—so cryptic in his message? If he bought a house, why is he being so secretive? And why did he ask me to come without mentioning it to Bluebonnet?
When I’m right on top of the pin, I spot a dirt path that’s barely wide enough for my truck, then turn. I hope it doesn’t rain while I’m here because getting through when it’s muddy might be a problem.
Driving through overgrown brush, I’m not even sure what I’m going to see at the end of the drive.
My phone rings, and I tap a button on my steering wheel to answer. “Hey, sweetie. I’m almost to that place your dad texted about.”
“The one I know nothing about?”
“Yep. And so far, it’s weird. Your dad likes me, right?” I’m mostly joking, but I’ve seen horror movies with similar beginnings.
She laughs. “He does. And after thinking about it, I have an idea where he’s meeting you. Did you drive by a bunch of flowery bushes before getting to the house?”
“I’ve seen bushes but no flowers. And so far, there’s no sign of a house.”
“You’ll swing a hard left, then the bushes end, and the house will be on your right.” There’s a lilt to her voice I haven’t heard before. “If it’s in bad shape, don’t tell me.”
I’m glad she mentioned the hard left because right now it looks like the path ends a few hundred feet ahead. I slow to a crawl, watching for the turn. And there it is, a path through more bushes on the left just like Bluebonnet said. “Just turned left. And maybe the flowers are gone because it’s November.”
“Probably.”
The line of bushes ends, and I slam on the brakes. “Whoa.”
A sprawling home, like something out of a magazine, dominates the scene in front of me. The ground floor has a wrap-around porch. The second and third floors both have balconies.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I haven’t been there since right after my grandparents died years ago.”
“It’s amazing. You’ve never mentioned this place.”
“Dad was funny about people knowing his family had money. I think because of how things happened with Mom. So I never talked about my grandparents’ big house. And it wasn’t like they spent a lot of time there. Only a few weeks each year.”
“I wish I could’ve met them.”
“They would’ve loved you. I just know it.”
I spent so many years thinking I couldn’t love her more, but every single day that’s proven wrong. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Yeah. Anyway, Dad hasn’t mentioned the house since he took me out there after the funeral, and I haven’t asked. But I’m glad he didn’t sell it off. It’s probably dilapidated after being vacant so long.”
I’ve blown part of her dad’s secret, but given the chance, I wouldn’t skip telling her if I had it to do over. “The house is beautiful.” I don’t mention all the work trucks parked in front or the scaffolding set up around the exterior. “I see your dad, so I’m going to hang up. I’ll call you when I’m headed home.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” I end the call and pull up to the house.
David grins as he strides over. “Isn’t this place great?”
“Yeah. Did you buy it?” I’m trying to act like I haven’t just talked to Bluebonnet about the house.
“It’s been in the family a long time. At first, I wasn’t planning to live here. It’s a ways from the ranch, and I don’t need this much house.”
“But?”
“Saw that one coming, did ya?” He laughs. “Forty minutes away isn’t really all that far, and you two love birds don’t need me living in your backyard.” He stares up at the grand house. “I was thinking that we could throw Bluebonnet a birthday party here. She’s turning thirty in December, and she did always love this place.”
