Ready For Love?

Chapter 34

Annie POV

I really couldn’t understand the whole ‘woman’s point of view’ that Reid used to convince me to come. I looked around as we drove down a long driveway as he rattled off the details of the house.

“This one is only three bedrooms, all on one floor, a basement with the utilities, a billiard room and recreation room. I can put more bedrooms down there or add on the side if needed. It is only just over 2 acres and is in more of a residential area with bigger lots…”

I just nodded and looked around. The other houses were big two-story typical big American weatherboard and brick or stone finish.... because I'm in America. So who saw that coming?

We finally made it to the house. So, it meant the house was at the back of the two acres, and actually quite close to a few other houses. I didn’t like how there were no real fences, so everyone could see in… yuk!

The big yard around it was good though, and had some good space at the front to put in a paddock or two if he wanted… or didn’t want. I loved all the mature trees around!

It was a red brick house with small white windows all the way around and white posts to the porch. No garage, carport or shed or anywhere undercover for cars. Doesn’t it snow? Won’t that be an issue?

The porch was bigger than I thought when we got up to it.

The real estate guy was already here, Gary. He started rattling off more details about the home as I looked around more.

The garden was simple, with just a garden bed with simple bushes at the front of the porch which had chairs along it.

There were black shutters either side of the windows for decoration and nice porch lighting, which was good.

The men let me in first. And I couldn’t stop the ‘awwww’ that came out of my mouth. It was an old nana and pop’s house. It was filled with old furniture, pictures everywhere, floral curtains from the forties and doyleys EVERYWHERE. It was so sweet!!!

We started by turning right into the living room, which EVEN HAD A ROCKING CHAIR! I was going to die of how cute and sweet it was.

We then followed it around to the kitchen dining area. It had old wallpaper with chooks on it and an old eighties kitchen that had definitely been maintained well.

This is where the door down to the basement was and a sunroom to the side. We decided to do the basement last. We looked quickly at the sunroom that was done a long time ago and was a bit cluttered.

Then to the bedrooms and they were sweet, and I LOVED the patchwork quilts on all the beds. Every room was painted a soft yellow with, once again, some sort of floral half curtain that curved in the middle.

I loved the hardwood floors throughout as well though. They were beautiful and well kept.

But the one thing I was also watching was Reid. This place was not even close to being big enough for him. He made the rooms seem small and even if he tried to look comfortable… no.

Then we got to the ensuite… the pink ensuite that he struggled to even get into.

I gave him a large smile, trying to hold in my laughter.

“What?” He looked at me confused.

“How are you going to live here if you can’t even get into the shower?”

His laugh echoed through the room and I couldn't hold back any more either. “Good point.”

“Come on. Even you had to realise this was a no for you.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded sheepishly. “I’d have to pull it down and start again, wouldn’t I?”

“Yes… next.”

He nodded, and we thanked the realtor and went to the next, not bothering to see the basement.

The next was a 10-acre lot and, oh my god, was the property stunning!

It was a beautiful two-storey that seriously gave me early American settlement pilgrim vibes. “It even has a well out the front!” I practically squealed and pointed it out to Reid making him laugh.

I nearly ran from room to room looking at every detail after I was told part of it was from the original mid 18th century colonial house before it was expanded. There was original built-in shelves, seats in the boot room, old floorboards, beams throughout the house and the old doors were to die for!

The kitchen needed some renovating but had a lot of cupboard space. There were stunning old stone fireplaces in nearly every room and I swear I was drooling.

Outside most of the land was beautiful forest.

“So?” Reid finally caught up to me.

“It’s amazing… but once again not you. Not even close to being you.” I sighed and was surprised at how he studied my face as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I could definitely be happy here though. Do you think your kids would like to come and visit?”

“All those fireplaces would be a nightmare with Ethan. It really isn’t small child-friendly, but of course we would visit. Doesn’t it snow here? How would you go with your car being so far away?”

“Yeah... Good point. Alright, next.”

The next was a mansion of sorts with a lot of high ceilings. Floor to ceiling entry with massive chandelier. Reid looked more at home here due to the size… but didn’t.

“No…” I said as soon as I saw the look on his face when we walked into the over the top lounge area.

He tried to hide it as he looked at me, trying to put on a confused face. “You don’t fool anyone. You feel just as out of place here as I do. But just so you know, you deserve something amazing but also something you feel can be home.”

He gave me a large smile and kissed the top of my head.

The next was on three and a half acres and needed a LOT of renovation.

I had definitely got the acreage theme and I liked that he wanted his own space.

The next one was… odd and a no before we got out of the car. We both laughed at the faces we were both making. “I didn’t see the listing for this one, the realtor recommended it."

“Because he’s having problems selling it.” I laughed and shook my head.

The next was GLASS, LOTS OF GLASS and only three years old. Architecturally designed on four acres and NO curtains or blinds. It was beautiful, and I could actually see Reid here.

“I like this for you. Really like this for you.”

“What are the things you don’t like?” He held me close, looking out those large windows to the beautiful trees.

“You will be forever cleaning those windows. There are no curtains or blinds for privacy even if no one can really see in… I like to be bunkered down with everything closed off at night.”

“And…”

I laughed. “It’s not about me. This is perfect for you. It will make a great man cave…”

“There it is. It’s a no.” And let me go, to grab my hand and start dragging me out.

“What do you mean no?”

“It feels impersonal to you, doesn’t it?” Actually, he had a great point, that’s a great word for it.

“Yes, but it can easily be added for you. I can help…” I tried, but he was already dragging me out of the house.

“The next is a new build. It’s nearly finished, but the owner has hit hard times and can’t keep it. It’s on twenty acres, half of that is forest and is only a fifteen-minute drive to the MC.”

“Well, that would be great for you. And I think a new build would suit you better as they have higher ceiling so you don’t look like you’re a giant in a kids cubby house.”

His deep laugh filled the car making me smile. I liked his laugh, it did things to me… naughty things that I was definitely going to be doing after this.

My poor little man was done, so the kids are back tomorrow now, so tonight I’m going to be using him until we both fall asleep exhausted.