Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Annalise smiled. “As long as they can rent it out for the year. That gives me more time to get to know the area and maybe buy a house of my own.”
Nancy’s smile was back. “Yes, they’re not planning to sell for at least a year, they told me. Follow me, then!”
Fifteen minutes later, we were pulling up to a house about two blocks from The Montclair.
Annalise gasped, and I knew we had a winner. The house was an older home and boasted that historical charm she loved. It was a one-story, white, Victorian-style house with a large front porch.
When we walked into the house, we faced a hallway that led to a big living room. The kitchen and eating area were right off that, offering the big, open space Annalise wanted.
“The kitchen is huge!” Annalise breathed with a wide grin.
“Do you like to cook?” Nancy asked.
“I love to cook, but I worked so much back in New York that I never really had a chance—plus, my kitchen was a quarter of this size.”
The primary suite was huge, and the attached bathroom was nearly as big. A large, walk-in shower stood next to an even more impressive claw-foot tub.
Annalise ran her fingers over the edge of it. “I want the house just for this tub.”
“Looks like it fits two,” I whispered as I walked past her.
A large wooden patio sat right off the back door. The yard wasn’t nearly as big as that of the first house’s, but the privacy more than made up for the lack of size.
“What do you think?” Annalise asked me.
“It’s close to work.”
She nodded. “Is your place very far from here?”
I suddenly felt like a complete asshole for never bringing her over to my house. “Yeah. We can swing by when we’re done here.”
Her eyes lit up. “I would love that.”
After Annalise and Nancy worked out her application, Annalise walked back over to me. “All done. I’ve got the rest of the afternoon off from work, so I don’t have to rush back.”
My entire body heated at the idea of being alone with Annalise. “Do you want to grab some lunch before we go to my place?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ve been dying to try that barbecue restaurant right off Main.”
“Which one?” I asked.
She looked up in thought, then snapped her fingers and said, “Klein Smokehaus, I think it’s called.”
“That place is freaking amazing. Yes, I’m all for getting some to go and bringing it back to my house.”
She did a little clap with her hands before we turned and headed to my truck.
After ordering brisket sandwiches with potato salad on the side, we were on our way.
I turned into the driveway of my house and drove around to the back where the separate garage was. “I used to live in a townhouse, but I bought this place a few years ago when I got tired of hearing my neighbors fight all the time.”
“Oh, wow. How old is this house?”
“It was built in 1879.”
Annalise got out of the truck and grabbed the bags from the restaurant. “This lot is stunning. Look at these trees.”
I looked around at the large elm and pecan tree that stood on each side of my house. “Yeah, the lot was one of the features that sold me on the place. That, and there’s a home office here. I hate being stuck at my office over on Main. Neighbors are still a bit too close, though.”
Annalise nodded as she looked over her shoulder at the house next door. The lot was a good size, but I could still see the houses on either side of me. “I bet this is a much more enjoyable place to work.”
We walked through the back door that led into the mudroom. From there, we went straight into the eat-in kitchen. Annalise stilled when she walked into the space.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she looked around the kitchen. “This kitchen is magnificent. I mean, it’s so big!”
I laughed. “Well, maybe you can put it to good use, seeing as I hardly ever use it.”
She turned and looked at me, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes. It made me happy to know I was the reason it was there.
“Do you want to eat in here or the game room?” I asked. “That’s where I spend most of my time.”
I could tell she was intrigued by the notion of checking out my personal space.
“Let’s eat in the game room. Should we get silverware and plates?”
I shook my head. “No, we’re good. Unless you want a plate for your sandwich.”
“No, I’ll be fine,” she said as she waited for me to lead the way.
We walked through the main dining room and the largest living room. I hardly ever set foot in that room either.