“I got to hang out with Matt the other day,” I say and hand her a cup of coffee, praying she doesn’t notice it’s a few hours old.
“He said you taught him how to hit a curve ball.”
“Didn’t have to do much teaching; he’s a natural.” I take a seat on my desk across from her, letting my legs stretch out between her.
“He gets his athleticism from me.”
“He gets all his good traits from you.” I flash a flirty smile, though I mean it. Matt and Emily were at Dawn and Clint’s apartment after school while Amber was at parent/teacher conferences. Jax came over and we went out to the back of the shop and hit a few baseballs. I had fun hanging out with Matt. He has Amber’s eyes, just like his sister, and he has her wit. He’s more serious than Amber, but I suspect that comes from being the only man in the house.
“I enjoyed hanging out with him.”
She eyes me curiously before uncertainty mars her features. “What are those?” She points to the wall behind my desk where blueprints are tacked up.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes?”
“I mean it. You can’t tell anyone about it or I’m a dead man.”
“Well, in that case, please tell me,” she says with sarcasm and a ghost of a smile.
“They’re blueprints for a house Clint plans to build on the north end of his property. He’s giving the blueprints to Dawn as a wedding present,” I share and her eyes brighten with happiness that wasn’t there when she first arrived.
“Dawn is going to be so surprised!” A dreamy look appears on her face for a moment. A kernel of insight into Amber’s dreams—dreams I want to be a part of.
“I’m going to be the contractor on the build,” I say as I turn to look at the blueprints then back at her.
“That’s good.” She nods then looks down at her hands which fist in her lap. “I wanted to see if the offer you made is still an option?”
“Yes.” I sit my coffee mug down and lean forward. “Are you accepting?”
“Yes.” She sighs and looks up at me with a brave face. I take a good look at her. She looks exhausted and worry lines crease her brow. Something’s happened and its stressing her out.
“What’s going on?” I ask. Not meaning to, I cup my hands around her face, tilting it toward me. I fight the urge to pull her into a bear hug and tell her whatever her troubles are, I’m here for her. She used to love my bear hugs, but I don’t think she’d appreciate it now. Not yet.
She stares at me, surprised, for several seconds before putting her hands on mine and gently pushing them. It stings, but I force myself to sit back on the desk, planting my hands on the edge.
“I need to move in before Christmas. Do you think that is possible?”
“That’s what, six weeks away?” I mentally calculate in my head as I go through all the work that still needs to be done in the house. “The inside of the house can be finished, but the exterior will be tough.”
“I don’t need it to look pretty; I just need it to be livable and not dangerous or hazardous.” She looks defeated with her shoulders slumped. I hate not being able to reassure her. “My parents and I will help with whatever we can.”
I nod, watching her, though she looks anywhere but at me. “What happened?”
“I just need a place for the kids to have their own space. When do you think we can move in?”
“I can have the kitchen done by the end of the week. Do you want to help with painting this weekend? Once the paint is done, you should be able to move in. The bathrooms need work, but they function. We can work on those while you live there. Does that sound okay?” I run my hands through my hair.
“We can move in before Thanksgiving?” Surprise and maybe a little bit of relief soften the stress lines and a surge of pride warms my chest.
“Yes.” I nod, wanting to do more. She’s carrying so much weight on her shoulders that she looks close to crumbling. “You’re not telling me something.”
“I just need the kids in a home with their own space.”
“I’m not asking for a watered-down version. I want to know why you look as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel you’re stuck in.”
Amber takes in a deep breath. Leaning forward, she rests her elbows on her knees and smooths back her hair. “Henry is coming after me pretty hard. I’ve got to get into a house and establish a history of stability before the custody hearing.”
“Establish a history of stability? Is that in question?”
“Henry put together a laundry list of instabilities and neglect claims from leaving the kids with strangers to not providing adequate educational resources.” She lets her head fall into her hands.
I stare at the floor, my teeth grinding together. I can’t afford to lose my temper in front of Amber, not now when she swallowed the last of her pride to share those painful details.
Frowning, I cross my arms over my chest and make a mental note to have Eric look into Amber’s ex. Something about her ex coming after her and the suddenness of it rubs me the wrong way. And from what I have seen, she’s a great mother and her kids seem to be thriving. Matt nor Emily have shown any signs of neglect and as a kid who was neglected, I would have been able to see the signs.
“Sorry,” I finally say after several seconds of silence.
She shrugs on an exhale. “It’s not your fault.”
“I know, but I’m still sorry you have to go through this. Is there anything I can do?”
“I just need the house,” she says quietly.
“When is the hearing?”
“Sarah was able to get the motion hearing moved to Peak Valley, and due to the holidays, she has pushed it back until the end of January,” Amber explains and I’ve never been more thankful that Amber’s sister is a lawyer than I am in this moment.
“I can have it move-in ready by the end of this week,” I state. Pushing the timeline will be hard, but possible with some help. Thankfully, Jax is still in town, and with help from Clint, and maybe even Amber’s dad, it shouldn’t be difficult. “There won’t be any furniture but that shouldn’t stop you from moving in, right?”
“No, I can work on furnishing it after we move in.”
“I have of my parents’ old furniture you can use if you need.”
“Thanks. So, painting this weekend?” Amber pulls her phone from her purse and she brings up a calendar. “I work Friday night, and Matt has a game Saturday morning, but I can help paint after the game.”
“Perfect, send me what colors you want for the kids’ room and for your room.”
“Just paint them whatever you’re painting the rest of the house.” She waves off, still scrolling through her phone.
“I don’t want to paint the walls a generic color. I want to make it a home.”
“I’ll talk to the kids and get back with you.” She rolls her eyes and I flash her a triumphant smile.
“Can you have a six-month lease contract written up in the next couple of days? Or do you want something shorter or longer?”
I slit my eyes at her. “No contract.”