A clearing of the throat brought us out of our petty argument. “Uh, I don’t mean to interrupt, but if we aren’t going to view this house, we can go ahead and move on to the next. We have quite a few to see today.”
I looked down at my boots. “Sorry about that.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I hear this stuff all the time.” He was lying. Nobody argued about being one of those people on trash TV talk shows.
“No, seriously, we’re sorry. That was all personal and it’s not the time or the place.” Dodger was being the cordial gentleman. I personally wanted slap the snot right out of him for attempting to apologize for me.
“Really, it’s okay.” James placated. “How about you two go on ahead to the next house, and I’ll be right behind you.”
I nodded and Dodger and I headed to his car.
“You’d never go on Maury.”
“If I ever wanted fame, I’d claim all of your brothers were the father.”
He shot the angriest look in my direction. “Oh, so now you’re bringing my brothers into this?”
I twisted in my seat. “No, I wouldn’t. But, I am trying to tell you, I informed you when I thought it was a good time. I’d only just accepted being pregnant myself. So please, cut me some slack if you feel the need to get pissy because, god forbid, I didn’t pee on a stick and skip to the gym to tell you.”
His mouth thinned into a line. “Fine.”
“Thank you,” I said in a short tone.
It was quiet for a few miles. “That house was a piece of shit, Mace.”
I grinned. “Wasn’t it?”
He chuckled. Our previous spat a thing of the past. “I think the old owners were mass murders and the bodies were in the base boards.”
“Creative, Dodger,” I said, entertained by him. “Let’s not talk about it. I think that smell is forever burned into my sinus cavities and I would really hate to puke in your precious Charger.”
“Silvia wouldn’t appreciate that.”
He was one of those guys that were so proud of their vehicles he’d given it a name. Of course, it was female as well. He could have been more clever and named it Lightening McQueen, or Mater. So I may love the movie Cars. But Silvia? He only named it that because the Charger was Silver. Looks like I’d be naming the baby. His lack of imagination gave me no hope for an elegant name this baby deserved simply because it was mine.
“Well, Silvia can kiss my ass.”
We arrived at the second house right before James pulled in behind us. I crossed my fingers this one was better than the last. So far, so good. It was a white two-story home with dark blue shutters. There was a small porch that could fit a single rocking chair or maybe a swing. There was a cutesy country sign hanging on the front door that said “Happy Fall Y’all.” A small planter with bright yellow mums that look like they’d just bloomed was in the corner of the porch. Already it was warm and inviting, and I hadn’t even stepped foot inside. I had a good feeling about this place.
James opened the door, and stepped aside so we could join him.
He started in with his informational speech. “This property is a turnkey, nineteen eighty-three home. It’s a three bedroom, with a small den that could be used as an office or play room.” It wasn’t lost on me that James’s new knowledge of my pregnancy was something he’d capitalize on. “You’ll notice all of the finishes are brand new with the exception to the wood floors. They are a collaboration of old barn wood that has been refinished.” He walked forward, stepping into what I would assume was the living room. “Why don’t you two go take a look around. I’ll wait here. If you have any questions, I’ll try and answer them.”
My eyes spanned across the space. I tried to ignore the current owners’ furnishings and pay attention to the actual home. However, it was hard considering all of the country knick-knacks. It was very reminiscent of Dodger’s family home. Donna loved decorating like this. Made anyone that came inside want to gather in the kitchen and eat a slice of pie, or curl up on one of the couches and sit under a blanket while reading a good book. I had a feeling I’d be decorating very similarly to this when I found a place to call my own.
Dodger kept a couple steps behind me as I took in every inch of the house. He stayed quiet, likely waiting for me to say yay or nay. The living room was a decent space, but closed off to the back of the house. A welcoming fire place, which recently had a fire burning was off to the left of the room. Burning embers were still glowing orange. There was an arch doorway that led into the kitchen. It wasn’t small but it wasn’t huge either. Cabinets that were slightly darker than honey spanned the walls in an L-shape, and a small island added counter space. They weren’t granite counters, but that wasn’t something I’d really given thought to, nor do I think something so grand would fit in this space. There was an area just past the counter where a table for four sat. The candle that was lit filled the space with the scent of baking cookies. God, it was inviting.
I glanced at Dodger over my shoulder. “What do you think so far.”
“I think,”—he looked around then back at me—“it’s nice. But what matters is what you think.”
I licked my lips. “I’m still assessing.”
He chuckled. “Of course you are.”
The rest of the house was a pretty typical home. There were three bedrooms, just like James had said. Each one bigger than the other. There was a master bath and a walk-in closet, carpet that was brand new, a bathroom for the other two rooms, and a wash room on the main floor. The paint on each wall was a neutral beige, except in the kitchen which was a pretty, light green. Every single room I entered, I got the warm and fuzzies. I hadn’t expected that. Sure it wasn’t the most regal home, or a place my parents would expect me to be in, but I was picturing myself living here. From creating a nursery to picking the perfect furniture to fill the living room. I was actually excited. After living with my parents for so long and never really having the desire to leave my cushy life, this seems beyond ideal.
A life for me and my baby. And this was where I wanted to build it.
Dodger and I walked back to James, who was currently on his cell phone, but promptly hung up when he saw us.
“I’d like to put in an offer,” I stated enthusiastically.
Dodger sounded confused. “Macie, this is only the second home we’ve seen. And technically, we didn’t even see the last place.”
I twisted to stare at him. “What’s your point?”
“Uhhh . . . don’t you want to keep looking? What if something else is a better fit?”
“There’s not going to be. This is the house I want.”
He leaned in to me and talked quieter. “Is this some weird pregnancy thing where you get all overzealous about things?”
“No.”
“I really think we should look at a few more places before you make a decision.”
James piped up. “That’s probably a good idea. I’ll gladly keep showing you homes today. I have the whole day blocked out for you.”
I smiled and shook my head. “No need. This is it.”