Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 20

Twenty

Talia

O live, Minnie, and I are all piled in the backseat of a chauffeured SUV, on our way to meet a real estate agent. Minnie needs a nicer house, something that will be more accessible for someone her age to get around in with ease. I merely suggested to Minnie that we should look yesterday... and today, we are already looking at properties.

Minnie is way more ready to spend the Morgan family trust than I am. And apparently, she moves fast when there's money to be spent.

At this precise moment, Minnie's frail fingers dig into my arm, her gnarled knuckles protruding under wrinkled, spotted skin.

"There, there, little one," she coos at my swollen belly. "Your granny Min can't wait to spoil you rotten."

Normally I would roll my eyes at her presumption. But not today. Apparently, my hormones are driving this Mack truck and they are swayed by Aunt Minnie's antics. Tears prick my eyes at her tenderness.

Olive brushes a knuckle under my chin, catching a tear before it falls. "May I?"

I nod, throat too tight to speak. Olive lays a gentle hand on my stomach, her eyes softening with wonder. "Hello in there. We're all so excited to meet you."

Love swells in my chest, vast and deep as the ocean. My found family, the one I chose, is whole and happy in this perfect moment.A bubble of laughter escapes me as I cry. I feel like I'm no longer in command of my emotions.

The baby squirms under their hands, as if eager to join us. "Seems someone wants to say hello, too."

"Of course!" Minnie chuckles. "This little darling knows love when she feels it."

We pull up at the manicured curb of the first place Minnie's realtor wants us to see.

"Let's go! I'm not as spry as I used to be, but damn if that will keep me from exploring every inch of this property!"Minnie exclaims.

"Anything for you, Min," Olive says, tucking Minnie's arm through hers.

I follow them up the walkway, desperately trying to calm my wild emotions. A sleek silver Mercedes pulls into the driveway, tires squealing to a stop. A gorgeous woman in her fifties dressed in a power suit hurls herself out of the car. She marches over, heels clicking decisively on the pavement, and introduces herself as Susan, the real estate agent.

Aunt Minnie interjects. "I met Susan a few weeks ago at the farmer's market. She told me what she does and gave me her card. When we talked about buying a house last night, her name immediately came to mind."

"Lovely to meet you ladies! Are you ready to see the property?" Susan's smile is polite but distant, her handshake brisk and businesslike. Clearly, she values efficiency over idle chit-chat.

"We are," Olive confirms.

"Lead the way, Susan," Minnie says.

Susan launches into a rapid-fire description of the house's many charming qualities. The two-story brick residence has rose bushes and neat, white-trimmed windows. A sprawling wraparound porch offers ample space for sitting on summer evenings. Hardwood floors throughout, original fixtures dating back over a century, a hand-laid stone fireplace in the sitting room. Lots of eccentric historical details...

Basically, she wants us to know that this house is a gem before we even get in the front door.

Minnie's eyes gleam with delight. "I do believe I'm in love! Did you hear that, sweet pea?" She pats my stomach conspiratorially. "We've found our home!"

I want to roll my eyes, but I just bite my tongue.

Charmed by Minnie's enthusiasm despite herself, Susan's composure slips for a moment. A fleeting smile softens her sharp features before she recovers her professional mask. "Shall we continue inside?"

"Please lead the way," Olive says.

Susan strides up the front steps and unlocks the heavy wooden door with a creak. We file in after her, assaulted by the mingled scents of lemon oil and aged wood.

"The kitchen and dining room in the back have French doors opening onto a shaded patio and rose garden," Susan says, pivoting on one high heel to face us. "A perfect space for entertaining on summer evenings."

"Or reading," Minnie says dreamily. "One could spend hours lost in a book out there."

"Just so," Susan agrees. "This house has so many quirky historical details and eccentricities. It will be an absolute gem for whoever decides to purchase it."

"Gem is precisely the word," Olive says, sliding me a sideways glance.

Minnie turns to us, eyes shining. "Would you darlings give me just a moment alone with Ms. Susan? I'd like to discuss some specs."

"Of course," I say. Olive and I move away, pretending interest in the carved mahogany bannister.

Their voices murmur softly behind us. I resist the urge to eavesdrop, fidgeting with the pearl buttons on my cardigan.

After a few moments, Minnie calls out, "All right, dears, you can stop examining the woodwork now. Let's chat in the sitting room, shall we?"

We follow Minnie into a cozy room with a bay window overlooking the front garden. She perches on a floral sofa and pats the cushion next to her. "Come sit by me, Talia. And you too, Olive."

I lower myself gingerly, mindful of my pregnant belly. Olive sinks down on Minnie's other side.

"Now tell me," Minnie says, patting my knee. "Why did you really bring me here today?"

I meet Olive's eyes across Minnie's lap. She gives me an encouraging nod.

I swallow hard. "This is a gift. But this gift comes with strings attached. If you accept the house, you must also accept a permanent helper in the store. In my condition, I'm not able to assist like I used to."

Minnie's face darkens. "Absolutely not. I won't have a stranger coming in and mucking about in my shop."

I meet Olive's gaze again. She clears her throat delicately. "What if it wasn't a stranger, but rather...me?"

Shock flickers across Minnie's face. "You, my dear? But your teaching position at the university?—"

"I'm considering going part-time for a while," Olive says. "Until I determine my next move. I would love nothing more than to manage the bookshop for you. You would really be doing me a favor by letting me work with you."

"And her pay will come from us," I add quickly.

Minnie is quiet for a few moments, looking back and forth between the two of us.

"You really want to come work with me?" she asks Olive. Olive nods and hurries to explain.

"I'm in a little bit of hot water since the university folded my lab into a larger lab that's already run by someone else."

Minnie squeezes Olive's hand, misty-eyed. "Well in that case, my dear girl. It would be an honor to have you at the shop." She turns back to me with a slow smile. "It seems you've thought of everything! I accept your gift gladly, along with its strings."

Olivia heaves a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Minnie."

Minnie pats her face and gives her a hug.

Relief washes over me. The first part of the plan is complete. Now I just have to bring Dare on board.

We talk for a few minutes more before parting ways. I give Minnie a final hug, blinking back happy tears. I’m making my way back when the window of an idling black SUV rolls down. Dare squints out the window at me. I wasn’t expecting him, yet I am so glad to see him that the emotion nearly brings me to tears.

"Looking for a ride?"

I grin and hurry to climb in the back seat with him.

Dare glances up from his phone, eyebrows raised. "That was quick. I take it everything went smoothly?"

"Smoother than I expected," I admit, exhaling as I settle against the plush leather. "She agreed to let Olive help manage the bookshop in exchange for the house."

"Excellent." Dare slides his phone into his breast pocket and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. "You handled that brilliantly. I know confronting Minnie with her lack of mobility can't have been easy."

I shake my head wryly. "I was a bundle of nerves. But it worked out in the end, thanks in large part to you." I smile at him gratefully. "I don't think she would have accepted Olive working at the shop so easily without the house being part of the bargain. You were instrumental in making this plan come together."

"More like my money." Dare lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "All that matters is Minnie will be taken care of, and you'll have one less burden to shoulder before the baby arrives."

I lean against his solid shoulder, finally allowing the tension to drain from my body. "I'm so worn out," I murmur. At least with Minnie sorted and the shop under control, I feel ready to embrace the future stretching before us.

"Come here, my love." Dare pulls me into his arms, his large hand cradling the back of my head as his lips find mine. He kisses me deeply, tenderly, as if reaffirming our bond. I melt against him, my earlier anxiety fading away.

When we finally break for air, Dare keeps me tucked close to his chest. His voice rumbles low and warm against my ear. "Everything's falling into place now. Minnie has the house, Olive will manage the shop, and soon we'll be holding our baby." He splays his hand over my belly, over the precious life we created together. "It won't be long now before our family of two becomes a family of three."

I cover his hand with my own, emotion swelling in my heart. "Our family," I whisper. After so many years alone, the words feel sacred. I blink back tears, overwhelmed by how much has changed since I stumbled into Dare's world.