Almost Like Being in Love (5 page)

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, man.” Mitch didn't laugh at the joke. “I'd like to, but . . .”

“But what? Are you worried about Lacey not understanding what life will be like—”

“Married to a double amputee?” Mitch's voice deepened.

“I was gonna say married to someone as ugly-stubborn as you. But okay, we'll go with that. Surely you two have talked about the challenges.”

“Sure, we've tried to talk through the challenges. All the what-ifs. Lacey says the unexpected is covered in the ‘for better, for worse' clause in the wedding vows.” Mitch fisted his hands in his lap. “I'm a little more practical. We can't live in her apartment.
I
can't live in her apartment. What am I supposed to do, ask Lacey to come live with me and my brother, Tony, after we're married? You and the other guys were great, putting the ramp out in front of my brother's house. And retrofitting the shower for me. Even if I opted to buy the house from him, day-to-day living there is . . . well, it's cramped and challenging. We'd have to do a bunch of construction on the house to really make it work for us long-term.”

“So you take out a loan. Do what you need to do. Lots of married couples do that.”

“Yeah, well, there's no use pretending Lacey and I'll be a normal married couple.” Mitch's gaze didn't waver. “But I'm
still committed to living as normal a life as possible, Kade. And I want to be able to provide a decent house for me and my wife.”

“I understand.”

“I keep hoping I can find a bigger house to buy. Something that will work now and in the future . . . if . . . when we have children.”

“Have you talked to Lacey about it?”

“No. I want to do this myself. I've had to get used to adapting or asking for help for a lot of things. Buying a house—that I want to do on my own.”

“Come on, Mitch. Did you forget I'm a Realtor, too?” Kade waved his hands up and down in front of himself. “Hello? Finding people the right house is what I do for a living.”

“If I can't find anything, what makes you think you can?”

“Thanks for that, buddy.”

“Besides, I want to keep this quiet. I don't want to get Lacey's hopes up.”

“I can be discreet. Tell me your price range, some specifics, what location you'd like to settle in, and I'll see what I can find. Between the two of us, we'll find the perfect house. Something that won't require too many changes.”

“We keep this between you and me, right?”

“Absolutely. Part Realtor, part secret keeper. And I like surprises as much as the next guy. When we find the house, we'll put a big red bow on the front door with a tag that says ‘For Lacey. Love, Mitch.' ”

His comment earned a laugh from Mitch. “I'm going to hold you to that.”

“We'll make it happen.” Kade pressed his hand against his chest, right where his heart was. “We've had each other's backs for a long time, Mitch. That doesn't stop just because we got out
of the military. We'll find your house. I promise. And praying about it—that's going to help, too.”

“I needed that reminder.”

“How about we pray about finding the right house now. And then we'll plan on praying together at the start of each work day, so long as we're both in the office.”

“Sounds good.”

The prayer was direct. Brief. But it—and the agreement to work together—reminded Kade that he wasn't the only one with goals.

“Now, what time's dinner?”

Mitch checked his watch. “Not for another hour. Why?”

Kade powered up his computer. “Get over here. Let's browse houses a bit before we head over.”

•  •  •

There were other Realtors vying for Eddie Kingston's favor, but Kade expected to be the one who won.

A four-year stint as an Army Ranger had taught him many things about survival. One of them was:
Know your chances for success. No matter what they are—succeed at any cost.

He'd heard through the grapevine that breakfast was Kingston's favorite meal of the day, so he'd scratched the idea for a lunch meeting. He'd arrived early at Over Easy, setting his sights on one of the few booths in the restaurant. Before Eddie arrived, he'd tipped the waitress, who'd introduced herself as Felicia, to ensure good service and no need to rush. But all of that was merely the backdrop for today's meeting. Now he had to convince the other man to do business with him—and no one else.

Kade had prepared almost two hours of conversation. Well-thought-out, guided questions aimed to put Kingston
at ease. What Mitch called charisma required planning and forethought. Kade was disciplined—had the ability to do the needed work, no matter what it took. His years as a Realtor had honed his natural ability to read people. And despite how things had ended with Russell Hollister, Kade was thankful the man had taught him the importance of taking the time to know his clients. Anticipating their needs.

Once Eddie arrived at nine, it was all about being relaxed. Focusing on the man across the table and keeping the agenda hidden. Like most people, Eddie enjoyed talking about himself. He liked to think Kade was interested in him as a person, not just as a project. Eddie loved his wife and two preteen girls, and owned an extensive collection of Marvel comics. Over breakfast, they talked football, found out they'd both served in the military—Eddie in the air force—and they both liked water-skiing.

They ate huevos rancheros, sharing sides of buttermilk biscuits and sage gravy, and bacon. Kade moved the conversation from personal to professional, first asking about Eddie's work history and his business philosophy—both of which he already knew, thanks to his research—and then finally outlining how he wanted to partner with him.

“Eddie, I realize you're talking with other Realtors. I'll admit I'm not the biggest company in town. But
no one
will work harder for you during the Tour of Homes than I will.” Flashing a smile and taking the time to thank Felicia, Kade motioned for her to refill their coffee cups. “I'm prepared to cover the entire amount of your entry fee and purchase better signage outside your home on the tour. And if you want, I'm connected with a great home stager. We can work with you to decorate the house.”

Eddie sipped his coffee from the red pottery mug, his scarred
knuckles testimony to years of working in construction. Between the two of them, they'd finished off an entire pot of the strong liquid fuel. Once this deal was completed, Kade was going to flush out his system with lots of water and a run along the Santa Fe Trail.

“I like the way you handle yourself, Webster. No denying that. The question is, can we work together? We've been talking the Tour of Homes, but let's be honest with one another. Behind all that, there's the possibility of a long-term business relationship. Are you the right Realtor to represent Kingston Homes—not just now, but possibly for years to come? I've got big plans. I can't afford to make mistakes that are going to cost me—and I don't just mean financially.” Eddie placed his napkin on the table beside his plate. “I'm going to have to think on this—”

Kingston was going to walk. And if he walked, Kade knew he'd end up with a polite “no thanks” at the end of the day. He knew the importance of closing a deal.

“You're right.” Kade leaned forward, holding up his hand to prevent Eddie from leaving. “Of course this is about more than the Tour of Homes. Who thinks about just one home? You've got plans for six homes in just that development. We're businessmen. We think about the future. It's the way we build our success. The truth is, we could benefit each other—create a bigger vision for both of us. I've seen the plans for that house, Eddie. It's a beautiful home. Spectacular, really. But why not make it more?”

Kade knew he had the other man's attention when Kingston settled back into his chair. “What do you mean?”

“We're located in Colorado Springs. Surrounded by the U.S. Air Force Academy. Schriever and Peterson Air Force Bases. Fort Carson Army Base. Both retirees and Wounded Warriors
are part of the population.” Kade paused for the briefest of moments. “Why not adapt that custom home of yours so that it's handicap accessible for our wounded veterans?”

“Is this some kind of joke, Webster? The Tour of Homes opens the Monday after the Fourth of July.”

“I know you're not afraid of a little hard work, Eddie. You wouldn't have started your own custom-home business if you were.” Kade forced himself to appear relaxed. This was the moment when he either won or lost Eddie's confidence. “I'm suggesting retrofitting the master bathroom. Reworking some of the kitchen counter space. The sink. Widening the doorways. Replacing some of the carpeting.”

“Ramps out front and back.” Eddie mirrored Kade's posture. “I know what it would take. Manpower around the clock. My costs could skyrocket.”

“But think of the impact of this house. Include these changes, and you would be making a statement to every single person who walks through about how our wounded vets, our retirees, should live in a home that is both functional and attractive. That these men and women deserve it.” Kade took a deep breath. “That someone like Mitch Herringshaw deserves it.”

“Who's Mitch Herringshaw?”

“He's a Realtor who works with me. We were Army Rangers together. Mitch is a double amputee.” A flash of memory—Mitch lying in a hospital bed as Kade waited for him to wake up. How he'd thought
sleep, sleep
with every breath, because then he wouldn't have to tell his friend . . . With a shake of his head, Kade dispelled the memory. “If you want your name associated with that kind of project, then I'm your man.”

Kade sat back. He'd played his hand. Not that any of this was a game. He meant every word he'd said. Soldiers like Mitch shouldn't have to settle for barely adequate homes. Now all he
could do was wait and see if Eddie was all in. Or if he'd gambled and lost.

“Less than six weeks to do everything you're talking about.”

“You know it can get done. And you know no one else is doing it.”

After a moment, Eddie rose to his feet, stepping out from the booth and holding out his hand. Kade stood, gripping the other man's hand in his.

“You're crazy, Kade—and I must be, too.” The other man shook his head, a grin deepening the lines in his tanned face. “I've got some phone calls to make to see about adapting the house. My subcontractors are going to have a few things to say about this, and then they'll start drawing up their orders. And you, Webster—you need to write me a couple of checks. And contact that home stager of yours. I want to hear some ideas. Soon.”

“Yessir.” Kade's heart pounded in his chest, thundering in his ears so loudly it drowned out the noise of the restaurant. “Thanks for the opportunity, Eddie.”

“This opportunity is filled with all sorts of risks.”

“The more risks, the more potential payoffs.”

M
aybe she didn't have what it took to get married. She'd been in almost-engaged limbo for too long. Or maybe a woman shouldn't go to a bridal fair straight from the airport after an impromptu trip, too much stress, and too little sleep.

Of course, the fact that one of the last things Alex had said to her before she went through airport security was “I still don't understand why you're going to Colorado” pulled her between two places. Alex had kissed her. Told her to have a safe trip. But all the while he'd looked as if he wanted to insist she somehow retrieve her luggage from the airline and come back home with him.

And now here she was in the middle of Denver. Not a drop of humidity in the fast-paced city's air. Mountains that lurked just beyond all the buildings that had been framed by the small plane window during their approach to Denver International Airport.

The bridal frenzy surged around them the minute Margo led her maid of honor and trio of bridesmaids into the convention
center. Caron halted just inside the doorway, trying to get her bearings.

Couldn't she go sit in the car with her luggage? Check to see if she had any text messages from Alex? Take a nap?

Margo spun around and faced her. “Come on, we've got to get shopping! I paid extra for the early-entrance tickets.”

“If getting all the way down the aisle to ‘I do' requires this kind of attack-and-leave-no-survivors approach to shopping, then I'll just date Alex forever.”

“Oh, come on.” Margo grabbed her wrist, pulling Caron alongside her. “You're braver than this.”

“If I'm so brave, then what am I doing playing runaway after I quit my job?” Caron whispered the question to herself.

“What did you say?”

“Lead on. I'm right behind you.”

Within forty-five minutes, Margo had each of her bridesmaids loaded down with a selection of dresses in various shades of purple.