Page 12 of Seductive Heart

Yet our discussions over moving in together didn’t always go so well. We decided Hollis would move into my cabin. It was more up to date, more space, and affordable for the two of us. As for Hollis’s place, he wanted to rent it out and make income while I thought we should sell it. Why deal with the hassle of being a landlord? Though the extra money sounded nice, the extra stress didn’t.

But as couples disagreed, I knew we’d figure it out, eventually.

Our lives fit together easily.

I’d found my person and he found his.

Together, we’d get through anything.

EPILOGUE

Hollis

Five months later

“You’re probably lookingat at least ten thousand in repairs if you decide to keep the property. You could probably get away with less if you plan on living here, but if you rent it out, you’ll need it all fixed. The last thing you want is a renter suing you.” The home inspector informed us as he finished up his report. I sighed as he handed it over, Winona wrapping an arm around my waist and molding herself against me. She was always there when I needed the most support.

“Want my advice?” The older gentleman asked.

The both of us nodded, still unsure what to do with my cabin. Last month, I officially moved Peaches and I into her place, our debate still up in the air. As I thought about it longer, the more I leaned towards Winona’s side. Did I really want the responsibility of being a landlord? What if it became more ofa headache? I already had my hands full at the firehouse and honestly, I’d rather climb the ladder there.

“Sell it and move on. Sometimes we invest too much of our time and money, and you don’t always get it back. If there weren’t any repairs to be done, then I’d say go ahead and rent it out.”

“Thanks, Mr. Harrison. I appreciate it.” I shook the man’s hand and saw him out, Winona close behind.

I turned to her and looked at the cabin for a moment. I knew what I needed to do. Put the thing up for sale.

“Let’s find a realtor.” I said.

Winona jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “I knew you’d see the light.” She teased.

“I know, I know. You were right all along.”

“Ah, such a wise, wise man.”

A month later, the cabin sold and was no longer on our hands. We went out to dinner to celebrate.

“Want to stop for some ice cream?” I asked Winona on the ride home.

“Usually, I’d say yes, but my stomach feels a bit queasy.”

I reached across the truck’s middle console and found her hand, squeezing it gently. “Oh no, something you ate?”

“Maybe. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Winona smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Once we were home, she only got worse, her head now on the toilet, retching up all of her dinner.

I held her hair back, helped her brush her teeth and drink water, and got her into bed. But the retching didn’t stop.

She continued all night.

But morning, she was as white as a ghost and shaking.

“You can’t even hold water down. I want to bring you to the ER.”

“It’s fine, Hollis. I’ll be okay. Probably food poisoning or a stomach bug.”

I hated leaving her to go to work but I reluctantly did, stocking her up with Gatorade and soup for when she felt better.