Page 18 of Loving Kai

Abe took a sip from his glass, then exhaled sharply. “Awesome. Warm you right up.” He sat on the couch. “Come sit over here. It’s warmer.”

Maggie stood and picked up her glass, then moved over to the couch and sat next to Abe, leaving a foot of space between them. She took another sip of the drink, then set the cup on the trunk next to the lantern.

Abe turned toward her. “That night Gentry and I were a little tipsy, and you brought us home…”

“A little tipsy?”

“Fine. We were drunk. That night you said you were saving your money for something.”

“After you dissed my car.”

Abe cleared his throat. “Can I just ask the damn question?”

“Go ahead.”

“What are you saving your money for?”

“Don’t make fun of me.”

He raised a hand. “I won’t.”

“The Mayhew place.”

“What about it?”

She pulled the blanket tighter across her chest. “I want to buy it.”

“Why?” It came out sounding a little more incredulous than he meant it to.

She shook her head. “See. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”

“I’m not judging. It’s a serious question.”

“I love it. I’ve always loved it.”

Abe smiled. “It’s been empty for years. A lot of people have tried to buy it.”

“Mr. Mayhew will sell it to me.”

He leaned back on the couch. “How do you know?”

“I’ve talked to him about it. I worked for him when I was in high school. He likes me.”

“I’m sure he does. You’re very…likable.” He cleared his throat. “So you’re saving up until you can afford the place?”

“I’m saving for a down payment big enough to convince the bank to give me a loan.”

“Ah. Okay. How close are you?”

“Um…not very. Another year or so might do it.”

Abe drank some more cider. “What is it that you love about the place?”

She leaned back and smiled. “The house. I love the Victorian architecture. The view is wonderful. Two spring-fed meadows. The apple orchard.”

“Those apple trees are…”

“I know. Overgrown and in need of some TLC. The whole place is. But I can’t wait to get to work on it.”