Page 139 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
I had already made the decision to add Nick to my trust and my attorney was currently drawing up the amendment papers. Nick was a permanent part of my life. My money wasn’t mine anymore, because we were a team. He had the right to use it just as much as I did.
Not that I thought he would. I doubted he’d ever take a cent.
“That’s a conversation for a different day,” he said.
“Okay. I’m willing to stall the money talk since it’s your birthday,” I said. “But soon we need to discuss it.”
“All right.”
“Here,” I said, handing him the business cards. “I had these made for you. They’re not real. I just wanted to throw out the idea.”
Nick lifted the cards to his face and studied them intently. “‘Owners Nick and Emmeline Slater’?”
“We can change that,” I said quickly. “I don’t need to be a part of the garage, and if you’d prefer to do it on your own, I completely understand. But if you want my help with office work or bookkeeping, I’d be happy to help. Whatever you want.”
“I like your name on there, Emmy. Especially followed by my last,” he said.
“Oh,” I said, looking to the floor when my cheeks flushed. “It’s just, I always thought I would take my husband’s name. I guess I’m traditional in that sense. Does it bother you?”
He bent down and brushed his lips against mine. His tongue darted out and teased my lower lip. I pushed forward, hoping for more, but he leaned back.
“Does that answer your question?”
“What do you think about starting a garage?” I asked.
“Balan didn’t know why you bought this place, so when he left the station, I racked my brain, trying to figure out why. I had some other guesses but figured this was the mostly likely. It was probably good I had the day to think about it.”
“How come?” I asked.
“My first thought was that I couldn’t do it and that you wasted a shitload of money. But then I got to thinking about starting a custom shop. If I could build up a name for myself across the Northwest, I wouldn’t be taking business away from the garage downtown.”
“You’re a good man, Nick, to be worried about someone else’s business.”
He shrugged. “They’re good people.”
“What about the fire station? Do you think one of your volunteers would be interested in your job?”
“Maybe. I need to think on it some more. Run the numbers and talk to Dad and Dash. I don’t know if it’s smart to open my own business if we’re trying to have a baby.”
“Why?” I asked. “I think it’s the perfect time. Think of how much you could teach our kids. They could work with you here, just like you did with your family.”
A small smile tugged at his mouth. “I’ll call Dad and Dash later,” he said. “Maybe talk to Ryan at Jamison Valley Construction too. See how much it would cost to renovate this place.”
“Oh. About that,” I said, scrunching up my nose. “I may have already discussed that with him. And the money for the remodel is in the office desk. That’s the next part of your present.”
“I’m thinking that money conversation needs to happen sooner than I thought,” he said.
“That’s probably not a bad idea.”
“Thank you, Emmy. For believing in me.”
“You’re easy to believe in.”
“Let’s go home, Wife. I want birthday sex with you in that dress and those heels. But I’m not fucking you in this cold garage. At least, not yet.”
I shivered as I walked through the room, and not because it was cold.
“Can you be my teacher next year?”
