Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You’ll see.” Declan gave a sly smile as he exited the truck, and I followed suit. “Back in the seventies, this was one of the area’s first private dirt bike tracks.” Declan gestured at what I’d assumed to be pasture land. “An old pumpkin and dairy farmer left the place to his dirt bike racing hippy kid who turned it into a track of sorts. Then, more recently, the hippy’s kids had no idea how to keep it up, so it stayed empty a lot of years while they argued their way through probate.”
“The property is for sale?” I took a closer look around, taking in the house’s metal roof, intact windows, and wide porch. Potential. Narrowing my eyes, I turned my attention to the land beyond the house, trying to see what Declan might see there. Acres of land for sure, heading into woods that presumably dropped down to the nearby river. Where I saw lumpy earth, rocks, and weeds, a dirt bike rider might see paradise.
“It’s not on the market yet. But my mechanic, Joey, knows someone who knows someone. I could get a good deal on it.” Declan’s arch tone was smug, but there was also an uncertainty that gave me pause. My pulse sped up and sweat gathered at the back of my neck.
Walking toward the house, I stepped inside the saggy front fence. A long time ago, there had been a raised garden bed on the side of the house. Every window was dusty, but I envisioned new, upgraded windows in their place. Fresh paint. Shored up porch. Replaced fencing. I hadn’t peeked in the windows yet, but I could imagine a full kitchen and bath remodel, if nothing else.
“I know it’s not much now.” Declan followed behind me. “It’s got good bones, though, or so the real estate agent says.”
“Might take a lot of work to find those bones,” I warned. “Do you have any DIY aspirations?”
“I’m Sean Murphy’s kid.” Declan used a bragging tone even as the uncertainty remained in his eyes. “Dad made sure I had my own set of tools before I had a bike. And full disclosure, I showed him the place already. I wanted to make sure the DIY king agreed about the potential.”
“Well then.” My brain spun, fast heart rate making me a bit spacey and dazed. I wasn’t sure exactly what Declan was after here, but something made me undeniably twitchy with anticipation. “And you like the place?”
“Oh yeah.” Declan’s voice went dreamy and fond, like a teen seeing a classic project car for the first time. “I figure a lot of evenings and weekends working out here until the house is habitable. Then there’s the work to make the track rideable again. Not for actual races, mind you. But as a practice facility.”
“For you?” I’d support him no matter what, even if this was a waystation on his road to professional racing again.
“Among others.” Declan’s tone went cagey. “John’s friends need someone who knows what the hell they’re doing coaching them up.”
“Who’ll coach them when you’re back on the pro circuit?” I stared at the house, imagining it fixed up yet remaining empty and lonely.
“I’m still leaning toward retirement.” Declan threw an arm around me. “This seems like a nice place for a retired couple, yeah? The first step is some rocking chairs for the porch over there.”
“Declan. I’ll be okay if you race pro again.” I turned to peer deep into his eyes. I needed him to believe me. “I promise. Like your dad said, everyone simply wants you happy. Me very much included. Racing or not. I want whatever makes you happiest, baby.”
“You. You make me happiest.” He stretched to offer me a kiss. For someone who’d remained closeted so long, he’d become remarkably comfortable with open affection the past few weeks. “We’ll figure the rest out, but this life we’re building, that’s what I want.”
“And you want this place to be a part of that life?”
“If you do.” Declan tossed the question back at me, but the want in his eyes was unmistakable. “It’ll be a lot of work. Probably months until we can move in. It might be haunted. There’s a secret room.”
“I’m down for a mystery. And work.” I matched his somber tone. “I can pitch in. I know my way around a drill too. I’ve got savings if you want my help.”
“Of course I want your help.” Declan looped his arms around my neck. “I want to do it together. You did want me to find a hobby after all.”
“This is a pretty big hobby.” I gestured at the acres surrounding us before embracing him back. “And yes, we can tackle it together.”
“Good.” He grinned so wide the corners of his lips almost touched his ears. And his eyes turned even bluer with relief as he exhaled. “Good.”