I should’ve expected this. They’re retired and living on a fixed income, of course the price is an issue. “If you really want the house, why not make an offer and see what the seller says? The house has been on the market for almost six months; they might be ready to get rid of it.”
Now Mr. Pearl turns around. “Do you think they’d be willing to sell for less than the asking price?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. We aren’t the listing agent so the only thing I can do is send over an offer and try to negotiate on your behalf.”
Mrs. Pearl smiles at her husband who has walked to her side. “Let’s do it.” She reaches for his hand and he kisses her softly. I turn away, giving them their moment.
In the dining room, I pull out the contract and put an “X” next to where they need to sign. They come into the room and Mr. Pearl tells me what they want to offer. I mentally calculate the difference and think that it’s a fair offer and there really shouldn’t be any reason why the seller doesn’t accept. As soon as we finish up, I head to the office. I want to get the offer sent to the seller’s agent as soon as possible.
When I walk in, our new receptionist greets me, telling me I have flowers waiting for me on my desk. It’s nice of her to let me know, but unnecessary since I can see them. As I sit down, I pull the card from the clear plastic stem and prepare to fall more in love with Hawk than I already am.
I saw these and thought of you ~ Hawk
Why is he so perfect? More importantly, why is he leaving? I know the answer to my last question, but it doesn’t help make the situation feel any better. I set the card in my purse so I can put it somewhere safe when I get home.
“He’s in love with you.” Karter’s voice startles me. I hold my hand against my heart and glare at her.
“You need a bell or something to announce your arrival.”
She laughs, bends slightly at her waist and inhales the fragrant roses. “You’re the only one I sneak up on, everyone else hears me coming a mile away. Anyway, when is he leaving?”
I shake my head slightly. “I’m not sure, we really haven’t discussed it, nor has he said.”
“You don’t ask?”
“Not really a conversation I want to have.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” She sits down on the chair across from my desk. “But you have to.”
“Yeah.” I do what I can to ignore the elephant in the room. Thinking about Hawk leaving is not high on my priority list. Getting this offer sent in and going home to him and Chase is though. I scan the offer and email it to the other agent, asking him to call me when he’s had a chance to speak to his client. There’s going to be some back and forth, which is to be expected, but I’m hoping it’s all reasonable. I ask her what she knows about this other agent. She says he’s objective and easy to work with. I tell her about the Pearl’s and how I’d love to close this deal for them, when my phone rings. It’s Greg, the last person I want to speak to right now. I send him to voicemail and tell Karter I’ll see her in the morning, as I’m calling it a day.
My drive home is quick and when I pull into the driveway, I’m excited to find Hawk’s truck there. I’m eager to see him and rush inside, praying that Javier isn’t with him, although chances are that he is. I burst through the door and find Hawk walking toward the living room. We both stand there, looking at each other.
“Is Javier here?”
>
He shakes his head.
“Chase?”
Again, his head moves slowly back and forth. He knows exactly what I’m getting at and moves toward me, except he’s too slow. I don’t want to wait. I leap toward him and he catches me effortlessly. I try to wrap my legs around him, but my damn skirt prevents me. He senses this and hikes my skirt up over my ass, carrying me toward our bedroom.
Twenty-Seven
Hawk
Today’s a big day in the world of Little League baseball in Richfield, Montana. To date, I’m the biggest star to come from this tiny town and since it has been pointed out to me a time or two that I don’t actually belong here anymore, I thought I’d do something to show the people of my hometown what they mean to me. And by people, I mean the kids, because when it comes down to it, they’re the only ones who haven’t shunned me. No, I take that back. For the most part the people have been very welcoming, minus a few who are associated with Brett Larsen. It’s fine, I’m not bitter.
I arrive at the fields early, mostly to make sure everything is in place for what’s about to happen and to give the guys a chance to check out my complex. I’m proud of it and want to show it off. Travis, Ethan, Branch, Cooper, Kayden and I stay in the confines of my rented SUV. The windows are tinted so the people in the line forming along the fence have no idea that my teammates are with me. But they know someone important is here because they’re cheering. I frown as I take in the line. There are more adults than children. It’s my hope that with school being out for the summer, more youngsters will show up.
“This place looks awesome,” Branch says from behind me.
“I played a lot of ball in complexes like this. My parents loved it because it meant less travel,” Ethan adds.
Travis sighs and I look over at him sitting in the passenger seat. “What’s your issue?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “I forgot my lucky pen.” Everyone in the car laughs. Leave it to Travis Kidd to have a lucky pen.