Love At First Sight (Southern Bride 1)

Drawing in a deep breath, I thought about how much I had in my savings. With what my grandfather left me, and the money I had managed to save, I was comfortable going in full price and even a little above if I had to.

“I’d like to come in a little above asking.”

The agent smiled and handed me a piece of paper. “Write your offer and sign it. I’ll call the other agent now. Let’s feel them out and then we can head back to my office.”

I wrote the number down and handed it back to her. She promptly went outside and made the call.

“Wow. You’re really doing this?” Mike said.

“Even above the listed price, this place is worth it. I’ve already run the numbers. I don’t plan on flipping it, but just knowing within a year I could have a good amount of equity makes me comfortable. And with Steed offering me a position, it only helps with the decision.”

“What? He offered you a position?”

I nodded. “Oh damn, I thought I mentioned it. Yeah, he wants me to come in and work part-time doing accounting. He’s hoping to step back a little. Eventually, he wants me to take over that side of the business when he retires. I mean, that won’t be for a good while, but I can’t pass it up.”

“What did Jonathon say? I thought he wanted you working with him.”

“As much as I love my brother, I like the business end of things. I enjoy working with my hands and all, but running his construction company was never in my long-term goals. They already have a great girl who is handling both Jonathon’s and Waylynn’s dance studio financial accounts. All they really needed me to do was update things and show Mary the ropes with the new software. She’s catching on fast. So if I worked part-time for Jonathon, part time for Steed, I could make this work.”

He slapped my back. “Sounds like you’ve been thinking it over.”

The screen door opened, and the agent walked in.

“I received an immediate reply. They’ve accepted your offer, Mr. Myers. Turns out the owner seems to like your momma.”

Laughing, I turned to Mike. “Looks like I have fully entered adulthood.”

Mike reached his hand for mine, and we shook.

“Congratulations, dude. I’m happy for you.”

With a wide smile, I followed the agent out of the house. I was happy as hell, but a part of me felt like something was missing.

“I’ll meet you back at my office, Mr. Myers, and we will sign the paperwork. You’ll need to put down the earnest money and start the paperwork for the loan.”

“I’ll be paying cash, so it should be fast and easy.”

Her eyes widened. “Cash? This is a cash sale?”

Mike chuckled as he slipped over to his truck. “I’ll catch up with you later, Rip.”

With a wave, I replied, “Sounds good! Thanks for coming.”

Focusing back on the agent, I confirmed. “Yes, it’s a cash sale. Is that an issue?”

“No! No, not at all. This process just sped up exponentially. I’ll see you at the office.”

I jumped into my truck and stared back at the white farmhouse. Envisioning rocking chairs and sweet tea, I smiled. The emptiness was still there, though. That nagging ache deep within me.

Blue eyes popped into my mind. Her light brown hair pulled into a ponytail and a book in her hand while she sat in a rocking chair on that very porch.

Chloe.

Was she truly happy with Easton? There was only one way to find out, and I was running out of time.

Starting my truck, I took in one deep, long breath and then headed down the long gravel drive.

Chloe – Four hours earlier

I SAT ON the floor in an expensive wedding dress. Crying.

I’d reached a new level of pathetic.

“Chloe Cat! Oh sweetheart, what is wrong?” my mother said, wrapping her arms around me.

“I’ll get tissues!” the sales lady said, running off.

Alyssa took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “Chloe.”

That one simple word spoke volumes. Lifting my head, I looked at my mother in the mirror, then turned to her. The pot had finally boiled over.

“I can’t marry him, Momma. I can’t.”

She closed her eyes and said, “Thank you, God.”

Widening my eyes, I stared in disbelief. “You didn’t want me to marry him?”

The sales lady handed me a box of tissues and politely excused herself. Mary helped Alyssa up so she could change out of her dress. I knew they were giving my mother and me some privacy.

“Well, Chloe. Um, I… Okay, here is the thing. If I thought you truly wanted to marry him, yes, I would have wanted you to. Everyone saw that you didn’t, though. You were the least-excited future bride I’ve ever seen in my life. And the fact that your daddy full on hates the man for taking you away from home, well, I can’t help but be relieved.”