Page 132 of Trick or Tease

We had been in the place countless times but now we were looking at it with fresh eyes. We weren’t looking for the spooky. We were looking at it like it might be a place to make our nest.

I aimed my phone toward the living room. “Can you imagine this place with furniture? With a fire in that fireplace?”

“I can,” Garrett said quietly, and when I looked at him, his expression was thoughtful. “I really can.”

We moved through the downstairs rooms, our flashlights revealing glimpses of what could be. The kitchen was dated but spacious, with windows that would let in morning light. The dining room had built-in cabinets that just needed refinishing. Each room held potential.

We walked upstairs and into our room.

“This could be our bedroom,” he said.

“Our bedroom?”

“You’re not going to make me live in this place alone, are you?”

“Are you asking me to live in a haunted house with you?”

He thought about it. “Yes.”

“Really?”

I frowned and looked around. I wasn’t sure I believed the house was haunted, but it certainly needed some work.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

EPILOGUE

GARRETT

One month later

Amonth later, I stood in the living room watching Billy adjust his tie for the third time in five minutes. The engagement party was in full swing around us, with what felt like half of Greenleaf scattered across our property, celebrating Billy and Lucy’s official engagement.

I was surprised Billy managed to wait as long as he did. Since I had been away, my little brother had gotten himself completely, absolutely and madly in love. It was strange to see him so committed. He was still the goofy little shit I remembered, but there was a calmness to him now. He wasn’t trying to impress the girl anymore with stupid antics. He loved her unequivocally and she loved him. They were two halves of the same whole. There was just this knowing that they were going to be together forever.

I was so glad he was able to buy the ring he wanted. The ring he knew she would want. He wasn’t bragging about the carats, cut, or clarity. It was the ring he knew she would be proud to wear because it was special to them.

The ring had been worth the wait. Billy had used some of the farm’s newfound financial stability to buy Lucy a vintage sapphire surrounded by diamonds that looked perfect on her hand. She had been showing it off to anyone who would look, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. My brother had good taste when it counted.

“You clean up nice,” I told Billy, straightening his collar. “Lucy’s going to lose her mind when she sees you in an actual suit.”

“Says the guy who’s been wearing jeans and work boots for a month straight,” Billy shot back, grinning. “I barely recognize you without a tie.”

He wasn’t wrong. The transformation had been gradual but complete. My expensive suits hung unworn in the closet while I accumulated an impressive collection of flannel shirts and work pants. My hands were callused now from actual labor instead of just gripping a pen, and I had never felt better in my life.

“Speaking of changes,” I said, taking a swig of my beer, “I wanted to run something by you. About the old house.”

Billy raised an eyebrow. “What about it?”

“Sabrina and I have been talking about fixing it up. Making it livable again. I’m getting a little old to be sharing a bathroom with my little brother, and once you and Lucy are married…” I trailed off with a meaningful look.

“You want to move into the haunted house?” Billy asked, his expression caught between amusement and concern.

“It’s not haunted,” I said automatically. “Are you worried it’s haunted?”

Billy shook his head, then paused. “I never used to think it was haunted, but in October, I was walking by one night and I swear I heard moaning and creaking coming from up there. Really spooky stuff.”

I felt my face heat up as I realized what he probably heard. “Uh, that might have been Sabrina and me. That place is kind of our place if you know what I mean.”