Page 68 of Unplanned Target

“It’s kind of exciting that they’re breaking ground on another house.” Miranda watches as a group of construction workers maneuvers the heavy equipment through a temporary opening in the perimeter. “It’ll be fun to watch the process.”

I walk along beside her, enjoying the cool evening air as we make our way to the spot we end up at almost every day. “It should be a quick one. The team Pierce has handling construction around here is second to none.” I gesture to Zeke’s house as we pass it. “I can’t believe how quickly they were able to get these first three finished.”

“That is kind of crazy.” She looks over the rest of the empty lots. “Do you think my brother and Becca will want to build a house here?”

“I would assume so. It would make the most sense with them both working for the company now.” I direct Miranda around a large chunk of dirt left behind by one of the oversized tire treads. “The lot next to mine is still available.” I give her a wink. “I bet he would love being my neighbor.”

Butch and I are better now than we’ve ever been, but I don’t know if that will continue to improve, or if we’ve topped out. I honestly don’t care as long as we can work well as a team, and he doesn’t cause problems between me and his sister.

“He might have to get used to it, because having Becca as my next-door neighbor would be amazing. She’d be able to come help Allie with her homework whenever.” Miranda doesn’t seem to recognize what she’s said for a few beats. When it finally sinks in, her eyes widen almost comically.

Part of me wants to tease her about it, but I don’t think that’s the proper approach here. I think the best way to handle this, is to go with it.

“That is true.” I give her hand a squeeze. “And I’m sure it will be easier for both of you to be side-by-side when your brother and I are out on assignment.”

Miranda’s quiet for a minute, likely digesting how quickly our conversation went from a casual discussion about the neighborhood, to planning our future cohabitation.

Honestly, we’ve been dancing around it ever since she discovered I own the lot she’s in love with. We basically live together now anyway. I haven’t slept in the other room since I came back from helping Vincent. It only makes sense we would continue staying together.

“It will be easier.” Miranda’s eyes finally come my way. “Do you think you’ll be going out soon?”

“That is always the million dollar question.” We round the end of the loop, reaching the spot we will one day call home. “But, based on the way things normally go, yes. I’ll likely be going out soon.”

I lead Miranda to the gliding bench I ordered for us to sit on instead of the rocky slope. It’s covered in thick, weatherproof cushions, and way more comfortable than sitting on the hard ground.

She takes her seat, and I ease down next to her, pulling her close. “Maybe while I’m gone, you can start looking through house plans. See if there’s anything that looks interesting to you.”

I don’t want to burden Miranda with the entire responsibility of house construction, but I do want to be sure she gets what she wants. Especially since I don’t really care what the place looks like. The only thing that matters to me is that it’s a house she will be happy living in.

“Well...” Miranda rubs her lips together. “I’ve thought about it a little bit already.”

Her confession brings a smile to my face. “Good.” I tuck her closer. “What did you come up with?”

“We should probably have at least one extra bedroom for your mom or mine to visit. There should be tons of windows on the back so we can look out and see the skyline from as many rooms as possible.” She rests her head on my shoulder as the sun lowers in the sky. “I would love for the kitchen and the family room to be open so I can talk to everyone while I cook.”

“All fantastic ideas.” I can easily imagine what it will be like. Allie sitting at the table doing homework and Miranda chopping through vegetables while I play sous chef. “My mother will be ecstatic. You might have a hard time getting rid of her.”

My mom is going to love Miranda. Pretty sure Miranda’s going to love her back. I’ve held off on confessing the full extent of our relationship to my mother because she would want to come here immediately. And I’d like to wait for that visit until we are out of the rooming house.

“Are you sure?” Miranda seems skeptical. “You don’t think she’ll be upset you are with a single mom?”

“Sweetheart, she was a single mother, remember?” It’s almost comical to think of her being judgmental like that. It’s not in her nature. “She’s going to be thrilled to have a ready-made grandchild.”

Yet another reason I haven’t told my mother everything. If the opportunity to meet Miranda wasn’t tempting enough to bring her here, getting her hands on Allie definitely would be.

“What about your brothers? What are they going to think?” Miranda asks.

She’s obviously been pondering way more than just our house, and it doesn’t sound like that’s been going well for her. I’ve been so distracted by her family issues, that it hasn’t occurred to me to explain mine.

Or the lack thereof.

“My brothers are both happily married, one of them to a single mother.” I settle in as the sun dips lower in the sky. “Maybe we should consider starting on the house sooner rather than later.” I think through everything she suggested. “And look for a floor plan with at least a few extra bedrooms. Then we can have big family holiday-get togethers.”

I can’t begin to describe how that possibility affects me. How desperately I want it. My mom and brothers and their families filling my house. Celebrating Thanksgiving or Christmas with the people I love most.

And I definitely love Miranda and Allie.

Miranda nibbles her lower lip, still looking a little hesitant. “Okay. I’ll see what I can find.”