“Benjamin—that’s what he told me to call him now—only had one request on the house. The rest, he said, is up to Jenny. ‘Make it big,’ he said.”

“I asked if she had any questions and he said he was sure she would.

“Then he told me the strangest thing. He said he’d bought one of the fishing shacks down by the river and as soon as they move in, he wants the shack she lived in moved to the trees behind where the house will stand. He says he promised Jenny her own space.”

“He’s a wise man, your Dr. Monroe.”

“Yeah. It’ll be fun building them a home.”

Tuesday laughed. “You’ll get to design houses, Ketch. Your dream.”

“I think I’d try it for a while. Maybe take a few architectural classes online. My dreams haven’t been turning out so well so far. Randall told me I have to move out of the loft. They’ve got another student coming in.”

“You’ll need a bigger place to live. Someplace to spread out. Like the big workplace at my house where my Grannie once painted. It’s got great light, and your house plans will cover the walls and you can use the downstairs bedroom as an office. I can see you bounding up the stairs three at a time.”

Ketch frowned. “You want me to move in? I thought we are just friends.”

She met his eyes. “We are, Ketch, but I thought we could be friends with benefits.”

“What benefits?”

“Meals from me. Free repairs from you. Free rides to work on rainy days. And dates to eat out now and then. I wouldn’t be afraid at night and you’d have someone to carry you to bed when you get drunk.”

“And . . .” Ketch waited.

“And great kisses every night. We’ll start there.”

“Fair enough, kid. I think I could handle that as a foundation to build on.”

Ketch had no idea where his career was going or his life was going, or which way his love life was headed, but as long as Tuesday was in it he’d be fine.

She was offering him a home and a promise of someday.

Chapter 42 - Hank

Chapter 42

Hank

Wednesday

The U-Haul was loaded and ready as Hank sat down with Simon for their last breakfast with Millie. She’d progressed to one crutch and a boot that came to her knee.

Today would be her first full day at work and she’d dressed as the very proper librarian she was.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He’d gotten used to dressing her, carrying her, holding her at night. She was the gentlest person he’d ever known and she deserved to be with a gentle man. Words of love, or even affection, had never passed between them, but he loved her and he knew a part of her loved him.