they were on the way to the second house. Then the third. Again, Flynn patiently outlined all of his needs to Linda, who listened carefully, but not too hopefully.
And it was only downhill from there. Everything they’d seen was in need of major repair. Also, none of the houses seemed to suit Flynn. Even with significant renovations, Cindy couldn’t see him in any of these homes, including the one they now viewed.
“This one’s a bit on the modern side,” Linda told him, obviously trying to interject some enthusiasm into her voice for the not-too-inviting house. “That should appeal to a forward-thinking man.”
“Hmm,” Flynn replied.
“It has quite a bit of potential,” Linda added hopefully.
Flynn glanced at the unusual roofline. “What was this originally? A school?”
“Yes. But it had extensive renovations when it was converted. The kitchen—”
Flynn, however, was shaking his head. “Anything left to show me?”
“I’m afraid not. The only other listings in town are a few two-bedroom starter homes that aren’t nearly as large as you’ve told me you need. Honestly, if I thought another Realtor would have something more appropriate, I would tell you. But there’s only one other company in town and we’re both on a multi-listing system. I’m afraid that with this temporary housing shortage, there just isn’t much of a selection.” Linda drew her brows together. “Actually, knowing what you want, especially considering your preference for contemporary, I think you ought to consider building.”
“Won’t that take a while?” Cindy asked, wondering if this could be the relief she’d hoped for.
“Probably,” Linda agreed.
“But I’ve already sold my house in Houston,” Flynn told them in a surprisingly defeated tone.
Cindy tried not to let her breath escape in a huge whoosh. “You did?”
“Yep. I thought I’d find something here.”
“Perhaps Linda has the right idea—build a house. Can’t you hold off the closing date on your house?”
“Nope.” His expression tightened. “We closed last Friday.”
Cindy winced.
“I wish I hadn’t told the girls we were moving right away,” Flynn muttered. “I realize now it was a hasty plan, but I never thought I’d encounter a housing shortage.”
Linda brightened suddenly. “Cindy, you’ve got a ton of room at your house. If Flynn decides to build, maybe he and his kids could stay with you until his house is finished.”
Nonplussed, Cindy stared first at Linda, than at Flynn.
“We couldn’t impose,” Flynn began.
“Well, it wouldn’t be imposing,” Cindy found herself saying. What could she say with Linda staring at her with those puppy-dog eyes and Flynn looking like a stalwart, if bereft, widower? “It can’t take that long to build a house,” she added weakly.
“And I have the perfect contractor!” Linda exclaimed. “Roy Johnson—my cousin. He just finished a job, and I know he’s available. And there’s plenty of land for sale locally.”
Flynn still looked torn. His gaze was probing as he met Cindy’s. “Are you sure about this?”
Her throat thickened as every bit of her common sense screamed No! “Of course. What’s family for?”
“But this is a lot to ask,” he responded in a tone that made Cindy wonder if he wanted to be talked out of the plan.
“Cindy’s always helping everybody in town!” Linda exclaimed. “I’m sure she’d love to help her own family for a change. She told me about those darling triplets of yours.”
Cindy stared helplessly at Flynn, realizing she’d been caught in a trap of her own good works and inability to spit out the truth.
But he was looking more than a bit flummoxed and reluctant himself. “I can rent an apartment while the house is being built.”
Linda shook her head. “Not in this town. Everything for rent is snapped up by the oil folks—Adair Petroleum’s opened a new regional office here to oversee pipeline and trucking operations. The only housing you can find is for sale. And there aren’t a lot of those—well, you just saw them. Because of this small boom, there’s a real housing shortage. To be honest, it probably won’t last long. Everyone at Adair should be settled in a few months down the road and then things will get back to normal. But that won’t do you a lot of good right now.”
Flynn looked at the unattractive house. “Then I’ll buy something temporary.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Cindy burst out. “Everything we’ve seen today will take a lot of fixing up just to be livable. By that time, your house could be built.” She felt herself digging an even deeper hole, but knew her conscience wouldn’t allow her to be quiet. The triplets didn’t deserve more disappointment. At their age, a few months’ delay would seem like an eternity. “Linda’s right. I have plenty of room. You and the girls can stay with me.”
“I would like to oversee the construction of the house,” Flynn pondered, still not sounding convinced, but rather, trapped.
Which put them both in the same position.
“Then it’s all settled!” Linda exclaimed, looking like a Girl Scout who’d done a good deed, and certainly the only happy member of their trio. “I’ll assemble lists of available land right away.”
Cindy forced her smile to widen as she met Flynn’s gaze. “Looks like you’re all set.”
He considered her words for a moment, looking as though he wished he had another option. Any other option. “I can put the furniture in storage. We could probably be here in about two weeks. That’ll give you time to change your mind, Cindy.”
Two weeks. The words flashed through her like a bad mantra. Two weeks until everything she knew was turned upside down. Two weeks until the man she loved moved into her life. And her house.
Chapter Two
Flynn couldn’t hold three hands at once. He tried, but one always slipped away. He’d taught the girls to hold each other’s hands so they wouldn’t get separated. But on days like today excitement outweighed caution.
They stood on the curving sidewalk that led to Cindy’s house. As they did, Flynn took a deep breath, wondering yet again if moving to Rosewood was a mistake. He’d almost turned the SUV back around a dozen times on the drive from Houston. It didn’t matter that the house was sold; he could find another place to live in Houston.
“Swing!” Alice exclaimed just then, pointing to the old-fashioned two-seater that was suspended from the tall rafters on the front porch.
“An’ flowers,” the softer-spoken Mandy added.
“Mommy
