Sway With Me(10)

Before leaving George’s office, the attorney had provided them with the details of their “three month tour” in the Stavros house. They were both given a weekly allowance of one thousand dollars, and the estate would pay the taxes, insurance, and utilities for the home. It was looking like they’d be spending at least a portion of their weekly allowance on repairs. Otherwise, when it came time to sell, they’d have to lower their asking price.



Portia took a few steps closer to the house and slowly twirled to take in the scenery. Even unintentionally, she moved as graceful as a dancer.

“What kind of trees are those?” she asked, pointing in the direction of the small forest to the west of the house.

“Apple trees. The season’s probably over, but we might still find some fruit hanging from the branches. The ones on the ground are usually eaten by deer and other animals, but sometimes, you can get lucky. Your aunt used to make the entire family apple pies.”

Portia cocked her head to the side. “You knew my aunt?”

Funny that although they were cousins, they’d never met. He’d taken his family for granted, eager to grow up and make it on his own. He’d never thought about what it would be like to not have family around to drive him crazy. “Yeah. She was a special woman. Kept old Uncle Al in line. How come you didn’t visit?”

“I don’t think she and my mom were close. What’s over there?” She stood on the toes of her shoes, waving in the direction beyond the trees, changing the subject as gracefully as she moved.

He didn’t need to look to know what she was referencing. “That’s a helipad. My uncle didn’t own a helicopter, but he thought it would be a good thing to have in case he ever decided to buy one.”

She chuckled and twisted her hair with her hand. “Wow. My mom said you guys were rich, but this is surreal.”

For some reason, he didn’t want her to think his family was only concerned with money. “We used the helipad as a hockey rink, especially in the winter when it iced over. It started out as just the cousins, but eventually, our moms and dads joined in and it became a tradition of apple pie and hockey at Christmas.”



A small smile graced her face. “Sounds nice. We usually spent Christmas at a soup kitchen.”

His mother swore they’d spend holidays with the poor and needy, but every year, they just sent another check. “Serving the homeless?”

She shook her head, her hand still holding on tight to her hair, as she looked down at her feet. “No.”

Understanding dawned, rolling his stomach and tightening his chest with sympathy.

She’d been homeless.





Chapter 4



If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do,

chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces.

William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, act 1, scene 2

It was the house from her vision. How was it possible?

“Ready to go inside?” Ryan asked, his hand wrapping gently around her forearm.

Overwhelmed with emotion, her throat thickened and she couldn’t speak. Instead, she nodded and forced her feet to move, allowing Ryan to lead her to the concrete porch while his fingers warmed her skin through her suit jacket.

He stuck the key in the lock and turned the doorknob then pushed on the door. Nothing happened. His tongue puffed out one cheek as he concentrated on opening the door.

“It must be stuck,” she said.

He peered at her from over his shoulder. “You think?”

“The porch feels slanted. Maybe that’s why.” She’d swear her left leg was now a few inches taller than her right.

“Thanks for the diagnosis, but since we don’t have the supplies or the time to fix the porch, could you help me?” he asked, annoyance in his voice.

“You don’t have to get huffy.” She moved next to him and rested her hands on the door.

His lips tugged up and his eyes sparkled. “Huffy?”

She pretended to be offended, standing tall and folding her arms across her chest. “Are we going to do this or are you going to continue teasing me about my word choices?”



    “Huffy is a great word. I’ll use it every chance I get. Now will you help me? Please?”

“Well, since you asked so nicely . . .” She leaned her entire body against the door.

Mmm, he smelled good.

He nodded. “On the count of three. One. Two. Three.”

She shoved, propelling all her weight forward. The door gave way right before it fell straight back into the house and they lost their balance, falling with it, landing hard on their stomachs.

“Honey, we’re home,” he called out after a moment, cutting the tension.