The Only One for Me(15)
“Yeah, I figured you’d need more help than me just looking around the place. I might be able to repair something for you.”
Chris smiled and patted his father on the back as he stepped up onto the porch. “Thanks, Dad, but I’ve hired a contractor so we’ll let them handle most of the major work.”
Nathaniel stood on the porch taking in the lions, the urns that flanked the door, and the balcony above the entrance.
“I remember when they imported those urns. Came all the way from Italy.” He slowly started inside the house.
Chris walked in behind him. “They’ve ripped a lot out, so it looks a little bare right now, but in a few months it’ll be beautifully renovated.”
“What you plan on doing to the place?”
Chris led the way down the hallway into the center of the house. “I’m going to restore as many original features as I can, but I’m also going to add a few modern touches. I’m adding more closets, updated kitchen appliances, and I’m putting in larger windows. There’s not enough natural light for me.”
“Most of these old antebellum places don’t have large picture windows, but the rooms are plenty big.” Nathaniel walked from the library to the living room, then stopped to look at the chandelier hanging between the rooms. “That’s an original Schonbek, you know?”
Chris nodded. “I know. It’s a thing of beauty.”
Nathaniel started down the hall toward the classic staircase, then stopped and turned around to his son. “How many bedrooms in this place?”
“Five. They’re all upstairs. Want to see them?”
“In time. Let me ask you something. What do you plan to do with all this house? You don’t need all them bedrooms.”
Chris laughed. “Maybe not, but I’ve wanted this place all my life. It’s a great investment.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “If you say so.” Then he scratched his forehead. “Wait until your mother gets a look at this place.”
“Come on upstairs. I don’t want Mom to see the place until it’s finished. Right now it’s too dangerous for her to be walking around here, anyway.”
Nathaniel followed Chris up the stairs. “At least they have hardwood floors everywhere.”
Later, Chris and Nathaniel went to work helping his contractors demo the kitchen. After the contractors left Chris found two chairs and sat them out back by the pool while they had sandwiches.
“What’s that building there?” Nathaniel asked, pointing to a structure on the other end of the pool.
“That’s the pool house. Fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and everything.”
Nathaniel smiled and shook his head. “We’re going to have some fun pool parties this summer. I can see it already. You’re going to have to invite Darlene and her kids down from Louisville.”
“Oh, if we get everything finished before the summer is over, it’s going to be on and poppin’.”
“You can invite your girlfriend and her kids. Kids love to go swimming.”
Chris nodded, but didn’t say anything.
“You are still seeing her, aren’t you?” Nathaniel asked.
“Dad, let me ask you something.”
Nathaniel put his sandwich down. “Now I ain’t met the girl yet. Don’t tell me it’s over.”
“No. We’re getting reacquainted. And the thing is, she has children. A boy and a girl, both in elementary school.” He paused and waited for his dad to say what a responsibility that was and that maybe he’d bitten off more than he could chew.
“What’s the problem?”
“I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. You know, a ready-made family.”
Nathaniel stretched out his long legs and crossed his arms. “You’ve never been afraid of anything your whole life.”
“I didn’t say I was afraid.”
“Then what do you call it? A single mother’s life is tough, and can be challenging for the man who steps into it. But the rewards, ah, the rewards can be great. You went through many obstacles starting your businesses, and look where you are now.” Nathaniel spread his arms out toward Chris.
Chris admired his father, but sometimes he just wanted a straight answer. Should he keep seeing the woman or not?
Nathaniel put his arms down. “Chris, you don’t need dating advice from me. Follow your heart, and face your fears the same way you have all your life. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
His father was right about one thing. Chris was afraid...afraid of the responsibility that came with children. What if he accidentally did something wrong and risked losing Corra over the kids? Was in a situation again like the car accident? He’d agonized over the issue for too long. It was time to quit being afraid.