Read Online Lauraine Snelling by Breaking Free - Free Book Online Page A

right with them, finished her phone call, and came around the desk with a smile as bright as the noonday sun. “I’m Francesca,” she said, extending a well-manicured hand. “Welcome to Horse Country.” Her voice was as smooth as her taupe pants, silk shirt, and modern art scarf.
    Gil introduced himself, Eddie, and Maria and explained what their needs would be. “We drove around the development, and it seems all the level lots are already sold.” As if twenty and forty acre parcels could be called lots.
    “Strange that you should say that, as a house that might meet your requirements just came on the market today. The owners were transferred and have to sell their nearly finished home. Let me acquaint you with the amenities of Horse Country and then we’ll go look at it.”
    As they left the building, Francesca got in her car and headed for the house. Eddie grinned up at his father. “She’s hot, isn’t she?”
    “Eddie!”
    “She likes you.”
    “Eddie. What do you know about some woman liking a man?”
    “I watch television. My legs might not work but my eyes do.”
    “Yeah, well . . .” Gil shook his head. Whatever else would this kid come up with? “Don’t go setting any dates up for me, all right?” Eddie had not asked about his mother in years. Perhaps it was time to talk about her. Most likely it was past time. He wondered what Maria had told the boy, other than the party line of they just didn’t love each other any more and so they divorced. Never ever did he want Eddie to learn that his mother had deserted her son—and his father. He’d put all the safeguards in place. But they’d never been tested. At least not that he knew. Maybe moving was a good idea after all. “Now, let’s go over this again. House hunting takes time. You have to see what you like about each house and then decide what you want. No hopes up on this being
the one
, okay?”
    “Sure, Dad,” Eddie said serenely.
    They parked in the driveway of a single-story house with construction vehicles lined up along the curb. As Eddie’s lift groaned into place, Gil studied the stucco exterior. The open double doors to the entry beckoned them. Three steps finished in slate curved around the recessed doors.
We’d have to make a ramp
, he thought, although he was pleased with the entrance.
    Francesca joined them and chatted with Gil while Eddie unloaded.
    “How close to finished is it?”
    “They’re hanging the cabinets in the kitchen, fixtures need to be installed, perhaps some more painting, and of course the landscaping. While the footings are poured for the barn, they haven’t begun the construction, and I don’t think the pool is quite finished either.” She waited while Gil backed Eddie’s wheelchair up the stairs. “I think it would be easy to change one side of the steps into a ramp.”
    “It would.” As they entered the house, the high ceilings of the great room caught Gil’s attention. All on one level, no sunken living room. French doors on either side of the fireplace on the outer wall invited them outside.
    “There are three bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a den.”
    Gil nodded and glanced at his son. The doors were wide enough for his wheelchair so even those wouldn’t have to be changed. “What do you think, Eddie?”
    “This one would be my room, right? And Maria could have the other.”
    “Or we could turn part of that monstrous garage into a private apartment for you, what do you think?” he asked Maria.
    Maria nodded and shrugged at the same time. “What about your office?”
    “The den would work until we could build a separate building.”
    They followed Francesca outside on an unfinished patio and backyard. “It needs to be fenced yet and will look so much better when the landscaping is in.”
    “How soon would we be able to move in?” Eddie’s voice squeaked.
    Francesca smiled at him. “It would take a month for escrow to clear.”
    “Title clearance is in place?” Gil