Chapter 28
Shepherd
I get Felicity home after the shower, and together we sit on the couch and I pull her feet into my lap. I start rubbing them, and she groans as she closes her eyes.
"Will you still rub my feet even when I'm not pregnant?"
I laugh lightly. "Obviously, but I'd like you to have many more children. So, you might be pregnant a lot."
She shakes her head. "Let's get through the first one. I'm scared about labor. Everything I'm reading about it sounds like a straight-up horror film."
I smile, rubbing the sole of her foot harder. "It won't be. I'll be right there, by your side."
She smiles. "Seriously, I'm afraid something might go wrong."
I shake my head, not allowing any negativity into our quiet space. "Don't think like that, Felicity. We never did think of any baby names. What are we going to name our little boy?" I ask her to get her mind onto something else.
"I'm not sure."
I can't think of a single name. "I'm not sure either. I'm sure it'll come to us. Maybe we need to see him first. Look into his eyes."
Felicity snuggles closer. "I like that idea." She rubs her belly, focusing her attention on her stomach. "I can't wait to meet you, little guy."
And in this moment everything is perfect. There's only one thing missing. We don't live together.
The next afternoon, I'm standing near the host stand of Atta Boy Brewery, and Mike Phipps walks into the bar.
"Hey long time," I say, shaking his hand.
"Shepherd, how are things?"
Mike was my realtor. He's the one who helped me find my place right next to Felicity, and now I'm thinking I want to take all the money I've been saving and start a new future with Felicity.
"Things have been good." I jab my thumb over my shoulder. "Sitting at the bar?"
"Yeah, I wanted to grab a quick burger before heading back to work."
I walk with Mike, leading him to the side of the bar so I can ask him a question. "Let me ask you something. Know the place on Cherry Harbor Lane? Top of the hill."
Mike nods as he slides onto a barstool. "Yeah, been trying to sell that place for years. The owners are holding onto it for some odd reason. Nobody's lived there for ages."
"Do you know the owners?"
Mike smiles. "They're staying over on Ashford Park in Saint Pierce, and I think they're leaving the country soon. I can give you their number."
My mind's exploding with possibilities. "Yes, sure." If I can buy this house, Felicity and I can start our family there. She'll know I'm all in.
And I am.
Mike texts me the Mayfair's contact info, and I'm running out the door of the brewery before I can even tell anyone goodbye. I call them, and they agree to meet with me.
I send off a quick text to Felicity.
Had to run out of town to Saint Pierce really quickly, I'll be home soon.
Home. That word has new meaning now. I just hope the Mayfair's are willing to sell me their place. When I pull up to Julia's Café near downtown Saint Pierce, my adrenaline's pumping throughout my system. I can barely keep my shit together.
"Hey, Mr. Mayfair," I say to a man near the front entrance of Julia's.
"You must be Shepherd Atwood," the man says, shaking my hand, and then introducing me to his wife, Olive.
"Nice to meet you both," I tell them, trying not to appear too overzealous. "Table for three," I tell the hostess, and we follow her back into the restaurant, near the window.
The view is breathtaking, overlooking all of Saint Pierce. The skyline glistens in the late afternoon sun, and the bustling streets below add a vibrant energy to the scene. I rarely get to the city; the brewery keeps me pretty busy in the small town of Magnolia Ridge.
"Why do you want to buy our house?" Olive Mayfair asks after the server has taken our drink order. The crow's feet at the edge of her eyes crinkle as she leans in closer, waiting for my answer.
When the server returns with our waters, we put in a quick order. I'm too nervous to eat and order a quick appetizer to not appear rude. After the server walks away, I focus my attention on Mrs. Mayfair.
"I've lived in Magnolia Ridge my whole life, and own the Atta Boy Brewery and Restaurant downtown."
"Oh, we love that place," Mr. Mayfair says, smiling wide at his wife. "We go there all the time."
I want to tell them I'll gladly pick up their checks for life if they sell me their home, but I think it would take more convincing. "Next time you come in, check's on me."
Mr. Mayfair smiles broadly. "We appreciate that."
I squirm slightly in my chair. "My girlfriend is pregnant, and we're creating a life together," I begin, my voice steady despite the nerves. "The house you're selling is perfect for us—a place where we can build our family. Felicity, my girlfriend, has always admired it from afar, the charming architecture, the cozy garden out back... it's the kind of place she's dreamed of calling home. Magnolia Ridge is wonderful, but we need more space, and your home has everything we're looking for."
Olive's expression softens, and she glances at her husband. The connection between them is palpable, and I hope they see the sincerity in my words.
Mr. Mayfair nods thoughtfully. "It's not just a house to us, you know. It's filled with memories."
"I understand," I say quickly. "And I promise to cherish it just as much as you have. To fill it with love and new memories. I'm not just looking for a place to live—I'm looking for a home for my family."
There's a moment of silence as they exchange a look, and I hold my breath, hoping for the best.
Olive nearly has tears in her eyes as she beams at her husband. "Oh, David. We've been waiting for the perfect family to buy our home for years, and I think this is it."
"We definitely are," I say, hoping beyond hope they let me buy it and the price is right.
David rubs at his chin. "I think our home would make you both really happy. It's sure made Olive and me happy. We raised five children there, and we couldn't have asked for a better home."
"We'll treasure every second."
The server drops off our orders, and we take a few minutes to get everything situated, but before Olive takes a bite of her salad, she smiles at me.
"You're both going to be so happy there."
"I hope so. I love this woman more than anything," I say, feeling every ounce of truth in those words. "Thank you."
For the next half hour, David and I discuss the price, options, and Olive tells me more about the interior of the house, since Felicity and I have never even stepped foot through the doors. I listen as they tell me stories of raising their children there, and I laugh as I tell them I remember their son, Holden. "We played football together."
Olive nods her head with recognition. "I remember your mother Carol. Oh, you really are perfect for our old home."
"I really am," I tell them, brimming with excitement to tell Felicity.
As I leave the restaurant, I shoot off another text to her.
Have a huge surprise for you.
Felicity: Hurry up and get home. I miss you so much.
On my way.