Part 28
The days following Christmas were filled with contentment and laughter for the small family as they endured their confinement (due to the weather) by house-hunting online. The website Harold had put together for Ashlyn to peruse was filled with pictures and descriptions of the homes under consideration. The computer genius hooked the system up to the television so they could use the huge screen to surf through things without squinting and the girl used her laptop to make copious notes about each one, good and bad. John had visited each of the homes and neighborhoods so he could get a feel for them and he relayed his findings to the teen to add to her summaries until she finally narrowed her choices down to three.
That done, Finch whipped together a program that allowed them to pull up each room of the three houses and play with paint, furniture placement, wall decorations, flooring, and appliances. It quickly became a game to see who could design the most hideous room before settling down to actually creating something they would live in. By the 28th, the snow had been reduced to dirty piles in parking lots and along streets so the group decided to visit each of the homes on the short list so the girl could actually see everything personally.
The sidewalks were still a bit slick in places and Finch, having learned his lesson on Christmas day, waited quietly in the doorway or at the car until John was beside him in case he slipped. Having spent a good 36 hours living off of pain medications and having to hide how bad off he was from his niece, he didn't want to face a repeat. The look his friend gave him before they started on their venture simply reinforced it further.
Carrying her laptop with her, Ashlyn zipped through each room of the house presented to her, making changes or additions to her notes as she went. The girl had done her homework and the realtor with them, Kelly Kline, worked hard to keep up with all the questions fired at her. While her father either paced silently beside her like a large jungle cat or stood as a sentinel overlooking the yard, the teen walked the perimeter of each of the three yards carefully. She wanted to make sure that the fencing was secure and sturdy and that the yard itself was safe enough for her beloved dogs to run and play in. Harold made himself comfortable in whatever chair was available at each house and let them have at it.
At the final home, while father and daughter were in the yard, Kelly collapsed in a seat beside the billionaire, "How on earth do you keep up with those two?" She had tried chasing after them in the first two places but hadn't been able to keep up. It irritated her since it prevented her from working her wiles on John and she was definitely interested in finding out what made him tick.
Finch smirked, "I'm sure you've noticed that I don't. Nor do I try. Ashlyn is a bundle of energy on any given day and fortunately John is more than able in staying with her."
Looking out the window at the tall figure shadowing the slender teen, the realtor sighed a bit, "Yes, he certainly is. Well built, strong, handsome, wealthy, devoted." Glancing at the older man out of the corner of her eye, she oh-so-causally inquired, "So what's Ashlyn's mother like?"
"She's dead," Harold stated bluntly as he pulled out his phone and fired off a quick email to the realty company, demanding they replace this female with a gentleman who wouldn't be trying to make a play for his friend. She had been following the former agent around and finding various excuses to touch him on the arm, shoulder or back whenever she had the chance. The last thing any of them needed was an infatuated woman mucking around where she didn't belong.
"Oh, dear," came the expected reply in sugary sweet tones. "How terrible for a young girl to lose her mother; it must be very difficult for John to struggle on alone while raising a child."
The smirk had morphed into a glower, though the woman was completely oblivious as she stared out at Reese, "He is neither struggling, nor alone, I assure you."
"Was she pretty?" Kelly pried further.
Unable to resist, Finch snarked, "Ashlyn inherited her father's black hair, but she certainly has her mother's stunning beauty. John has only to look at his child to see a gorgeous reminder of his former love."
"Hmmm, some men don't like to have such reminders around," she mused very softly to herself. "Or they need new memories to replace the old."
Before Harold could lose his normally placid temper, his phone chimed. Looking down, he found a response to his email assuring him that a new person was already on their way and Kelly Kline would be sent packing. The company knew how much he was willing to pay, up front, for a house and they weren't about to take any chances on losing him. He typed in a text message and watched as John retrieved his own phone from the pocket of his leather jacket and curled his lip. The teen, who had been examining something, saw his look of disgust and approached him. The genius smiled faintly when the big man tenderly stroked one hand over her long loose hair, brushing it back from her delicate face as he said something to her.
The sickly cooing of the repulsive female next him interrupted his quiet contemplation of the pair outside, "How sweet! He's just so gentle with her and that voice; oh I could listen to that voice for the rest of my life whispering to me."
Enough. "Get out," Harold growled.
Startled, Kelly turned to him, "Excuse me?"
"Get. Out." He pointed firmly at the front door.
"You can't just dismiss me!" she squalled.
"Of course I can, and I just did. Is your hearing affected by the drooling you're doing over my brother-in-law? You're fired, sacked, relieved of your position, however you want to put it, just get out. Another realtor is on their way to take your place. Your disgusting manners, questions, and obsessive gawking of John have come to an end. He would not and could not be interested in you in any way shape or form."
"How could you possibly know that?" she demanded. Suddenly her eyes narrowed, "Unless, of course, you aren't really his brother-in-law. That's it, isn't it?" Now she was thoroughly disgusted, "The two of you are involved in some sick relationship together, aren't you; and dragging that poor kid along for the ride?"
Harold pushed himself to his feet, noticing that John and Ashlyn were heading for the house as he did, "The only relationship John and I have is one of family and friendship; he is my brother in every way but blood. Ashlyn is my niece and I adore her. Even if he were interested in dating at this time, I would let him know exactly what kind of filthy, revolting creature you are and I guarantee he wouldn't even look at you twice. Right now, all he wants to do is find a safe and quiet place to raise his child without interference." He didn't spare a glance for the pair entering behind Kelly, he just pointed again at the front door, "Leave. Your presence is no longer required nor is it desired."
The woman rose, so outraged she nearly lost her balance and fell off her four inch high heels, "How dare you! I'll have you know I'm one of the most reputable realtors in this city!" She drew back her hand, intent on taking a swing at the sharp-faced man who had given her such a put down.
Kelly Kline's hand never had the chance to connect. She suddenly found herself nearly lifted off her tottering heels as she was pulled around to face the blazing dark blue eyes of the very man she'd been day dreaming about. John didn't bother saying anything to her; he simply turned, still in possession of her wrist, and physically escorted her to the front door. He opened it, placed her on the other side, and slammed it in her stunned face; returning to the kitchen with a pleased sneer, "I didn't really like her anyway; I felt like a piece of cake she was contemplating cutting into."
"That about sums up her opinion of you, John. She kept dropping little hints and asking questions about you that went beyond anything she needed to know to sell us a house. That creature believed she was going to be the next Mrs. Reese."
Ashlyn stared at her uncle in horror while the big man beside her just gagged. When the doorbell rang a moment later, the military man's glittering gaze tightened to laser beams as he stalked back to the living room, fully anticipating round two with the disagreeable female. He ripped the door open, ready for battle, and was taken aback by an older gentleman around fifty five who smiled benignly up at him.
"Hello, I'm Ron Gantz; the realty company sent me over saying there was a problem with the person you were currently using," he offered a hand to the intimidating man before him.
"John Shepherd, and yes there was a big problem with her. Please come in and meet the rest of the family." He led the man to the kitchen and introduced him to his daughter and brother-in-law.
Ron sat down at the table with the trio and began asking questions to bring himself up to speed with his new clients, "I understand that you've narrowed your choices down already to three houses and you've seen all of them?"
"Yes," Reese answered.
"Is it just for the two of you or will your brother-in-law be living at the residence with you?"
Before Harold could respond, the former agent smiled, "He'll be living here more often than not. He just doesn't know it yet." His associate sputtered incoherently at him but John just ignored it while Ashlyn snickered softly. "That's part of why the three houses on our list have at least five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and attached garages."
Mr. Gantz just smiled, "And do you have any questions I can answer about any of the properties you've seen or are there any other houses you'd like visit?"
A glance at his daughter brought her into the conversation, "No other houses; I really like the ones we've seen and I did have a few more questions."
"Ask away, my dear," the realtor invited as he gave her his undivided attention.
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
By the end of the day, a decision was made, a price set, an offer made and quickly accepted, and John was the proud owner of a very large, beautiful, and expensive home. The one chosen fit everything the family could want in their house: three of the six bedrooms would be set up for their original purpose while the other three would be converted to offices/study rooms/libraries, four bathrooms, a huge kitchen the girl swore she'd happily get lost in while cooking, and a small dining area connected to the kitchen for the family to eat in with another much larger one for entertaining (or to be used as a war room to prepare for ops when needed). Part of the basement had already been set up for a home theatre and they were planning to keep it that way along with putting in a large exercise room and game area. The main living room overlooked the back yard and actually had large sliding glass doors that could be opened up with the weather was nice to bring the inside and outside together. There was a huge patio with dark wood trellis-work to offer shade in the summer months that came with a very large gas and charcoal grill as well as a big fire pit where chairs could be set up to relax around.
A Jacuzzi tub sat in an enclosed room behind and a little to one side of the home so it could be used in private and there was an in-ground swimming pool and deck that was fenced in with glass panels to prevent kids or animals from accidently falling in. Numerous trees, flowering bushes, and flowers of all kinds dotted the yard in tasteful displays and the dogs would have great fun running through the huge expanse of green available to them as well as being able to explore the hidden nooks and crannies created by the landscaping.
Another feature they had all liked the look of was the variety of fireplaces throughout the home. Each bedroom had one, the formal dining room, and both the living room and sitting room came with gas fireplaces. Ashlyn had insisted that her father pick the first bedroom since he was the one who had to be comfortable with escape routes and weapon stashes. John choose a corner room with access to the patio and two windows he could exit from if necessary and was making plans on how to set up alarm systems that would protect the home without making it feel like a prison. He was good with his hands and had already determined where he was going to put in a gun closet and how it would be set up as well as making sure that his daughter would have access if needed.
The wood in his room was dark and he had a walk in closet that was well suited for his style of clothing. The fireplace was good-sized with a heavy mantle and space above it he could hang a picture of some sort. His bathroom was made up of large tiles in medium brown above and below a centerline of smaller shell-shaped tiles. The shower was frosted below the waist and clear above with several small insets to put soap, sponges, shampoos, and other toiletries. He had a soaking tub across from the toilet that appeared to be just large enough to fit his big frame comfortably and he looked forward to trying it out.
The teenager chose the room next to John's mainly because it had a great view of the backyard, instant access to her father if needed, and she loved the way it was set up. She had a door to the patio and a window on each side of it so light wouldn't be a problem when she wanted it. There was a huge walk in closet that was filled with shelves and had a built in jewelry tree of mahogany wood she could hang her rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to make it easier to pick what to wear. The fireplace was framed in pale pink marble and the tile in front for the hearthstones matched it to perfection.
Her bathroom was young woman's dream come true. A glassed in free-standing shower with multiple heads that could be adjusted and a dainty seat of white marble in one corner took up one part of the room. The tile was done in shades of sea foam green and ocean blue with black accents almost making her feel like she was in a bubble in the ocean. Her large tub sat in the corner with a frosted window she could open and a skylight overhead that was controlled with the flick of a switch. Ashlyn could already picture surrounding the ledge of the tub with candles and pretty silk flowers and soaking away the worries of the day. There were even small shelves across from the tub where she could put her DVD player so she'd still have her music to relax to.
The room for Harold was similar to the others in size and closet space, one of the main differences was the fireplace which was done in beautiful fieldstones and had enough room in front of it to set a couple of chairs so he could relax there to read if he chose. His bathroom was done in gray tiles with white accents and he appreciated the fact that his shower had a large seat build into it already so he could sit down when he needed to with his back and leg injuries.
The trio would spend the next few days, other than when John and Ashlyn went to visit Heather and her family, at the loft utilizing Harold's program to truly buckle down and decide how they wanted everything painted and decorated so things could be brought in and done at one time rather than dragging it out. The night after their purchase, John had to go in and physically remove the catalogue and computer from his daughter's room because she couldn't sleep where she was fixating on colors, fabrics, and styles of everything.
"But, dad, I want everything to be perfect! This is the first time I get to have any say in a home and I don't want anything to go wrong," she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open but was fighting to not sleep.
Without a word, he clicked the save button and shut down the laptop before setting it and the catalogue on the nightstand. That done, he sat down on the bed, leaning back against the headboard, and simply pulled her across his legs and wrapped his arms around her, lovingly carding his fingers through her black mane and rubbing her back soothingly. Ashlyn went limp the moment he scooped her up and was sound asleep before he had her completely settled. John just smiled and continued to cradle his only child for a while longer. When he knew she was deeply asleep, he shifted her carefully back to the bed and tucked the covers around her with a soft kiss to her forehead.
