Search and Rescue
Chapter 10
While Mike and Max were hooking the RV up to septic, electric and the well, Matt followed them around watching Mike unhook the truck from the RV, and all the other mechanical things. He didn't say anything, but watched every move Mike and Max made. Finally, Max shooed him inside and Mike decided to ask about building him a house.
"So; if I bought some land close to here; would you be able to build a house for Maddie and I? We'll want it fairly soon." Mike asked.
"I will be finishing the construction phase of this subdivision soon and could but I do have a suggestion. This farm is plenty big enough and there is a really nice spot for a house further back. Mom choose this spot because it was closer to the road, but the spot I have in mind would be private but close." Max suggested.
"I would be good with that, but who owns the land?" Mike asked.
"I do. We could get something drawn up officially if you wanted to, but I don't need it. I can take you and Maddie tomorrow and show you the spot. I also have some house plans in my truck you guys can look out and pick out what you want." Max offered.
"Why would you do that?" Mike asked.
"Because this family has been too far apart for too long. Eventually the kids will take off but we need to be close. Besides, Matt and Emma will eventually get comfortable with you, but I will still want to be close when they move in with you." Max answered. They had finished with the RV and Max pulled some house plans out of the cab of his truck. "Each is in a notebook, with pictures of model houses. Kaitlyn did the decorating. If you want modifications, we can do that with no problem. I'll just need to know as soon as possible." Max said.
"Thanks. I will have to get with the bank too." Mike said.
"I have a finance company I work with. I will get you all the information for it tomorrow." Max said before walking into the house. Mike took the notebooks back into the RV, where Maddie was sitting at the table, eating some of the leftover soup from lunch.
"I left some in the pan if you'd like some?" Maddie asked. She started to get up but Mike gestured for her to stay sitting and got his own bowl. He had put the notebooks down on the couch and sat down across from her.
"I talked to Max about a house. He suggested a spot here on the farm where he could build us one. Those are plans that he wants us to look at and pick one out. We'll also have to talk to a finance company." Mike explained.
"Are you sure about all that? I figured you'd be packing me up and moving me to some apartment." Maddie asked him. At first, Mike thought about giving her an angry response, but she didn't deserve that. She was pregnant with his baby, and he had been totally cruel to her. He was just at a loss in how to deal with it.
"Look; I'm sorry. I know I've treated you like shit. I know you love me, and honestly; I'm not there yet, but I do care about you and I am…getting used to the idea of this baby…all of it, really. My family has accepted you better than me, and that if frustrating. I feel like an outsider." Mike admitted. Maddie stood up, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around him.
"Let me help you." Maddie said and Mike nodded into her stomach. For awhile, she just held him. Finally, she pulled away and kissed the top of his head.
"We really need to go through these plans." Mike said.
"Or I can just draw out what I want." Maddie said as she grabbed a piece of paper, sat down and began drawing what sort of house she wanted. Mike watched, and occasionally pointed out things he wanted. It would certainly be larger than an RV, and maybe that was part of their issues. Maybe they needed some space. Regardless, it was enjoyable and Mike liked making plans.