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“Well, that’s one way to look at it,” she said, her tone turning slightly defensive before she caught herself. “Might I point out that it’s mostly cosmetic? Just think of the equity you’ll gain once you have everything looking exactly the way you want it to. Not all homebuyers have the benefit of starting with a clean slate.”

Matthew nodded as if he were considering her words. But, in reality, anything Kimberly Kendall had to say had no bearing on his decision to buy the house. He’d already done his homework, convinced Julia it was her first choice from the properties available, and came to Windsong to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

“I couldn’t care less about equity right now,” he said.

“Well, then let me care about it for you,” the agent replied, tapping Matthew on the shoulder for him to turn around and take a folder from her hand. “Here’s some information about the area. Inside, you’ll find a brief history of our quaint little coastal town, a list of events that take place over the course of the year, and brochures from some of the local businesses. Now, those are yours to keep, and share with whoever you need to when making your decision.”

Matthew glanced down at the offering but said nothing.

“Also, I should probably add that the housing market is still heating up, and there might be another family ready to make an offer, so you don’t want to wait too long to get back to me.”

“It’s too bad the owner didn’t bother looking after the place.”

When Matthew saw that Kimberly Kendall had to swallow her pride and frustration, it made him regret his words. It wasn’t like him to be so cold toward a woman. If his mother were with him, she’d smack the back of his head and remind him that he’d been raised better.

“Well, like I said, this used to be a rental, and when the last tenants moved out, the owner used the money he had to fix the property as much as possible. At this point, he’s not interested in putting any more cash into it.”

Matthew managed to smile, knowing that was actually true since Justin Macomb of the Windsong Police Department had told him the same thing earlier in the day. He also told Matthew that Kimberly Kendall was married to Officer Mark Kendall, and it was Mark who owned the house through an inheritance he received before they were married.

“Would your husband consider an offer below the asking price?”

“Excuse me?” The agent’s eyes widened. “How did you—”

“I do my homework,” Matthew interrupted.

“So I see,” she said, her pleasant smile turning fake and forced. “Well, that’s great. I love when clients know exactly what they’re getting into.”

Then Matthew handed Kimberly a business card that revealed his position with the Kinsey Police Department. “I can get you updated information when I start working for the city of Windsong, but for now, all the information on the card is current. Also, if ten percent below the asking price is agreeable, we’ll need to close as soon as possible.”

As the agent smiled and nodded, Matthew shook her hand and told her to put the paperwork together.

“Congratulations, Mr. Brandon!” she called out from the porch as she pulled out her cell phone to call her husband while Matthew walked to his SUV. “I have a good feeling about this! Soon, you’ll be a Windsong homeowner!”

Pulling away from the curb and stretching his neck from side to side to ease some of the tension, Matthew sighed before loosening his tie. “Thank God that’s over.”

When he was on his way to meet with the realtor, he’d caught himself squeezing the steering wheel so hard that his fingers started to ache. He thought it was lingering nerves from his final interview with the Windsong Police Department and the excitement of seeing the house he’d wanted. But nothing had prepared him for how hard it was to see the house where any lingering hope of a future with Julia would finally end. Where she’d one day leave him and start a new life.

But he couldn’t focus on how and when that might happen. He had to focus on the positive and be glad for everything he’d been able to accomplish so far. Looking out for Libby and their future was his priority now. And the fact that he was doing all the right things helped ease him into the long ride home.

Besides, he was missing his baby girl and couldn’t wait to get back to Kinsey to see her. It wasn’t easy being this far away from where she was, but he knew she was in good hands with his mom and dad. They’d always been there for him, and he knew they’d always be there for her, too.

Halfway home, his cell phone rang, and Matthew immediately recognized the ringtone as the name Matthew Brandon Sr. appeared on the screen.

“Hey, Dad,” Matthew said when he answered. “Is Libby okay?”

Not that he needed an answer once he asked the question because he could hear his little girl playing in the background with her grandmother.

“Oh yeah, she’s fine. As usual, she’s got your mother and me wrapped around her little finger,” his father chuckled. “It’s a good thing we only had a son.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Yeah, well, it’s true.” From the momentary pause, Matthew suspected his dad stopped speaking to smile at his granddaughter. “So, how’d the final interview go?”

“Great. They offered me the job.”

“And, what about the house?”

“Pretty sure we got that too.”