Second Chances: A Kiwi Romance: New Zealand Contemporary Series, #1

By Karla Rose

When Katy's husband walks out on her with his mistress all her hopes and dreams are shattered.  Then her Aunt Connie dies leaving her a run-down house that she instantly falls in love with and it seems like she finally has the chance to make a fresh start. If only the builder she has been forced to work with wasn't trying to snake it out from under her.

 

Rick thinks he'll finally be able to get back his family homestead after the passing of local recluse and current owner of the now run-down house Connie Pride. Then he meets Connie's niece Katy and all hopes of ever having the home returned are destroyed. It's clear that she's as in love with the old house as he is and has absolutely no intention of selling it back to him.

 

Can Katy turn this old broken house into something beautiful with the help of her surly builder, or will working with Rick end in not only the loss of the house she's fallen in love with but also a broken heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karla Rose
• Release date: Sep 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9780473520281

Karla Rose

Karla Rose is a wife and mother of two,  living in the Waikato, New Zealand.  She spends her time, helping where she can, loving her husband, and supporting her children as they learn and grow.  She has a love of food, movies, music, TV series, the beach, friends  and family. You can find her on her website karlamrose.weebly.com, or her Facebook page Karla Rose - Author.

Book preview

Prologue

Nothing had gone the way Katy had planned. She’d never wanted to be single at thirty. She certainly hadn’t been imagining her husband’s affair or their subsequent divorce. They’d been looking at starting a family, having a baby, and now those dreams were shattered. Katy hadn’t just lost a husband, she’d lost a future. An entire family, Kevin’s family, people who had become a foundational part of the future Katy had envisioned. It was such a mess. Worse still, Katy struggled to see how she would ever be able to trust anyone ever again, and now she felt... tainted. Waiting for the right guy before having sex, waiting for marriage. It seemed like such a waste of time. If anyone showed an interest in her now she’d feel obliged to let them know that not only was she a divorcee, but that she wasn’t good at sex. How could she be? What else would explain the fact that she hadn’t been able to keep her husband interested? Why was she even considering someone else taking an interest in her? Why would they? Her husband didn’t want her. Why would anyone else? She was second-hand goods, and Kevin had made sure she heard every criticism he had about her sexual prowess or lack thereof. So what was she going to do now? What could she do?

Katy didn’t understand how God could have allowed any of this to happen to her. She’d been a good wife, hadn’t she? Sure she’d had her moments. She’d disagreed with Kevin on occasion. Had likely nagged at him about things. She’d most definitely had days when she was surly at best, and some days, try as she might, she wasn’t interested in having sex. But she was only human right? No one was perfect. No one was able to give their partner what they wanted all the time, were they? Maybe she hadn’t been submissive enough? Was she not a Godly wife? Katy knew she wasn’t even close to being the Proverbs 31 wife. Though how anyone could consistently meet that kind of standard baffled her. But from what Kevin had said, this new woman of his, Lucy, was not only beautiful but... well, he said quite pointedly that Lucy ‘met all his needs’.

Katy just couldn’t figure it out. What had she done to deserve this? Or what hadn’t she done? She must have done something really wrong at some point in her life. Why else would she be going through all this? It certainly felt like she was being punished.

Going anywhere felt so hard. Even going to church was impossibly painful. Kevin’s family were always there, every week like clockwork, as though somehow in the split he’d managed to get custody of the church, while she’d been given a gaping hole where church used to be. Either way, Katy couldn’t face the looks of sympathy mixed in with the looks of accusation. The congregation had tried to be supportive, but she just couldn’t be around them. Couldn’t deal with any of it. Sure there was genuine love and kindness from people, but there was also the occasional whisper behind a hand. Every service created a ball of anxiety in her gut, a dread that Kevin would turn up with Lucy, his ‘soul mate’. Hearing him call his mistress, his ‘soul mate’, dismissing Katy like she had been nothing, like she had meant nothing, it made her want to hit things.

Katy was a ball of anger, confusion, frustration, and pain. Most of the time she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Maybe she should just move away? It wasn’t like anything was tying her to this place, and leaving meant she wouldn’t have to see him... or Lucy again. If Katy left Tauranga she wouldn’t accidentally bump into either of them in the supermarket, or at church. Katy had more than enough savings put aside that she could buy herself a house far away from here, especially with all the money from the divorce settlement. It was... a substantial amount. She could move somewhere quiet. Disappear. Maybe get a pet? She liked animals. She could become a crazy cat lady or something. No. She knew exactly what she was going to do. Katy would do what her Kevin was never interested in doing, something she’d always longed to do, but had never felt like she could. She’d buy some land far away from everything. Land with a beautiful old house on it. Or maybe a bare section and move a house on? A house that was unloved and in disrepair. Then she’d do it up. Katy would make the house as good as it was when it was first built, no she’d make it better. She’d have a beautiful old house, but one with all the mod cons. Go completely off the grid, become self-sufficient. Then she’d never have to rely on anybody else ever again, and as long as she had access to the Internet she wouldn’t even need to physically talk to anyone ever again. She could just live out the rest of her life as a hermit. Then everything would be perfect. Safe. No one would ever hurt her again. She could start up some kind of Internet business or something. After all, she’d need to start earning money eventually, assuming she didn’t want to starve or be bored to death. She needed to be able to provide for herself.

Oh, who was she kidding? She’d never do anything like buying a house in the middle of nowhere. Katy was a homebody, had barely even gone on trips outside of Tauranga let alone moved away. It would take an act of God to get her to say goodbye to her lifelong home. Nothing was going to change, she wasn’t going anywhere. Maybe that was why she found herself praying ‘God, help me. Please.’ daily. Things just had to get better, and they weren’t going to get better on their own. 

One

Lawyers

Auckland traffic was a nightmare! How could people live like this? Katy was practically having a panic attack every time a car drove alongside her, or whenever they changed lanes, which was ALL THE TIME. She’d thought the traffic in Tauranga was bad, but it was nothing compared to this, and what was with all the lanes?! There were so many of them that she never knew which one she was meant to be in. She should have accepted her Mum’s offer to come with her, at least then if she got impossibly lost she wouldn’t be all on her own. It probably would have made the two and a half-hour drive feel shorter too. Sure it was only just over two hours worth of driving, and the roads were good. It really wasn’t that far, but the fact was, up until they had split up Kevin had always done the driving. Of course, Katy could drive, was more than capable, but Kevin had always preferred to be the driver, and Katy had never minded. The truth was, Katy preferred being a passenger, and for someone who rarely drove longer than half an hour at a time, two and a half hours felt like a lifetime behind the wheel.

By the time Katy located the lawyer’s office, and then actually found a car park, which was crazy expensive, she was cutting it fine just to get to her meeting on time. It was a good thing she’d left an hour early just in case. Traffic jams were supposed to be notoriously bad up in Auckland and she had no intention of sitting in one all morning and missing her appointment. To be fair the appointment itself had been a surprise. When Katy received the letter from the lawyer fear had raced through her. Initially the expensive paper, with the equally pricey embossed letterhead from the Auckland lawyer had Katy convinced that Kevin was yet again attempting to get his hands on the money the judge had granted her when their assets had been split. Kevin had argued that since he had been the breadwinner while Katy worked from home, bringing in little or no money depending on the demand for her graphic design services, and that he had provided the funds to establish her business in the first place, that Katy shouldn’t be entitled to half of anything. Kevin was such a jerk. Katy had looked at taking a full-time position, been offered one even, with an established company after finishing her training, but Kevin had insisted the best thing for them would be for her to start her own business, especially since they were planning on having a family in the near future. Thankfully Katy’s lawyer had been a good one, and the judge had been sympathetic to her situation. As it was she had moved in with her Mum, while Kevin and his new ‘Mrs’ moved into the home that Katy and Kevin had spent the entirety of their marriage in. Which was fine. It wasn’t like Katy wanted to live there now anyway. Still. It stung a little.

The lawyer’s office was in what had to be a historic building. Not that it looked old as such. The building had an elaborate facade showcasing white stone and scrolled pillars. The historical features were still clearly visible and added a kind of regal splendour to the building, but the windows, doors, lighting, practically everything else had been retrofitted with brand new equipment. They even made a point of ensuring that clients knew they were an ‘Eco-green’ business, showcasing a placard that pointed out both the heritage features that had been retained and the energy-wise updates. The renovations had been masterfully done, it was a tasteful and beautiful mix of old and new.

A beautifully made-up young woman cleared her throat from behind the high countered reception desk. Can I help you? her sugary-sweet voice trilled.

I, um. Katy swiped down the skirt of her flowery dress in an attempt to smooth out the wrinkles that had been pressed in during the drive. She should have just worn jeans. Who had she thought she was going to impress? She shoved her hand into the little coral purse. The one she’d brought especially for Kevin’s sister’s wedding two years ago. She riffled through the mass of receipts, vouchers and store cards. Katy was yet to discard the habit she had of keeping them. Kevin had always insisted Katy keep the receipts from every purchase she made so that he could review her spending, and for some reason, even though it wasn’t necessary anymore, it was a hard habit to break.

Finally she found the letter she’d received. I got this in the mail. Katy said.

The woman’s hand reached up from behind the counter daintily taking the letter between two fingers and drawing it back onto the other side of the desk. Her long perfectly manicured fingernails made Katy feel the need to hide her own.

The tap-tap of the keyboard was the only noise in the room for a few moments, till finally the woman looked up, a wide friendly smile on her red-lipped face. Well, Mrs. Loomb.

It’s Miss Reid actually. Katy interrupted.

Oh. But? she looked between Katy and the piece of the paper confused.

Katy pulled out her license showing the receptionist. She really needed to update that thing, it still had her married name on it, it had been almost six months since the divorce had been finalised, and almost three years since they separated. I’ve just recently gone through a divorce.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. The receptionist said, and she did look sorry.

Thanks.

Please make yourself comfortable Kaitlin. Mr. Lucas and Miss Davies will be with you soon. She smiled.

Katy managed a nod before turning and making her way over to the brown leather armchairs that sat against the wall. The seats looked like they were worth more than her car. To be fair her car was an ancient white Mitsubishi Lancer that she had got a hold of via a friend of her Mum’s, it would be worthless except for the fact that it provided her with the ability to get her from A to B faster than if she were to walk or take a bus, still, it struck her as incredible that someone would spend more on a chair than she had spent on her car, and these seats would no doubt be worth a mint. They reclined without looking like recliners, had those copper bolt things that looked like thumbtack heads decorating the sides, and huge leather buttons that pressed in to create star-like patterns across the leather upholstery. They were gorgeous. She only hoped that the exposed backs of her legs wouldn’t stick to the chair and leave an embarrassing sweat spot outlining where she sat, or that when she stood back up she didn’t get a free wax job. The office was a pretty pleasant temperature thanks to the air-conditioning that was pumping in to compensate for the overwhelming summer heat outside, but Katy was so incredibly nervous that she knew as soon as she sat down she would be sweating like a pig.

Someone tapped Katy on the arm, and she shot upright so quickly that she nearly fell onto the floor when the chairs built-in footstool folded back beneath her.

Oh. I apologise Miss Reid. I never intended to frighten you. The portly older man apologized.

No. No, it’s fine. I’m fine. How had she not noticed him approaching? Had she fallen asleep? Katy couldn’t seem to fall asleep in her bed, but she could sleep here? She was so broken, or at least there was something seriously wrong with her.

I’m Mr. Lucas, your Aunts Lawyer. If you’d like to follow me. He smiled leading the way to a plush office.

Katy followed the man obediently, still a little dazed from her impromptu sleep. Had he said her Aunt?

I’m sorry Mr. Lucas, I don’t understand why I’m here. Katy said.

He smiled kindly. Sit down my dear and I’ll explain everything. He straightened his red tie and motioned to a high backed leather chair. Yet another sweat and waxing hazard. Maybe they were easy to clean? Of course there was something very lawyerly about the brown leather, so potentially it was all about looks.

Now as you know, your Aunt Constance was a wealthy woman. He said opening a file and laying it on the table.

My. Wait, Aunt Constance?

Aunt Connie? The Aunt who had hated her family?

Yes, Mrs. Constance Alma Pride. He said pointing out the name on the piece of paper he held.

That’s her, but Aunt Connie wasn’t wealthy, and she never talked to Dad after he married my Mum. I’m pretty sure she hated us. She never had kids of her own. Dad was her only living family member and she didn’t even talk to him, she certainly never came to his funeral. From what I know she lives up north somewhere. Is there some kind of problem with her? Katy asked.

Not exactly. He cleared his throat.

So why did she get me to come all the way up here then? Why didn’t she just ring me? Surely Aunt Connie doesn’t live so far out in the wop's that she doesn’t have access to a phone? Katy asked in frustration.

What could Aunt Connie possibly want with her that couldn’t be achieved over the phone, or even by snail-mail?

Well, actually Constance passed away. Mr. Lucas explained.

Pardon? Katy said in shock.

She passed away a few weeks ago Kaitlin. I’m sorry to say it took us a while to track you down, and by that point... well, I guess we just assumed you were aware. He cleared his throat I’m sorry for the oversight. Well, anyway, that’s all by the by now. The reason you have been called ‘all the way up here’ as you say, is because she left all her possessions to you.

She did? Why? Katy asked.

Maybe it was just because Katy was the only family Connie had? Though surely Connie had friends she could leave her possessions to, or even to a charity?

You are her only living relative, and she named you the recipient of her estate several years ago. Mr. Lucas explained.

She could have left it all to a friend or charity though couldn’t she. I mean seriously. Connie hated us. Why would she do that? Katy asked.

She’d never even tried to contact them, and now this. How was Katy meant to process this?

I couldn’t tell you that I’m sorry. What I can tell you is that you now own your Aunt’s home, a rather beautiful plot of land in Russell.

I’m sorry, I’m confused. She left me her home and land. Why me? And where is Russell? Katy asked, now feeling a little stupid.

Sure New Zealand was small, but the fact was Katy had barely even left Tauranga, let alone the Bay of Plenty. She’d never had any reason to learn all the other towns in the country. Geography just wasn’t her thing, granted she knew that there was a place called Russell in New Zealand, her Dad had grown up there after all, but they had generally avoided talking about it. She couldn’t have found it on a map if you’d paid her. She just barely knew where Auckland and Wellington were, and she still mixed up Palmerston North and New Plymouth.

It’s up north. a leggy brunette in the expensive dress suit said About three and a half hours from here.

Oh, that’s right. Mr. Lucas smiled in relief, You hail from there don’t you Portia. That’s perfect, you can take Miss Reid up and show her, her new property. He said.

Portia’s eyes widened in panic, but Katy was dealing with a panic of her own.

I don’t see how Connie could be leaving me a big plot of land. She had no money. I know she didn’t, Dad told me so. Katy said.

From what Katy’s Dad had told her, all that woman had was the ability to hold onto a grudge for far too long. She’d been fifteen years older than Dad, and he had been a bit of a surprise. He always suggested Connie never forgave him for stealing away her only child status, that and marrying Katy’s Mum, whom for whatever reason Connie had taken an instant dislike too, something about reminding her of someone.

Oh, he was right in a way. Your Aunt had no money. At least no physical money. It was all tied up in the land she was living on, plus a substantial life insurance policy.

Okay. So how much is it worth? Katy asked.

She was expecting him to say two hundred thousand or less, nothing big, she very nearly had a heart attack when he did answer.

If you were to sell it, perhaps five hundred thousand, maybe closer to a million in the current market.

Portia’s eyes widened even more, but she said nothing.

You’d need to arrange a valuation of the property to be sure. He said.

You’re sure she left it to me? Katy asked.

There’s no mistaking it. Right here. He pointed at a line of writing in front of him, then began to read To Kaitlin Elizabeth Reid I leave all my worldly possessions. There is a proviso though.

And what’s that? Katy asked.

You’ll need to live in the home for a minimum of six months, and it seems she wanted you to restore it. She has a contingency built into her Will that says the money from her life insurance policy is to be used for work up to the value of two hundred thousand to be completed on the home and section, providing the work done on the home is completed by a builder named ‘Warwick Owen Jamieson’. Once the house has been renovated and you have completed your six months you may sell the property if you wish. Mr. Lucas said.

Portia seemed to have inched forward.

But what if I wanted to sell the property now, or pick my own builder? That guy could be a complete cowboy. Katy said.

The money from the sale of Connie’s home would mean a new start for Katy. She could travel, heck she could even take her Mum overseas and pay for them both with that kind of money.

You can’t. If you choose to sell it now you are obliged to offer the property to ‘Warwick Owen Jamieson’ at a third the potential sale price. That is not including the funds from her life insurance of course. He said.

Portia reached out grabbing the file from Mr. Lucas’ hands and scanned it quickly, tracing the words line by line with one finger. At one point she stopped and it seemed as though a sly smile crossed her face. It seemed that way, but it was one of those expressions that lasted only a few moments and was gone the next.

Why is she offering it to him? Is he family too? Katy asked.

Could he be