They had looked at one house and it was just not right for them. Next on the list was a nice two bedroom home with a garage. Pulling up in the driveway it looked promising. They stepped out of the car and Dominic leaned over the roof. "Look Jess it has window boxes like you had at your apartment."

Smiling at the bright cheerful flowers she walked around and took his hand. "That could be a good sign."

Once inside they liked the small cottage until Dom stepped on a very soft spot of flooring. Pulling back the rug he found the wood wet and rotting from a broken pipe more than likely. Jess sighed and pointed at spots on the ceiling that were still damp from the last rain.

Getting back in the car Jess pulled out the next address. Inside this house was a nice wood burning fireplace and new hard wood floors. Jessamine’s proclamation of a new rug for such flooring echoed in Dom’s mind. They walked into the kitchen and that worry was put to bed by the rather large hole in the wall. Dom squeezed her hand. "Maybe it’s supposed to be a window."

Looking at the edges of the round shaped rupture Jess shook her head. "It looks more like a cannon ball went though there." Unable to resist the urge she peeked out and saw a large round black object resting in the grass. "Or a bowling ball. I think we should look at the next house honey."

The next house was a handyman special. They pulled into the driveway and looked out the windshield. "Love, I like the idea of a fixer upper but … um…"

"This is a tear-er-down-er. I’m not sure there’s enough left to call it a house." As Jess spoke one side of the front gutter fell to the ground.

Dom put the car into reverse. "What’s the next address?"

This one was almost perfect Jess thought as she looked at the appliances in the kitchen. "What do you think? It doesn’t have a garage like you wanted though."

Dom shrugged as he took her hand to walk out in to the back yard. The home was right on the river. "It’s a bit further drive too but there’s a covered carport that I can enclose or add on to. I kind of like it."

She smiled as they walked down to the edge of the beautiful water. Before they got down to the edge a huge croc jumped out protecting her nest. She started up the bank and Dom grabbed Jess making for the house. Once inside they looked out the kitchen window laughing. Dominic slid an arm around her waist walking back out to the car. "I think this house has a resident already, love."

The next house was in sight Jess shook her head as Dominic slowed down. "Nope, keep going."

Dom picked up his speed again and couldn’t blame her for that one. It might have been a nice brick home but it looked like something out of Bram Stoker.

As they drove Dom could see Jess was as tired as he was from running about all day. The sun was starting to set and it looked like they weren’t going to find a place today. In a bit they passed by Colin’s garage where he would be working in a couple of days and just down about three blocks. Dominic turned then glanced back in the rearview thinking. "This would be only a five minute drive or so. If you needed the car I could even walk it."

Jess gave him a tied grin, she loved his enthusiasm. Dom always seemed to have a good outlook on everything. They would check out this one then hit the list again tomorrow. The next day he started work. The parked and looked at the place for a moment. There were beautiful shade trees, a large porch. The way the roof over the porch arched made it seem warm and welcoming.

Getting out they walked further up the drive expecting anything at any moment to disappoint them yet again. But everything seemed in Its place, even the newlyweds. The floor plan was open and inviting. The kitchen had everything Jess wanted. There was a bedroom down stairs and a master with another bedroom across from it upstairs with a full bath up and down.

While Jess walked around the inside some more Dom went out the back. The yard held a few more shade trees and a walk to the garage. Of course that had to be inspected. He had to have plenty of room for his tools and workspace. When he opened the door it looked as if the place had been made just for him. It was big enough for two cars. There was a large upstairs storage area, even a half bath down stairs. Apparently the man that lived in the house before them had similar interests.

When they met back inside Jess started spouting about the master bedroom and the windows, the kitchen and the beautiful wood floors. Dom just as excited took her hand and pulled her out to the garage so she could see for herself. He showed her upstairs and then back down. "And look at this there’s a wall with hooks for tools."

Jessamine looked around it felt like they belonged here. The couple walked back out to the front yard and stood looking at the house. Dom hugged his wife to his side. "This is the one, love. You were right we did find a house today."

She smiled and nodded. "Not just a house, Dom. A place to call home."