Eaves of Destruction Page 3

  • • •

  A half hour later the doorbell rang. I opened the door and Mac stepped inside and pulled me into his arms. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” I held on to him a few seconds longer than usual since I hadn’t seen him in almost a week. “Do you think you’ll get the book finished in time?”

  He leaned back to look at me. “That’s the plan, but don’t jinx it.”

  “Oops. Sorry.”

  “You’re forgiven,” he said, rubbing my shoulders. “Seriously, though, I would hate to have to turn down my first chance to be a celebrity judge of such a prestigious event.”

  “That would be horrible.” I rested my head against his chest. “But don’t worry. You’re going to be the best celebrity judge our town’s ever had.”

  “Pretty sure I’m the first celebrity judge the town’s ever had.”

  I thought for a moment. “You’re probably right.”

  Since the pub was only two blocks away, we decided to walk. It was staying light later in the day and kids were still outside playing basketball, the rhythmic thump of the ball sounding like the heartbeat of the block. With summer coming, the tourists would start streaming into town soon. There would be more noise, more traffic, more people, and just when it was all starting to make me a little grumpy, fall would arrive and sanity would return to the Cove.

  As we walked, I told Mac about the run-in with Petsy Jorgensen.

  “She sounds like a character. I can kill her in a book for you if you’d like.”

  I laughed, but it wasn’t such a terrible idea.

  “What sort of work are you doing for her?” he asked.

  “We’re redoing the wainscoting in her dining room because it’s rotting. And we’re building an orangery for her.”

  “An orangery? You mean, like a sunroom?”

  “Oh, never say that word,” I said, laughing. “She insists that we call it an orangery. Or I suppose you could get away with calling it a conservatory.”

  “Sounds Victorian.”

  “Doesn’t it? Her neighbors the Derrys have a real one, built back in the eighteen hundreds. And it’s gorgeous.”

  “So she’s trying to keep up with the Joneses.”

  “Exactly. But you see, last year the Derry house won the grand prize. So Mrs. Jorgensen has decided that if she only had new wainscoting and a beautiful orangery, she could be the big winner this year.”

  Mac laughed and tucked my arm through his. “Do people honestly plot and plan that way? Why not just plant a pretty garden and maybe paint a room or two?”

  I frowned as I thought about how some of my friends and neighbors had turned into cutthroat competitors over the last few years. “It’s because of the prizes.”

  “I guess having your house featured on the cover of Northern Home magazine would be pretty awesome.”

  “And don’t forget the ten thousand dollars that goes along with it.”

  “Oh yeah,” he said, nodding sagely. “People would kill for a lot less than that.”

  Chapter Two

  Half a block from the pub, my phone rang. “It’s Wade,” I explained to Mac, and answered the call. “Hi.”

  “Good news,” Wade said. “Amanda can start tomorrow, and she’s meeting us at the pub tonight.”

  “Really? That’s great.”

  “I got a look at her portfolio, Shannon. She’s exactly what we’re looking for. Her work is fantastic.”

  “Wow.” High praise coming from my very particular foreman. “Can’t wait to see it.”

  “I think you’ll be impressed.”

  I felt silly for asking, but I forged ahead anyway. “Is she nice?”

  “She’s a peach,” he said cheerfully. “You’ll like her. And she seemed really excited to be working on the Jorgensen house. I guess she’s heard of Cranberry Circle.”

  “Cool.” Anyone who liked Cranberry Circle was okay in my book, since my father had built some of the newer houses on the cul-de-sac.

  “Hey, how did you see her portfolio?” I asked. “Have you already met her?”

  “Yes. We’re both at the pub, waiting for you.” He laughed. “I came outside to call you and I can see you walking this way.”

  “Oh, how funny.” I waved at him, then quickly told him about Mrs. Derry’s dry rot problem, and he agreed to join me at her house tomorrow morning at seven o’clock. I ended the call and gazed up at Mac. “Looks like we’re about to meet my new carpenter.”

  “Fantastic. So, having her around will free you up to do other things, right?”

  “Exactly. I just hope she gets along with the guys.”

  Mac gave me a shoulder bump and a wink. “Your guys are easy to work with. And so are you.”

  “Thanks.”

  He grinned. “Are you going to warn her about the scary new client?”

  I sucked in a breath. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t want her to run away screaming before she even starts.”

  “Maybe she can find a way to get along with her.”

  “Maybe,” I murmured, although I doubted anyone could really get along with Petsy. “At least her husband is nice. Maybe he’ll intercede once in a while.”

  He took my hand as we strolled up to the pub. “It’ll all work out.”

  “From your lips,” I said, pushing on the door of the pub.

  Mac pointed out Wade and the rest of the guys at the big round table in the corner and we weaved our way through the restaurant to join them. Everyone, including Amanda Walsh, was there.

  My first thought was that she was really pretty. She had long brown hair—the word chestnut came to mind—and beautiful brown eyes. Even though she was sitting, I was pretty sure she was about my height, and I liked her immediately. Not because she was tall, but because she had a ready smile and was laughing at something one of the guys said, which told me she had a good sense of humor. But I warned myself to be cautious because, while I usually had good instincts about people, I had been wrong a time or two and the results had been disastrous. And frankly, I tended to be a real people person, which meant that I was inclined to like almost anyone I met—until they turned mean or betrayed me. For some reason, Petsy Jorgensen’s image flashed through my mind. I shook it off.

  Since Wade had already seen Amanda’s portfolio and offered her the Jorgensen job, though, we would just have to see how things played out between me and her.

  I was glad to see that Carla Harrison had made it, and I went over to give her a big hug before sitting down. She was my second foreman and one of my oldest friends. I trusted her implicitly. Wade would’ve already filled her in on who Amanda was, so I felt confident that Carla and Wade would jump in with questions of their own.

  “I brought my portfolio with me,” Amanda said after Mac and I had ordered beers. “You can take it with you later if you’d rather not look at it here.”

  “I’d like that. Thanks,” I said. “So, how did you learn carpentry?”

  “From my dad. He was a master at woodwork and I just loved hanging around with him.”

  It sounded so much like my own story that I had to smile. I could tell that my crew guys liked her already. But of course they would, because, duh, she was pretty.

  “Where are you from?” Carla asked.

  “Baltimore. Born and raised.” Amanda frowned as soon as she said it, and I wondered why. But not everyone had had the idyllic childhood that I had.

  “Did you like growing up there?” I asked.

  The frown was deliberately forced into a smile. “Oh, yeah. I love Baltimore. But after my parents died, I thought I would venture out to see the rest of the world.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Wade said.

  “Thanks. It’s still a little painful to think about it. My dad just passed away a few years ago.”

  So, tha
t’s why she frowned, I thought. I could sort of relate to that, too.

  “How in the world did you end up in Lighthouse Cove?” I asked.

  “Well, to tell the truth, I actually planned to end up in San Francisco. I had fallen in love with all the Victorian homes I saw in photographs of the city. You know the ones they call the Painted Ladies?”

  “I love those,” Carla said.

  “Me, too.” Amanda smiled. “And they’ve got plenty of work there. But I guess I was whining about all the traffic one day, and one of my fellow workers suggested that I check out Lighthouse Cove because it’s a small town, which appealed to me, plus you’ve got Victorians everywhere. My friend thought I might be able to pick up some custom carpentry jobs, so here I am.”

  “Are you happy here?”

  She took a deep breath. “I know it sounds corny, but I feel like I’m finally home. I loved it the first time I drove down Main Street. It’s like I’ve found a little piece of heaven whenever I walk around the town square.”

  “That’s so nice,” Carla said softly.

  Sean flashed her a warm smile. “Your move here was lucky for us, too.”

  Todd took a quick slug of beer. “And we’ve pretty much got Victorian houses and buildings coming out of our ears around here.”

  “They’re fun to work on,” Billy said.

  Sean grinned. “Especially when you’re up on one of those slanted roofs, trying to maintain your footing.”

  “That’s why I insist that you all wear safety belts,” I said, well aware of some of the guys’ willingness to take chances.

  “Aw, Mom,” Billy said, causing everyone to laugh and hoot. I didn’t care. I had once seen a worker fall off one of those treacherous slanted roofs and it haunted me to this day. I would rather have my guys be safe than have to visit them in the hospital. Or worse.

  Our waitress came over with our beers and we all ordered dinner, mostly burgers and fries and a few orders of fish and chips. Amanda ordered the cheeseburger with extra onions and French fries. I silently approved of the order—then instantly wondered why it mattered to me. Would I take off points for a chef’s salad? I smiled and shook my head at my own silliness.

  “What’s up?” Mac asked quietly.

  “Just thinking about dumb stuff,” I confessed.

  “You’ll tell me later.”

  I rolled my eyes, still feeling goofy. “Probably.”

  We chatted and laughed all through dinner about regular stuff. It was easy, with Amanda sliding right into the give-and-take as if she’d always been there. Everyone talked over one another trying to fill Amanda in on the insanity of the annual Home and Garden Tour. When she found out that Mac was a famous writer, she was both shocked and thrilled to know him, but didn’t go overboard with her fawning admiration, which he clearly appreciated.

  All in all, she was kind of perfect. She fit right in with the group. And with me. Maybe this would work out.

  I called for the check, then said, “Wade tells me you’re available to start tomorrow. Is that still true?”

  She grinned. “You mean, am I still willing to work with all you crazy people?”

  Everyone laughed, including me. “Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

  “I would love it.”

  “Good.”

  To my surprise, everyone applauded. Amanda looked a little stunned and I laughed. “Now you’re stuck.”

  “It’s a good kind of stuck,” she said, giving a quick glance around the table. “I’m happy.”

  Wade leaned forward. “Uh, Shannon? Maybe we should warn her about Petsy.”

  “Oh God, you’re right.” I sighed. I hadn’t wanted to give her a warning, but she was just so darn nice, I couldn’t throw her into the lion’s den without at least a little preparation. “The client you’ll be working with is really difficult.”

  She glanced around the table again, checking everyone’s expression before looking back to me. “What do you mean?”

  “She’s rude,” Wade said.

  “And demanding,” Sean said.

  “And snooty,” I added, then winced. “And since you’ll be working inside the house, you might get some sharp comments from her. I hope not, but it could happen. If she bothers you, just say the word and I’ll deal with her.”

  Amanda smiled. “I’m sure I can handle it.”

  “I just don’t want you to quit.”

  She held up her hand in a pledge. “I promise you I won’t quit.”

  “Good,” Wade said with a firm nod.

  “It’s weird,” I said after a moment. “I don’t think Petsy cares about making improvements for the well-being of the house itself.”

  “No,” Wade grumbled. “She only cares about winning first prize in the Home and Garden Tour.”

  Sean crumpled up his napkin and set it on the table. “You’re right. She doesn’t care, because it’s her husband’s house. His family has lived there for over a hundred and fifty years. Mrs. Jorgensen has always resented it.”

  I gaped at Sean. “How do you know that?”

  “I know their daughter, Lindsey.” He looked at me. “Don’t you remember her?”

  I had a vague memory of a shy, gangly girl. “She didn’t go to school with us, did she?”

  “She was a year younger and only got through second grade before they sent her off to boarding school. My sister Amy is still friends with her, so I see her every so often.”

  Mac nodded slowly and I could imagine him creating a mental character chart on the woman for one of his dark thrillers. “Mrs. Jorgensen’s crabby attitude makes sense if she’s always hated living there.”

  “It’s still weird,” Wade said, unwilling to give Petsy the benefit of the doubt. “Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you have to take it out on everybody else.”

  Amanda shook her head, perplexed. “That’s so sad. I’ve seen the house you’re talking about. Who wouldn’t want to live in a beautiful old house like that?”

  The awe I heard in her voice gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. It told me she revered old houses. I knew it took a certain type of personality to enjoy the sort of work we did. Among other qualities, it took someone who was willing to put in a lot of hard work to make an old house shine again.

  I really hoped my instincts were right this time. I handed my credit card to the waitress and then turned to Amanda. “So, we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Absolutely. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

  “You’re welcome, but I’ve got to warn you. Based on Bob’s glowing recommendation, I’m expecting great things.”

  She laughed. “I won’t let you down.”

  I tore a piece of paper from the notepad in my purse and scribbled some information. “Here’s my phone number.” And I wrote down the address, too. “But it sounds like you know where you’re going. Can you be there at eight o’clock?”

  “I can be earlier if you need me.”

  Wade made a face. “Mrs. Jorgensen insists that we start at eight. But Shannon and I will be in the neighborhood around seven. We’ve got an inspection down the street from her.”

  “If you need me, I can show up at seven,” she said amiably.

  Wade and I exchanged glances. She was almost too good to be real. “If you’re willing to inspect dry rot, then by all means, come early. The Derry house is across the street, two doors down. It’s a big yellow house.”

  “Oh, dry rot can be awful,” she said. “But I’ll be there.” Standing, she pulled a mini tablet out of her bag and handed it to me. “I’m going to take off now, but I didn’t want to forget to give you this. It’s my portfolio.”

  I frowned. “I don’t want to keep your tablet if you need it.”

  “I only use it for taking photos, so it’s no problem. I’d like to get it back in a day or two, t
hough.”

  “Of course. Thanks.” I was anxious to see samples of her work. She’d impressed Wade, so now I was even more curious.

  “Thank you for dinner. I really enjoyed myself.” She waved to everyone at the table. “I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.”

  • • •

  The rest of us stayed at the table for another half hour to chat and finish drinks. Then as Mac and I headed for the door after dinner, Carla sidled up next to me. Glancing around, she leaned closer. “So, what’d you think of the new girl?”

  I smiled. “I like her. I took a quick look at her portfolio and I’m impressed, so that’s a big relief. Also, she didn’t come across as a mean girl, so I’m hoping we’ll all get along. What did you think?”

  “Nice. Smart. Funny. Her work looks really good. And she came highly recommended by Bob, so . . .” Carla shrugged. “Guess we’ll see how it goes.”

  “Guess we will.” I gave her a hug good night. “Have a safe drive home.”

  “Hey, guys,” Sean said, jogging to catch up with us as we started to cross the street outside. “Talk about a coincidence, huh?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean how I met Amanda last week and now here you are hiring her.”

  “You met her last week?”

  “Yeah. Didn’t Wade tell you?” He laughed. “Guess not. I was going to recommend her to you myself, but the next morning I left for a few days to visit my sister.”

  “For your niece’s graduation?”

  “Yeah. Talk about silly.” He shook his head. “I mean, the kid graduated from kindergarten.”

  I chuckled. “Hey, that’s an important rite of passage.”

  “Yeah, sure,” he said, shaking his head. “But I’ve got to admit, the little kids were pretty cute.”

  “So, where did you meet Amanda?” I asked.

  “Right here at the pub. It was after we all met for our Monday night dinner last week. Remember, I stuck around because Todd and Billy owed me a beer? So we went up to the bar after everyone left, and a few minutes later, Amanda came and sat down next to me. We struck up a conversation and she told me how she worked in construction and asked if I knew of any jobs around town.”