Their Forever Home

by Syndi Powell

  “Oh, you know me, Tiny. Still looking for a job that I can actually use my degree for. But I can’t complain. Dr. Frazier pays me well to be her receptionist.”

  “You’ll get that job one day. Nothing keeps you Lowman women down.”

  “Thanks.” She nodded toward the doorway. “So what’s the story on your designer over there?”

  Tiny chuckled and then let out a long sigh. “He’s coming along. Pretty bright guy, but he’s got a ways to go before he’s on par with your sister.”

  Andromeda put a hand on his shoulder. “Where’s your brother? I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”

  “Media room next door. Got to get this painting done.”

  “My sister’s favorite part of the job.”

  Cassie wrinkled her nose at the lie. Her dad had often teased her about how much she disliked painting. She liked it when the task was completed, but the process of doing it gave her headaches from more than the paint fumes. She didn’t have the hand for fine work that Tiny and Biggie had. They could paint straight lines without using painter’s tape. They didn’t have drips or smudges or mistakes like she did. Even John had proved to be a master painter. She didn’t mind leaving them the task.

  Andromeda popped into the next room. Biggie dropped his supplies down and wrapped her in his arms, lifting her off the floor. She squealed with laughter until he put her back on her feet. “How I’ve missed you, Biggie.” Andie gave him a smack on his lips.

  “Miss Andie, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Gorgeous as ever.”

  “Flattery like that will get you everywhere.” She put her hands on both his cheeks and kissed him again. “If you were twenty years younger, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

  Biggie blushed and stared at the floor. “Miss Andie.”

  “You’re going to give the poor guy heart palpitations.” Cassie linked her arm through her sister’s and pulled her into the living room. “So that’s the house.”

  “I’m glad you hired the brothers on this project. With Daddy’s company gone, I bet most of their work had dried up.”

  “This contest means as much to them as it does to me. With my half of the prize money, I can restart Lowman Construction and give them steady jobs again.”

  Andie leaned down to test the wood floor. “I can see touches of Daddy in what you’re doing here, but there’s more of you emerging in the design.”

  Cassie shook her head. “Not me. John.”

  Andie stood and looked into Cassie’s eyes. “Don’t sell yourself short like that, Cass. Before, you always gave Daddy the credit. Now it’s John? How about realizing that you bring just as much to the project as them?”

  Did she do that? Without realizing it, maybe she had. But it was her effort that had gotten her into the contest. And it was going to be her effort that won it, as well. “You’re right. I’m not just Daddy’s helper anymore.”

  “Exactly.”

  The two sisters looked at each other for a long moment. Cassie cleared her throat. “About that fight...”

  Andie held up her hand, stopping her apology. “We were both upset about Daddy, and we said some things we shouldn’t have.”

  “Still, I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.” Andie grinned at her warmly. “Well, gotta get back to scheduling appointments and filing. Walk me to my car?”

  At the curb, Andromeda opened the car door but turned back to look at the house. “Mom told me that Daddy visited you.”

  Cassie nodded but didn’t know what else to say. Why had he chosen her to be the one he’d visit? Was it because he thought they were closer and as such she wouldn’t say anything? Had it been the house that he was really visiting? She could see the hurt in her sister’s eyes. “Yes, he did.”

  “Did he ask about me?”

  “He said he missed you.” Andie gave a nod, but Cassie could see that those few words weren’t enough. “I told him that he needed to turn himself in.”

  Andie burst out with a laugh and flicked her hair to one side. “Like Daddy would ever admit that he did something wrong.” She quickly added, “I’m not trying to get into another fight. We both believe what we do about Daddy, but I’m sorry we let that get between us.”

  Cassie looked down at the ground. “I might have been wrong about him. And it hurts to realize that.”

  Andie put a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t want to lose you, too, Cassie.”

  Cassie smiled. “Me, either.”

  Then Andie was hugging her. “Good. Let’s do dinner one night soon. And you can tell me more about your designer.” She got in her car and leaned out the open window. “If I were you, I’d ask John out. He’s clearly interested in you.”

  Cassie almost choked at the suggestion. “Are you kidding me? We’re just working on this project together, and we need to keep it professional.”

  “Cass, when a man doesn’t give me a second look but only has eyes for you, he’s obviously hung up on you. Professional or not.”

  Cassie waved as her sister drove off, but the words she’d said remained stuck in her mind long after.

  * * *

  LUNCH EATEN, JOHN could feel lethargy setting in as he sat in the backyard, leaning against the tree and petting Evie, who had eaten his pizza crusts. If only he could close his eyes for just a moment...

  “Ready to get back to work?” Cassie asked.

  He opened one eye and peered at her standing over him. “We can’t rest another five minutes?”

  “I want to finish painting the rooms so we can start on the kitchen. That’s going to eat up a lot of our time. And our budget.”

  He groaned but still sat on the ground, his fingers buried in the dog’s thick fur. “Five minutes won’t kill us, Cassie.”

  She sighed and dropped to sit between them. “So what did you think of my sister?”

  He’d been focused on painting and hadn’t really thought about her much. But Cassie wanted his impression. “She’s okay.”

  “Okay? My sister is gorgeous. Everyone knows that she’s the pretty one.”

  Cassie wore her usual worn T-shirt and jeans with rips and stains, her hair pulled back into a messy knot on top of her head. Even so, she looked more appealing to him than her sister had. “Don’t underestimate yourself. You’re just as pretty.”

  Cassie snorted. “You really do need to rest if you believe that. Exhaustion and heat must be playing games with your eyes.”

  “My eyes are fine.”

  “Andromeda competed for Miss Michigan. How can I possibly compare?”

  “I’d love to draw you sometime.” John scooted a little closer to her and pushed a wayward strand of hair off her forehead. “You have the most expressive eyes I’ve seen. They’re the color of good bourbon, which makes me want to drink you up.”

  Cassie swallowed but didn’t move away. “Really?”

  “Yes.” He dropped his hand. What was he doing? He’d been thinking about kissing her when he had decided that they needed to keep it professional.

  “Are you two planning on wasting the afternoon playing kissy-face or are we getting back to work?” Tiny called from the back door.

  Cassie shot to her feet. “Be right there.” She didn’t look at him as she asked, “Are we playing kissy-face?”

  John stood, wondering what it would be like to spend the rest of the afternoon kissing her. Instead he took a deep breath and shook his head. “Probably not a good idea.”

  The light in her eyes dimmed a little, and he immediately regretted his words.

  “Right. Probably not,” she agreed and rushed back to the house.

  Evie looked up at him, and he rubbed her head. “What am I going to do, girl?”

  But the dog didn’t seem to have any answers. John knew what he needed to do. Keep his head down. Keep working. And try to forget the wa
y the sun had brought out those golden highlights in Cassie’s dark brown hair and made her skin glow.

  * * *

  THE END OF July brought another meeting at the Belvedere building. Cassie hated taking even a morning off to sit in a boardroom and talk. She’d rather be busy laying the living room floor, or paint the entire house again, if it meant avoiding another meeting. She’d even give up her precious coffee to go back to work.

  After twenty minutes of talking that got them nowhere, she softly groaned and threw her head back. Next to her, John smirked and whispered, “We should be done soon, and you can go back to your sawdust.”

  “Promises, promises. We have three weeks left. Three.” She looked down the table at Mr. Belvedere, who had chosen to wear a purple bow tie. “What did we learn that he couldn’t have put into an email?”

  “And finally, the promised next twist in the contest.”

  She sat up and waited for the shoe to drop. What monkey wrench was he about to throw into their plans? She had posted a countdown in the mudroom of deadlines that would take them up to August twentieth and the end of the contest. There was no wiggle room for twists.

  “As you know this contest is part of the larger city and community efforts to refresh the neighborhood, and that includes public and outdoor spaces. Therefore, we will be pairing each team with a landscaper to create a plan for the front yard and back of each house.” Mr. Belvedere smiled wider. “We want the living space outside to be as creative and useful as the inside.”

  Cassie groaned again and put her head down on the table. “Oh, come on.”

  John leaned closer to her. “What’s so bad about creating a landscape plan? We were going to cut the grass and tidy up the front and back anyway.”

  “Where am I going to fit a landscaper into my schedule?”

  “Yes, I’ve seen that you haven’t left much room for anything else in the schedule. Not even sleep.”

  “And what about if the landscaper has wild ideas that don’t fit with what we’ve designed?”

  “Well, let’s not create more problems where there aren’t any. At least, right now.”

  John was clearly doing his best to stifle a laugh. She didn’t know whether to holler at him or laugh along with him. His smile was sweet and almost convincing.

  Mr. Belvedere announced the meeting was over and Cassie dragged herself to her feet. She was tired. Exhausted. Long hours painting had left her feeling cranky and out of sorts. And now she had to find extra hours in a day that held only twenty-four.

  * * *

  JOHN SAT ON the front porch and stewed. The landscaper had agreed to meet him almost an hour ago, and still there was no sign of him. But then, this was the third appointment he’d made with the man who had canceled the last two times. It didn’t take an MBA to know this was no way for a person to run a business.

  He got out his cell phone and called the landscaper’s phone number. It rang once and moved him straight to voice mail. He waited for the customary beep. “Mr. Crosby, I’m calling to inform you that you are fired from this job. We no longer require your services.”

  He hung up and put his phone back in his pocket. Great. What was he going to do now? Inside the house, Cassie was laying the tongue and groove hardwood floor in the living room. He stopped at the unfinished edge. “I fired the landscaper.”

  She glanced up at him and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “I can’t deal with it right now, John. I’ve got to get this floor down so we can start the kitchen.”

  “So don’t deal with it. Leave me to find our own landscaper while you get the house finished. Whoever it is has to be better than the joker they paired us with.”

  “Uh, are you sure? Biggie or Tiny could—”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve already had some ideas on how to use the exterior of the house to our advantage. Close your eyes and imagine the backyard as it is. I’ve planned a vegetable garden on the far left side. Now imagine a wooden swing set for the boys closer to the house. Or maybe put a tire swing in that tree. Patio with a table where the Tanners could eat outside summer evenings.”

  “That’s the backyard. And in the front?”

  John pursed his lips. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. But that’s where a landscaper would come in handy. I’ve got a buddy who just had his house built last year. I’ll call and see who he worked with.”

  Cassie sat back on her heels. “Actually, I know someone who would be willing to help us. And I’m sure she’d give us a deal that would be hard to refuse.”

  The idea intrigued him. “Really. Who?”

  * * *

  JOHN SAT ACROSS the dining room table from Cassie’s mother, Lillian. She reminded him of one of those esteemed British actresses, with her clear blue eyes, pale skin and blond hair that had started to go white. Her imperious attitude helped foster that image as well. She folded her hands and placed them on the table. “Cassandra tells me that you need help with landscaping the house.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Not knowing what else to do, he grabbed his glass of iced tea and sipped it.

  As she watched him, he realized that Cassie must take after her father, whom he had seen pictures of but never met. Her sister looked more like her mother, though Andromeda’s darker coloring probably came from her father, Hugh. He’d love to sketch Lillian Lowman, and his fingers twitched with the need to hold a pencil and draw.

  Finally, Lillian motioned for him to follow her. “I’ll show you what I’ve done here. Maybe you can get some ideas from that.”

  He felt as if he’d disappointed her somehow, but he rose from his seat and followed her out to the kitchen and beyond to the backyard, where flowers bloomed still in the August heat. She had placed a broad-brimmed hat on her head as she moved among the plants, checking for weeds and testing the soil. “Cassandra mentioned that the family who will get your house has children. You’ll want to stick with plants that are hardy and can stand up to trampling and rough play. No roses because of the thorns. And nothing toxic.” She turned back to look at him. “Allocate a space for them where they can play. Cassandra mentioned a tree swing?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I had one growing up at my grandparents’ house.”

  “What about a tree house?”

  “They’re a little young yet to be climbing a tree.”

  “Then how about a playhouse they can also use to keep their toys and other outdoor things in?”

  He visualized the backyard. “That could work. And even give them their own garden tools there to help their mom.”

  “Describe the front yard.”

  “Better yet, let me take you there.”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m not welcome on the work site.”

  “Says who? I’m inviting you.”

  Lillian sighed and adjusted her hat. “Cassandra’s father was adamant that I was not to come to one of his projects.”

  “Well, Mr. Lowman isn’t working on this house. And if I say you’re welcome, then you are.” He looked back at her, allowing no excuses. “Besides, he’s not there.”

  Lillian had a coughing fit and seemed to color. Curious about her reaction but saying nothing, he convinced her to ride with him to the house. When they got to the site, she smiled warmly as she looked out the front windshield. “Yes. It’s perfect.”

  She got out of the car before he did and walked up to the shrubs that stood guard over each side of the front door, fingering the leaves and frowning. “These have to go. They suck up too much water, and they’re toxic to any cats in the neighborhood. You could tear them out and extend a covered porch where the family could sit on warm evenings.” She walked further and put a hand on the brick exterior. “I can see that the Buttuccis painted this a lighter color. It evens out the variations of brick that’s been used to repair and brightens up the front.”

  John asked, “What about plant
s?”

  “Once the porch is built, you can plant some perennials that bloom at different seasons. Tulips and daffodils for spring. Some hibiscus for summer. Mums in the fall. And keep your colors similar. I’d go with yellows and oranges. Maybe red for the tulips.”

  The front door opened, and Tiny stepped out. “Lily?”

  She turned and smiled at the man who jumped off the porch and engulfed her in a hug. “How long has it been?”

  “The Christmas open house almost two years ago. I made you your favorite panettone with the raisins soaked in rum.”

  Tiny chuckled and kissed his fingertips. “This woman bakes a cake that makes angels weep.” He winked at Lillian. “Does Cassie know you’re here?”

  “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

  “I’ll give you a personal tour.” He held out his arm, which Lillian accepted, and they entered the house.

  Cassie walked out of the house shortly after. She looked to him. “How did it go?”

  “Good, I think. She’s got a lot of great ideas.”

  She smiled. “I knew she would.”

  “Why didn’t your dad let her work on his projects?”

  Cassie shrugged. “He never thought about curb appeal beyond the exterior of the house. He dismissed Mother’s ideas as spending money he didn’t have.”

  “He missed out, then.”

  She glanced up at the house. “Yes. I guess so.”

  “I know so. She’s going to make us the envy of the neighborhood. Just you wait.”

  * * *

  CASSIE GROANED AND put a hand at the base of her spine. A long, hot bath sounded marvelous to her aching muscles, but she still had hours of work left before she could leave for the day. Her cell phone buzzed, and she grabbed it from her jeans pocket. “Lowman Construction.”

  “You need to find a new name. Otherwise, they’ll associate you with everything I did.”

  She glanced around and quickly stepped outside to the backyard. “So now you’ll admit it?”