by Barbara Gee
“I’ll trust your judgment,” I told him as he closed the door.
Twenty minutes later we pulled up to a restaurant Jude promised was well-known for both its barbecue and steak.
“Perfect choice,” I said, my stomach growling.
He grabbed my hand as we walked across the parking lot. “I can’t believe you don’t like seafood.”
“I know, I know…..all the cool people do seafood.” I gave an exaggerated shudder. “I’ve tried, believe me. But it’s just too disgusting.”
He laughed, which made my stomach flutter again. I really loved hearing Jude laugh.
“You’re doing it again, Ava,” he said, close to my ear.
I squinted up at him. “Doing what?”
“Being adorable,” he murmured, as he opened the door and ushered me inside the restaurant.
I glared. “I hate adorable, remember?”
His gorgeous eyes locked with mine. “I don’t. Not even close.”
Well…..all rightie then. Maybe adorable was something I could live with.
***
It was amazing how comfortable I felt with Jude, considering I’d only known him for what, four days now? I’d been a little worried about having enough to talk about over lunch, but that wasn’t an issue at all. We both ordered the barbecue plates, and we talked and ate without a single awkward silence. I learned more about his work and his family—parents Hank and Camilla, brother Jed, and sister Janna. I also told him more about mine, both the good and the bad.
While we were waiting for the check, after sharing a piece of peanut butter pie, he told me he volunteered once or twice a week at a recreational center for kids in Mountain View.
I looked at him in total disbelief. “No way, Jude.”
He frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“Because!” I said, shaking my head as if I was really ticked off. “You’re already right on the verge of being the perfect man, and if you actually volunteer to spend your free time with kids, that puts you over that line. And everyone knows perfect guys don’t exist.”
He arched one dark brow. “They might exist, but I’m certainly not one of them.”
“Prove it,” I teased. “Tell me what you’re hiding.”
Our server approached with the check and Jude took it—and of course refused to split it with me. He stuck his credit card into the folder and set it on the edge of the table, then leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
“Fine. I’ll tell you some not-so-perfect things about me—things that other women I’ve dated have complained about—if you promise not to run away screaming.”
I pushed my hair back over my shoulder and pretended to think about that. “Deal. If I decide to run, I’ll do it very quietly. No screaming.”
He chuckled. “All right. First, I’ve been told I work way too much.” He kept his voice quiet but raised it an octave as he whined, “How can we have a relationship if we never see each other?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I take it that’s a direct quote?”
“Pretty much. And I have to admit she had a point. I’ve tried to find a better balance since then.”
“What else?” I asked.
He sat back and folded his arms. “Apparently, even when I’m not working, I’m more like an old man than a twenty-nine-year-old. I don’t mind going out occasionally, but for the most part, I’d rather stay at home and skip the drinking, dancing, and socializing.” He smiled a little sheepishly. “For some reason, that doesn’t go over well with most girls.”
I scrunched my face. “Actually, that doesn’t sound like a problem to me. I’m not much of a social animal, either. Give me another one.”
“Okay, this will be bigger.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t like movies.”
My jaw dropped. “None at all? Not even Lord of the Rings types? Or shoot ’em up thrillers? Or men driving fast cars?”
He shook his head. “I used to watch them quite a bit, because that’s what people do, ya know? But if you don’t enjoy them, it’s a total waste of time. So I don’t do it anymore.”
“Wow,” I said. “I’m surprised there isn’t any category that appeals to you. Have you seen any documentaries?”
“Yeah. Don’t like ‘em. And it gets worse,” he warned. “I also only watch sports and news on TV. Nothing else. No sitcoms, dramas, history shows—nothing. I have no interest in any of it. And evidently the fact that I can’t discuss the latest episodes of the hottest shows, or come up with movie one-liners on command, makes me pretty boring and un-hip.”
“You don’t even watch reality shows?” I asked, laughing when he gave me a horrified look.
“No. Not even close.”
“What about home renovation shows?”
He winced. “Too staged.”
“Ah, but if you know that, you must have watched some.”
“My mom sometimes has them on when I go there for dinner.”
“What was the last movie you saw?”
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said with a shrug. “I haven’t been to a theater in at least five years.”
I started to ask more, because I loved movies and didn’t understand what he had against them, but he held up a hand to stop me. “That’s enough imperfections for one day. You haven’t run away yet, so I’m going to stop while I’m ahead.”
I grinned. “Okay. But I think it’s only fair to tell you I not only love movies, I’ve also been known to watch my share of reality TV. As a result, I know quite a bit about crab fishing and gold mining, and I have a whole notebook of ideas from the home reno shows.”
He clapped a hand over his eyes and groaned. “I’m devastated, Ava. I really thought we could have something here.”
His words made my stomach do a little jump. Did he really think that, or was he just in teasing mode?
He slid his hand down his face, revealing those twinkling eyes again. “I wonder if there are therapists who address reality show addiction. I could look into that for you.”
“I’d need a really good reason to give up my guilty pleasure.”
He chuckled and stood, holding out a hand. “Come on. We’ll work on your issues later. I want to go check out my floors.”
Chapter 10
My phone rang as we were driving to his cabin. Jude told me I could answer it, but it was my generic ringtone not an assigned one, so I just reached into my purse and hit the button to silence it. If it was important, the caller could leave a message.
We got off the main road about five miles out of town and were soon enveloped in a tunnel of trees. It was incredibly beautiful and peaceful, and I couldn’t resist rolling my window down to smell the fresh, woodsy air. I stuck my arm out, turned my face to the side, and inhaled deeply. Jude chuckled when I sighed out a long “ahhhhhhhhh” and I grinned over at him. It made me happy to know he had this scenic and relaxing drive to look forward to at the end of a long day at work.
I couldn’t wait to see his home. I hoped it was equally serene and peaceful.
The road gradually grew steeper, then we turned again and went another mile or so, higher up on the mountain.
“This is it,” Jude said, turning once more, this time onto a curving lane. I sat forward in my seat, eager for a glimpse of the place he called home.
We rounded a bend and there it was. A big, gorgeous log home set in a clearing with utterly amazing views. Jude had described it as a cabin, but it was hardly that. The square footage had to be double my own house, if not more.
I immediately understood why Jude had wanted to buy the place as soon as he saw it—it was a dream home. I adored the deep, roofed front porch, complete with comfortable-looking furniture cushioned in muted shades of green and brown—the color scheme of the surrounding forest. The appealing porch gave the home a welcoming atmosphere, just like the homes featured on my beloved home and garden shows.
The front section of the main floor had a high, lightly sloping roof and a long row of
windows, promising bright, airy rooms. The back of the house was two stories, and the gable facing the front was also full of beautiful windows. I knew the abundance of glass would allow the beauty of the outdoors to be featured in every room, and I couldn’t wait to see inside.
I exhaled slowly. “I love it, Jude. Oh my word, you must have been thrilled to find such a perfect place.”
He chuckled. “Let’s just say the setting and the exterior of the house are a lot more impressive than the inside right now. But that’s changing, slowly but surely.”
“Thus the reason you’re crashing at Chase’s,” I said as we walked up the steps and across the porch to the front door.
“You’ll understand why I’m staying with them when you see the mess,” he promised. He unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stood back to let me go first.
I walked in, going about ten feet before stopping to look around. I knew my eyes were huge, but I couldn’t help it. Even though there was obviously a lot of work yet to be done, the bones of the home were beautiful. Right away I started imagining what it would look like when it was finished.
“I’m speechless, Jude,” I said softly, turning in a slow circle, taking everything in.
He walked to a spot beyond me, toward the kitchen. “There used to be a wall right here,” he said, pointing out the spot. “I took it out to open everything up. It made a huge difference in the feel of the place.”
I didn’t doubt it. Almost all of the first floor was now one huge open area made up of the kitchen, dining area, and a living room with expansive windows looking out over the rolling mountainside. The outer walls were exposed logs, the ceiling was wood with heavy beams, and the floors were gleaming planks—which were currently being intently inspected by Jude on his hands and knees.
I let him do his thing while I continued to look around. It should have been too much wood, but somehow, with all the different textures, it wasn’t. It was modern yet still rustic, and I loved it, even without any furniture.
I wandered over to the kitchen, which appeared to be in need of the most work. Only the cabinet bases were installed—no doors, drawers, or countertops—but the layout was all there. A large island, a long countertop wrapping around two walls, and a hole for a big sink under the window.
I turned so I could see the entire big room from this vantage point and caught myself nodding slowly. I could totally picture the way it would look when it was done. The enormous stone fireplace taking up the far corner of the room was the focal point. I imagined it burning brightly, with a foot of snow outside, visible through the big windows.
I also imagined a big, soft couch with Jude and I snuggled up together, enjoying the heat from the fire as we watched the snow come down.
Perfect.
Jude stood up and flipped a couple of switches on the wall. I reluctantly exited my daydream and looked up to admire the sleek steel light fixtures and three ceiling fans hanging down from the high, sloping ceiling. A wooden staircase ascended the back wall, and I suspected it led into the mostly glass gable I’d seen from outside.
The master bedroom was most likely down the hallway leading off between the dining and living areas. If that was the case, it would offer a view of the backyard, instead of the front. I had a feeling that view was just as stunning.
The wall at the back of the great room was the only wall on the first level that wasn’t made of logs. It was currently painted a rather jarring brick red, but there were some paint color swatches tacked onto it, which was a pretty good indication Jude was going to change that.
He looked over at me, waiting for my verdict.
“It’s incredible,” I said sincerely. “I can’t imagine anything more perfect. And I can totally see you here. It’s like something you would’ve built yourself.”
“It’s getting there. It looks so much better with the flooring in.” He continued his examination of the planks as he came to join me in the kitchen, then he explained what the finished kitchen would look like. Light hickory cabinets with a rustic, natural stain, black stone countertops, farmhouse sink, and stainless appliances.
“A mix of cabin and modern,” I said approvingly.
He showed me the rest. A half bath at the front of the hall, with all new fixtures, followed by a big master bedroom and bath, again with everything brand new, including a beautifully tiled shower and a whirlpool tub. And, as I’d suspected, the backyard and forest view from there was spectacular.
There was an office area across the hall from the bedroom, and Jude explained that he’d added a second window to brighten it up. The flooring hadn’t yet been installed in any of these rooms, and the new drywall was still dusty and needed painting. I could definitely see why Jude had moved out during the renovations.
He told me he’d bought the house fully furnished, but he’d decided it was time to get rid of all that and replace it with things he picked out himself. Some of the basics were already ordered; other stuff would be added as needed.
We went upstairs where there were two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath in between. Jude said the bathroom was new and he’d had to change the layout of the bedrooms to accommodate it, but he’d felt giving up a little space in the rooms in order to have a bathroom on the second level was worth it.
There was a large open area by the front gable windows spanning the whole length of the second story. I couldn’t help thinking it would make a perfect play area if he ever had a family. The bedrooms were waiting on new flooring and paint, but the front space had the same new hardwood as the lower level. Which, of course, Jude had to inspect.
When we got back downstairs, he told me there was also a guest room and bath over the garage. “The stairs are through that door,” he said, pointing. “I haven’t done any work up there yet, but it’s in decent shape as it is. I considered staying there while I renovated, but I decided it would be better to get out of the mess altogether. It’s not so bad now, but during the tear-out it was awful. I didn’t want to hole up in there eating takeout for two months.”
“So are you happy with how the floors turned out?” I asked, running the toe of my sandal over the smooth wood.
He nodded. “What’s down so far is good. I hired a crew I’ve worked with in the past, so I know they do good work, and I was real specific with what I wanted. Looks like they listened.”
“It’s a great house,” I said, rubbing my hand over the rough-cut stone of the fireplace.
“Glad you like it. I’ve brought Hannah out a few times to get a female perspective on the renovation. I don’t want it to look like a bachelor pad.”
“It’s definitely not that. It could be a great family home, if that’s what you want it to be.”
My phone rang again before he could respond. This was the third time now, so I unzipped my bag and dug it out, frowning when the number said “unknown.”
“Go ahead and answer it,” Jude said. “I’m going to go check out the back deck.”
“I’ll join you in a sec,” I told him.
I answered the phone, hoping to quickly get rid of whoever it was.
“Ms. Milton, glad I finally got you. This is Harv Grayson. I’m with the crew packing up the computer room at your condo. I got your number from my boss. I hope it’s okay I called.”
“Of course,” I said, my frown deepening. “Is there a problem? Are you still on track for getting here tomorrow?”
“Oh yeah, no problem there. We’re right on schedule. But we found something I think you should know about. I mean, maybe you know already, but it’s just kinda strange….”
His voice trailed off and I prompted him. “What is it, Mr. Grayson?”
“Oh, you can call me Harv, ma’am.”
“And I’m Ava. What did you find, Harv?”
“Well, ma’am, Ava, did you know about the, uh, the cameras in the ceiling?”
I tried to figure out what he meant. “You mean my security cameras? The ones I have at the front door and on the back deck ar
ea? You don’t have to worry about those. I’m leaving them for the new tenant.”
“No, no, I mean the ones—the ones mounted in your computer room. They’re little pinhole cams, three of them. One of my guys found them when he was removing the cable conduit from along the ceiling. He was up on a ladder and saw a little hole in the drywall and got suspicious. I authorized him to cut out just enough of the drywall to see what was there, and it’s a pretty sophisticated cam. We found two more holes, and both had the same cams. Of course, if you had them installed yourself, it’s all fine and dandy and my company will cover the repairs to the ceiling. But since they weren’t listed on the inventory, and people usually don’t go to the trouble of hiding ’em like that, I wanted to check with you before we do anything else.”
I was shocked into silence. What was he talking about? Hidden cameras in my ceiling? Three of them? But…..why in the world would there be cameras in my office ceiling?
I needed to sit down, but there were no chairs. I leaned back against the wall and pressed a hand to my forehead, my mind whirling.
“Ma’am? Ava? You still there?”
“I didn’t put them there,” I finally said, my voice weak. “Um, can you do me a big favor and check the rest of the house? See if there are more?”
“Sure, if you authorize us to go through the rest of the house,” he said. “We usually just stick to the rooms we’re clearing out.”
“Yes, of course I authorize it. The place is completely empty, you can go anywhere. Check every room, okay? And call me back as soon as you’re done. Let me know if you find any more.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll get my guys on it and we’ll get back to you soon.”
“Thank you, Harv,” I said, my voice little more than a whisper. I hung up and staggered over to a window, staring out at the trees as I tried to reason things out. Only…..how could I reason out something that seemed to completely defy logic?
There were cameras in my ceiling. In my ceiling! How could that even be? Had someone been watching me? Me? Who would do that? And why?