by Dee Ernst
“Deal,” I said.
“Good,” Mike said. “I’ll even help. Steve, you can look after what’s going on across the street next week? Let me spend a little time over here?”
Steve nodded. “Sure.”
Joe trotted down off the porch, lifted his leg against my one azalea bush, and once again crossed into the vacant lot to sit in front of his favorite tree.
“There’s something up there he wants,” Mike said.
“Hopefully, it’s the right kind of Bella,” I said.
Steve frowned. “A what?”
I shook my head. “It’s my one shot of not having a NoTell Motel next door.”
Later, I left Terri to her Friday night regulars, and Mike and I went out on his boat. We sat, just talking, until the sun went down.
“I can see why you’d rather spend your evenings out here,” I told him. “It’s beautiful. And peaceful.”
“Yep,” he said. “I do my best thinking out here.”
“I’m going out to see Celeste tomorrow and tell her the deal is back on with Daniel.”
He exhaled loudly. “You’re sure?”
I nodded.
“You gonna tell me what it is you think you can pull off?”
”Nope. It’s a long shot, and I’d just as soon wait it out alone.”
We pulled into the marina late, and he helped me from the boat, and we walked, hand-in-hand toward Main Street.
“Want to stop somewhere for a drink? Say hello to some people?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
“Want to go back to my place? See if we can recreate a little night magic?”
I grinned. “That sounds perfect.”
But we ended up falling asleep on his couch, arms around each other, and when he woke me, it was after midnight, so we went to bed and just held each other until we were both asleep again.
That was also perfect.
Chapter Ten
Celeste did not seem very confident of my plan.
“It’s a squirrel,” she said. “They’re like rats with fluffy tails.”
“It’s a Delmarva fox squirrel and she’s on the endangered list. Which means Amy won’t be able to cut down any of the trees.”
Celeste squinted at me. “You sure that’s what it really is? And not some mutant regular rat with a fluffy tail?”
“My neighbor, Miss Ava, told me, and I think she knows exactly what she’s talking about.”
Celeste looked impressed. “Miss Ava at the Nature Center? She knows a lot about the animals around here.” She peered at me through her thick lashes. “Let’s take a walk,” she said.
I’d walked her property enough times before that I knew her favorite places: a rose bush she’d planted years ago at the base of a towering pine that had grown so far up the trunk looking for sunlight that when it bloomed, the entire top of the tree was covered in blazing red flowers. There was a small open space in the trees where daisies bloomed. And she’d planted azaleas around a massive boulder, and they had grown so large that, last time I’d been there, it looked as though the rock was crawling out of the brilliant pink flowers.
“Daniel, he won’t cut this down?”
I shook my head. “Celeste, you made him draw out his plans, remember? He wants to save as much as he can. And he will. He believes that parking lots should have shade, and that balconies should look out on something other than blacktop.”
She stopped and picked a small wildflower, holding it to her nose. “Mike almost broke my heart when he called me.”
“I’m sure.”
“That Amy woman is a bitch. We need to get her.”
“We’re going to, Celeste. Want to drive out to talk to Connie?”
“Not today. I worked all day, and I’m done. I’ll see her tomorrow and let her know what’s happening.” She lay her hand on my arm. “What if—”
I bent to kiss her cheek. “So far, my luck has been running with me. Celeste. I’m willing to take one more chance.”
She patted my cheek. “Okay then. I’ll send you all my good juju.”
“You do that, Celeste. You do that.”
The final week at the house was a whirlwind.
First thing Monday morning I went back to the MedCenter. The interview, I thought, went well. I’d spent two hours in front of the administrative board, and they’d given me a very detailed picture of what the job was and how they expected it to be done. Darren had been right, there’d be lots of tedious paperwork. That hadn’t been my favorite part of the real estate business, but I’d been good at it. For a modest salary and health insurance, I would be grateful for the job.
Darren shook my hand warmly after the interview and leaned in to whisper in my ear. “The other three candidates were impossible. You’re our last interview, and I think you’ve got this. I’ll call you when we reach a decision.”
When I got to the house, the floor went in, pale golden planks that I held in place as Tyler nailed them to the subfloor. Then, the baseboard and moldings went up, like frames around a canvas. On Wednesday, while the outside was being spray painted a soft sage green, Mike and I painted the bedrooms, while hired painters stood on scaffolding with sprayers to paint the tall ceilings on the living areas.
“My bed is coming today,” I told Mike. We were on the porch, eating lunch. Joe was at my side, watching every move as I ate my sandwich.
“Really? King size, I hope.”
I raised an eyebrow. “No. Mike, you built that room. You know how much space there is. We’ll have to make due with queen.”
He swore softly and shook his head. “I’ll have to modify some of my best moves.”
I almost choked on my sandwich, laughing. He pounded me on the back as Joe stole the pickle right out of my bag.
“You do know that, technically speaking, you can’t spend the whole night here until that final inspection,” Mike said when he’d stopped laughing.
“Well then, we’d better speed up some of those moves of yours, okay?”
He kissed me. “I’m sure we can adapt.”
Daniel came over when he saw us. He still wore a suit to the job site every day and looked as cool and polished as sea glass.
“Well, my source tells me that if indeed a Delmarva fox squirrel has made a nest in those trees, he and his group are fully prepared to build a human wall around the whole lot to prevent a single limb from being cut.”
Mike looked at Daniel, then me, his expression one of complete confusion. “What are you even talking about?”
On cue, I saw Miss Ava coming down the sidewalk, a straw hat her head, her simple dress blowing behind her in the breeze. I jumped off the porch.
“Miss Ava, do you have a minute?”
She shook her head. “Late for a meeting, sorry.” She waved as she climbed her front steps.
I ran down the sidewalk. “But it’s about Bella.”
She stopped dead and turned to look at me, her eyes narrow. “What about her?”
“She’s a Delmarva fox squirrel?”
Miss Ava nodded.
“Are you sure?”
She drew herself up and put her hands on her hips. “Of course I’m sure, child. It’s my job to be sure.”
I held up both of my hands. “Sorry. I just—well, I needed to be absolutely positive, because someone is trying to buy the lot and put up a—”
“What? Put up a what?” She scurried over to me. “Someone is going to build there? Well, they can’t. She’s still considered a threatened species by the Commonwealth. I’m certainly not going to let anyone—”
“Miss Ava,” I said gently, laying my hand on her shoulder. “I know. We were just talking about it. As long as we’re sure, we can stop her.”
She sniffed. “I happen to be something of an expert, you know.”
I grinned. “Yes, I do know. And thank you for that.”
She looked at her watch and muttered to herself. “I have to get over to church, but I wil
l draw up and affidavit right away and get hold of somebody over at Fish and Wildlife. We can’t technically stop the sale, but we can certainly get an injunction against any future construction.”
I wanted to kiss her, but just nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She sniffed again, nodded curtly to Mike and Daniel, and went back up her own walkway into her house.
Mike watched me walk back to him. “Well?”
“Well, we have an endangered species living next door. Whatever you do, keep an eye on Joe. If Joe eats that squirrel, we’re toast.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, this is rich. This is just about perfect. Well now, I feel a whole lot better about this entire operation.”
Daniel looked smug. “And did I hear you say something about not stopping the sale?”
I shrugged. “Buyer beware. If she was so hot to build around here, she should have covered all her bases. I’ll be sure to let her know as soon as I find out the ink is dry.”
“Marie is the one to talk to about this,” Daniel said. “She seems to know everything that’s happening. And going to happen.”
“You’re right about that,” Mike said. “Marie’s kind of a big deal around here in real estate.”
“And she makes an incredible martini,” Daniel added. He straightened his already perfect tie, a sure indication he was about to make a pitch. “So, I don’t suppose that when this all goes through as planned, the McCann brothers would be interested in coming on board? I realize it’s a much bigger job than you’re used to, and you’ll probably have to forgo any other work to focus on this, but…well, the offer is there if you want it.”
Mike pursed his lips and nodded. “I’ll talk to Steve. I’m sure we can make it work.”
“Good. Good, well, okay then, enjoy the rest of your lunch. Christiana, I’m so glad this squirrel thing worked out for you.”
“Me too.”
“Yes. All right then.” He turned and sprinted back across the street.
I nudged Mike with my foot. “Going big time, there, aren’t you?”
He let out a low whistle. “I guess. We do have three or four renovations already scheduled for over the winter, but after that…” He stood up and wiped the crumbs from his hands. “Where’s my brother?” he mumbled and went back in the house.
A delivery truck pulled up in front of the house, and I watched as my bed was pulled out of the back. I walked the delivery team through to the master bedroom and looked out the window. Mike and Steve were on my new back patio, deep in conversation. All of my linens and the antique bedspread were stashed in a bin in the walk-in closet, so I found the sheets and pillows, made up the bed, and was smoothing out the pillows when Mike called for me.
“In here,” I yelled back.
He stood in the doorway. “Good thing we painted this room first,” he said.
“Hey, I’m no fool. Everything good with Steve?”
He nodded. “We need to really talk this through with Daniel, of course. Getting the manpower is no problem. If we need to, we can bring men over from across the bay. Big times ahead for these two hammer-and-nail guys.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top on my head. “And it looks like you’re going to put Amy into a very tight corner.”
“One that she won’t be able to get out of,” I promised.
He lifted my chin and kissed my mouth. As usual, I felt a surge of pure desire go though me. Too bad the crew was right outside that door…
“I’m proud of you, Chris. I don’t know who you were before, but since you’ve been here I’ve seen a strong woman taking control of her life and doing whatever she can to help the people she cares about. It warms my heart to think that someday you might do as much for me.”
“I am doing this for you. I’m not going to let Amy McCann ruin this for me. For us. This is my home now.” I tugged on his shirt. “You’re part of that, you know.”
He nodded and his arms tightened around me. “You’re a good woman, Chris. I’m thankful that you’ve let me in to your life..” He pulled back and his eyes twinkled. “Maybe we should let the crew go home a little early today? Try out that brand new bed of yours?”
I twisted away from him. “Not until that backsplash is finished.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Deal.”
Terri was in agony. “Do you have any idea,” she moaned, “what it’s like to be sitting there, across from a man, pretending that all you really care about is some dumb house, and all you really want to do is tear his clothes off?”
It was Friday night, and we were at the Grove as usual. I looked over at her and rolled my eyes.
Karen smirked. “Chris doesn’t seem to have that problem anymore,” she said.
“No, I don’t. But Terri, hon, I do empathize.” I sipped my wine. Mike was at the monthly Chamber of Commerce dinner, where, he assured me, he would make sure to stay out of Amy’s way.
“But it’s paying off, I think,” she went on. “When I mentioned looking at another house, he complimented me on all I’d learned while I was there last week. And he meant it!”
I gave her a look. “Another house?”
She nodded, her eyes bright. “I found it on Zillow, it’s only about twenty minutes from here, and it looks perfect.”
“Here we go,” Karen muttered.
“Here we go where?” Stella asked, coming up with Dara French beside her.
“I found another house for Chris,” Terri said.
“But Chris has a house,” Stella said.
Terri waved her hand. “I know. I meant for Chris and I. To flip. We did such a good job with this one…”
“Terri, the McCann brothers did a good job,” I pointed out.
She nodded. “And I’m sure they’ll do just as good a job this next time. And with you and me being able to do more of the work, this place—”
“Terri, where is the money going to come from? After I pay off this construction loan, I want to bank a little money for security, not risk it on another project. And I have a job now,” I reminded her. I’d gotten a call from Darren Stall that morning, formally offering me the position as assistant to the business manager, beginning two weeks from Monday. “And you did all your work on vacation. So, unless you’re planning on taking an early retirement…”
She made a face.
Dara reached over with her wine glass to click it with mine. “And congratulations, by the way. Darren is very excited for you to start. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful.”
I smiled. “I’m going to try for efficient.
She beamed. “That will work too.”
“I’m issuing the invitation now, even though I could still flunk my final inspection,” I said loudly. “Open house at the new Casa Polittano a week from next Sunday. Everyone is invited.”
Karen waggled her finger at me. “You just may have invited the whole town, you know.”
I shrugged. “So what. If people want to come, they can come. I’m having Bogey’s make some sandwiches, I’ll get a keg of something—what do you think?”
Terri rolled her eyes. “I think you have to pass your inspection first, before you invite half the town.”
Dara leaned in. “Two weeks ago I had my final inspection,” she said in a low voice. “I baked cookies. I didn’t offer them to anyone, of course. After all, one wouldn’t want to have an innocent gesture perceived as a bribe of any sort. But the gentleman who inspected my house seemed very appreciative when he found them on the kitchen counter.”
Terri made a face. “She’s been baking at my place for the crew for weeks now. When I was there for my vacation, every morning they all looked at me like I was this terrible person for not feeding them.”
I smiled at Dara. “Thanks for the tip. Chocolate chip, I think.”
She raised her wine glass. “A universal favorite.”
Maria and Daniel arrived together, and it struck me how alike they seemed—sleek, classy, slightly more urbane than the rest of us. Da
niel was wearing loose fitting linen trousers and a tight T-shirt, with a narrow belt around his waist. Maria was in a simple sleeveless shirtdress, the collar pulled up high, and very chichi sandals.
“They match,” Terri whispered to me. I nodded. They certainly did.
Daniel caught my eye and smiled, as did Marie, and they made their way toward us.
“I must say, this weekly ritual has all the makings of some sort of cult thing,” Daniel said. “Do you really do this every Friday?”
“I’m trying to go native,” I told him.
“That’s what I’m trying to avoid,” he muttered.
Marie swore, very briefly and very softly, and I followed her gaze to the front door.
Amy McCann.
Her entrance to the Grove did not have the same effect on the crowd that it had on Mike and his crew. In fact, people barely blinked, except the usual looks that happen when a stunningly beautiful woman enters a room. Terri came behind me to whisper,
“Is that her?”
I nodded and sipped some wine. It tasted bitter in my mouth.
Daniel looked at me, then Marie. “What?”
I waved and smiled broadly. “Amy, come on over. I want you to meet some folks.”
She was in a pantsuit, and I realized she had probably been at the same Chamber of Commerce dinner as Mike and Steve. She strode across the crowded room, a rather tense and angry look on her face.
I kept the smile pasted on my face. “Amy, I’d like you to meet Daniel Russo,” I said as she opened her mouth to speak. “Daniel is the gentleman who beat you out of that retail property here in town. And I believe he’s also getting the Montecorvo place?”
Daniel gave me the look of death before turning and giving her his most charming smile. “Delighted to meet you at last,” he said, practically purring. “It’s nice to see your competition in the flesh.” His hand was out, so she shook it briefly before turning to me.