Page 26 of Mister Curb Appeal
How could you not be impressed with this place? I’d give my right arm to live somewhere like this.
I glance at Melinda with a nervous smile. She casks me another wink which is oddly reassuring but exactly what I need right now.Breathe!
The vibes I’m getting from Monica aren’t bad ones, she’s just a hard little cookie to break. I take a deep breath and straighten out my jacket.
Now is not the time to panic. Now is the time to think about what Ali would do in this situation. Should I try to engage with Monica? Or is she used to that in her everyday life and wants to be left alone?All good questions. I just need to find the right answers…
Chapter Thirteen
JOSHUA
I head back to the cabin right after passing Monica Chase. She looked like a woman on a mission, not just because of the rain, and I’m not so sure I envy Lexi or Melinda. Rumor has it she can be hard work. Fame doesn’t phase me in this line of work, it comes with the territory. My dad, and my brothers and I have all worked with high profile clients, including some celebrities, over the years. Some are easy to work with and don’t want to be molly coddled, and some are stuck up their own asses and want what they want. But a deal is a deal whichever way you look at it and I’m hoping things go well for Lexi. She deserves this and I know how much she respects Ali and wants to do a good job.
I know from experience making deals come together can be hard work. I thrive on that shit, but I know Lexi expressed she was nervous in the car. From what I know about her, and have seen over the years, she has nothing to worry about.
The rain picks up as I get back to the cabin to check on Mr. Snuggles. I secure all the windows and shutters for the storm coming in, next I have to stop off at the store to stock up on candles, matches, a couple of flashlights and other supplies. When I head back outside to bring in some more wood from the stack I cut up yesterday, I glance up to the moody gray sky,certain it grimaces back down at me. I quickly gather some of the smaller twigs and kindling I found around the outskirts of the cabin yesterday, and get the makings of the fire set up inside for later when I bring Lexi back from the showing.
I was planning on getting out of Lexi’s hair today and heading home, or at least to the Lake Haven Inn where I could beg for a room. Something about being out here in the fresh air, even for one day, has made me realize how much I work and never get to do anything different. Fun has become obsolete in my life and that’s pretty pathetic.
And even though we only left the cabin to have breakfast this morning and haven’t really gone anywhere, I’m having fun for the first time in forever. I quickly realize we don’t need to be doing anything. I just like her company. Her soft laugh and smile. The way she tucks a loose curl behind her ear, only to have it spring back again. And when she casts those pretty eyes at me, I know I’m a goner.
Just as I’m making myself another coffee and about to read the tiny free local newspaper,TheLake Haven Gazette, my phone rings.
Fishing it out of my pocket, I smile at my mom’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Have I caught you at a good time?”
“Sure, I’m just out at Lake Haven for the weekend. What’s up?”
I hear her chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re finally taking a few days off?”
“Something like that.”
“Wonders will never cease.”
I laugh. She knows me too well. “Dad had the cabin booked for the weekend but Ali’s sick.” My mom and dad are still friends despite the divorce when we were teens. It’s hard for people tobelieve they actually still like each other, and co-parented after they decided to go their separate ways, but it’s true.
“That’s good for you, but not so much for them. I hope she’s okay.”
“It’s a nasty flu.”
“Well, it’s going around,” she says. “But anyway, I was just calling to see if you were free to have brunch tomorrow, but I guess I’ll have to wait until you get back.”
“Well, there’s always Brad or Noah, they may be the second choice, but hey.”
Mom laughs. I try to see her as much as I can and we often catch up for dinner. “I love all three of you the same.”
“You have to say that. And I love you too, Mom.”
“I just haven’t seen any of you boys for a couple of weeks.”
“I know, it’s been kinda crazy. We’ll all get together soon. Is everything okay there?” I ask.
“Everything is fine,” she says. “We’ll tee up something when you’re home.”
“Alright. Talk soon.”
