Page 80 of All Autumn
“Good morning, Autumn,” Lucas said when we walked inside. He handed me one of the two cups he held.
I sniffed it. “Mocha hazelnut. How’d you know?”
“I stopped by Mary’s place. She knew what you liked.”
“Well, thank you.”
“Welcome. And how is Beau today?” He bent down and scratched Beau’s head.
Beau loved the attention, of course. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing him.”
“Not at all. He’s an honorary member of our family now.”
That was a sweet thing for him to say. I turned in a circle, checking out the building. I’d been inside when it had still been a grocery store, but that had been years ago. “It’s going to need some structural repairs.”
Lucas straightened, his gaze following mine. “I know. I’m meeting with a contractor later this morning. I’m hoping it has good bones. So what do you think?”
“Plenty of room for a dinner theater.” I gestured with my coffee cup. “I’d say you’d want the stage located at the middle of the long wall. Then you can place tables all around it.”
“Agree.”
“I’ll get to your Charlotte location this coming week to see it, but I pulled up the website. I love the Victorian theme. You said you wanted something different, so what would you think if we made this one look like the inside of a castle?”
He made a full circle, his gaze taking in the interior of the building. “I like that idea. My Charlotte location is geared toward adults. Blue Ridge Valley is a tourists’ destination, and I’d like this one to be kid-friendly. Kids would love a castle, don’t you think?”
“I do, and I think a family-oriented destination will be great for you and our town. This is going to be so much fun.” I couldn’t wait to get started. “When do you close on the property?”
“In two weeks. Then I’ll get whatever repairs done that are needed. After that, it’s all yours.”
“Okay, I’ll start working on some designs to show you. Are you coming back for the closing or doing it by mail?” I still had trouble believing he’d chosen me to do this, considering I had no experience with what he envisioned. But that would only make me work harder to prove myself.
“I’ll be back. I’ve already scheduled a meeting with the contractor for right after closing to get things started.”
“I’ll have a portfolio ready to show you then, but I’m going to need to be able to get back in for a few hours to take measurements and check out some things.”
His smile was smug. “I thought you’d say that.” He pulled a key out of his pocket and handed it to me. “I got Mr. Humphrey to give me two.”
“Great. I really appreciate the opport—”
His phone buzzed, and he held up a hand. After looking at the screen, he said, “I have to take this. Give me a minute.”
He walked to the far end of the building, then disappeared into what I remembered was the store’s office. While he was on the phone, I took mine out and started snapping pictures. When I returned to take measurements, I’d bring my work camera and get better ones, but these would give me a start.
I always got excited about starting a new project. The design creation was what I loved the most, and when I’d told him this was going to be fun, I’d meant it. It was also going to be a challenge, but I knew I could pull it off.
Beau’s ears perked up, and he wagged his tail, his gaze focused on the door we’d come in. I glanced over to see Connor on crutches, struggling to enter. My heart took a hard bounce in my chest. This was the first time I’d seen him since leaving his hospital room. I raced over to hold the door for him. What was he doing here?
Beau barked a greeting, getting Connor’s attention. “Hello, Beauregard, my friend. What are you doing here?”
“Are you talking to me or the dog?”
Connor’s eyes lifted to mine, and there was something in the way he looked at me that had me sucking in a breath. So not good. I did not want to need air pumped back into my lungs because of any man.
His expression blanked. “Either one of you can answer. I was driving by and saw your car.”
“Just checking out the building.” Although true, I couldn’t tell him the real reason since I’d signed a nondisclosure agreement, but I hadn’t thought ahead when I’d done that. I hadn’t considered how much I would hate keeping secrets from him. I wanted to ask him if he’d really meant what he’d said in his text, but of course he had or he wouldn’t have sent it.
“Sorry, Autumn,” Lucas said, walking toward me. “Had to take care of some senate business.”
