Restoration project?As they walked up the drive, Isabel's jaw dropped slightly as she glanced around her before looking at Penny. "Wait a minute. You already bought this place? You actually signed the deed?"
"I did," Penny confessed, her grin growing even larger as she opened her car door. “An hour after I’d looked at it.”
"I thought we were just coming to look at a prospective property," Isabel said, a mix of worry and mounting excitement fluttering in her stomach as they continued walking up the driveway. "You bought a massive estate without an inspection?"
"Well, I looked around.” Her eyes took in the scenery as they walked. “I told you, Isabel, the place called out to my soul," Penny explained, stepping up beside her and linking her arm through Isabel’s as they continued on their path to the main house. "Then I found my hand opening my checkbook, and my fingers signed the check before my brain could stop them. I answered the call."
Isabel let out a long sigh, shaking her head in disbelief, but she couldn't suppress the genuine thrill building inside her. The mature trees arching over the drive were beautiful, though the entire landscape desperately required a serious garden service to clear away the neglect.
"Can I help you renovate the structure?" Isabel asked on impulse before they even got to the main building.
"Of course," Penny said, squeezing her arm affectionately. "I was secretly counting on it. This is significantly bigger than my usual real estate projects, and I knew I’d need a master eye to handle the layout."
The words ‘significantly bigger’ than any of Penny’s other projects sent a prickle of anticipation down Isabel’s spine. Penny’s last few projects were not small houses, so she was dying to see what this one was.
They cleared the final curve of the driveway, stepping into a wide circular turnaround. In the center sat a large, majestic stone fountain. It had stopped working years ago, the basin wasdry and filled with drifted leaves, but its architectural beauty remained completely unmistakable even in its uncared-for state. To the far side of the lawn sat a grand, multi-car detached garage.
But the moment Isabel raised her eyes to the main house, the breath caught sharply in her throat. It was absolutely stunning. The building was a magnificent, two-story Mediterranean Revival manor house, a style that had dominated the luxury Florida land boom during the early 1920s. She took a few steps forward, her architectural training instantly taking over as her eyes traced the stucco arches, the authentic clay barrel tiles on the roof, and the intricate wrought-iron railings lining the upper balconies.
"This is incredible," Isabel murmured, her voice dropping into an awed whisper as she calculated the timeline. "The framing, the window placement... Penny, this estate must have been constructed around the exact same time the town borders were first established. The historical significance is immense."
"I knew you'd appreciate the bones of this place," Penny said softly, standing beside her on the brick apron.
"Oh, Penny," Isabel breathed, her heart expanding as she looked up at the weathered facade. "This isn't just a good real estate find. This is a rare piece of historic luxury. The interior proportions must be spectacular."
"Want to see inside?" Penny asked, a bright glint in her eyes as she dangled a heavy brass ring of keys off her index finger.
"Is that honestly a question?" Isabel asked, laughing as she snatched the keys from her hand.
They unlocked the heavy oak front door, the hinges groaning slightly from years of disuse, and stepped into the grand foyer. The interior of the manor house was completely empty. There were no furniture pieces, no drapes on the towering windows, and no carpets covering the beautiful, dark hardwood floors. Their footsteps echoed loudly through the bare, high-ceilinged rooms as they moved from the parlor into the formal dining hall. Every single room was flooded with the warm, golden afternoon light of the coast.
They pushed through the rear French doors, stepping out onto a wide stone terrace. Behind the house, a grand concrete swimming pool sat empty and neglected, its tile borders cracked by the elements. Beyond the pool, the untamed lawns swept gently downward to meet the calm, blue waters of the bay, where a private stretch of white sand formed the boundary of the property. Off to the eastern side of the beach, a long, weathered wooden jetty jutted out into the surf.
Isabel rested her hands against the terrace railing, letting her imagination roam free as she got swept back in time. In her mind's eye, she could see it all perfectly restored. How it must’ve once looked. The fountain flowing, the pool sparkling, crisp white outdoor furniture on the lawns, and a classic wooden yacht moored to the end of the jetty. Then her brain clicked into place about how it would look once restored, a grand masterpiece carefully brought back to life.
As they turned back to head inside toward the foyer, the quiet of the empty house was broken by the sharp, loud ring of Isabel's mobile phone. She reached into her pocket, frowning slightly when she saw an unrecognized local number flashing on the digital screen.
She swiped the glass, bringing the phone to her ear. "Hello, Isabel Graham speaking."
"Hello, Mrs. Graham," a deep, measured male voice responded through the line. "This is Dr. Owen Reed. I just received your email and looked over your extensive corporate portfolio."
Isabel’s hand tightened around the phone casing, her heart giving a sudden, excited jolt. "Hello, Dr. Reed. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly."
"Your credentials are exceptionally impressive, Mrs. Graham," Owen continued, his tone turning warm and conversational. "To be honest, your management background is exactly what the café requires at the moment. Are you free to meet with me in an hour for a formal interview?"
"Sure," Isabel replied immediately, keeping her voice level. "Where would you like to meet?"
"Can we meet in the dining room at the Hearts Hotel?" Owen asked. "I'm currently managing a project there, and it would be the most convenient location for me if that works for your schedule."
Isabel’s eyes widened in surprise at the location, but she didn't hesitate. "Of course, Dr. Reed. I can meet you there in an hour."
"Excellent. I'll see you shortly, Mrs. Graham," Owen said, ending the call.
The moment the line went dead, Isabel dropped her hand, finding Penny staring at her expectantly.
"I have an interview for the café manager position," Isabel announced, excitement bubbling through her voice as a massive smile broke across her face. "In an hour, at Hearts Hotel."
"Well then, let's head straight back to the gates and call another cab," Penny told her, already turning back toward the front door. As they walked down the echoing hallway, Penny glanced sideways at her friend, a soft smile touching her lips. "For someone who held a senior executive role at the Wayne Group for years, I don't think I've ever seen you look this genuinely happy or excited about a job before, Isabel."
