Page 38
“Our company did some work for Doug three years ago. My brother Walker gave him a screaming discount. Back then, Walker was a bit of a hound dog, so he was always trying to impress the ladies.”
“Yeah, I had friends like that in my college days.”
“He’s settled down in the last couple of years. He’s looking for ‘the one.’ They’re tough to find, unless you fall at their feet.” We laughed. I’d heard the story about how he’d landed on his ass the first time he’d met his fiancée. Good stuff.
“Anyway, Doug still likes to give the Lawson brothers favors every now and then, so I pulled one in.”
I looked up when James came into the room and pointed to the food on the dinette table. He grinned and aimed for a brownie. Smart boy. He came and sat next to me.
“I have three viewings set up for you tomorrow. They aren’t with a real estate agent, so that’ll save you money. One is a furnished house to rent, the other two are houses that aren’t on the market yet, but the owners want to sell. I’ve already texted you the itineraries. One of the houses is vacant, the other one is still occupied, but the owner is going to leave for the hour that your viewing it. My sister Carrie is going to be with you on that one. For some reason that makes no sense to me, they trust her.”
I laughed, just like Ford intended. “So I finally get to meet your sister.”
“Yep. Don’t hold her against me.”
“You know I’m bringing James, right?”
“I told Carrie, she’s bringing Bubba. He’s five, with the attitude of an eighteen-year-old felon. Depending on where you end up, they could be going to the same preschool. If so, watch out.”
“James isn’t easily influenced.”
“Yeah, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Thanks for everything you’ve done. I appreciate it.”
“Are you kidding? Me, Walker, Renzo and Harvey, are excited as hell that you signed onto this project. Renzo especially. He’s close to finishing his architecture degree, so he’ll be picking your brain a lot.”
I smiled. It was great to be signing on with someone I knew so well, and had worked with so long. “This project is exactly the type I can sink my teeth into.”
“It’s a total win-win, and the sooner you and your boy are settled, the better. I know what it’s like living out of a hotel. Not fun. Gotta go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night.”
“Sounds good. Thanks again.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Chapter Eleven
“You showed him a house? Like a real, live house? To move into?” I hated the squeak in my voice.
“Did you just squeak?” Carrie asked.
“Absolutely not.”
“She did,” Ernie piped up. “Kind of disgusting, if you asked me.”
“Nobody asked you.” I shoved my hands onto my hips and squinted at him “Go inventory the earrings in the back.”
“There are hundreds. That’s just mean.”
“Separate out the silver from the gold-plated.”
Ernie held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, you didn’t squeak.”
I smiled in satisfaction. “That’s what I thought. Go wrap up today’s outgoing orders instead.”
He gave me a salute and headed to the backroom.
“I thought you had Darla and Wendy doing the shipping,” Carrie said.
