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“Teddy, what are you doing here?”
I let the question slide off my back because Rob was a good guy and I knew he didn’t mean anything by it.
“I just meant I wasn’t expecting the owner to show up.”
“How else am I gonna keep my skills sharp? Show me where you’re planning to wow the town with your cocktail-making skills.”
It took about an hour, because it turned out Rob could be mighty talkative when he wanted to be—and when the topic was his wet bar and mixology, he wanted to be.
“I don’t need anything fancy, just functional.”
“Why not a little of both? This is going to be your stage, after all.” After a lifetime spent running into burning structures, the man deserved a bit of fluff. I thought so, anyway.
“I didn’t consider that, but I like the way you think, Teddy. I’ll give it some thought,” he promised as we headed toward the door. “Beer?”
“Nah, I have lunch plans. Besides, when you make me a drink, I want something colorful and cool. I’ll have Vincenzo send you some options for sinks and wood finishes.”
“A lunch date?” I gave Rob a strange look and he let out a loud bark of laughter. “I figured I might get extra points if I had something juicy to report to Mel.”
“Fair enough. It’s just Hannah, but you can tell her I was very vague about it, if it’ll help.”
He laughed again. “I might just do that. Thanks again, Teddy.”
“My pleasure. See you soon.” I jumped back in my truck and made my way toward Cowboy Café to meet my best friend for lunch.
Hannah Rutledge was my exact opposite in every way. She was the girly girl to my tomboy, the silky straight blond to my curly brown, the bombshell curves to my beanpole physique that had transformed over the years into lean muscle. We both worked with our hands, though in very different ways.
“Teddy, over here!” Hannah waved me to the back of the café where she commandeered a booth big enough for six.
“Are we expecting company?” The question was a joke, but then I stood a little taller. “You’re not matchmaking, too, are you?”
Hannah scoffed. “No way, have a seat. If I was, I wouldn’t ambush you with it. You don’t ruin the best steak joint in town with blind dates.”
“Amen to that.” Cowboy Café specialized in steak and burgers, sourcing local beef from the ranches in and around Jackson’s Ridge. “What’re you getting?”
“Steak pie with beer gravy.” The menu sat under her folded hands and Hannah stared at me with an intense, strange look.
I knew that look well, and I set my own menu down. “What is it? What are you about to ask me to do that I don’t want to do?”
“Me? I would never.”
I let out a snort-laugh and pointed. “You forget I’ve known you forever, Hannah. What is it?”
“Nothing like that. In fact, it’s good news. I have a new client for you. It’s a big job… with a potentially difficult client, but focus on the big job part of what I said.”
“Those are two words I love to hear, but I’d also like to hear about this potentially difficult client.” I had a bad feeling. I couldn’t explain it, but I always listened to my gut. And my best friend. “Well?”
“It’s Cal,” she said gravely.
“Nope. No way.”
“Come on, Teddy. He needs you.”
I shook my head, a move that freed a few stray hairs from my bun. “There are two other contractors in town he can hire to work for him, it doesn’t have to be me. And it won’t be.”
“But you’re the best, and you know Cal only works with the best.”
“Don’t try to flatter me into working for your brother, Hannah. It won’t work.”
She pouted and let out a long sigh. “It’s not flattery if it’s a fact. Besides, it’s the whole house, Teddy. Don’t act like you’re not dying to get your hands on that big, beautiful masterpiece.”
It was a really great house, with nice old bones. “Maybe, once upon a time. But times change, Hannah.” And the moment Cal Rutledge had bought the old house, I’d lost interest in it. Mostly.
“Oh, I see, you’re the one small business owner who can afford to turn away business. Must be nice.”
“Ass,” I growled at her and picked up the menu, hiding behind it. Hannah was right—it was a big job, a lucrative job, and I couldn’t afford to not at least consider it. “I’ll have the steak salad,” I told her with attitude. “And I’ll think about Cal’s house.” My guys were already assigned to big projects, which meant I’d be next up once the Gibbons job was done.
“That’s all I ask. He’s free on Wednesday for a consult, and I already put you in his schedule.” Hannah flashed a mischievous smile and wiggled her brows.
