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“I think you know exactly what you’re doing.” And she was grateful for the way he put her at ease, talking to her like a friend and not demanding anything from her. At least she could have that.
ChapterTwenty-Three
I’VE GOT A ROCK AND ROLL HEART – Eric Clapton
Wren turneddown the volume on John’s Bluetooth speaker as he recorded the measurements on his sketch. He kept right on singing, “I’ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart.”
She moved closer. “What are you doing?”
“Going to build a porch for me and Boss to sit out here and serenade y’all.”
“What evil thing have we done to you to deserve that?”
He hooted. “I’m not that bad.”
“So, you figured out the perfect gift to give Elizabeth. What about Ariana and me?”
“You want to stain the porch?”
“No. I want something she can unwrap.”
“I struck out twice getting her to tell me anything. Short of rooting through her trash to see what kind of wine she drinks, the best I got is a gift certificate to buy digital books since she enjoys reading, but I don’t know what kind of books she’s into. Though I read this book she mentioned, and words of affirmation and acts of service are things she appreciates. Maybe make her dinner or take her out since cooking for one gets old.”
“I’ll think on it. Do you have a plan to get her out of the house?”
“Excuse me?”
“We need you to get her out of her house and off the property for at least an hour to decorate and for people to get in to surprise her.”
“Wait. You’re doing the partyin herhouse?”
“It’d be totally suspicious if we wanted to go somewhere on her birthday, and the tiny houses are too small to host a party for more than three people.”
“True that, but . . .” It seemed like an invasion of her privacy.
“Invites are out with that as the location.”
“How are you getting in?”
“Can’t you pick the lock, Mr. Green Beret?”
“I can, but I won’t.” Was she serious about breaking in? That was definitely crossing the line.
She laughed. “I have a key. I’d let Boss out for her when she had to work late. He couldn’t fit through the doggie door.”
“No surprise there.” Elizabeth might take that key back after this. “I’ll take her with me to pick up the supplies for the porch. If she says she has plans, I’ll let you know.”
“Make sure she doesn’t.”
“That’ll be up to you to figure out if she does.”
Wren posed with her hands on her hips, as if she could intimidate him. “Let me know if we need a plan B ASAP.”
“I’ll ask her today.” He went back to work as Wren got in her car.
He finished the sketch, double-checked the measurements, then went inside and sent a picture of the sketch to Nate for him to review.
“I think we need a grill, don’t you?” he said to Boss as he put four beef franks in the microwave. “Nuking meat is a sacrilege.” He split the buns, then took out the franks to heat up the chili. He cut up two and put them in Boss’s bowl.
