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Chapter One
“And… cut.”
Now that the cameras weren’t running, Paxton Farraday leaned left then right, stretching out his back. Even though he’d argued there was no need to film replacing the hotel bathroom when that episode was already over and in the can, what the production company wanted, the production company got. Still, it was bad enough he was feeling his last birthday, there was no reason to record his aching back on camera for the world to see.
“I hate bathtub installs.” Quinn, Paxton’s next older brother—not including the five-minute Owen had on him—rolled his shoulders. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one with age troubles. “Single tub isn’t so bad but these blasted all-in-one units have a mind of their own.”
“Yeah, remind me never to complain about hauling bags of mulch or root ball trees again. Lugging and installing bathtubs is modern day torture.” He cracked his back. “It’s downright painful.”
“Agreed.” Quinn nodded. “Next time the younger guys can haul these things around.”
The camera crew pulled back. Someone shouted lunch break and standing in the doorway, sporting a floppy hat, and big sunglass—the only carryover from her fashionable days in Los Angeles—Valerie, Morgan’s wife and the show’s producer, rushed up to them. “Excellent shoot, guys. Executive feedback on the last few episodes has been great and the internet buzz with the fan base is, well, buzzing. Now, we need to talk about that off-camera build.”
Paxton exchanged a glance with Quinn. “Off-camera build?”
Her gaze narrowing, his brother Morgan’s wife dropped her hands on her hips. “Don’t you two read any of my memos?”
“Of course we do.” Frowning, Quinn spoke up before Paxton could admit he might skim a few.
Even though Valerie was smiling, her frustration with her brothers-in-law was apparent. “The show was approached to sponsor a new home build for a needy family. Since the ratings were so high for the homestead fixer-upper, the execs thought a similar project for charity would be fabulous publicity. They were on it like white on rice.”
Now that he thought about it, Paxton remembered noticing the name of a well-known charity in one of her never-ending memos, but had skimmed more than usual. “Must have missed the details on that one, but, of course, you know we’re game to help. Within reason.”
Quinn nodded. “Agreed. But off camera? How is that going to boost ratings for the show?”
“There might be a camera crew once in a while for social media reels. Now that we’ve just about finished this season, once we film the wrap-up episode, you guys will have plenty of time on your hands for the project.”
Plenty of time? Paxton didn’t mind helping out anyone going through a rough patch, but the construction company had projects lined up for the season break from here to Oklahoma and back. “We’d better find Owen, but can we discuss this somewhere other than this cramped bathroom?”
Valerie looked around and chuckled. “Good point. Let’s go outside.”
Paxton followed her with Quinn on his heels. They settled at a picnic table by Molly’s food truck.
Setting her insulated mug on the table, Valerie looked from one brother to the other. “The build is a standard three bed, two bath, two-car garage. Single story. About thirteen hundred square feet. Easy peasy.”
Paxton almost laughed. The way his sister-in-law described the task at hand, she made building a house sound like playing with Legos.
He glanced at Quinn. “Did you know about this?”
Quinn frowned. “Can’t say that I did.”
Valerie shook her head. “The franchise has bought a lot near downtown.”
“Where?” Paxton asked.
“I forget the street. The one where a house caught fire and burned to the ground. The house was a health and safety hazard. The city razed the actual house, left the foundation, and the charity bought it for a song. Owen promised to fit it in, so it’s a go. The network loves the idea of charity work, and with the popularity of Construction Cousins, Tuckers Bluff is now on the map.”
“Great. Next, we’ll have folks from out of state rushing here and pricing the locals out of the market.” Quinn blew out a sigh at his own words. “Present company excepted.”
“Understood.” She shook her head. “I really thought Owen would have filled everyone in on the details. Anyhow, the reason I grabbed you two is that Owen said you guys would be point on this.”
“Us?”
She nodded. “That’s what he said. Rules are the same for this as with all other of the charity projects. The family will be hands on as much as time permits. They have to do their sweat equity.”
“Do they have to have any skills?” Paxton wasn’t keen on having someone on a job site without experience working with power tools. That’s how people wound up in the ER.
“No clue, but most folks about to receive the gift of affordable housing are eager to learn.”
