by Stacey Wilk
She wouldn’t be steamrolled by these men. “I haven’t made any final decisions. I’m still in the stage of collecting estimates, that’s all. Mr. Carroll, if you’re certain you can’t provide an estimate, then I’m sorry, but our business is finished.”
Blaise placed the bag on his porch and crossed the yard in a fast-paced stride. “Listen, Miss I Don’t Trust Anyone Because I’m From the North, you won’t find a better man than Beau to do your work. He fixed my place up for me and practically every house in town. Go ask the ones who didn’t use him how sorry they were.”
“It’s about the money, that’s all.”
“It’s not about the money. It’s about integrity and honor and decency. That’s everything Beau is. He won’t waste your money.” Blaise moved into Grace’s personal space, causing her to back up, but there was a softness in his gray eyes and a smile on his face.
It appeared he genuinely cared about this man.
Beau fidgeted with his keys. “I best be going. You let me know what you decide, Ms. Starr. I’m ready to start when you are.”
Those were the most words the man had said the whole time.
“I like him,” Jenn whispered in her ear.
“Beau?”
“And Blaise.”
Chapter Six
Her muscles ached. What was she thinking, tearing out a carpet at her age? Grace sat on the front step of her disaster house. That was the new name she was going to give it. Disaster House. Kind of went with her life at the moment. The irony wasn’t lost on her.
The cool night air blew on her damp skin. The shorts and T-shirt weren’t enough. She should have brought out something to wrap herself in. The hot Earl Grey tea would have to do for now. She cuddled the paper cup for warmth.
Fireflies chased each other under the poplar tree, and the smell of honeysuckles coated the air. A peaceful quiet settled around her. Most of the lights were out in the other houses. The street was tucked in for the night. Even Jenn was nestled deep in her sleeping bag, with a movie playing on her tablet. They’d be going home tomorrow, and then Grace would return to Heritage River alone.
The house didn’t fit her. Oh, she wanted it to now that she decided to plunge headfirst into this scheme. But the house pressed against her skin like a sweater shrunk in the dryer. Sure, they had cleaned until their fingers were raw and her arms screamed for her to stop, but she couldn’t stay inside just yet. Maybe she would feel differently in the morning or when she got back. Or after she moved her things out of her home and Larry’s hoochie momma with the new-baby belly moved in. Because the Disaster House would be her new home until she could fix it, sell it, and find a real place in Jersey. Just not in Silverside.
She tallied potential projects in her head. How long was all this going to take? She was actually considering hiring Beau Carroll. She kept thinking about Blaise’s set face while he spoke those words about Beau. He meant them. She could tell. It was just a feeling, and maybe she was a bad judge of character considering she didn’t even know her husband, ex-husband, but she believed Blaise trusted Beau.
And did she really have the time or desire to find someone else? She wanted the house fixed up as soon as possible. Beau Carroll could do his work—of course, his working-alone part had her concerned—but the house had to be sellable. It didn’t have to be perfect. Once it was good enough to satisfy Hoke, she’d call Dixie. Maybe she could even start showing it before it was completely finished. There weren’t any rules about that.
Her phone buzzed next to her. She yanked it up. “Are you all right?”
“Mom, jeez, I’m fine.”
Grace let out a breath and held a hand to her chest, as if she could steady her racing heart. “You’re calling so late.”
“I know. Sorry. When are you coming home?”
“Tomorrow. What’s up?” Because Chloe didn’t call just to say hi.
“I want to know when we’re going house hunting because I can’t live here with them. They make me sick. Dad fussing all over her—”
“Chloe, stop.” She held her palm up, as if her daughter could see. “I don’t want to hear the details.”
“Sorry. I just want to know when we’re going house hunting.”
“We aren’t. I’m going to spend the summer down here fixing up the house, and then I’ll sell it. You’ll have to stay with your dad. You can hide in your room when you’re at home.” She told Chloe about the stipulations.
“You’re actually going to take this stupid idea on?”
“I thought you wanted me to check this whole thing out.”
“I did and you did, and now that you know you have to live there during the renovations, I think it’s a stupid idea.”
Of course Chloe didn’t like the idea, because she didn’t want to live with Larry. Why wasn’t Grace shocked? “I need to try something new.”
“If you want to try something new, how about sushi? Picking up and moving to another state isn’t like you, Mom.”
It wasn’t anything like her. At least not the Grace in her adult years. Adult Grace planned and weighed the risks. She kept the house clean and organized everyone’s life. Adult Grace would never take on something like the Disaster House.
“I’m sorry this isn’t what we planned, but I want to do this, Chloe. I need a new chapter in my life. In a few months, you’ll be off to college, doing amazing things and meeting new people. This is my time. Living with your dad won’t be so bad. You’re hardly home anyway.”
“What about me? Who’s going to get me ready for college? I have a ton of stuff to buy, and Dad isn’t going to shop with me. And living with him like he is now will suck.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You lived with him your entire life. Why is now any different? And buy what you need online. You know what you want. I’ll be back before it’s time to move you in. I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”
The lights went on in the house next door. Blaise glided past the windows. Grace tried not to notice.
“You know, I’m affected by what’s happening too. Do you think I like the fact my father is hooking up with a woman not much older than I am and they’re about to have a baby? I don’t want to be an older sister. It’s creepy.”
“I’m sorry your father’s choices have upset you, but you’ll have to discuss that with him. As for me, I’m fixing this house up and then I’ll be home. You’re an adult now, at least that’s what you’ve been trying to tell me for the last four years. You will have to learn to live with disappointment. If all you need me for is to shop for you, you can do it yourself. I thought maybe you were calling to say you’d like to come down and see the house.”
Classical music drifted over to her from Blaise’s open window. She didn’t take him for the classical music type. His curtains billowed in the night breeze. Her tea had grown cold, and her skin crawled with goose bumps. She should have grabbed a sweater.
“Come to Tennessee? No, thanks. What could possibly be worth seeing there?”
“It’s a nice town.” Heritage River wasn’t Silverside, and if you blinked, you’d miss it, but the streets were tree lined and children played in the front yards. And neighbors didn’t mind their own business, but they did play nice music.
“I still think you should come home. You don’t know what you’re doing renovating a house. You run the PTA. You organize cabinets. You plan dinner parties. You shelve books. Do you really want to be alone all summer?”
Right at that moment she did. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Chloe, somehow I managed to survive into my forties. I’ll figure out what I need to do.” She took a deep breath. She didn’t want to fight. She just wanted someone to understand. “Besides, I won’t be alone. I’ve already met people. And you could come and visit. It won’t kill you.” Probably not the best thing to say.
“It might. Goodnight, Mom. I’ve gotta run.” Chloe ended the call.
Grace pushed the phone away and let out a large breath. Parenting was never easy. She ke
pt waiting for the moment her sweet daughter, who once had chubby cheeks and pudgy hands wound tightly around Grace’s, would come back to her. The library ladies with grown children said the girls return. She found it hard to believe. Every conversation had the potential to explode. Talking to her teenager required navigating a daily trip across a land mine. It didn’t matter Chloe had turned eighteen on May thirty-first. It didn’t matter she had graduated from high school the week before and was about to go off to college in Virginia. She fought with Grace every chance she could, just because she could. And Grace was exhausted.
Blaise stepped onto his front porch, his good hand shoved in his pocket and the other holding a guitar. A man that good looking who plays in a famous band must be nothing but trouble. She could feel it in her belly.
The classical music was gone. He must’ve turned it off before he came out. She liked the music. It soothed the muscles in her shoulders.
He pulled up a rocking chair and rested the guitar on his knee. He strummed with his good hand and stopped from time to time to rub the injured one. She couldn’t hear what he played, but she heard the cursing that went along with the breaks in his playing.
“Are you ever coming in?”
Grace jumped at Jenn’s voice. She stood in the doorway, wearing pink shorts and a black tank. Her brown hair was sticking up in the back.
“I can’t fall asleep. This house makes too many noises. Not to mention I’m afraid it will collapse around me.” Before she could answer, Jenn went on. “Oh, now I see why you’re out here. Let’s stay outside and enjoy the music. Blaise, woo hoo,” Jenn yelled and waved her arm.
Grace jumped to her feet trying to grab Jenn. “Stop that. He might hear you.”
“That’s the idea. Hey, Blaise.” She pushed Grace out of the way. “The only redeeming thing about this house is him.”
Grace glanced over her shoulder. He turned in the direction of Jenn’s ruckus and smiled. He waved back. When he put the guitar down and headed across the lawn, Grace thought she’d die of embarrassment. If she didn’t kill Jenn first.
Chapter Seven
Why the hell was he walking across the lawn?
Because Blaise couldn’t stop himself. And because the friend—what was her name? Jenn, that was it—was giving him an excuse. He had to see his pretty neighbor up close again. The hour of the evening was in question, but hell, that never stopped him before.
“Hello.” Not his most original opener. “Enjoying the evening?”
She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and looked down at her bare legs. Her legs were long and toned. Her toes polished in red. She cleared her throat and brought his gaze back up.
“We were just going inside.” His neighbor tried to steer Jenn toward the door. Why hadn’t he asked for her name earlier?
Jenn pushed past her friend and flew down the steps. She tucked an arm through his good one. “Not at all. It’s such a beautiful night. Grace and I thought we’d have a glass of wine on the porch. Would you like some?”
Her name was Grace, and she was giving him the cold shoulder. “You got something besides wine?”
Grace’s eyebrows furrowed. Was she hoping he’d say no thank you and walk away?
“How about an iced tea, then? Doesn’t everyone in the South drink iced tea?”
“Around these parts they do.” He boosted his accent for fun.
Jenn was persistent. He’d give her that. He was used to women invading his personal space, so he laced an arm around her shoulder to see what Grace would do.
Her eyes grew to the size of cymbals, and she backed up toward the door. Okay, the arm-around-the-shoulder thing might have been a mistake. He stepped back. The face Grace made, as if he were singing out of key, gave her feelings away, and he didn’t want to run her off completely before he got a chance to get to know her a little.
“I’m heading inside. Good night.” She pulled her clothes into place and smoothed down her hair.
“Did you decide to hire Beau?” He couldn’t let her go just yet.
If he had a type, which he did not, Grace was not it. After Melissa left him, he didn’t want to be tied down or involved with another woman not even for a night, which most men would not believe. He’d run into his share of problems with a one-night stand. Anyone so uptight would never understand him or how music was in his blood and he had to be playing no matter what. No matter when. No matter where. Her blue eyes and the way she tucked her lip under her teeth made him want another look. What would one more look hurt?
She stood with her hand on the door, ready to make that quick exit. “I think I will be hiring Beau.”
“You will?” Jenn said.
“I hadn’t decided until tonight, but I don’t want to waste time searching for another contractor. The sooner we get started, the sooner I can sell.”
“You’re not planning to live here?” She was a house flipper. It was all business to her. He should’ve known. Someone like Grace wouldn’t want to stay in Heritage River. Only a special person would see the beauty of this small town. She was probably a city girl and liked the noise and the action. She probably wanted a Starbucks on every corner.
“I’ll be here through the renovations, but that’s it. I’d like to be finished before my daughter goes off to college.”
“Good luck with that,” Jenn said. “This place needs way too much work. You might be here through Christmas.”
Here through Christmas? She’d never stand it. Not that he’d be around until then either. As soon as Cash went off to school, he’d close up the house and hit the road. “Why did you choose this house to flip? There must’ve been ones that required less work.” She didn’t look like someone who got dirty doing the fixing. She stood there in crisp shorts, showing off her legs, and a sleeveless shirt that exposed her toned shoulders, but earlier she was all buttoned up in a top his third-grade teacher would’ve worn and pants that belonged in a cubicle.
“It was a gift.” Jenn picked at her nails.
“Jenn.” Grace looked as if she wanted to choke her.
He tried not to laugh. The lady didn’t like her dirty laundry hung on the line. She’d fit right in, after all.
Jenn looked at her and smirked. “It’s true. What’s the big deal?”
“Someone gave this house to you?” Blaise said. “That’s a mighty nice gift.” Maybe house flipper wasn’t her business. Then she had no idea what she’d gotten herself into.
“I’d rather not discuss it. Now if you’ll both excuse me… We have an early flight tomorrow.”
“I’m headed to the airport tomorrow morning too. Do you need a ride?” Why was he behaving like a teenager who never spoke to a girl before? He could clearly see the rental car parked in the driveway.
“Yes,” Jenn said. Of course she did.
“No, thank you.” Grace turned her back and marched inside. The door shut behind her.
“She’s not a lot of fun, is she?” He shoved his good hand into his pocket.
“She was once. Anyway, how about that iced tea?” Was she batting her eyes at him? This one was trouble. He should send her to Colton. Colton could handle trouble way better than he could.
He stared at the door. “No, thanks. I think I’m going to call it a night.”
****
He hated early mornings, which was probably why Melissa booked Cash on a flight that would force Blaise out of the house before noon. The airport buzzed around him. Haggard people dragging luggage behind them as they navigated their way. TSA agents patting down families without shoes on who just wanted to go on the vacation they had saved five years for. He wondered if Grace had arrived yet. And then decided it was better if he didn’t know. She’d be back in town, and he’d see her every day. Was that really going to be a good thing?
Blaise pulled down on his baseball cap, trying to hide his eyes, and made his way to passenger pickup downstairs.
“Hey, excuse me.” A man with thinning hair and a portly belly ran
up alongside him. Blaise didn’t flinch but kept walking. “Are you Blaise Savage?” The man flashed a crooked smile and kept pace with him.
Blaise pasted on his it’s-always-great-to-meet-fans face and stepped on the escalator. “Yes, I am.” Sometimes he’d get lucky, and that’s all they wanted to know. Maybe a bet with a buddy.
But the man stuck out his hand and wobbled on the forming escalator step. “Brent.” He pumped Blaise’s hand like a well handle. “Holy shit. It’s real cool to meet you, man. I’m a huge fan.”
Blaise pulled his hand away. “Thanks.”
Brent shook his head. “My buddies won’t believe this. We’ve seen in you in concert a bunch of times. When you touring again? I heard some place you busted up your hand pretty good.”
Blaise saluted with the brace.
“That sucks,” Brent said.
The escalator dumped them off. Passenger pickup was to the right. “Looks like we hit the road again in the fall. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m picking up someone.” He tipped his hat. “Nice to meet you, Brent.” He kept his head down and navigated an escape.
Most times he didn’t mind meeting fans. They were the reason he got to play drums for a living, but on days like today when his nerves were tied up tight like old guitar strings, he wanted to blend in and not be noticed. It was the best thing about being the drummer, though. Only the true fans knew him to pick him out of a crowd. The guys up front—Colton, Troy, and Patrick—got stopped way more. But even that was happening less and less. Maybe he should’ve stopped and talked to old Brent for a minute. He wasn’t in a position to be throwing fans away.
He waited in the corner for the passengers on the LA flight to retrieve their bags. When Cash appeared, he’d move out of the shadows, but until then he’d try to stay out of sight. His heart beat in sixteen notes. His hand sweated inside his brace. He checked his phone every few seconds, as if some message from his son that he wasn’t coming would materialize. How was he going to get through the entire summer with a son he hadn’t spent enough time with?
