More Than Words
Page 24
“Which is why you need to call him. My cousin is the expert on historical preservation and architecture, I’m just a small town contractor.” Nick leaned forward and flipped the magazine over to show Deck’s face again. “Not to mention he’s loved this house almost as much as you and Rose for his entire life. He’s the right person for the job and you know it.”
I swallowed against the lump in my throat, but my voice still came out raspy when I said, “Pam said as much last night at the Auxiliary meeting.”
Nick grinned. “Heard you had a bit of a scuffle there.”
I laughed. “Who knew the matrons would care so much about a restoration project?”
Nick pulled out a chair and sat down. His handsome face was set in a mask of concern, and he reached out a hand to cover mine. Part of me wished I could develop romantic feelings for the sweet, handsome Nick, but all I ever felt was friendship. “Five million can make a lot of people lose their minds. Which is why you need to get the right people to help you.”
“Declan hates me, Nick. He won’t come back here to help, even if it’s for Van Ess House and the town.”
“Deck’s a stubborn ass, always has been. But he loved your great-aunt, and I’m willing to bet he’d want to help see her final wishes are met.”
I had to agree with Nick. Deck was always stubborn, but also sweet, kind, and loyal. Despite the competition between us during high school, he’d always made time to visit with Rose and take care of any little chores she needed done around the massive house. If I was being honest with myself, I could even admit that the relationship Deck and Rose had shared made me envious.
“There’s other restoration architects out there, Nick. Besides, Declan doesn’t visit except for the occasional holiday, what makes you think he’d come for this?”
“If I know my cousin like I think I do, I know he’d come home for this house. It’s his white whale.”
I laughed. “The house isn’t as bad as Moby Dick.”
“Are you kidding me?” Nick waved a hand at the ceiling. “The HVAC update alone is a massive undertaking. Not to mention the restoration of the floors, windows, and hardware. Then there’s--”
“All right! All right!” I held my hands up. “It’s a massive job. But you agreed to do the work.”
Nick sat back in his chair and glared. “I agreed because you begged, and when I said no, you went behind my back and begged my dad. You knew there’s no way he’d say no to the job.”
I blushed, going behind Nick’s back to get his dad’s agreement had been an underhanded thing to do. “Nick, I’m sorry. But I needed to figure out something, I’ve been planning this business for years with Rose. Her death accelerated the need to get the project going.”
Nick sighed and got up from his chair to pace to the window. I knew he was looking at the tangle of weeds, trees, and planters that lead to the lake below. Rose had moved out of Van Ess House ten years ago when the estate got too much for her to handle, with only her live-in housekeeper for assistance. During that time the house had remained closed up with only the barest of maintenance done.
When I’d come up with the idea to convert the space into a wedding venue and flower nursery, Rose had loved it. We’d both fallen in love with the idea and spent hours pouring over plans and plant catalogs. Rose had encouraged my idea, but for some reason I’d hesitated to start the renovation, which was the logical first step.
“I agreed to help because this place is important to you, and you’re one of my best friends,” Nick said as he continued to stare out the window. “But my agreement’s got a condition now.”
I didn’t have to ask what that condition was. I hated being backed into a corner, but I saw no other option. “Fine.”
“Good,” Nick said and spun from the window. “We have the permit to repair the roof, I’ll get a crew on that while you workout the interior plans with Deck.”
“We have plans already,” I said, and gestured to the pile of papers on the table.
“And now you’ll get historically sensitive ones,” Nick said with a grin. “Won’t that be nice?”
I released a growl of frustration. “No. I just want to get my house renovated so I can start my business. Now I’m stuck begging a former friend to help re-do the plans, and oh yeah, renovate the town for me because my dead aunt wanted it!”
“Come on, Liv. You know this is a great opportunity for you and the town. That money Rose left us is going to do a lot of good for Eagle Creek.” Nick circled the table and pulled me into a tight hug. “I know it’s frustrating to take on the endowment on top of the project here.”
I snaked my arms around his middle and held on tight. Nick’s hugs were some of the best, another reason why I was angry I couldn’t muster up a romantic feeling for him. “This summer is going to suck.”
Nick laughed and squeezed me tighter. “Yeah, but at the end of it you’ll have everything you need to start planning weddings and selling flowers.”
“I know. I just wish I could snap my fingers and have it all done for me.”
Nick stepped back and gave me a firm look. “Liv, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you should never wish away time. You never know how much you’re going to get in life.”
About the Author
Daphne Abbott is a mother, wife, and author living in Wisconsin with her family and an old English Bulldog named Butch. Daphne’s first contemporary romance series, Eagle Creek, is inspired by the beautiful Wisconsin northern woods and lakes. The small towns that are nestled in the Nicolet Forest are some of her favorite places to spend a vacation. When Daphne’s not writing in her romance cave with her canine companions, you can find her spending time with her family, reading, watching true crime documentaries, and listening to her favorite podcasts. So if you love coffee, animals, and steamy romance, Daphne would love you to like, subscribe, or follow on her socials.
www.daphneabbott.com/links