Plug Me In

by Jeannette Winters

  Plug Me In

  Jeannette Winters

  Copyright © 2019 by Jeannette Winters

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Jeannette Winters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Epilogue

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  Jeannette Winters

  Author Contact

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  Dedication

  This book is dedicated all my friends, new and old. I treasure each and every one of you.... HUGS.....

  * * *

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  * * *

  Also want to thank Jade at jwauthorservices.com for a beautiful cover!

  Plug Me In

  Monique took a chance relocating her publishing company to the Vineyard. Island living was her dream and she worked hard to make it come true. There was only one issue; her office space wasn’t what she had envisioned. Nothing that a little TLC and the right contractor couldn’t fix.

  * * *

  Caleb had no problem stepping into his father’s shoes and running the families business. He wasn’t going to settle for anything less, than being the best. The Vineyard ran on word of mouth, and his reputation so far was spotless.

  * * *

  When he crosses paths with Monique in a coffee shop, she tells him it is a simple job, fixing a door and some paint. Normally he’d have referred it to someone else, but there was something about her sweet brown eyes that left him saying yes.

  * * *

  Caleb had plenty of work waiting for him, but a little paint had become a full blown remodel. Sparks fly and things ignite after working late nights at her office. He wasn’t sure if this job was ever going to end, and he wasn’t sure he wanted it to.

  1

  Monique had hired someone to do all this. He’d said it was no issues coming from the mainland to the Vineyard. ‘I have connections’, he’d said. She considered herself to be a lady, but if that two-bit, piece of crap contractor was anywhere to be found, or answering her calls, she’d cuss him out.

  She’d paid damn good money, actually overpaid by what she’d now learned, to have this completed before she arrived. Monique stood is a vast open space, wires hanging down and no electricity. That actually might be a good thing right now, because no one could see her make-up which probably had run down her checks from crying.

  No one could blame her. She took her business very seriously, and for some foolish reason, she thought so did everyone else. If she was still writing, instead of running the publishing company, she’d write a book, put the contractor in the story, and have him suffer a tragic accident.

  It was a wicked thing to do, but they say, never piss off an author. Their weapon of choice was a pen, or now-a-days a computer, and the things you could do, was endless. An imagination was a beautiful and at times, dangerous thing.

  But she had no time to plot out his payback. Monique needed her office space functional. In hindsight, she should’ve waited until she had arrived on the Vineyard before inviting a few of the authors who had signed with her. Wine, dine and talk business plans. Well at least that had been the original plan. If she didn’t find someone now, and they could pull off what seemed to be a miracle, then it looked like she’d need to increase the wine, and less of the business talk. That would still be fun, but not the best use of her time.

  Time is money, and I’m going to run out of both if I’m not careful.

  It’d been risky relocating from Colorado, to the east coast. When she was a little girl, she remembered visiting the Vineyard with her parents. She’d told them one day she would live there. No one ever thought her dream would someday become a reality.

  But I had lights in my dream. It wasn’t a total disaster, she did have running water. Of course, hot water was another story.

  Monique called just about everyone she could think of, and no one could take on her request, at least not immediately. They put her on a list, which she assumed was quiet long, since one contractor told her she might want to consider renting space on the mainland for a year.

  She’d already sold her building back in Colorado so going back was out of the question. And Monique wasn’t one who looked back. Her future was her on the Vineyard and damn it, she was staying. There had to be someone available.

  Walking over to the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face and washed away her streaked make-up. Calling wasn’t getting her anywhere. Sometimes a woman has to take matters into her own hands. It was time to go find these contractors. The plan was to talk to them until they either gave in, or called the police and had her removed.

  But each location that she stopped at, landed her the same results as on the phone. The only one in the office was the person in charge of answering the phone. Monique needed to find the person in charge, one who makes the decisions. And one that I want to hear.

  Her feet ached and whether she wanted to admit it or not, she needed to call it a day. There was a café that made the best chicken walnut cranberry sandwich around. That with ice cappuccino sounded perfect. It wasn’t going to solve all her issues, but at least she wouldn’t die of hunger.

  “Hi. You’re back again?” the young woman at the counter stated cheerfully.

  “I am. And don’t laugh, but I’m going to take the same thing I had for lunch.” It wasn’t that she didn’t have an imagination, but she was too tired to care, at least about variety of meal choices.

  “Who am I to judge? I have the same breakfast every day. French toast with Vermont maple syrup.”

  That was a bit too sweet for her so early, but then again, she did take her coffee with extra sugar. “Maybe one morning I’ll try it.” But not likely.

  “You look…tired. A rough day?”

  “You could say that. It’s not easy finding a contractor who is available. Any suggestions?” It was worth a try at this point.

  She reached below the counter and pulled out a notepad and handed it to Monique with a pen. I’d say write your contact information and what you’re looking for. I’ll pin it up on the cork board by the door. They stop in here all the time. You might get lucky.”

  Monique bit her lip, not to laugh. “Thanks, but I’m not sure if they’ll notice that.”

  “Are you kidding? What else do they have to do but stand there and read while I get them their food? It’s perfect. There was woman with a lost dog. I had her do that and bam…the dog was located the next day.”

  Probably because it was hungry and wanted to eat. Declining her offer would be rude. What’s the worst thing that could happen? I get a bunch of weirdo’s calling me. If it wasn’t the Viney
ard, she most likely wouldn’t even consider doing it. But this little café, was more for locals, and she couldn’t picture any of them creeping her out. And since she was planning on living on the Vineyard year round, it was a good way to get to know some of her neighbors.

  Monique wrote out her contact information and a message stating, qualified, skilled, reliable contractor needed ASAP and handed it back to the girl. “Thank you. Who knows, this might just be what gets me noticed.”

  “Noticed? This?” she asked. “If you really what them to notice it you need to really be creative. Do you have a ten dollar bill?” Monique nodded and pulled one out from her wallet. The girl took it, opened the cash register and made change. Then she took ten one-dollar bills and wrote Monique’s number on it.

  “What are you doing?” She asked.

  “Getting their attention. Trust me. They will all be gone by morning and someone will call.”

  Yes. But not a contractor. “You know, maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”

  She looked up. “Trust me. If you don’t get a call by noon tomorrow, I’ll pay for you dinner myself out of tips.”

  Monique had to give it to the girl, she was very…creative and…pushy. “Okay, but if any weirdo’s call me, you’re going to have to include dessert with the sandwich.”

  “Deal.” She finished writing them out, then taped them to the paper Monique filled out. It was the most unusual advertising idea she’d seen, but right now, Monique was desperate.

  Once the girl put it on the corkboard Monique said, “So what do you think the chances are I can still get my food order put in?”

  The girl laughed. “Can you believe I forgot all about that?”

  Monique wished she could forget about her entire day. “Well it’s worth waiting for.”

  “Give me a minute, and I’ll be right back.”

  Monique sat at the counter and waited. Really, it was just to get off her aching feet. What had she been thinking by wearing her heals out? It wasn’t like she was going back home to soak in a hot tub. Thankfully she could still boil water and enjoy the bath that way.

  She turned and looked at the corkboard and surprising there were two men standing in front of it. By the looks of them, they were some type of construction worker, hopefully the type she needed. Monique could hear one of them laughing. Not really a shock. They probably figured anyone who put a hand written sign like this couldn’t afford to pay for the work to be done.

  Monique didn’t need to watch this. She was already frustrated enough. The young girl returned with her food and Monique couldn’t get out of there fast enough but there was always time to be polite. The girl wasn’t wearing a name tag so Monique said, “I’m sure you figured out, I’m Monique. What’s your name?”

  “Mary-Lou. And I can’t wait to see you tomorrow and get a status update.”

  Oh joy. Monique held her brown bag up in the air and said, “Thanks again for the sandwich.”

  As she approached the door, her eye caught the cork board again. There were only nine one-dollar bills hanging there. Had one of the guys opted to take it? She really hoped so. Walking out of the café, with a tad bit more optimism then she arrived, she internally crossed her fingers.

  Please have taken it for my number and not to buy a lottery ticket with it. Right now, she needed luck to be in her favor.

  Monique double checked her phone was turned on, and the rest, was a waiting game. Hopefully not a long one.

  * * *

  Caleb just wanted his food, not a waitress talking his ear off. “I’m telling you, she’s so nice and what a better way to welcome her to the Vineyard than supporting her business. Besides, you could get another loyal customer who”

  “I don’t need the work. I’m sure someone else would love to help,” he replied, once again trying to eat. But Mary-Lou wasn’t going to let it go. “You know, I’m sure your parents don’t want you harassing the customers,” he teased. Caleb had grown up on the Vineyard just like Mary-Lou. The only difference was he was ten years her senior and sometimes she felt like a pesky kid sister.

  “Hey, if I told my mother there was someone who needed your help and you refused, I think you’d be the one getting a lecture.”

  “How so?” he asked.

  “My parents are having dinner with your father tonight,” Mary-Lou said with her arms crossed victoriously.

  Caleb said, “I’ll tell you what. If you can get her to meet me right now, right here, then I’ll at least listen to what she needs done. Otherwise, stay out of my business.”

  Mary-Lou said, “Sounds good.” Then she picked up his plate of food and said, “Let me get you a fresh plate. These eggs are cold.”

  “They’re fine,” he called out but she ignored him.

  Oh you’re really pushing it this morning. Caleb would’ve rather her bring him hot coffee instead, because that definitely had cooled, unlike his temper.

  It wasn’t long before Mary-Lou returned with his plate, that didn’t appear to have changed one bit. She placed it back on the table and announced, “Monique will be here in about ten minutes. Eat slow,” she said firmly.

  How could someone so young be so damn bossy? She was going to have no issue taking over the café some day and running things. Caleb wasn’t sure she hadn’t already started.

  “Since I don’t appear to be going anywhere, how about a fresh cup of coffee?” Because I’m going to need it. Mary-Lou grabbed his cup and went into the back. Before she could even return, a woman he hadn’t seen before, slender with dark hair twisted up in the back of her head, walked in. She was looking around as though meeting someone. Caleb called out, “Are you Monique?” She nodded. “Might as well come and sit. You’ve got my attention while I eat.”

  Monique walked over and sat across from him. “I don’t believe that is called having your attention.”

  “If you don’t think I can do two things at once? Then I’m definitely not the contractor for you.” Caleb stuck his fork in his eggs and took another bite.

  “Sorry, I’m not trying to be critical, but I am desperate and I was told you could help me.”

  “Mary-Lou makes a lot of promises which aren’t her business. The job I was going to start tomorrow cancelled due to receiving the incorrect product. That doesn’t mean I’sm looking for more work.”

  “Mr….Mr…”

  “My name is Caleb.”

  “Caleb. It really won’t take you long. At least that is what I was told from the other contractor.”

  “And he’s not doing it why?” Caleb asked. He didn’t like the idea of being anyone’s second, third or maybe last choice. He’d busted his ass to earn the impeccable reputation he currently had.

  “I didn’t understand how things worked here. So I hired someone from the mainland and he…well he didn’t pan out.”

  “We don’t welcome outside contractors on the island. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you that when you hired him.”

  “He was too busy taking my money to care to share that information with me. So as you can see, now that I’m trying to do things correctly, I’m having a difficult time finding someone here that is either available or willing to help.”

  The price you pay for ignorance. “What exactly are you looking for?” Caleb asked. He wasn’t agreeing to anything, but since he had the time, he might help her.

  “I bought the place on Chestnut Street. It needs some freshening up.”

  “Paint and stuff?” Caleb asked. She nodded. He normally left that to someone else and did all the work prior to that. Total remodels were his business, from the ground up. “I don’t normally take on these types of jobs.”

  “But for you, he’s going to make an exception,” Mary-Lou interrupted. “Right Caleb?”

  He shot Mary-Lou a warning look, which was ignored. He turned back to Monique and added, “Sounds like it’ll be quick. If you want, I’ll come by after I finish eating my breakfast.” Then snarled at Mary-Lou, “Unless you have anything else planned
for me at the moment.”

  Mary-Lou beamed with joy. “See Monique, I told you that you’d have a contractor today. And look, you snagged the best.”

  Caleb picked up his coffee, now cold, and downed it.

  “I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to disrupt your morning routine. Would you like me to give you my address and you come by when you’re ready?” Monique asked.

  “He’s almost done, aren’t you Caleb?” Mary-Lou asked.

  Caleb got up and said, “Thanks for buying me breakfast Mary-Lou. I guess now is a good time to go check out this work.” Not that he wanted too, but for some damn reason, Mary-Lou wasn’t going to give him a moments peace until he did.

  Monique got up and whispered to Mary-Lou, “Thank you.”

  “If we don’t go now, I might change my mind,” Caleb stated. He still might, if Monique was one of the needy women who couldn’t be pleased. From how she looked so damn early in the morning, make-up done and dressed like she was ready to take on the world, he hoped she wasn’t high maintenance.

  He’d been looking forward to a lull in his workload. Caleb had anticipated long crazy hours on the job when his parents took off for a few months vacation. It must have been nice traveling around the world. Yet Caleb was surprised that his father did hop right back into the role of boss. It was okay with Caleb. This was a family business, and he was the only child. Even thought Caleb had been putting in long hours, he wasn’t out to prove to his parents he could do this. He wanted to prove it to himself. A huge part of that was keeping a clean reputation and excellent customer service. Thanks for Mary-Lou, Caleb didn’t seem to have any option but at least take a look at Monique’s job.