12. Chapter 12
twelve
Rowan quickly changed into dry pants and a T-shirt after calling Greg. Luckily, the plumber wasn’t far and had an opening. Even if she had to wait until tomorrow, it wouldn’t be a big deal. She didn’t need the water running until the wedding weekend, anyway. Unless there was an event, the water…
Wait. The barn’s water main valve shouldn’t even be on.
She tried to recall when they had run the water test after finishing the bathroom and service kitchen in the barn. She was pretty sure it was mid-May, and all had gone well. Then they had shut it off again because the barn was usually locked.
After popping a couple of ibuprofen to ease the stinging in her palm and her growing headache, Rowan headed back to the kitchen. Still preoccupied with the water and pipe, she almost bumped into Oliver. “Sorry,” she blurted and spotted the bag of rice in his arm. “What are you gonna do with that?”
“We got all these beautiful veggies. I thought I’d make some bibimbap for dinner later.”
“What’s that?” Rowan asked.
“It’s a simple Korean dish. A bowl of steamed rice, topped with sauteed vegetables and a fried egg. We can make it vegetarian, or if you’d like, I can add a meat element to it.”
“Do we have Korean seasoning or sauces you’ll need for that?” Rowan frowned as she followed him.
“I don’t travel without gochujang, gochugaru, and sesame oil.” Oliver tapped a couple of containers sitting on the island. “I didn’t cook Korean food at my last restaurant, but I like home comfort, you know what I mean? ”
“Sure.” Rowan nodded. “I’m not very familiar with Korean food.”
“You will be.” Alex grinned. “I bet O will have a batch of kimchi made as soon as he gets his hands on some Napa cabbages.”
“We can get some from the farm,” Rowan said.
“Cool,” Oliver said.
Rowan looked around. “Where’s Chris?”
“He went back to the barn. A couple of girls were waiting for you there,” Alex informed her.
“Crap, I forgot.” Rowan ran to the stairs, down to the mudroom, and out the backdoor. Avoiding the muddy mess, she went in the barn’s back door.
She found Meera and Lily giggling as they talked with Chris. His focus was on the girls as he listened, then whatever Lily said made him guffaw.
How is he so chummy with them already? Rowan’s brows rose as she observed the interaction.
“Hey, there she is,” Chris noted as Rowan stepped closer.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Rowan smiled at the younger women.
“No worries. Chris filled us in on what happened,” Meera said. “I can get a couple of guys to fix the side garden tomorrow. We’ll let the ground absorb the water overnight first.”
“Oh, can you? That’d be awesome.” Rowan let out a breath of relief.
“We know you have extra work to deal with, so we won’t take too much time.” Lily handed her a few drawings. “Based on our last conversation and the photos the bride sent, I thought this long, slim garland that runs the entire middle length of the table would be lovely. We’ll add a small arrangement every few seats.”
Rowan studied the drawing of the garland on the long table, complete with table setting. The 2D version of the bride’s vision looked lovely, but Rowan had to ensure it would work.
“This looks beautiful, but we’re serving food family style, meaning there will be platters on the table every five sets of facing seats,” Rowan pointed out.
“Are we using the tables we used for last summer’s tasting?” Meera asked.
“Yes,” Rowan confirmed.
“There’ll be plenty of room. We will arrange the garland to accommodate the platters,” Meera assured. “How many platters will there be? ”
“No more than three at each course,” Rowan said, based on her discussion with Alex and Oliver.
“No problem,” Lily said confidently.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” Rowan said, trusting Lily and Meera. “We have the easiest bride in the history of brides, but it makes me want to deliver the best wedding for her. All she asked is that we duplicate her grandparents’ wedding and update it to this century.”
“Seriously?” Chris looked doubtful.
“Oh yeah. My cousin Meredith is the most laid-back bride ever. Her grandparents’ wedding here was quite rustic but beautiful. And now rustic is chic. She’d love a lot of greens and wildflowers.”
“And we have plenty of those.” Lily smiled and pointed to the two large chandeliers hanging above them. “We’ll decorate those with greenery as well.”
Meera handed Rowan another drawing to show the decorated chandeliers. Chris drew closer to Rowan’s side to look at the picture.
“That’s pretty. You know what will make them pop more?” He looked up and pointed at the large horizontal beams running the barn’s length. “If we drape sheer white cloths from the roof down over the beam and let them curtain down. They’ll frame the space and make rustic look dreamy.”
“Did you just use the word dreamy?” Rowan smirked at him.
“It would be dreamy,” Lily agreed.
“I’m not sure we can fit it in the budget,” Rowan said, though she did like the visual Chris proposed. “That’s not what I’ve discussed with Meredith. We agreed to keep it simple. We can’t get these extra materials this late in the game.”
“If I can get you the materials and the quote, will you talk to the bride and groom?” Chris asked.
“I can give you a rendering,” Lily offered, excitement in her eyes.
Rowan looked at the three expectant faces and gave a short laugh. “We have basically ten days, people.”
“Look, it’s Tuesday. I think I can get them here within the week,” Chris claimed. “Early next week at the latest.”
“How?” Rowan questioned.
“I’ll figure it out. ”
“It’ll be beautiful, Ro,” Meera reiterated with a smile. “If we can pull it off.”
“We can.” Chris nodded confidently.
Rowan ran her hand through her hair as she considered and absently realized she didn’t have a hat on.
“See, this barn has character, but a little change can bring out more of its beauty,” Chris reasoned. “Like as simple as letting someone’s hair down.”
Rowan looked at Chris, smiling innocently while his eyes were on her hair.
“You never know when a slight alteration can be quite drastic,” he finished.
Is he still talking about the barn?
Rowan glanced at their companions to see if they understood what he was saying. The two women just fawned over him, nodding in agreement.
Shaking off her stray thought, she refocused on the discussion. “If you can get me that quote ASAP and delivery time confirmation, I’ll suggest it to the clients.”
“Yes!” Lily high-fived Meera and Chris.
“You better deliver now, Chris,” said Meera.
“I’ll make the call now.” He pulled out his phone. “Excuse me, ladies.”
The three watched him walk out of the barn with his phone to his ear, already talking to somebody he called Walt.
“Where did you and Kieran find him?” Meera asked in a fascinated tone.
Rowan glanced at the women and had to do a double take as she caught both Meera and Lily eyeing Chris’ ass intently. Her jaw dropped, aghast at their behavior.
“Are you guys serious right now?” Rowan warned them in a lower voice.
“What? We’re just enjoying the view.” Lily grinned at her. “They look good in jeans and shorts.”
Rowan rolled her eyes. Are these girls for real?
“Don’t you have other things to show me?” she reminded them.
“Right.” They smiled sheepishly and handed Rowan a list of flowers and detailed costs.
Rowan could only shake her head at Meera and Lily as they returned to the pressing agenda. But she couldn’t help but steal a glance at Chris standing at the barn door opening. With his hip cocked and one hand in his fitted shorts’ pocket, he presented a pretty pleasing silhouette.
Out of the bushes, Felix approached Chris and sniffed around his legs, investigating the newcomer. Rowan watched Chris look down, then squat and hold out his hand for the cat to sniff. Only after the cat rubbed his face against his fingers did Chris give the cat a rub.
Rowan involuntarily smiled at the interaction.
Well, he passes the Felix test, too.
Chris had just responded to Walter, his assistant, on the phone when he spied Meera and Lily taking off on their cart and waved a salutation to them.
“So Jane connected me to event rentals in Portland. None of them can get you what you want in a week. They’re booked months ahead, and to send props out to Vinalhaven, it was unheard of,” Walter said without a preamble. “But she thinks she can buy them and have them ship to you within a week.”
Jane was his event manager at his one remaining club in New York. He trusted her to deliver what she promised. “Tell Jane to expedite the delivery. I’d like them to get here by Monday next week at the latest. The event is next Saturday, but we’ll need to have it up by Friday.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Email me the bill.”
“What’s this for? What event?” Walter asked curiously.
“A wedding.”
“Whose wedding?” Walter’s voice rose a pitch in surprise. “What exactly are you doing in Vinalhaven?”
“Just some people. I’m helping this quaint island inn make this wedding happen. It’s complicated.”
“But wait, did you say the wedding is next Saturday? Aren’t you supposed to be in Cape Cod?” Walter asked.
“Don’t remind me.”
“I’m literally paid to remind you,” Walter pointed out.
“Yeah, well, I’m not going. ”
“Excuse me. What am I supposed to say if your dad’s secretary calls?”
“Just tell her you don’t know where I am.”
“That’ll make me look bad at my job,” Walter complained.
“I won’t fire you.” Chris grinned. “Just get me those drapes and the bill. Oh, and tell Jane to stand by for the next few days. I might need her—you both, actually—to help with other things.”
“You got it, Boss.”
They said their goodbyes, and Chris pocketed his phone. He looked back into the gray barn and found it empty, but he heard a conversation on the side by the broken pipe.
“Thanks for coming so fast on such short notice.” Chris heard Rowan say. “I didn’t expect you to come until tomorrow at the soonest.”
“I was in the neighborhood,” a deep masculine voice replied. “You know you can call me anytime. I’ll come as fast as I can.”
Chris came around the corner and saw a stocky guy with slicked-back dark hair flashing a big grin at Rowan before he bent to look over the pipe. He was wearing a work shirt with a name patch on the left breast and jeans that sported some dirt from a day’s work.
“Looks like the pipe broke, but you can see that,” Greg said. A deep frown replaced his earlier grin.
“What would cause that break? It’s brand new, just like those other busted pipes you fixed before.” Then Rowan questioned directly, “Or are these pipes defective? Did the contractor put in cheaper pipes than what we agreed on?”
Greg straightened quickly and faced her. “No way. I worked on this project with Jackson, Rowan. Everything we put in was top shelf, as per your dad’s instruction. This is one of the best pipes on the market.”
“Then why would a barely used pipe burst like that?” Rowan asked.
Greg scratched behind his ear, looking a little perplexed. “It could be the water velocity. Perhaps the water pressure is too great for this pipe.”
Rowan frowned skeptically. “Really?”
“It’s the only reason I can think of, unless someone broke it,” Greg answered with a shrug. “I can fix it in no time. I have the materials in my van. Then I’ll check your water flow rate. ”
Greg started to the back of the barn, where he’d parked his van.
Chris was almost at her when Rowan spun.
“Oh, hey,” she said. “The plumber’s here.”
“I heard. He’s getting that sorted out?”
“Yeah.”
“Did he fix the other two breaks?” Chris asked.
Rowan glanced up at him, surprised. “You heard?”
“Yeah. You think this guy might’ve cheated you on the pipes?” Chris asked.
She hesitated, but then shook her head. “No. I believe him. Greg’s well-regarded on the island. And I’ve known him since we were kids. Plus, he’s always been helpful since I moved to the island.”
“A good, reliable plumber is worth their weight in gold.”
Rowan scoffed. “Yeah, well. I won’t be able to afford that gold if this keeps happening.”
Greg came walking back with his toolbox and materials. “I’ll fix this in no time,” Greg’s announcement trailed off, and a scowl formed on his face when he saw Chris next to Rowan.
“Hey,” Chris greeted.
“Greg, this is Chris. He’s…” Rowan didn’t seem to know how to explain him.
Why does she feel the need to explain at all? Chris wondered.
“I’m helping with the wedding next weekend,” he supplied.
“Oh yeah. The wedding. Everybody’s talking about it.” Greg’s face neutralized a bit.
“They are?” Rowan frowned.
“They’re excited about the business the wedding folks might bring. There hasn’t been a wedding at Bright Head for over a decade,” Greg said. “At least, that’s what my uncle told me.”
“Huh.” Rowan asked, “How’s Mr. Gibbes?”
“He’s all right. He’s almost finished building the house on the land he bought from your dad. Just some finishing touches left.”
Chris noted Rowan’s lips flattened at the mention of the sale. It must be a sore subject, knowing the land had been in the Kelly family for over a century.
“Good for him,” she finally said.
“He’d take some more acres off your hands if you’re willing,” Greg added .
“I’m sure he’d like that,” Rowan said. “Well, we’ll leave you to it. Chris and I have tons of things to do. And so little time.”
“Greg.” Chris nodded to the other guy while Greg just gave him a low grunt.
“Thanks again,” said Rowan as she turned to leave. “Email me the bill.”
“As a gesture of goodwill, I won’t charge you for this,” Greg said, making Rowan turn back.
“No, you can’t do that,” she blurted.
“I understand these pipes have been troubling you. The earlier problems seemed minor, and I’m glad I could fix them before they could cause any actual damage.” He added, “I can assure you we did the best job for Bright Head—”
“I believe you, Greg.”
“Thank you.” He nodded. “I’ll be happy to recheck all the plumbing we installed to make sure there’ll be no more issues.”
“That’s nice, but I can’t take advantage of your kindness.”
The big guy beamed at Rowan. “It’s my pleasure, Rowan. Anything for you—I mean, Bright Head. You know you can count on me.”
Chris glanced at Rowan, trying to gauge if she knew Greg had a crush on her. He detected a “staking” air from the other man, and Chris thought it prudent to back out and give them space. He turned to leave when a hand suddenly clamped around his wrist, stopping him on the spot, then pulled him back.
“I appreciate it. We’ll set up a time for that,” Rowan said, but her smile looked strained.
“I can go through the main house after I fix this. Then maybe after that, you and I can—” Greg offered.
“Ah, sorry, Greg,” Rowan interrupted apologetically. “Chris and I have tons to do.”
Chris creased his forehead as Rowan's hand shifted from his wrist to his hand. The faint prickle that happened when she touched him heightened when she entwined her fingers with his and tugged him near her side.
Greg’s smile faded when he saw their clasped hands. His eyes locked on Chris, who attempted to maintain a neutral expression.
What the fuck is she playing at?
“We have a…” Rowan squeezed his hand for help to fill in the blank.
“A meeting with the bride,” Chris supplied.
“Right!” She threw another smile at Greg. “Thanks again, Greg.”
Not waiting for a response, Rowan hastened Chris along, tugging him behind her, hand still clasped in hers. She couldn’t walk out of there fast enough.