Chapter 14
brENNA
It’s been two days since the mystery guest showed up and left Cormac in a pissed off mood.
Every defiant part of me wants to stay mad at him for how he acted and treated me, but I have to accept my part in all of this.
He warned me several times about going up to that part of the house. There is something about that place that is important to him. I’m sure it’s not in a good way based on the smell of old fire and the burnt walls.
I’m assuming it was in that area of the house that Cormac was scarred. It must carry great weight if he is still keeping it preserved.
The smart part of me wants to just ignore that part of the house completely, but the defiant, curious part wants to get more information. Wants to see exactly what he’s hiding up there.
I’ll have to find a way to sneak in if he doesn’t let up on his rules about it soon.
That’s for another day though.
Today I’m going to have to find a way to get back on good terms with Cormac. I’ve lived with just my own thoughts for too long.
He was wrong to put his hands on me, but over the past two days he’s been making attempts to make up for it.
All the lights in the house have been fixed.
There have been several walks out in the backyard.
He even had the hedges in the back replaced and a small sitting space put in so I could sit out there when I wanted.
He made me promise that I wouldn’t try to go past the hedges but allowed me to leave the house when I pleased.
It’s a small reward but a big step for him.
Honestly, I’m just tired of being angry all the time. He’s not a bad man, no matter how much he tries to convince himself he is. He’s in a bad family, in a bad situation, but there’s good lurking in there.
Besides, I have to play the part as the All-American wife today since the roofing crew is coming to check things out. I already know Cormac isn’t comfortable with the situation, and I don’t want him lashing out at any of them.
I put on a pair of jeans and a large shirt just in case I have to get dirty.
Cormac is hidden away in his parlor while I walk the house, taking another mental note of all the places that I can see that need to be fixed and the ones he told me about.
I rush to join Cormac in the parlor when I hear the in-house line ring. Cormac sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, tension leaking off his body.
I’m actually really proud that he’s allowing this to be done. If it weren’t for my persistence, I’m sure he’d have stayed with the roof all torn up until it crumbled around his head.
At least he’s doing it.
“Come, the contractors are here.” Cormac gets up from his seat, holding his hand out for me to follow along with him.
I follow at his side out the front door of the large house.
There is a crew of eight people there, one standing to the front. He is the one who puts his hand out for Cormac to shake.
“Good day, sir.”
“Good day. I’m Mr. O’Sullivan, and this is my wife, Mrs. O’Sullivan.” Cormac shakes his hand quickly before introducing me.
“I’m Mike,” the man says, looking to me quickly before focusing back on Cormac. “You called about some roofing work that needs to be done.”
“Yes,” Cormac replies, his eyes darting from Mike to the seven other workers who are standing around looking at the expanse of the large home. They’re curious. It makes sense. Based on what Cormac has told me, no one in this town has made it past the gate. Even the deliveries are left down there.
“So...” Mike starts, probably feeling a little awkward with Cormac obviously casing his workers. “Do you want to let me see where you need the work done?”
“Actually, you all will be working with my wife. She’s more than capable, and this is her project. Any questions you have, you can direct them to her, and she’ll get it taken care of.”
I step to the forefront, acting as a bit of a buffer between Cormac and the strangers. I feel him relax slightly. All of the men stop what they are doing and look to me. “That’s right. You’re stuck with me.” I joke, and the group of them chuckle.
I turn and press a soft kiss on Cormac’s cheek. “Go on back to work. I’ve got this.” He hesitates for a second before he nods once and turns, going back in the house.
With him gone, I quickly give Mike the breakdown of what’s been going on with the roof and the fact that the crew will not be allowed in the house without security and only when necessary, say bathroom visits and medical emergencies.
I bring Mike inside and show him the obvious places. Of course, he lets me know he won’t be able to give me an accurate estimate until they get up on the roof. Typical and expected. Even I don’t know the extent of the damage from down here.
I’m impressed by how quickly he gets the gear set up, scaffolding and ladders. They obviously have come prepared for a large job.
I did a bit of research on the company. They had a good reputation in this town and the surrounding areas, but I haven’t seen any new reviews, which means they might be lacking steady work.
The company is a full contracting business, which means they do roofing, walls, concrete, brick, electrical work. .. everything.
I’m hoping the lure of steady work will be enough to get this job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
About an hour later, Mike comes down from the roof after going over every inch of it to let me know the damage.
“So, how bad is it? Can it be salvaged?” I question but put a finger up to stop him before he has a chance to answer. “Let me warn you, if you tell me you want to tear the whole roof off and put on a new one, I’ll send you on your way now.”
He grimaces. “Honestly, it would be better to do just that. It doesn’t look like this roof has seen any upkeep in years, maybe decades.”
“I’m sure it hasn’t. So what options do you have for not tearing the entire roof off?” I wait patiently for him to go over what he can do.
Basically, he’s able to do some pretty extensive patchwork, but within the next five years the roof will definitely need to be replaced in its entirety.
I figured as much, but I’ll have to work Cormac up to that. “Fine, what’s the estimate on the patchwork option?”
He gulps. “Like I said, it’s extensive. For it to be done right, I’ll need different materials.”
More expensive materials, he means.
“I’ll have to check with the warehouse, but it’s looking to be near fifteen to twenty thousand dollars if you go with asphalt shingles, but if you want to keep with the existing material of slate, it’ll push it up to a minimum of forty.
” He doesn’t let me get a word in, probably realizing just how expensive that actually is.
I’m sure he is used to working with people in lower income brackets.
“Though, we could simply start with the most damaged parts and do it in sections as the resources become available for both parties.”
That would take longer, definitely not what I or Cormac wants.
“No, we’ll do all the patchwork at once,” I say, finally able to speak. “And to make this more worthwhile, if you can get this all done within a week, I’ll bump the price an extra ten thousand dollars.”
His eyes widen, and I swear he’s seconds away from drooling.
“Of course, yes. We can do that.”
“Great, there are some stipulations though.”
Mike waits patiently for me to go through all the rules.
I reinforce the rule about his crew not being allowed into the actual house unless absolutely necessary, and if so, I’m to be made aware as soon as possible.
They are also to keep professional, so no loud cursing or screaming; do the work, and there will be more than enough banging.
If there are any hiccups or problems, I’m to be made aware.
Mike agrees to all of it quickly.
If all things go to plan, the roof will be finished just in time for Halloween.
“If you want this done before the week is up, we need to get to the warehouse and pick up the material and get started now.”
“Yes, I’m aware. We’re ready for you.”
With that, Mike sets off to get his crew in line.
As I walk back through the house, I’m feeling good about my ability to contribute. I can do this.
When I was first told I was going to have to be someone’s wife, I thought of it more like a prison sentence than anything. Now it’s starting to feel like a partnership.
Cormac may be the boss, all things considered, but I’m a necessity in his life. A partner.
CORMAC
Why did I ever agree to this.
It’s nearly eight at night when the incessant pounding and tearing stop.
I’m not going to make it.
With every new sound I find myself looking to the corners and around the doors to see if there’s a new threat I need to be aware of.
Brenna told me before they showed up that she would put them to work right away. She assured me that it would be a week of loud, and then it would be over, but I don’t know if I can deal with this the entire week.
My dogs feel the same way.
Security had to bring them inside, because with every new sound they barked and growled at the workers.
At least I know I’m not alone in this.
With all the construction going on outside, I haven’t really had time to focus on work. There was a shipment made today, and thankfully there were no problems.
My father called to let me know that he would be speaking with the parole board in the morning via video conference on behalf of my brother Declan.
It wasn’t to ask me to attend but to put the bug in my head that my brother should be home soon and would be able to take over some of the more gory aspects of the business, as if I wasn’t able to handle it.
I didn’t take offense to it as my father expected. The less blood I have to get on my hands, the better.
Besides, it’ll be good to know I have a little more backup here. Killian is good at what he does, but he’s more of the charismatic face of our family. We send him in when we want to lure people in, not to scare them off.