Chapter 2
NASH
After nailing up the last piece of trim around the window of the Moonlit Reflections Cafe, I stepped back to survey our work. Gabe, my right-hand man, and I had been swamped with work after a tornado came through town, including repairs on this cafe where a tree crashed through the roof and front window. This was the last of our storm projects.
“Looks even better than it did before the storm,” Gabe rested his hands on his hips and grinned.
“I would hope so, after all the time we spent on it. But I think it turned out well.”
Tillie’s voice chimed in from down the sidewalk as she approached us. “Of course it did. You two are the best carpenters around.”
“Thanks, Tillie. We should hire you for our PR. Who needs advertising when we have Tillie Devine.”
Tillie’s jingling laugh tickled me. “No need to hire me, boys. I’m happy to help in any way I can.” A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes as she turned to face me. “Speaking of which, I was just talking to my friend, Gladys. You remember her, don’t you? Anyway, she recently got an unexpected tax bill for her family cabin on the other side of the lake. Sadly, the only way to pay the bill is to sell the property. So she needs someone to do some repairs and get it ready to put on the market as soon as possible. I told her you’d be perfect for the job, Nash. Do you think you can fit it in?”
“Yeah. It just so happens I don’t have anything scheduled for the next week. Gabe is going to California for his sister’s wedding. I didn’t want to start any big projects without him. But something like this I could easily do on my own.”
“I’ve been trying to talk him into taking a vacation, too, but he won’t listen to me,” Gabe chided, pointing his thumb at me then crossing his arms.
“Working on a cabin by the lake will be all the vacation I need. You know I need to be doing something or I go stir crazy.” I grabbed the broom and started sweeping the sidewalk, making sure no stray nails were left behind.
“Yeah, but you also need a break,” Gabe said, putting tools back in the toolbox.
I couldn’t deny it. I didn’t mind the workload the storm brought us. That didn’t bother me at all. My stress came when the two high school boys I hired to help us were arrested for arson and vandalism of a property we were working on. How could I have hired someone capable of that? I should have realized they weren’t trustworthy and at least kept a better eye on them. The guilt and responsibility I felt for the damage done to my friend’s boutique ate away at me.
Tillie scrutinized me, her penetrating gaze making me squirm. “You know it wasn’t your fault, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what?—
She cut me off with a stern look, her hands on her hips. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Nash Porter. Don’t give me that. Becky and those boys are responsible for all the damage to Elle’s shop. They took advantage of your good heart and trusting nature. But they would have found other ways to hurt Elle if you hadn’t hired them.”
“I should have noticed they were up to something. I should have stopped them.”
“That’s enough should-ing on yourself, Nash,” Tillie chastised. “Even though what they did was awful, I still believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was to get Rowan and Elle to take the step to go to New York together. To finally make a commitment to each other. Who knows?” She threw her hands in the air and then brushed her palms together. “It’s done now, and we all have to accept what happened and move on.”
I sighed. “That’s easier said than done.”
Tillie patted me on the arm. “Maybe some time at Gladys’ cabin will be just what you need. I remember it being a very relaxing place. Take some time to rest while you’re there.”
“If she hires me, I’ll be there to work, Tillie, not sit around on the beach.”
She flicked her hand away. “Yes, yes. I know. But you could always pack a bag and stay for a few days, watch the sun set over the lake, and enjoy the peace and quiet at night. Think about it.”
“Alright. I’ll consider it.” I continued cleaning up and re-loading the truck, turning my back on Tillie in hopes she would give it a rest.
Not taking the hint, she continued, “And call Lanie. She’s the agent listing the property. The two of you should go out and figure out what needs to be done.”
“Shouldn’t I call Gladys, if it’s her property?”
“Oh, sure. Call her too. She’d love to talk to you. But be sure you have plenty of time, or an excuse to get off the phone. That woman’s always had the gift of gab.”
I chuckled to myself. Pot meet kettle. “Got it. Thanks, Tillie.”
“Sometimes a person needs to be shaken up a little, to get out of the usual routines. Love has a way of unsettling us, like nothing else, and often when we least expect it. The opportunities you’ve been praying for are coming your way, Nash. Don’t let them pass you by.”
Her words sent a tingle down my spine.
I was about to object when she patted me on the cheek. “This retreat will be good for you, in more ways than one.” Tillie winked and flitted on down the sidewalk, taking my peace of mind with her. For such a bitty thing, she sure was a force of nature. Hurricane Tillie was one you didn’t want to mess with.
Gabe and I finished cleaning up the area and stowed our tools and extra supplies in the back of my truck. “You might as well head out,” I said to him. “I’m sure you’ve got things to get done before you leave in the morning.”
“Thanks. That’d be great. It frustrates Mia that I’m such a last minute packer.”
“I bet your wife filled her suitcase a week ago.”
“You’re absolutely right about that. Talk about opposites.” His brow pinched and face scrunched. ”I haven’t even gotten them a wedding gift yet. Mia said since it was for my sister, it was my responsibility.”
“Can’t go wrong with a card and cash, right?”
“Normally. But this is my baby sister. I’m sure she’s expecting more from me.”
“You’re flying all the way to California and spending the week. Isn’t that enough?”
“You’d think.”
“Well, enjoy the time off, Gabe. You deserve it.”
“You deserve it too, amigo. And a life outside of work.”
“Hey, I go out. I was just at the bar last night.”
He cuffed my shoulder with his hand. “You know what I mean. Think about it.”
I had been thinking about it. My best friend, Rowan, had been telling me the same thing. But I had my reasons for not dating. And neither of them could know what that was. Especially not Rowan.
A shudder moved through me as I recalled the sleezeball Raven was at the bar with last night. Watching that guy so blatantly drool over her like she was grade A prime rib, was almost more than I could stand. It took every ounce of my control to keep from yanking him out of his seat and rearranging his face. Then there was this woman who kept trying to get my attention and wouldn’t leave me alone, which didn’t help matters. Thankfully Raven put an end to it and doused the guy with her drink. I kept an eye out to make sure he didn’t follow her. I knew my best friend would be grateful I watched out for his sister.
You keep telling yourself that.
I slid behind the wheel of my truck and called Tillie’s friend as I drove. “Good afternoon, Gladys. This is Nash Porter. Tillie told me to call you.”
“Yes, I’m so glad you called. Do you have time to take on this project now? I’d like to get going on it immediately. All these years, I trusted Herb had everything taken care of, but now I find out he didn’t, and he had the gall to die before this all came to light so I can’t even yell at him. All I can do is clean up the mess he made. Story of our lives, let me tell you.” She paused just long enough to inhale, then continued. “Anywho, I’m not sure how long I can hold off the IRS. Honestly, you’d think when it’s been underpaid for all these years, they could be a little more patient. But I don’t want to have to pay any more penalties. We need to get this cabin sold as soon as possible.”
“I understand.”
“Call Lanie Noble. She knows all about it and can also help figure out what needs to be done for this place to sell quickly and how to get the best price for it. I’ll trust the two of you to figure out what needs to be done. If you and Lanie can go out there this afternoon or evening, then you can pick up your materials tomorrow, and get started on it Friday. I’m firm on that start date. We need to get this going right away.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“After you look the place over, send me your estimate and I’ll pay you half now and the other half when it’s done. It breaks my heart to let the place go, but what can I do? I’m too old to care for it, and nobody’s been there in years. I would have liked to leave it to my children and grandchildren, but none of us have the money to pay these taxes without selling. I have no choice. So let’s get this done as fast as possible, before I change my mind. And you know?—”
“Got it. Gladys, I’m driving and don’t want to crash. I’ll send you the estimate later this evening. Okay?”
“Alright, dear. Drive carefully.”
Phew. Tillie was right. That woman would have had me on the phone all day, if I’d let her.
Luckily, I’ll be the only one at this cabin during the renovation. Purposeful solitude. Working on an old lakeside cabin and making it shine was exactly what I needed.
Low stress. No distractions. Just peaceful work.