CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EMBER
As per usual, the Quad rolled in like a swarm of mayhem, Seb proceeded to dibs a cabin over by the litters, while Jake, Hugo and Gus helped clear the trees for the access road.
I should probably call it a drive, as that’s what it is now, or will be.
Seb and Robin started on Amelia’s and their cabin, ripping out anything not needed, so it was basically an empty shell.
They picked the six-bedroom cabin so when their parents visit, they can stay there and also until Amelia is ready to seal the bond.
Jake is going to stay with them, so there isn’t any extra pressure on her.
We have been getting stuff delivered to TripleMoon, and then River and Saint have been bringing stuff here with their shadows, so the solar panels for the quads, Amelia’s, Xander’s and the other guys' cabins, are all here and going to be installed soon.
Miles already has paint and some furniture on order. He’s currently talking to Jake about their cabin, the kitchen and bathrooms needing updating, like who has a brown bathtub, really?
Bas and Tim have a friend who owns an electrical and plumbing company that sends out a few guys.
I don’t know if they’ve worked with Jaylen before, but he is the one currently on site, and he sets me on edge.
Saint is sorting security in all the buildings, Dec, and he plans to set up a security firm when they get bored of being in the force.
Timber and a small crew are erecting the Sawmill structure today and the hydro generator is being built in a few days, all of the fallen trees from the drive and the ones around the main house were taken to their friend and they had enough there to build the full mill and some storage areas, all the machines are coming the day after tomorrow, so once the roof is on, the solar panels fitted and the hydro generator is up and running, they will be ready to go.
Things are moving quite quickly now. The Quad sat Bas and Timber down three days after they arrived and asked if they could set up a sister company, and when they do big jobs, they will do a discount on the landscaping side.
Kodi has been flitting here, there and everywhere, and they all agreed to finish our place before they build the showroom and offices.
I’m just finishing the last touches to what will be Amelia's bedroom, Jake's mom snuck in after they left and sent me photos of how she had decorated her own room, Miles did a quick shopping trip for paint as we were just going to leave cream walls and let her do it herself but cream is boring, her walls ceiling and floor were cream but she had sky blue bedding and a rug and a vase full of wildflowers so we went with it.
I try not to react as Jaylen steps in as my phone rings.
“Hello”, I keep him in view but don’t stop what I’m doing as I answer the call,
“We are heading over now, walking, so we will be there in twenty minutes”, I confirm with Nate. I heard him before disconnecting the call.
“What’s up, Jaylen?” I ask with a smile. I don’t feel nervous, but I also don’t like how he’s blocking me in the room.
“Oh… Erm… electrics are done, I’m heading to the other cabin.” I nod, not understanding why he’s telling me this. Tim and Bas are in charge of the site, so it’s them who need to be told. Hearing movement downstairs, I relax a little more.
“I wondered if you want to get a drink with me later?” he goes for a smirk, I think, but it’s more of a grimace, thankfully, Hugo appears,
“I would think her brothers and mates would have something to say about that dude,” I see anger flare in Jaylen’s eyes, as he storms off.
ME: Do you have another electrician?
Jaylen just asked me out and was
pissed when Hugo pointed out I
had mates x
BAS: Fuck’s sake, yeah,
I’ll give Taylor a call, Jaylen
works for him, so I will request
a switch and explain why x
BAS: You good? x
I apologise to my big bro, which he shoots down, reminding me it’s not my fault, and something about fucking dick-less pricks needing to leave his sister alone. I turn to Hugo with a small smile.
“They are on their way. Can you let the others know and keep an eye on Jaylen until his replacement arrives?” Hugo agrees, tapping away on his phone, and we head over to where people are starting to get their lunch from the coolers.
Jaylen’s on his phone, his face goes from annoyed, to okay, to pure joy.
“Yeah, that’s great. Is he on the way now? Brilliant,” Jaylen grabs two subs and four bottles of water, then walks off. We hear him talk to one of the other guys on his team, but he ignores Tim and Bas,
“I’m off, I’ve got another job, someone is coming to replace me, I think,” Bas stares at his back, open-mouthed, as we munch on our food.
“I’ve got most of the land plotted. There are a few wild animal dens I’m guessing you want us to avoid and leave them be?” Seb asks, breaking the shocked silence, and I nod, finishing my drink,
“Yeah, when the new guy gets here, get him to check cabin seven and then check Jaylen's work elsewhere, we need to start clearing the outside space for the greenhouses” Robin points to himself and Gus and I nod, not minding who does what, just that it gets done.
“I’ve dug up some more plants to save,” Hugo mumbles around his apple, and points to a collection of pots. Jake gives a distracted humm,
“I’ve got more greenery to clear around the barns,” Jake adds, watching the treeline,
“Did we decide where we are putting the compost pile?” I ask.
“No, but we could use that collapsed cabin; the base of the cabin has sunk, and the floor is rotted, but will give a foundation for a wall around the base,” I nod again, and a couple of Bas’ guys offer to help
“Once the paint is dry and the electrics checked, this cabin is done, just needs filling with furniture,” I add, head tilting towards cabin seven.
“I’m going to start ripping out the kitchen and the bathrooms in the main house; it's mainly painting and electrics in all the cabins now.”
Bas lets us know. I wondered why he was covered in dust.
“Any idea how many greenhouses we need? Or what type? Veg and fruit? Herbs? Potion stuff?” I glance at Jake, but he’s packing up his stuff, and I notice Trent breaking through the trees with Liam, Nate and two females.
The severe-looking one is dressed in a floor-length black dress with long sleeves and a high collar, and her hair is in a tight bun.
The younger is in a knee-length version with black tights and court shoes, her hair is still in a bun, but a looser one, uniform, something I know Liam doesn’t insist on.
Amelia has a guarded look on her face. Jake storms off towards the cabins as Trent breaks away and bounds over.
We agreed to keep Jake away and make Esmeralda believe he’s given up.
I have a letter to slip to Amelia if I can from him.
Trent halts in front of me, hugging me.
“What can I do? Did you know you have paint everywhere? Again!”
He laughs,
“Yeah, I was getting cabin seven finished, find Miles and find out what furniture we have on-site for it and get it inside, please. Then we can sign it off and move the focus to another.” He nods and bounds off.
Liam and Nate both give me hugs when they reach us, the quad gives the females dirty looks and then heads off to do their jobs. Again, this is all on purpose. I’m just hoping Amelia understands.
As Nate introduces the women, Esmeralda tries to control the situation by not letting Amelia have a voice. Timber’s Grandfather, Trunk, is helping to restore some of the items inside and manages to distract her for me.
“We would appreciate your view on the housekeeper's quarters, Alma, the TripleMoon housekeeper offered, but it’s a much larger pack, and she hasn’t yet found the time, but as you are here…” She follows him through the kitchen, and Bas and I share a smile.
Amelia relaxes a little, but I need her to relax more.