Page 3 of Spark of Attraction

Ellie focused on the fuse I was holding and frowned. “So the circuit overloaded.”

“Right. Even once I fix the outlet, you can use the kettle or the microwave, but never in the same outlet at the same time.” I frowned. “Until I’ve looked at how the wiring is done, you may not be able to run them together even if they’re plugged into different outlets.”

Her mouth curved into an O. “Grandma Ruby complained that if she ran the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time, the fuse kept blowing even though they’re on different floors. Is this the same thing?”

“Without looking at the wiring for those units, I wouldn’t want to make a guess. But probably.” I suspected whoever had wired up the extension had put both appliances on the same circuit, too. Which wouldn’t have passed code even back then. “Let’s go back upstairs and we can talk about what your plans are for this place.”

I trailed her up the stairs to the kitchen. Yes, I enjoyed the view of the tight fabric stretched over her enticing butt as she climbed each narrow wooden stair.

After I’d removed the outlet cover and hissed at the burnt and exposed wires, Ellie asked, “You can fix it, right?”

“I can,” I replied, not liking the tremor in her voice. “It doesn’t need to be replaced, but it needs to be checked for loose wires regularly. I’m surprised your insurance company didn’t ask for an ESA certification.”

“They may have, but I had so much going on in selling our old condo and getting Ruby’s estate dealt with, I just paid them the higher price.” Another frown marred her expression. “How much will it cost?”

“To fix this plug alone? Or to check all of them?”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. I’d forgotten she used to do that when she was considering an important question. “All of them?”

After doing a quick count of the number of outlets in the extension, and a mental calculation about how long it would take me to check each one, I gave her a rough quote.

“How much would you charge to upgrade the fuse box?” Her voice was small, hesitant. As if her favourite doll had lost its head to an enthusiastic terrier. Which had happened when we were kids, so I knew exactly how that sounded. Almost as heartbroken as when I’d lied and told her I wasn’t interested in dating her, then walked away.

CHAPTER THREE

ELLIE

My stomach had twisted at Malcolm’s assessment of Hauser House’s wiring problems. When Josh and I had done the initial walk through after the probate had completed, Josh had told me I should sell it and buy a smaller house, one that didn’t need so much work, that I should invest the leftover as a nest egg. But I’ve loved this house since I was a little girl. I’d stop my bike on the sidewalk and gawk at the round turret with its steep roof that resembled a castle, and the dormers, the gingerbread gables and the massive wraparound porch. When Gareth brought me to meet his grandmother shortly after we were married and I was finally invited inside, I fell in love with every inch of it. My favorite spot has always been the garden room off the kitchen. The stained-glass windows and stone slab floor with its calming dappled light have always lowered my stress levels.

I hadn’t considered that the old place might need electrical work done, other than having a few more outlets added when I had the kitchen gutted. Grandma Ruby had said they’d added the extension back in the 70s, creating a new kitchen and dining area that already needed updating. Maybe electrical work needed updating just as often?

But now as Malcolm talked about replacing the fuse box, which sounded like a major job, my gaze fell on the twisted plastic outlet on my counter and I remembered the sparks and smoke. And the acrid smell.

Had I made the wrong decision by going with my heart rather than my head?

No. I still loved this place. I wanted to bring it back to its grandeur and I had the means to afford it. With house prices the way they were these days, I doubted I’d ever get another chance to own such a beautiful home.

“I’d appreciate it if you could do up a quote for me then.”

I explained my plans to him, even pulled up a sketch I’d stored on my tablet. He jotted down notes as I talked about adding air conditioning along with a generator hookup, a walk-in closet and a luxury ensuite, and how I needed additional plugs in the upstairs turret room I wanted to use as my office. “I haven’t told Joshua any of this yet, so please keep this between you and me for now.”

Malcolm blew out a long, slow breath and took even longer to meet my eyes. His familiar hazel gaze sent a tug deep in my chest that had me leaning toward him before I could stop myself. Why was I stopping myself? Because he’d walked away from me once already, and I didn’t need that type of rejection again.

“I can do that,” he said.

“Could you recommend an exterminator, too?”

That earned me a tightening of his mouth. The dark beard he now sported, which included a few threads of gray, highlighted his lips. Lips I wanted to press against mine again.

“You’ve seen mice?”

“I heard them,” I admitted. “I think. It might have been a branch scratching against the window. I haven’t slept well lately, so maybe my imagination was in hyperdrive.”

“I’ll look to see if I can find any entry points before I go. Do you need me to recommend some reputable roofers? Because your roof won’t make it through another winter.”

“I’ve already contacted some.” Did he think I couldn’t see the curling shingles, especially on the west side of the house, and know enough to realize the roof needed attention?

“I could give you a list of which ones to avoid. Joshua would give me hell if I let you hire someone incompetent.”

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