Page 131 of Daddy By Design

“Yeah, we’re getting there.”

“That front porch is gorgeous.”

“Thanks. Archer really is pulling out all the stops.” He turned to the workstation they’d set up with sandbags and a host of chisels and grinders. “I’m helping him with the stones that don’t need his expertise.” Nolan grabbed a rag to brush off the sand and stone dust. “We were just taking a break.”

“Think we could look around inside?”

“Yeah.” He waved at Archer. “I’ll be back. Keep an eye on the demon.”

Archer waved back with the long-handled cat toy with a feather at the end. “We’ll be fine, Dad.”

Gizmo arched up to chase the feather and did a ridiculous back flip. I laughed. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“I used some natural stuff on him, so he doesn’t get any sand fleas. He loves it out here.”

“So I see.”

Nolan raked his fingers through his hair, pushing the bandana off he was wearing. He shook his hair out and let it fall around his face. His beard had come in fuller, and he’d trimmed it, so it made his face look more angular and hid some of his scar.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that he was always trying to distract from his scars. I resisted the urge to push his hair back.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

We made small talk about the things that were done inside, and I lost my breath at the front foyer. The vaulted ceiling had been revealed with gorgeous stone and wooden arches. A massive fan had been installed to push around the air a bit. The house was massive, and it would be killer for heating and cooling.

Especially with the summer we were already having.

“The HVAC guys are coming to give me an estimate. Pretty sure I’ll be shifting more money around for that.”

“You know you don’t need to do everything right away.”

“No, I want it done. And done right.” He dipped his hands into his pockets. He was wearing canvas pants today with a T-shirt that looked like it had been through the war. Stone dust left chalky trails over his chest and along his thighs.

I wasn’t sure the last time I’d seen him so relaxed and on edge at the same time. “You’re really enjoying this.”

He nodded. “I’m pretty sure Archer is only letting me help because he loves the house as much as I do. He usually likes to work alone.”

“Or maybe he knows you need it?”

He looked down. “Maybe.”

I turned to the stairs that led to the second landing.

“I know you want up there.”

I glanced back at him over my shoulder. “I really do.”

He shook his head. “All right. Let’s go.”

I couldn’t help but to clap happily. I’d been dying to get back to that room. If nothing else, I wanted more of those journals. And hopefully, I wanted to get Harriette to make herself known again.

I rushed up the stairs and he followed me at a much slower pace. Once I got to the bookcase, I noticed it had been protected with plastic against all the sheetrock dust and workers. Slowly, I peeled back the tape to find the acorn lever and the hinge released.

I slipped through the doorway and into the tunnel. It still had a musty smell, but it was more like old wood this time instead of a couple decades of dust.

A light came from behind me. “You’re not going to be able to get in.”

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