Page 10 of When in December

“Who are you?” I was pretty sure I already asked. It didn’t matter.

A guy couldn’t even shower in his own house without someone walking in?

I’d locked the door.I did lock it, didn’t I?

I was sure I’d locked it. I double-checked. No. I’d triple-checked before climbing in the tub like some girl taking a bubble bath to calm her nerves. My nerves were not going to be calmed. Not when I no longer had a working shower head since I’d moved in five days ago, let alone peace of mind that someone wasn’t going to come barging in.

I had locked the door—allof the doors.

The real question was, how in the hell had this chick gotten into my house?

Putting a hand to her heart, the intruder shook her head once, as if to compose herself. Strands of hair caught on her chin before she brushed them away. “I’m sorry. I’m Poppy Owens. I’m from Home Haven. Our client …”

Not only was she a terrible intruder, but she also wasn’t the brightest bulb in the shed.

Great.

I guessed that explained why she wasn’t wearing shoes. The only thing she had on her feet were bright red socks that looked like something my grandmother would’ve knitted.

I blinked at them, remembering how my grandmother would wander the house in thick socks and slippers, refusing to turn up the heat, even when the snow got as high as the windows. I’d complain about it all the time when I was here through my last years of high school. She’d tell me to add another layer.

That was one thing I’d noticed was different since I’d gotten back here a week prior. Central air and heat had been installed at some point.

“Sarah.”

The name startled me out of my thoughts.

“Sarah?”

“The person who reached out to Home Haven. That’s her name.Sarah.I’m Poppy Owens, your home designer—or planner. Whichever you prefer. I’m here to make this house a home. Sarahsent me to help oversee final renovations and decorate the house for a picture-perfect holiday.” She waved her hand around the empty room as she delivered her informercial, her expression slowly falling as she took another step.

I took a step back. She stopped in her tracks.

Honestly, I’d barely noticed that the place wasn’t completely together when I got back to the house last night. I hadn’t realizeduntil I tried to shower this morning that both bathrooms looked like someone had taken a sledgehammer to them. There was also no furniture anywhere, except for the mattress currently lying in the middle of the main bedroom.

“I thought the renovations on this place were supposed to be done this past week,” the woman asserted, voice soft, uncertain. “And Sarah didn’t say anyone would be here other than her. I swear I had no idea. I’m at the right address.”

This chick did not stop talking, did she?

“You said Sarah told you to be here,” I asked her once more.

“That’s correct.”

I was already reaching toward my back pocket. You know, where my phone would be had I not paraded into the hallway, wearing nothing but a towel. For a minute there, I was lucky I’d grabbed that.

I would’ve loved to see just how red her face would’ve turned. Already, a blush stained her cheeks up toward her forehead.

I pointed at where she stood, unmoving, hands clenched around her tablet like it was her firstborn. “Stay right there.”

The blonde bit down on her bottom lip but nodded.

Rolling my eyes, I headed down the hall and swiped my phone off the charger. In the process, I sent a few tissues and other misplaced pieces off the bedside table and to the floor.

What the hell was my sister thinking?

The phone rang twice.

Sarah answered, out of breath. “Hello?—”

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