Page 91 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Congratulations, Brian.” Dean grinned at his employer. “When do we start?”

“I’m meeting with the architect tonight. The client has the construction loan already secured. If they’re satisfied with the architect’s recommendations, I’ll start applying for permits by the end of the week. Provided we don’t have any delays and the town council agrees to the plan, we start construction in a month. I need your answer, Mason.”

“Come on, Mase,” Dean murmured.

He drew in a deep breath. Dean was right. Mason loved the home renovation and repair work. While they’d been working side-by-side for the past few hours, he had considered and discarded several options. In the end, there was only one answer. If the clientele refused to work with him at the helm, he trusted Brian to let him know. He could rejoin the regular construction crew. “Yes.”

Brian grinned and slapped Mason on the back. “Great news! You won’t regret it, buddy.”

“I’ll take it on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Dean comes with me. I want him permanently assigned to me.”

“I don’t have a problem with that. You two are a great team.” Brian rubbed his hands together. “This is perfect timing. Our company cookout is tomorrow evening. I was going to announce the new project. Now, I’ll be able to announce the establishment of the home rehab division of Elliott Construction and your promotion to division head and project manager.”

Mason held out his hand. “Thank you for trusting me, sir.”

“You earned it several times over, Mason. Hiring you was one of the best decisions I ever made. Finish your list and get out of here. I’m sure you want to celebrate with Nicole.”

Brian shook Dean’s hand. “Congratulations, Dean.”

“Sir?”

“Your new job in the home rehab division comes with a promotion as well.”

After a few more instructions on the remaining work in Building 6, Brian left.

“I can’t wait to tell Leah about this. She’ll be thrilled.”

“Nicole, too.” Mason glanced at his friend. “We’ll be scrambling to keep up with the work.”

“Can’t wait. Home rehab is a challenge.”

“The best kind.” The work involved taking something old and restoring it to usefulness or replacing it with something better. Sure, there were roadblocks along the way, problems to work around, but in the end, the result was beautiful, functional, and rewarding.

Home rehab reminded Mason of his own life. Once broken, Nicole had helped him heal.

His jaw clenched. Now someone was determined to destroy his life a second time. No matter what the cost, he wouldn’t let that happen. This time, he had too much to lose.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Nicole straightened with a groan and dumped the last of the dog clippings into the waste bin. “Finished. Finally.”

“Same here,” Dawn sighed. “I think we set a new salon record. Thirty dogs in twelve hours.”

“And that included the Great Danes with a water phobia.” She smiled. “We deserve a pat on the back.”

“I’ll settle for a hot shower, dinner, and Band-Aids to cover the scratches from Elmo.”

“Same. Would Linc mind stopping at the grocery store?”

“Not if we tell him we’re cooking dinner tonight.”

“I’m craving Mexican food, and I’m not in the mood to put up with people staring at us while we eat.”

“I’m in as long as I shower before we cook. I smell like dog shampoo.”

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