Page 3 of Tempting Tessa

“I have a major leak, Dad is on his way to help me. Do you think you could stop by to help as well? With the amount of water that is on my floor, I imagine it’s going to be a bigger job than I will be able to help with.”

“Yep, no problem. Kate and I are just on our way home from grocery shopping, so as soon as we get home, I can head your way.”

“Thanks, David, I really appreciate it. Tell Kate I said hi and that we need to get together soon for a girls’ night out.”

“Will do, sis, see you soon.”

A couple of hours later my dad and brother have found the problem and thankfully replaced the cracked pipe. Caroline was such a lifesaver coming over as well to help me clean up all the water. Unfortunately, it looks like there was enough water damage that I will need to replace the kitchen flooring. It really isn’t that big of an issue as the flooring was old and has been on the list of things that need updating. But it’s just another thing I must add to my growing list of things to get done sooner rather than later.

“Ready to go get the kids and hit the park up?” Caroline asks me.

“Absolutely, I miss my boy. I know he’s only been at my parents’ since last night but I still miss him when he’s gone. Since we missed taking a picnic lunch, maybe we can surprise the kids with ice cream after playing at the park?” I suggest to Caroline.

“Sounds like the perfect plan!”

We agree to meet up at the park in about 30 minutes, as we both need to go pick up our kids. I arrive at my parents’ house a few minutes later to find Ty out back with my brother, Brian, and his wife, Sara. They are expecting their first little one in the next few weeks, and I’m so excited. I love seeing my little man so excited when he gets to play with my brothers or Matt’s siblings. Ty finally notices that I’ve arrived and comes barreling over to me and almost knocks me over when he runs into my legs. I swing him up in my arms and hug him tightly.

“Have a good time at Grams and Gramps’?”

“Yes!” he yells. “I got to stay up late and watch movies with Gram. Then this morning we had pancakes with sprinkles and bacon!”

“Wow, Grams is spoiling you!” I tell him.

He laughs his little 6 year old belly laugh and squirms for me to put him down. I can’t believe how big he has gotten and that he will be starting kindergarten in just a few short months.

“Ty, you need to go clean up any of your toys that are out. We are meeting Caroline, Jack and Oliver at the park in just a little while.” This gets him excited again as Jack and Oliver are two of his best friends, and what kid doesn’t love going to the park. Twenty minutes later we are in the car on our way to meet them.

While the boys are all running around playing, Caroline and I sit on a bench having a nice conversation about the fun things we can do this summer. Jack is also starting kindergarten in the fall, and we both have a list of things we want to do before school starts. After discussing plans for the summer, I also bring up all the things I need to have done on my house this summer.

“Ugh, do you or Luke know anyone I can hire to come in and fix everything I need done? Now with the flooring in the kitchen needing to be replaced, as well as the roof needing to be replaced and the gutters fixed, I might as well try and hire a remodel or construction company to come in and fix it all. Hopefully I can find one company that can complete it all. I’m lucky; my insurance is paying for the roof. I will call them on Monday to see if they will send someone out to see if they will also pay to replace the kitchen floor. Even if they won’t, I still need to get it done.”

Caroline thinks for a few minutes and says, “Actually, Luke’s best friend from high school is back in town and recently took over his dad’s construction company. I think Jake does repair-type jobs when they are not building new buildings and houses. Let me text him quick to see if they do and if so, I can get you in touch with him.”

“That would be perfect. I would much prefer to hire someone that you or a family member knows. I hate it when these contractors try and take advantage of single women.”

“Jake’s a great guy. He used to be in the military, got hurt while deployed and had to medically retire. He came home and it took him a few years to fully recover from his injuries, but once he did, he started working with his dad again and took over the business completely when his dad retired. Perfect, he just texted me back saying that they do take on some repair jobs. I gave him your name and number and told him I will pass on his info to you as well, so that you guys can set up something.”

“Thanks, Caroline, I hope his company can get everything fixed. I’m so tired of things going wrong. I know I’ve neglected the house over the past 5 years since Matt died, and I need to get it all taken care of so that Ty and I have a roof over our heads.”

After letting the boys play for another hour or so, we finally gather them together and take them off to get that ice cream. It has turned out to be a beautiful day now that it’s late April, and we are taking full advantage of it.

Later that evening I receive a text from Jake.

Jake: Hi Tessa, this is Jake Richards. Caroline contacted me earlier stating you needed a construction company to come look at some repairs on your house. Would Monday morning at 10am work for you?

Tessa: Hi Jake, yes that works perfect for me. Did Caroline give you the address?

Jake: Yes

Tessa: Perfect, I will see you on Monday at 10:00.

Jake

The past two months since I’ve fully taken over Richards Construction have been crazy. We are gearing up for our busy season – summer – when we really get going with new builds, as well as outside repair jobs on roofs, siding, and other projects. I have been out providing estimates and filling up our schedule nonstop over the past few weeks. It’s great for business and makes me proud that I can continue my dad’s business and do him proud. Six years ago, after being hurt while deployed with the Army, I would have never thought I would be in this position. I lost my right leg below my knee and had shrapnel taken out of multiple places in my body. I also lost my right kidney and damaged my left one. Thankfully, after a year on the transplant list, I received a new kidney and haven’t had any other medical issues since.

This next week’s calendar is already filling up fast with appointments for me to head out on, so when Caroline texted me about her best friend needing someone quickly, I moved some things around to head to her house on Monday morning.

Monday morning comes and I head into the office early. I need to get some of the estimates finished from jobs that I looked at on Friday before I start in on new ones this morning, and with appointments starting at 8:30 this morning I need to get going early.

---