Page 46 of Leo

She had specific ideas and had made several notations in her book. Daniel Cosgrove, the pain in the ass contractor had brought in an architect, which was going to cost an arm and a leg. When she had complained to Leo, he had sagely told her that if she wanted elegance, she was going to have to pay for it.

“If you want it done properly, it is going to cost. And I am making sure there is no cost overrun. I have your back. I am dealing with the financial side of it. You concentrate on the creative side.”

And she knew she was in good hands. Her aunt was back, and she had taken an afternoon off work, to go and visit her.

“I was hoping that husband of yours would make the trip as well.” She had sounded very disappointed that Leo was not with her.

“He has had some schedules overrun and had to take a quick trip to New York to sort out some details.”

“You look happy.”

“I am. The money…”

“I am not taking about the money. I would hope that is not what has the glow in your eyes and the soft look about you. Money is not the be all and end all of things.

You have a good man with you now and I hope you are at least making the effort to compromise and make the marriage work. I have seen the way he looks at you and have to say that it is far different from the way that shifty eyed fiancé had about him.”

She shook her head in disgust. “I never approved of him, but of course, you were not prepared to listen to anything negative about him. Take care of what you have now, my dear and do not take it for granted.

*****

As she went back to the construction site, her mind wandered to the evening ahead. She was looking forward to winding down and perhaps having a quiet dinner with Leo when he returned from his trip. The thought of him brought a small smile to her lips. She could not deny the way he made her feel - safe, cherished, and truly seen.

The noise of the renovation filled the air as she approached. Daniel was there, overseeing the workers with his usual stern expression.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself that all this chaos would soon transform into her dream space. The vision that she had nurtured was slowly taking shape, and despite the bumps along the way, she was confident it would be worth the effort.

Daniel looked up and gave her a curt nod as she entered. "Everything is on schedule," he said, without waiting for her to ask. She nodded in acknowledgment, appreciating his dedication even if his demeanor was less than friendly.

She walked through the emerging rooms, imagining the laughter and conversations that would soon fill them.

The contractor's precision was evident in every detail, and she was grateful for Leo's insistence on hiring the best. It was a partnership, not just in business but in life, and she felt fortunate to have someone who believed in her vision as much as she did.

As the day drew to a close, she made her way back home, eager to unwind and recharge. The renovation project was a monumental task, but she was starting to see the vision already unfolding.

The renovation was done during the time when the shop was not that crowded and even so, it was relegated to the back area to keep out of the way of the customers. She wanted everything finished before Christmas, but the safety and comfort of the people who supported her business came first.

As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, she donned her apron and started on the dough. Having lunch with Michael had taken up some of her precious time and she was running behind.

She was about to prove the dough when she looked up and saw Ingrid coming towards her.

Ingrid had always been a source of wisdom and strength, her presence both comforting and grounding. As she approached, there was a familiar warmth in her eyes, a silent support that spoke volumes.

"Ingrid," she greeted, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and relief, "what brings you here?"

"I thought you might need an extra pair of hands," Ingrid replied with a knowing smile. "And perhaps a bit of company."

They worked side by side in companionable silence, the rhythmic motions of kneading dough and the soothing scent of yeast filling the room. It was moments like these that remindedher of the simple pleasures in life, the ones that money could never buy.

“You should not be working. You are officially retired and just back from your cruise. I do not want Ben calling and biting my head off.”

Ingrid laughed softly, the sound like a gentle melody. "Oh, Ben knows better than to try and keep me away from this kitchen. Besides, I missed our little routines," she said, her hands deftly shaping the dough into perfect orbs.

Her heart swelled with gratitude. Moments like these, shared with friends who were like family, added depth to her life's tapestry.

As they worked, the kitchen was filled with stories of Ingrid's recent cruise, tales of exotic places and new acquaintances. The laughter that punctuated their conversation was as warm as the bread rising in the oven.

"You know," she said, pausing to wipe a flour-dusted hand across her brow, "sometimes I think we underestimate the power of simple, shared moments. They remind us of who we are and what really matters."

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