Page 38 of Call It Home

She stuck her tongue out at me, only making me laugh harder as I went back to finish the table.

* * *

“Three hours and ten minutes,” Chelle called out.

Crews were practically falling over themselves. Last-minute trim detail was still going up, lights were being installed, and furniture and accessories were being unpacked.

Cameron was calling out directions to where everything should be placed at the same time she was trying to stage plates and glassware. I was moving things as fast as I could, already knowing where she wanted them. The small film crew did their best to stay out of the way, but it had to be a challenge.

On top of it, Cameron and I had to give an interview about what was happening that day, how we saw things going, and any problems we’d had. Chelle had forced us to do it early, and now I knew why. There was no way I could have stayed focused knowing how much we still had to do.

I did my best to be upbeat on camera and optimistic about our win, which I actually believed. Cam had done an amazing job incorporating the view of the mountains with the home layout. Her choice of materials was fantastic, and I knew it was all going to come together to be the best project I’d ever been part of.

But they also asked us to show a little vulnerability, and with each passing day, that got easier to talk about: What were the other teams doing differently? Should we have left a certain wall and removed another? What if the judge didn’t like the light fixture that was chosen? What if something didn’t arrive on time?

I didn’t have doubts about our plan. But we were still feeling the stress. We were tired. But we had to keep going until it was all put together by this afternoon. Looking around me, I hated to admit I was starting to have some serious doubts.

The only good thing was I was certain the other teams were obviously feeling it, too. As the week had worn on, everyone’s smiles were more strained and the conversations less animated. And we still had five weeks to go.

The hours and minutes ticked down quickly.

There was just one thing I had left to do while Cameron fussed over the little details.

When she passed by me in the entryway, she came to an abrupt halt. “What are you doing?” she gasped.

With a mischievous grin, I finished screwing two bolts into the wall. “It’s for this.” I lifted the piece I’d made last night and hung it on the bolts. “I made it last night.” I hung the mirror with hooks on the wall and stepped back. “What do you think?” I asked, switching my eyes to watch her reaction.

Cameron stared at it for several seconds, then turned and launched herself into my arms. “It’s better than the original,” she breathed, her whispered words holding admiration and awe.

It felt so right to have her in my arms, even if it was just from her abundance of enthusiasm.

She looked up at me, her eyes awash with wonder. “But how?”

“I fished the old back door out of the dumpster, cut it down, sanded it, and framed it with some leftover scraps of trim, then added the mirrors and hooks that I sent Ethan into town to get, and voilà!”

She stretched up on her toes and planted a quick but electrifying kiss on my cheek, just missing my lips. It was quick but no less impactful.

As if realizing where she was, she pulled herself from my embrace, but her eyes beamed at me. “Thank you. I love it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“How did I not know you had so much ability? The table? The custom cabinet? And now this? You’re a real asset to Sterling Construction. And to me.”

Regardless of the outcome of the judging, I felt like I’d already won. And that scared the shit out of me. Because I knew better than most that gains easily became losses.

Chapter16

Cam

Macand I gathered with the other teams back in front of the field near the houses. The sun beat down on our backs, but its warmth was nothing compared to the heat of the moment as we waited to meet the judges. I was a mixture of nerves and confidence. I was used to getting input from clients on what they wanted and turning it into a reality better than what they imagined. This time, it was my taste on the line. Well, mostly mine. I knew Mac’s contributions would be loved.

Cash stood in front of us, looking well rested, unlike the rest of us. I’d had to use extra concealer to cover up the dark circles under my eyes. But I knew I wasn’t alone. I even saw Alli putting makeup on her brother.

“Welcome everyone!” Cash began when the “action” call was given. “You’ve had a long week, and I’m sure you’re tired. But I’ve heard amazing things about all your designs. Now it’s time to see what our guest judges have to say. We’ve kept them a mystery, but today, you learn who those judges are.”

My heart hammered against my ribs, and I strained to see the couple who approached. I didn’t recognize the man, but the anxiety I’d pushed aside since our arrival came rushing back. It had been a long time since I’d seen her in person, but I knew the woman beside him. Shae Lambert. My college nemesis.

Her high-heeled boots clicked against the pavement. A silky blouse tucked into a pair of tight jeans showed off a tiny waist. Long, dangly earrings shimmered behind a curtain of straight black hair. She looked like a runway model more than someone who should be on a construction site.

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