Page 29 of Call It Home

“To tell us more about the spaces you’ll be working on, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to introduce you to Jared Carson the owner of Grandview Lodge and Resort.”

She clapped louder than anyone as she looked over our heads toward the back of the room. We all automatically turned in our chairs to see who she was looking at. A tall man with dark blond hair, who was impeccably dressed in a tailored dark blue suit, strode to the front of the room. His smile was fairly easy as he greeted Kennedy and shook her hand.

Taking her time, Kennedy clasped his hand longer than expected and ran her hand along his arm before whispering something to him in his ear. I didn’t think there was anything innocent about the way she brushed her breasts along his chest as she whispered, causing his jaw to tighten slightly before he pulled back and took a step away. Blue eyes roamed across the room, appearing to shrewdly assess the people he was trusting to give him what he wanted.

“Thank you for being here. I know this means you are spending over a month away from family and friends, but I hope to make you as comfortable as can be during your stay. If there’s anything at all you find you need, please let Kennedy know, and she’ll bring it to my attention.

“As for this contest, we are excited about what each of you can bring to the design table. It has long been a dream of mine to purchase and renovate these homes and add them to our resort. I know Kennedy will go over more details, but what I want to emphasize is that we want all of our guests to feel pampered during their stay with us, no matter what accommodations they choose, but never more so than for those guests who rent these private cottages. Our goal is to make them feel like they’re in the lap of luxury while having an at-home feeling, as well. You’ve all been chosen because you have the skill and styles we want to bring to our brand. I know you will bring your best ideas yet to our guest cottages. The winning team will have the cottage named for them. I wish you the best of luck, and I look forward to seeing your finished products. Thank you.”

He gave a small wave, then headed for the door. Kennedy looked disappointed to see him leave.

“I think she has the hots for him,” Mac whispered.

“I think any woman does. Probably a lot of men, too.” I grinned in the direction of Myles and Mitch, who were both still looking a little starstruck.

“That rich, blond playboy look do it for you, shortcake?”

At one time, I would have easily said yes. But now, Mac’s rugged good looks were definitely more to my taste. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I believe I would,” he murmured, but then refocused his attention on Kennedy, leaving me to stare at him.

Kennedy spent the next hour going over how film crews would work around us, who we would have for help in laying flooring and doing tile work, how we got immediate access to permits if needed, and how to order all the things we wanted for staging. We each had two hundred thousand dollars to work with for the entire budget, including the exterior.

“High end on a budget,” I mumbled.

Ordinarily, I would be ecstatic to have that kind of money to work with. But depending on what the interior of the homes already looked like, I knew that kind of money could go fast for the materials that screamed the kind of luxury expected. I’d have to be smart about dividing up how I spent it. Grandview Lodge was only spending a total of one million dollars to renovate four homes, all of which would earn him that money back quickly. A bargain for him.

Mac shot me a strange look. “You don’t think that’s a big enough budget?”

“It’ll have to be.”

He shook his head. “Seems like we could build the entire house from the ground up for that, not to mention just for decorating.”

“If it was only about decorating, that would be different. But we will need to make some structural changes, as well. These are homes built in the 1970s.” I tipped my head toward the screen where the pictures were still cycling. “You saw the picture of the general layout. They don’t match modern demands.”

“I have no doubt you’ll make it work.” Sincerity warmed his green eyes.

I’d always had the encouragement and support of my family and friends, but somehow, hearing Mac voice his belief in me boosted my confidence more than them. Of course, a win was just as beneficial to him as it was to me. But hearing his confidence warmed my heart…and maybe a couple of other places that had no business reacting to Mac Caldwell.

I took a breath and returned my attention to the screen. This wasn’t the time or place for those kinds of feelings. That was just another personal contest I was going to have to win.

Chapter12

Mac

Cameronand I took turns in the small bathroom. Trying to be a gentleman, I’d let her go first, but following her, smelling whatever floral lotion or cream or whatever the hell the woman used at night had been torture. I’d been searching for a water bottle in the nicely stocked fridge of light snacks and drinks when she came out of her bedroom. I dropped the one I’d pulled out when I took in the pair of skimpy shorts and a dark tank top that clung to her boobs and did nothing to hide her pebbled nipples.

“Shit.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” Damn, this was going to be a long month if she paraded around in that at night.

She curled up on the couch, tucking her bare feet beneath her and wrapping her arms around a pillow. Her hair was down, and her face was clean of makeup. Yet she was just as beautiful as ever.

“Do you think we have a chance?” she asked so quietly, I almost didn’t hear her. Maybe that was the point; she didn’t want anyone to hear her doubt.

I couldn’t claim to know Cam all that well, but her question still surprised me. Any time I’d been around her, whether it was at the office, on a site, or around her family, she was the epitome of confidence. She wasn’t one to back down without having a damn good argument that she was wrong. Then she was the fastest to apologize or thank the other person for their opinion.

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