Page 27 of Chasing Stars
“I have. I know,” I mutter. I don’t say this to Danny, but the problem is, I don’twantMiles to care about me. I don’t know what I’m doing with my lifeat allright now. I’m alone, I’m unemployed, and I’m floundering. I should not be getting tangled up in some fling. Sure, last night was a moment of weakness. And ofcourseI liked waking up in his arms thismorning. But a new relationship in a new place is the last thing I need. Neither of us is in the position to catch feelings right now.
“Listen,” Danny changes the subject, “I have an hour free to come do an estimate. Are you home?”
Home.I try not to think about how the word makes me feel like a foreigner in a strange land who desperately wants to find her place, but not knowing where it is. “Not yet, but I’m five minutes away or so.”
“Great. I’ll meet you there,” Danny says. He hangs up before I can reply. I guess Miles will have to wait.
An hour later,I’m sitting on my front stoop when Danny comes around the side of the house, writing on his clipboard. He startles when he sees me. “Geez!” He flinches, jumping backward.
“Sorry.” I smile nervously, standing. “I didn’t want to follow you around, but I’m also anxious as hell to hear the news.” I shift my weight and look at him expectantly.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but there is more damage than you probably thought.” Danny grimaces. “The damage to the foundation and the structural beams is extensive. You’re looking at about seven thousand dollars for those repairs—and that doesn’t include anything cosmetic after we repair the wall.” He furrows his brow. “And we’re going to have to rip this fence out. The termites have been feasting on that, too.” He turns and gestures to the old wooden fence that separates the front yard from the back.
“I thought you were giving me the friends and family rate.” I force a half-hearted smile.
“Unfortunately, thatisthe friends and family rate. I’ll tell you what…” Danny gives me that pitying look again. “I won’t charge you to demo the fence.”
I suck in a breath. “Okay.” I nod. “That’s fair. Now I have to figure out how I’m going to pay you.”
Danny shifts uncomfortably. “I take cards, but there is a three percent fee. How about I have my secretary call you to work out a payment plan?”
Relief floods me instantly. “Really? Thank you!” I throw my arms around his neck.
Danny stiffens and carefully peels me off. “Hey, anything for Miles. I know it’s what he’d want me to do.”
“So, when can you start? Actually…the better question is…can I live here while you work?” I scrunch up my nose, embarrassed. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Danny nods. “You can. We will be working off your sunroom so you can just avoid that area. We may wake you up early with our construction noise though.”
I shrug, relieved. “It’s okay. I am an early riser.”
“Okay, well, then I’d say we’re looking at a couple of weeks before I can start. We’re a little backed up.” Danny starts walking toward his truck. “I’ll call you as I get closer to a start date.”
“Thank you so much, Danny,” I call after him.
He turns back and smiles. “Don’t mention it. And Jenna?”
“Hmm?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Go easy on Miles. He means well.” With that, Danny climbs into his truck and drives off.
My next task,if I’m going to be sticking around for a few weeks, is to find some temporary income. I clearly won’t be using mydesign skills here in Cape May, but I need something in the interim. Then I remember I saw a Help Wanted sign at the hardware store. The woman, Joy, mentioned it was just seasonal help when I asked, which might actually be perfect for me since I don’t plan to stick around.
Without thinking twice, I hop into my newly tuned-up car and drive over there. I stride into the hardware store and spot Joy sitting at the counter, scrolling on her phone. No one else is in the shop.This place really is a ghost town in the off-season.Joy’s face lights up when she sees me.
“Hi, Jenna!” She hops off her stool and comes around the counter. “Are you back for more paint?” Her eyes glimmer with excitement.
“Uh, no,” I start. “Actually, are you still looking for holiday help?” I wince. I should not be embarrassed about applying for a retail job. Joy gets it, she works here. Sometimes, you do what you have to do to make ends meet. My ends are nowhere close to meeting, so beggars can’t be choosers.
Joy squeals, clapping her hands. “Yes, we are!” She walks back around the counter and rummages underneath it for something. She reappears a moment later with an old-school paper application. “Does this mean you’re staying?”
I suppress a grin, unable to hide my amusement as she pushes the application in my direction. I chew on my lip, hesitating. Joy issonice, but is this really what I want? “I…” I falter. “For a little while, maybe. Some things came up with the house, and I can’t list it as is, so…”
“This isso great!” Joy claps her hands, delighted. “I’ll hire you on the spot.”
“You’ll hire me?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Yeah. I own the store.” Joy smirks. “I thought you knew that.”
