Page 6 of More Than A Fixer-Upper
“What do you think?” Drew spreads his arms wide. His room has a few windows, but nothing like the landing view. This one overlooks a lake and woods.
“Do you think this is our property too?” he asks. I shrug.
“This place is nice. I never thought we’d be somewhere like this.” He bites his lip, about to apologize, but I wave him off.
“You said what I was thinking. Get unpacked or explore your room, then come down. I’m checking the fridge.”
“I love you, Mom. I can’t wait to get to the BED AND BREAKFAST and see what we can cook up there.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “See what I did there?” He laughs, and I toss a pillow at him.
I stop by my mother’s door.
“Get out of there right now,” I say, my tone sharp. My kids know right from wrong. I teach them early timeouts,consequences, and conversations. I rarely use the phrase “I’m so disappointed in you,” but this might be one of those moments.
Winnie opens the door, not even pretending to be sorry.
“I want this room,” she says.
“No.” I push past her and grab her suitcase. “I told you I wanted to be the first. I want to get to know my mother. Why couldn’t you respect that? Why is it always Winnie’s world, and I have to live with your decisions?”
Her lip trembles, but then I see the defiance. She looks more like Randall every day, and I know that look she’s about to yell.
“Like moving here? I had friends in Texas. It’s not my fault you suck at keeping a job or that Drew can’t make friends. I had to break up with my boyfriend today. He didn’t want to do long distance but didn’t want to ruin our last night together!”
The Drew comment stings. I know it’ll come back to bite her later, but right now, I need to protect him. This move won’t be kind to either of us if I don’t.
I point to the room across from mine. “That’s yours until I say otherwise.” I walk away, disappointed. I need to focus on dinner, then talk to her. This won’t work if they shut me out.
Did I make a mistake moving here? Did I uproot everything we’ve ever known for a dream that might not be ours?
Chapter Five
Chase
Lastnight’shotshowereases the tension after everything with my dad, uncle, and work. This morning, I take a quick warmish rinse to wake myself up sleep doesn’t come easy. August is always a tossup: either hot as hell or miserable in a whole different way. We try to avoid outside work when it’s like this. I don’t want my crew dropping like flies.
Coming down the steps of my two bedroom house, I catch the smell of coffee brewing. I throw breakfast together and spread out the plans I’ve drawn up for Mr. Davidson’s barn. A knock hits the door, and before I can answer, Seth walks in with his niece, Hailey.
“You working on my crew today?” I tease. She heads straight to the kitchen and starts making herself breakfast. I shake my head, chuckling. Hailey’s not a morning person.
“Sorry Ellen’s working today, and my Adam’s out of town,” Seth says, grabbing a cup of coffee. He starts another pot beforesitting beside me. “She’ll become human in a minute,” he jokes. “What are you working on?”
“Davidson’s barn. He wants to upgrade it. I’m meeting him this morning. Your great uncle messaged me last night.”
“What did Uncle Gerald want?” Seth scans the barn plans, already making notes on materials he thinks will work best.
“Someone’s taking over Lavender and Rose. He’s putting my name in the hat for the remodel.”
“Someone bought it? I didn’t think Rosa would ever sell.” Hailey joins in after sipping the hot chocolate I always keep stocked for her. She hands Seth a plate of eggs and toast before settling in with her own.
“I asked. It’s Rosa’s granddaughter.” Seth’s jaw drops. Everyone in town knows the stories about LeeAnn wild, restless, couldn’t stand smalltown life. She used to be friends with my mom. Last I heard, she was heading home when she died in a car accident. We all go to the funeral. Rosa’s a pillar in Durden Park, and she has no family left or so we thought.
“Wow. So we’ve got more family than we thought,” Hailey says through a mouthful of food. She’s related to Rosa through marriage Gerald and Rosa’s late husband are kin so she’s always considered Seth and his family part of hers. “Why didn’t the bed and breakfast go to Uncle Gerald?”
“Because he’s not blood. From what I’ve heard, Rosa wanted it to go to family first. If no one was alive, then Gerald would’ve inherited it.” I shrug. “So, you coming with us today?”
“I have to until Mom’s off work.” Hailey helps out at the sites when she can, even if it’s just light tasks.
My phone rings. Gerald’s name flashes on the screen.
