Page 94 of Wed to You-
“Where should I tell Mr. Talbot you’re going?” Grayson’s monotone voice echoed through the room.
Her mind wasn’t nimble enough to come up with an answer, so she simply walked out the front door.
A small wave of relief washed through her as she exited the driveway of the Talbot estate and headed toward town. She had no idea where she was going but didn’t really care as long as she was away from snooty, snootier, and snootiest.
She really wanted to talk to Lexie but didn’t know how she could get the help and comfort she needed without telling her the truth about everything. Since she’d promised Jagger she’d keep their secret, seeing Lexie wasn’t an option. The other choice was to go to the only place that had ever been a comfort and sanctuary: her home.
As she drove down the tree-lined street of historic homes, she relaxed even more. Soon she’d be in her own home. The place she’d had love and support and a real sense of family.
When she pulled in her driveway, though, she stopped anddouble-checked the house number. Why was a work truck sitting in her driveway? She pulled in beside it and got out. Going to the side door, she called out, “Hello?”
A young man opened the screen. “Chelsea Beemer...or should I say Talbot?”
“Earl?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled his ball cap off.
She’d gone to high school with Earl and, while she’d gone to college, he’d gone right into his father’s home renovation business.
“Where’s Mr. Talbot? I told him to give me another week before giving you your surprise, but I guess he was too eager.”
Surprise?“He’s not with me.”
“Oh. Well, uh-oh then. But hey, it’s not my fault you showed up.”
“Can I come in and see what’s been done?” She was having a hard time wrapping her mind around Jagger renovating her home in secret.
“Well, all right. But you act surprised now when he tells you.”
“Yes, I will.”
She walked through the door Earl held open for her. “We’ve done all your rewiring and you’ll be happy to know you’ve got a circuit box. None too soon, either, because your fuses were as old as dirt. We put in new HVAC and fixed up your plumbing.”
Stunned, Chelsea walked into her kitchen, with refurbished cabinets, new flooring, and new appliances in the vintage style she’d wanted.
“I hope you like it. Mr. Talbot was adamant we follow the specifications in your book.”
“Book?”
“Yes, ma’am. That one there.”
She looked to where Earl pointed and saw her house scrapbook sitting on the counter. “The upstairs is done, but we still have to do a little more down here. Mostly painting and trim.”
“It’s wonderful.” She hadn’t left the kitchen yet, but if it was representative of the rest of the house, it had to be perfect.
“Everyone else’s cut out for another job. I was just putting in the new faucets in the kitchen. Looks right nice, if you ask me.”
She looked at the kitchen sink with the Victorian-style faucet. “Yes.”
“I’m gonna head out now. Maggie Mae’s folks are stopping by for dinner on their way to Hilton Head, and she’ll skin me alive if I’m late.”
Chelsea checked her watch, seeing it was just after noon. “You better get going then. Thank you for this, Earl.”
“Why, you’re welcome, Miss Chelsea.” He took his hat off and gave her a slight bow.
“Say hello to Maggie Mae for me.” Chelsea had gone to school with her as well.
“Yes’m, I will.”
