The Man for Maggie. Lee McKenzie
we move this wall, you’ll still have a small office and there’ll be enough space to do the bathroom reno the way you want it.”
“You can do that? Just move the wall?”
“Well, there’s a little more to it than that. We’ll actually have to tear out this wall and build a new one, but it’ll only take a day or two.”
He said it as though he had no idea how amazing that was. “Let’s do it! I only need enough room in the office for a desk and filing cabinet and I really, really, really want this bathroom.”
He glanced at his notes and her sketches and took a few more measurements. “I think that’s it. I’ll redraw these plans to scale and have the estimate ready by tomorrow afternoon.”
“When will you be able to start?”
“If you decide to go ahead, I can get some of the materials delivered this week and we should be able to begin on Monday.”
“Perfect.” She had complete confidence that he’d quote a fair price and she’d already made up her mind to hire him. After all, he needed her as much as she needed him. But it would look more professional if she waited till she saw the estimate before she offered him the job.
She gathered her papers and glanced up at the hall clock. The morning had flown by. Nick had patiently listened to all her ideas and made suggestions when he thought something else would work better. Such as his suggestion for expanding the bathroom. And best of all, he didn’t seem to think she was completely crazy for doing this.
“Would you like to stay for lunch? I have stuff for sandwiches and there’s lots of fruit for dessert.”
He glanced at his watch and at the notes on his clipboard and she fully expected him to say no. Then he looked at her and smiled that heartbreaker smile of his. “Sure. Why not?”
NICK RAN WATER into the ancient pedestal sink in the bathroom and picked up a bar of purple soap. Obviously one of Maggie’s creations. He sniffed it suspiciously. Too flowery for his liking but it was all he could find.
Staying for lunch was probably a bad idea, he thought as he dried his hands on a bright red towel. Mixing business with pleasure always seemed to land him in a tight spot.
On the other hand, why shouldn’t he stay? Maggie’s refreshingly off-the-wall conversation made him laugh, and God knew he didn’t usually do a lot of that. She was easy on the eyes and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had lunch with a beautiful woman who wasn’t trying to use her looks to get her hooks into him.
He’d also lost count of the number of women who thought he had access to the Durrance fortunes, and who quickly hit the road when they found he didn’t. Either Maggie didn’t care about the money or she didn’t know about it. For now, either option worked.
He found her standing at the kitchen counter, assembling two enormous sandwiches. “Can I help?”
“Sure. There’s a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge and glasses in the far cupboard.”
He grabbed the glasses and opened the fridge. One shelf was completely filled with labeled plastic containers.
Oatmeal Cleanser.
Banana-Honey Anti-Aging Mask.
Cream of Wheat Body Scrub.
Cream of Wheat? Oh, man. She really was something.
He closed the fridge door, his amusement tempered by pangs of guilt. Ten years ago this neighborhood had been filled with run-down old houses like this one. Thanks to the town council’s ambitious program to attract tourists, most of the houses had been restored to their original elegance. Many were still private residences but others had been converted into antique shops, art galleries and cafés. Renovating an old house in this posh neighborhood was a good investment but no matter how he looked at it, converting it into a food-based beauty parlor was the craziest thing he’d ever heard.
It’s none of your business, Durrance. She’s an adult and she can do whatever she wants with her money. He hated having anyone meddle in his life and he wasn’t about to meddle in anyone else’s. Although, he was curious how she thought she could make a living at this. And asking a few questions didn’t make him a busybody.
He poured the lemonade into the two glasses. “Have you ever heard of one these kinds of spas before? I mean, one that uses fruit and stuff to make…you know…stuff?”
“I’ve seen them in the city, but I knew Collingwood Station didn’t have one. That’s what makes it such a good idea.”
Interesting logic. “So you really think a natural spa will work here?”
“I’m sure of it,” she said, adding sliced tomatoes and carrot sticks to each plate. “Everyone likes to be pampered and to feel they’re doing something good for their bodies.”
“You’re probably right.” And if she wasn’t, well, it was no concern of his.
“Besides, I have a way with people. I think this town is a perfect place for the kind of makeovers I do.” She set the plates on the table.
After she sat, he took a seat and he raised his glass of lemonade. “Here’s to a prosperous business venture.”
She clinked her glass against his and smiled like Mona Lisa. “And to a successful makeover. I mean, renovation.”
Chapter Four
Nick was helping clear away the lunch dishes and wishing he could find an excuse to spend the rest of the afternoon at Maggie’s place when the annoying sound of Allison’s voice drifted down the hallway.
“Hello-o? Anyone home?”
The impromptu visit seemed to take Maggie by surprise. “Allison?” she called. “I’m in the kitchen.”
“Does she come here often?” he asked quietly.
“No, and she always calls first. Maybe she wants to see you.”
He couldn’t tell if she was serious or not and didn’t have time to ask before Allison sashayed into the room.
“Oh, Nick. This is a nice surprise.”
Right. As if she hadn’t noticed his truck parked in front of the house all morning. So why the pretense?
Maggie slid the plates onto a stack in the cupboard and closed the door. “Nick’s been working on an estimate for renovations I need. He has some great ideas.”
“That’s nice. When do you start?”
Allison’s attempt at small talk didn’t fool Nick for a minute. “We’re not sure.” She definitely wanted something. Information?
“Where are the kids?” Maggie asked.
“John’s taken the afternoon off and they’ve gone to the children’s zoo. He feels it’s important that he spend quality time with them.”
“That’s so sweet.” Maggie glanced at him. “Don’t you think?”
“Yeah. Sweet.”
“I received Leslie’s wedding invitation yesterday,” Allison said.
There it was—the motive for this unexpected visit. He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “Even I’ve been invited to witness the event, if you can imagine.” And he now had one more reason not to go.
Maggie folded her dish towel and hung it up. “Leslie’s your sister, right?”
He nodded, wondering how she knew that.
“When’s the wedding?”
“Three weeks from Saturday.”
Allison bestowed one of her smug glances on him. “She’s asked me and Candice