Lauren shook his hand, which was roughened from work, and he stared down at her, his eyes boring into hers. Once again she had the feeling she’d seen him somewhere before. “Do I know you?” she asked.
He looked her over, head to toe, before answering. “Nope. I think I’d remember if we’d met before.”
“You just look familiar,” she murmured.
He glanced over her shoulder. “I must have one of those familiar-looking faces. Ready to get started?” he asked.
“Sure.” She gestured for him to follow her inside. “I woke up and stepped into a flood. I think it’s the hot water heater,” she explained.
“It’s an old house, so it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Actually I need you to give all the pipes a once-over. I’m planning to sell the house soon and the prospective buyers will be doing an inspection prior to closing. I need to know of any potential issues ahead of time.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good.” They’d reached the bedroom. “Flood’s in here and the water heater is around the corner.” She pointed down the hall to a closed door on the left.
“Okay. Let me take a look and see what we’re dealing with. I’ll get back to you before I start any work.”
“Thanks. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” She left him and retreated to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.
Half an hour later, Jason returned, looking more tired than he had before. Clearly the episode with his uncle had taken a toll on him.
She barely had time to say hello, when the plumber joined them.
Introductions went quickly and Lauren got to the point. “How bad is it?” she asked the plumber.
“You’re going to need a new heater, for starters.” He wiped his dirty hands on a rag. “As for the rest of the house, things are hit and miss. The plumbing’s old, no question about that. There have been some recent replacements, but there are a lot of pipes that need replacing, as well.”
Jason nodded. “I figured as much. How long until you get the heater?”
The other man shrugged. “I’m new so I’m not sure. Let me call my boss and see what’s in stock, but it’s a standard unit, so with a little luck I can pick it up today.”
“Great. Do that and get me an estimate on the rest of the house. We’ll go from there.”
The other man shifted from foot to foot. “I need to write down everything, but I gotta tell you, some of it needs to be done ASAP or else you’re looking at bigger problems down the road.”
“I understand. Then get me an estimate quickly, Mr. Pittman.”
“It’s Brody, and sure thing.” He turned and headed back to work.
“I’m just looking out for your budget and bottom line,” Jason said to Lauren as soon as the plumber had gone.
“I appreciate that.” Lauren smiled. “How’s your uncle?” She’d been trying to put his disparaging remarks about her being a Perkins into perspective, but they still bothered her.
Lauren had returned to town telling herself she didn’t care what other people thought of her, yet when it came to Jason’s family, she realized their opinion of her mattered.
“It’s just frustrating.” A muscle twitched in Jason’s jaw. “He was doing so well, but when it comes to the curse, he isn’t rational. Anything Perkins-related sets him off.” Jason glanced out the window over the kitchen sink, staring into the wooded area beyond.
“I’m sorry.” She stepped up behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “We seem to find ourselves saying that a lot.”
He turned and they were close. Nose-to-nose close. “Then let’s stop. None of this Corwin Perkins stuff is either one of our fault.”
She shrugged. “I know that, and yet-”
He cut her off, placing his finger over her lips. “Your last name doesn’t define you. It never has.”
Unable to help herself, she looped her arms around his neck. “You’re still a nice guy, Jason Corwin.” Smiling, she leaned in close for a kiss.
Just one. Because he didn’t blame her for her family’s sins and because he was kind, compassionate and sexy.
She touched her lips to his. He immediately cinched his arm around her waist, pulling her close and sealing his lips against hers. His tongue swept into her mouth, creating dizzying sensations that had her clenching the fabric of his shirt and kissing him back as if she were starving.
He rocked his hips against hers, teasing her with possibilities as he kissed her thoroughly, deeply, and oh so erotically. Her skin tingled. Her nerve endings were on fire. She never wanted the moment to end.
Yet incredibly, he pulled back, staring into her eyes with his mesmerizing gaze.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, her hands still gripping his shirt.
“Don’t get me wrong, I could do this all day but you’d only use it against me later on, when we don’t get any work done.”
Reality came swarming back fast. “Oh.” She licked her damp lips.
The man had a point.
“But I do need you to remember one thing for after work hours.” An amused smile pulled at his lips.
“What’s that?” she asked warily.
“I’m not the one who broke the all-work-no-play rule, sweetheart. And I didn’t even have to try.” He placed a warm kiss on her cheek and headed out of the kitchen, back to work.
CLARA LOVED the women she’d befriended since moving to town. She cherished the loyalty and she needed their support. But since she’d gone from joy and optimism to true concern for her Edward, she wasn’t in the mood for Ladies’ Night.
Once a month, she, Amber, Gabrielle and sometimes Sharon met at The Wave. Since she’d become pregnant, Gabrielle drank a blend of Clara’s favorite tea that the restaurant now stocked and Clara usually joined her, while Amber and Sharon nursed white wine. They shared their joys and their problems and Clara loved having these close female friends in her life.
Ever since Jason had brought Edward home, mumbling and upset, she had been thrown by the change in his personality. She’d thought they’d made progress, yet now at the merest mention of Lauren Perkins working with his nephew, Edward had suddenly regressed. Clara had left him in the boathouse near the lake, hammering and muttering and basically not dealing with the world, including her.
She’d called his psychiatrist, and Dr. Shelby said he’d fit Edward in tomorrow. In the meantime, Mike promised to look in on Edward, while Clara headed to The Wave.
Thanks to the townspeople pitching in with donations of money and time, The Wave had been rebuilt in the year since Beth Perkins had set the place on fire. The restaurant was once again a hub in the community where people gathered at night and met up for lunch during the day.
The aqua-blue of The Wave’s logo welcomed Clara as she stepped inside and looked for her friends. She found them already seated and laughing around a table in the rear.
“Hello, ladies,” Clara said as she hung her jacket on the back of her chair and settled in.
“Clara, we’re so glad you could make it,” Amber said. “I know you’d rather be home with Edward, but it’ll do you good to get out.” She placed her hand over Clara’s. “How is he?”
“Puttering out back.” She knew that statement would explain it all.
Gabrielle shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know. Let’s talk about other things tonight. You cut your hair again!” Clara said, taking in Gabrielle’s angled bob. “I always loved that look on you.”
“Thanks. I had it cut this morning. I used to keep it this way because it was in style. Now it’s just easier because I’m so tired all the time,” she admitted, flushing as she spoke.
Clara smiled. “You fought hard for this pregnancy, so enjoy every moment.”
“I can’t wait to be Aunt Amber!” Amber said.
Gabrielle leaned her elbows on the table. “How about becoming mommy? I need someone to go through this with and the baby will need a playmate! You, too, Sharon.”
Clara studied Amber and Sharon intently, sensing their answers before they replied.