Liza glanced over at Daniel. “Daniel says he can fix it in a few days.”
“A few days?” Peter turned to Daniel. “Will it really take that long?”
“Two days at least. Depending on the weather,” Daniel told him.
Daniel began to explain the different stages of the repair, and Liza decided it was the perfect time to slip away and let her brother take over.
Liza yearned for a shower and a change of clothes. The situation would look better after that, she was sure of it.
She knew there was plenty of work to be done today, but for some reason, the hole in the roof had taken the pressure off. Like getting a flat tire on a road trip. You had no choice but to stop and wait. And appreciate your surroundings.
And think about being kissed in the attic by the most amazing man you’ve met in ages? a little voice chided her.
Yes… that, too, Liza silently acknowledged.
LIZA came out of her room a short time later, wearing jeans and one of her good sweaters, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She heard noises up in the attic, the sound of a saw and hammers. Daniel didn’t waste any time getting to work, that was for sure.
She also heard Claire talking with someone down in the foyer. It was Fran Tulley, she realized as she drew closer.
“Oh, there she is,” Claire said, turning to watch Liza come down the stairs. “Fran is here to see you, Liza. I’ll leave you two to your business. I have something on the stove.”
The housekeeper headed back toward the kitchen as Fran and Liza greeted each other.
“Hi, Fran, I didn’t know you were going to stop by. Peter said he spoke to you this morning.”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I should see the roof firsthand. This way I can prepare people.”
“Daniel Merritt just started working on it,” Liza assured her.
“Oh, that’s good. Very good.” Fran followed Liza up the first flight of stairs toward the attic. “I’m afraid the Hardys have backed off,” Fran reported. “For now at least. I told them the damage probably wasn’t much and would be fixed quickly. But they got spooked. Some people feel superstitious about lightning.”
“What do you mean?”
Fran shrugged. “There’s a lot of magical thinking attached to lightning. It’s so sudden and explosive and powerful. Some people believe it’s some sort of sign from the heavens.”
Liza didn’t believe in that stuff. She didn’t even think about it. Not usually.
As they climbed up the last narrow flight, they heard voices, and Liza realized that Peter and Will were in the attic with Daniel.
“Everyone’s here,” Fran said, sounding pleased as they stepped into the attic. “Peter, Will, good to see you.”
Daniel met Liza’s glance, and she could tell that he was not nearly so pleased to have such a large audience.
“How’s it going?” Fran said, walking over to him. “Looks like you’ve found another big project here.”
“Or it found me,” Daniel answered. He nodded toward the huge chunk of tree branch on the attic floor. There was sawdust all around, and Liza was relieved to see that everything nearby had been covered with drop cloths.
“Daniel’s cutting up the branch. Then we’ll lower it out the window to the ground with some ropes and pulleys,” Peter explained.
So he did need some help, Liza realized. Or maybe he was just humoring her brother and making him feel as if he were doing something productive.
Will seemed to be the only one actually helping Daniel. He wore large gloves and a plastic eye guard. He held one end of the trunk as Daniel prepared to cut into it again.
“Be careful, Will. Don’t get too close to that saw. I wish you’d let me do that part,” Peter told his son.
“I’m okay, Dad. Just chill, will you?”
“No need for attitude, Will.” Peter’s voice rose. “This is serious.”
“I know, I know. Give me a break. You’re always criticizing. You know everything, right?” Will stepped back from the branch, glaring at Peter.
There was a momentary standoff until Daniel stepped in. “Will’s doing a good job. Just let him handle this last part. He’s already got the gear on,” Daniel pointed out.
Peter curtly nodded and stood back. Daniel positioned the saw again, but this time Fran interrupted him.
“How long do you think it will take, Daniel?” she asked.
“A few days. If I can get this branch out of the way and get started.”
Liza seemed to be the only one who caught his sarcasm. And Will, she noticed, who was quietly laughing.
“That’s not so bad,” Fran said, considering.
“Could you let the Hardys know that?” Peter asked. “Tell them we’re fixing the roof.”
“Of course I will,” Fran assured him. Then she peered up at the hole again, frowning. “This is a setback, no way around it. I don’t think we should bring anyone else to view the property until this repair is made. It’s just going to throw people off. There’s enough to overlook already.”
No denying that, Liza knew. Even her brother couldn’t argue the point.
Daniel held up his saw. “Just want to warn you all. I’m going to count to five and start this up again. Ready, Will?”
Will adjusted his goggles and nodded.
“You don’t have to tell me twice. What a racket.” Fran quickly headed for the steps. “So long, Daniel. Good luck.” She turned to Peter and Liza. “Keep me posted. And don’t worry. Sometimes you just can’t force these situations,” she added. “You just have to sit tight and wait it out.”
Liza glanced back at her brother as she headed down the steps, wondering how he was taking that piece of advice. Not well, she decided, not well at all.
LIZA walked Fran to the front door, then wandered into the front parlor. Claire was sorting out more clothing, heavy woolen coats and sweaters that she was going to bring to a local homeless shelter.
“The weather’s getting warmer, so I guess they’ll hold on to this stuff until next fall,” she said, packing the last bag. “It will go to use though, either way.”
“I’m sure Aunt Elizabeth would approve,” Liza said. “Do you need any help putting that in your car?”
“Nah. This is the last bag. I’m fine.” Claire tied the end of the black bag and stood up straight again. “What are you up to today? Outside or in?”
Liza shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I might hang the curtains in the bathroom downstairs. But it seems too nice to stay inside.”
“That’s the best thing about a big spring storm. It makes the air so clear and sweet,” Claire agreed.
So it had. The storm had left the air sparkling clear, and now the sun shone down brilliantly. It was far too beautiful to stay inside, but Liza couldn’t think of any outside jobs she wanted to tackle either.
“Why don’t you take a break from this house today, Liza?” the older woman suggested. “Maybe that lightning bolt was trying to tell you something,” she added with a smile.
“You think so?” Liza asked, curious. “I can’t imagine what that might be.”
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know exactly. Whenever I’m tired and confused, I take a nice long walk on the beach. That’s where I feel calmer. And closest to God. That’s what helps me sort things out.”
Liza nodded. She respected-and even envied-Claire’s strong faith, though she didn’t come close to sharing it. Liza wasn’t a churchgoer, hadn’t prayed for years. Well, maybe once or twice in some desperate crisis, after her parents had their accident, probably. Liza didn’t think God felt very positively about people who only called in an emergency. But Claire was right about two things: Liza did feel tired and confused, and she did need some time away from the inn.
“Off I go. See you later.” Claire picked up the big bag of clothes and headed out to her car.