As she continued explaining her vision, he couldn’t believe someone could be so passionate about working on a house. His ex-wife, Elaina, had only ever been this excited about new clothes or jewels. Kate was definitely a different breed.
She paused and looked at him expectantly. “What do you think?”
“If I do what you suggest, will you take the job?”
“A good contractor can take care of everything.”
Lucas shook his head. “I’m not going to let a bunch of people I’ve never met come in here and take over. You’ve already displayed your ability to take charge by getting me to see the condition of the house. You’ll keep those workers in line and make sure that no changes are done without my authorization.”
“I appreciate your faith in my abilities, but I can’t be here every minute of the day while my daughter’s in the hospital.”
He knew he was asking a lot, but he needed to know that his most treasured memories were handled with the utmost care and respect. “You said so yourself—you can’t be there when your ex is with your daughter during the day. I’m offering you a chance to do what you obviously love while earning some money—”
“But what if my ex suddenly decides to skip town, as he’s been known to do in the past?”
“We’ll deal with that if or when we have to. But this will give you something to do besides sitting around, worrying. There’s nothing worse than a day filled with worrisome thoughts and nothing but time on your hands.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” When he shrugged but failed to add any details, Kate continued. “And what do I do about the fund-raiser?”
He’d thought about this, too. “I think between my administrative assistant, who is practically a party-planning pro by now, and my aunt, who knows everyone who is anyone, you’ll have time to spare. But if you decide to pass on the job, I totally understand. I’m sure I’ll find someone to oversee things...eventually.”
“This isn’t a wait-and-see problem. One more big rain and you’ll have untold damage. You need a new roof, and who knows what else, today.”
“Does that mean you accept the position?”
* * *
Kate was impressed by the speed and ease with which Lucas solved problems. A snap of his fingers and all was right in the world—except for this time.
As tempting as it was to take on this exclusive job and add it as a crowning jewel in her portfolio, she still had a much bigger problem. She needed money for the operation. And though she didn’t doubt that Lucas’s assistant and aunt could throw together a lavish party, it was still her responsibility. And its success was paramount.
“As much as I’d like to, I can’t accept your offer. I have to concentrate on the fund-raiser.”
Frown lines creased his forehead. “How is that going?”
She shrugged. “The location is going to be a problem as there are a lot of spring weddings taking up the prime locations, not that I have enough for a deposit on the plush venues anyway. I have some phone messages in to other places—I’m just waiting for them to get back to me.”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
She couldn’t help but wonder if he really thought that or if he was just telling her what she wanted to hear. “Connie helped me come up with a theme. It’s going to be a vintage costume party. Hopefully people will have a lot of fun dressing up.”
“My aunt is a great lady to have around to help plan a party. She’s had a lifetime of experience. Between my great-gran, my grandmother and my mother, there was always some sort of social function going on here.”
“Really? I’ve never been to a formal party other than a friend’s wedding.”
“Not even a work function?”
“By the point where I was in a position to be invited to client parties, I had Molly to consider. I didn’t get to spend enough time with her as it was, so I stayed home. We put on an animated movie and ate popcorn.”
“You’re a very dedicated mother.”
Heat flared in her cheeks. “I...uh... Thank you.”
“Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much at those parties.”
Her mouth gaped. “Of course I did. It’s a girl’s dream to get all gussied up and go to the ball. You can say that because you’ve gone to countless parties. Just once I’d like to check it out for myself.”
He chuckled. “Beneath the jeans and T-shirts, I guess you really are a girl.”
She frowned. “You actually had doubts about me being a girl?”
“Not at all. You just struck me as being different from the other women I’ve known.”
“I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”
“It’s neither.” He cleared his throat, looking exceedingly uncomfortable. “What if I throw in free room and board if you work for me?”
The man certainly didn’t give up easily. “From what I’ve seen in the kitchen, I’d probably starve to death.”
“You’ve got me there. But I have all of the local takeouts on speed dial. And...maybe I’ll entertain some of your design ideas.”
She had to admit she was impressed, but she couldn’t spread herself too thin. She opened her mouth to turn him down...again.
“No.” He held up his hand to silence her. “Don’t answer so quickly, because this will be my last offer and I can see the glint of temptation in your eyes.”
On second thought, her serious consideration of his offer would give her license to browse around. She’d love to check out the closed-up rooms she hadn’t dared explore before. “Do you mind if I look around? To see what I’m getting myself into?”
He waved his hand, granting her free passage. “Help yourself.”
She jumped to her feet and hurried down the hallway. She noticed how he trailed her—so close that the scent of his spicy cologne wrapped around her. She paused in front of the double doors just off the foyer and glanced over her shoulder as though making sure he hadn’t changed his mind about her nosing around the place.
“Go ahead.” His tone was reserved and a bit hesitant.
She turned and pushed the doors open. This was her first glimpse of the living room and she was impressed by its sheer size. Her entire ranch house could fit in this one room with space to spare. And the ceilings were at least twelve feet high, giving the room a wide-open feel.
But there was something not quite right. She scanned the area again, taking in the furniture. Though of high quality, it was too contemporary for the house. And the impressionistic artwork on the walls didn’t quite fit. A stately home such as this deserved to be decorated with items that exuded grace and elegance, not flash and fad.
With no throw covers, everything was coated in heavy dust that tickled her nose and made her eyes water. Beneath the filth, the house looked as though the occupants had gotten up one morning, gone about their day but never returned.
Throw pillows were haphazardly strewn about as though people had tossed them aside and forgotten to pick them up. Even a newspaper was spread across the glass coffee table, open to the sports page. Was that why Lucas lived like he did? Was he waiting for someone to return? A lost love?
Kate recalled him mentioning an ex-wife. Was that it? Was he still grieving the loss of his marriage?
A white-and-pink figurine