Susan Mallery - Three Sisters

“Andi?”

“What? Sorry.” She shook her head. “I’m not all here. Come on in.”

She stepped back to allow him entry into the house.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“Excuse me?”

“You said you’re not all here.”

“Oh, right. Lack of sleep. I have bats.”

Wade laughed.

She suddenly found him slightly less sexy. “I’m not kidding. I have bats and no hot water. When I’m awake I’d say the lack of hot water is the bigger problem, but flying rodents are keeping me up at night.”

He dropped his worn backpack onto the dusty floor. “You really hate bats.”

“I hate anything that flies into my hair at three in the morning. I’ve been beating them back with a broom.”

“I’d pay money to see that.”

“I’d pay money to get them gone. Do you know the percentage of bats that carry rabies?”

“No.”

“It’s really high.”

His mouth twitched. “As long as you have the actual number.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Why are you here?”

“I’m your contractor. Wade King. You really are tired.”

“I remember your name. You’re Zeke’s brother. You work together?”

“Yes. King Construction. No relation.”

“What?”

“King Construction. The Kings of California?” His tone was helpful. “They’re a big deal in— Never mind. Zeke and I work on all the jobs together. We’ll be in and out here, but I’m going to take point.” He pulled on his backpack. “I have the plans with me. Are you up to looking at them? I know you met with Zeke right after you made your offer, but I want to confirm everything before we get started with the demolition on Monday.”

“Can I have hot water and no bats?”

He flashed her a grin that made her knees go weak. “Sure. I’ll take care of both before I leave.”

“Then I’m happy to look at plans.”

* * *

Shortly after ten, Andi stood under a spray of hot water and decided that she was never going to ask for anything or complain, ever again. Her shower was heaven. She rinsed the lather out of her hair, then reached for her birthday-cake-scented shower wash and squeezed a generous dollop into her palm. The sugary fragrance surrounded her, chasing away the last of her exhaustion. As long as she had hot water and coffee, she could be a happy person.

Twenty minutes later, she had dressed in clean clothes and combed out her wet hair. She followed the sound of cursing to the third floor and stood watching as her very hunky contractor discovered she hadn’t been lying about the bats.

“See?”

“This is not a good time to be smug,” he told her, waving what looked like a butterfly net toward a dark corner of the space she’d claimed as her living room.

“Sure it is. You didn’t believe me. Oh, and I wasn’t kidding about the rabies, either. Don’t let them bite you.”

He gave her a quick glance. “Not getting bitten was the plan.”

Something dark swooped from the rafter. Wade swung the net and snagged the shadow before it could retreat behind the large armoire against the wall. Andi had to admit she was torn between his impressive eye-hand coordination and the ripple of muscles she’d seen under his worn T-shirt.

The bat fluttered in the net. Wade held the opening against the wall, so it couldn’t get out.

“Grab this, please.”

She took the handle while he pulled on gloves. “You’re not going to kill it, are you?”

“No. I’m going to take it out to the trees and let it go. I could only find this one, so once it’s gone, you should be fine.”

“Good.” She shivered. “I hope it doesn’t attack you.”

One eyebrow rose. “Me, too.”

She watched from the window. Wade appeared on her patchy lawn and walked toward a grove of trees. Seconds later, something fluttered in the leaves and he was heading back for the house.

Impressive, she thought, wishing she’d called after the first night. She could have been bat-free that much sooner.

She poured them each a cup of coffee, then settled at the small table. Wade joined her and pulled the plans out of his backpack.

They were close enough that she could inhale the clean smell of soap and fabric softener. His dark eyes were made up of a thousand shades of brown with tiny flecks of gold. Her gaze settled on his mouth as she wondered if he was a good kisser. Not that she would be able to judge. She’d been kissing Matt for a decade and look where that had gotten her.

“Here’s the plan for the main floor.”

He pushed the paper toward her and oriented it so the front door was closest to her. She leaned in and traced the various rooms. Waiting area, front reception desk, back office, lunch room, three treatment rooms, supply space.

He talked about windows and light, the materials they would use. Decisions would have to be made on paint colors and fixtures.

“We did the remodeling at Doc Harrington’s office a few years back,” he told her. “Have you met him?”

“Yes. I’ll be working there until my office is done. I start Monday.”

“Look around when you get a chance. We did some custom built-ins the nurses love. We can do them for you, too.”

She looked at Wade. “The most important thing to remember is that I’m dealing with children. I want them to be comfortable. Bad enough if they’re sick—the environment shouldn’t scare them, too. So bright, friendly colors.”

He leaned back and grinned. “Now you sound like my sister-in-law.” He motioned to the house next door. “Boston.”

“Oh, right. Because Zeke is her husband. I met her earlier this past week. She’s nice.”

“She is. And an artist. Maybe the two of you can talk about what makes one color more friendly than another.”

She studied him, aware that his eyes had crinkled in amusement. “You’re mocking me.”

“Some. We’ve got a little time until we’re ready for paint.”

“I’ll be sure to get my decision made in the next couple of weeks.”

They talked logistics—what walls would be torn down, how messy everything would be. Wade assured her she could live in the house through all the construction, and she nearly believed him. She confirmed delivery dates for various pieces of equipment and gave him a list of the fixtures and appliances she’d already picked out.

“I’ll give you an update most evenings,” he told her. “I’m generally the last guy out at the end of the day.”

“A boss who works,” she murmured. “Impressive. But aren’t the long hours hard on your family?”

“They’re used to it.”

She sighed silently. So much for subtly trying to get information on whether or not he was married. The average sixteen-year-old had more dating experience than her. All she wanted to know was if Wade was as good as he looked. Oh, and if he was married, of course.

Not that she wanted a relationship. Or anything else. She’d moved to the island with the idea that she would spend the rest of her life celibate. Eventually she wouldn’t miss being with a man. After all, how could she long for what she’d never really had? She and Matt had never had what could be called a wild sex life, although right now something other than lights-out, every other Saturday night, sounded kind of fun. Not that she was going to say that out loud. Or even think it. That part of her life was over. She’d moved on. Like to a higher spiritual plane.

“Andi?”

She blinked and realized Wade was staring at her. “Hmm?”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. A little punchy from my nights with a bat.”

“A challenge for anyone.” He rose. “Come on. I’ll show you where I was thinking we should put the kitchen.”

Sadly, that was the most exciting invitation she’d had in recent memory.