Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,15

to replace. “Morning Mitch,” she called out, making her way past a few of Cooper’s guys. “Spike … Eggsy. Who wants coffee?”

“Yes please!”

There was a chorus of agreement, so she headed through to the kitchen—or, at least, what was left of it. They’d ripped out every last hint of hideous orange Formica, and now there was nothing but a gaping space, a toaster oven, and her prized Italian coffee maker. Evie set a fresh pot to brew and pulled yesterday’s bakery box from the cupboard. “There are still muffins left!” she added loudly. “Who wants blueberry?”

“I’ll take one of those,” Cooper said, strolling in. He had a clipboard in one hand and a toolbelt slung around his waist, and maybe it was the sheer relief talking, but if he hadn’t been married, Evie would have seriously considered proposing. At least then she might have saved on construction costs. Cooper’s bid may have come in way below that charlatan Louie’s, but it was still taking a hefty chunk of her savings to get the place set to rights.

“So, what’s the plan today?” she asked brightly, pouring him a cup of coffee.

Cooper consulted his clipboard. “Well, we’re just finishing up some wiring and the new drywall—and we found the source of that terrible smell. Turns out a racoon decided to crawl under the house and die.”

Evie shuddered. “The less I hear about that, the better.”

“Better than finding a cracked sewer line,” Cooper said cheerfully. “Cheaper, too. Oh, and speaking of savings, I took a look at the floors upstairs. Once we got the carpet out, they turned out to be in pretty good shape. Strip them down, give them a sanding and a fresh coat of stain and they should be good as new.”

“That’s great news!” Evie retrieved her renovation binder and happily crossed “new floors” off her budget list before flipping to a page of faucets and taps. “I was thinking about ordering these,” she said, pointing to the pictures from the fancy bathroom website. “I know they’re pretty plain, but I figure it will be good to keep a simple backdrop for the rest of the decor.”

While Cooper and his guys had been busy ripping everything out of the inn, Evie had been spending night and day planning what was going to go into it. She’d only ever furnished a shoe-box apartment with the best IKEA had to offer; now, she had a whole house to fill from scratch—and not just to her taste, either. No matter where her guests were from, she wanted them to feel at home, like their time at Beachcomber was truly special. But what design would accomplish that?

Traditional B&B chintz … beach chic … modern luxury?

She hadn’t settled on a style just yet, but she knew she needed to nail it down—and soon.

“The faucets look good,” Cooper said, checking Evie’s binder. “But those prices … there’s a building supply place out near Falmouth that can get you anything at wholesale. I’ll call ahead, they’ll sort you out, no problem.”

“Angel,” Evie said. “Have I told you yet today how much I love you?”

Cooper laughed just as a petite brunette stepped through the door. “Is there something you want to tell me, darling?” she asked Cooper, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Because if you’re carrying on a torrid affair, it means I can catch up on my sleep.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” Evie flushed, mortified, but the woman just laughed.

“Don’t worry, I get pretty weak-kneed whenever he fixes something, too.” She winked. “I’m Poppy,” she said, introducing herself. “Sorry for just barging in, but I figured he might need this today.”

She passed Cooper his cellphone. “You left it on the table. Emma helped out by smearing it in honey, so you might want to give it a clean.”

Cooper took it with his thumb and forefinger. “Thanks.”

“Lysol wipes by the fridge,” Evie advised. Once he was gone, she turned back to Poppy. “I really didn’t mean anything—”

“Relax,” Poppy said, smiling. “I proclaim my passion for our pizza delivery guy on a daily basis. And as for the man who gives me back massages? Ours is a love that dare not speak its name—but I’ll admit, I had an ulterior motive coming here: I’m dying to know what you’re doing with the place.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I watch way too much home renovation TV.”

Evie laughed. “Me too,” she said. “Although I’m finding out it’s different when it’s your own money on the line. I never realized I’d