Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,6
gotten so much done already.” She walked past him into the cabin.
He and his crew had pulled out the built-in bunkbeds and the old flooring and had cleared out the connected bathrooms, leaving only electric wires and exposed plumbing.
“I can’t believe how big this cabin is after everything’s been removed,” Elle said, walking in circles.
“There’s plenty of room,” he agreed, walking over to unroll the plans he’d drawn up for this particular cabin. “There’ll be a small sitting area and a kitchenette, a larger bedroom area, and the bathroom…” He motioned to the plans as both the ladies looked on. When he leaned closer, he was rewarded with the soft scent of Aubrey’s perfume. She smelled like flowers and sex.
He straightened and took a step back. He’d gone several months now without sex and knew that the pull was probably due to that.
As he talked to them both about the other cabins, his eyes kept darting towards Aubrey.
When she asked him about permitting and contractor licenses, he was a little shocked that she knew so much about the business. He talked to her about the city’s permitting schedule and how he was a licensed state engineer, which cut down on the time frame for work to start.
“Besides, Marg and I go way back.” He chuckled.
“Oh?” Aubrey asked.
He shrugged. “She used to babysit me.” He smiled. “She has a soft spot for me still.”
“Most women do.” Elle chuckled and nudged Aubrey, who blushed slightly. Her pale skin turned a soft shade of pink, causing his blood to heat. Elle didn’t notice it since she was too busy walking around the cabin again.
He watched as the two friends chatted about furniture, decorations, and the camp’s future. He watched Aubrey closely and wondered if she was single. Okay, a lot of other thoughts rushed through his head as well, but the first and foremost was if she was free.
He’d made the mistake of not checking to see if someone he was interested in was unattached before and it had burned him.
Elle’s phone rang and, after glancing down at it, she held up her finger and took the call. Shortly after answering, she stepped outside the cabin.
“So.” Aubrey turned to him. “You’re Elle’s cousin?”
“My grandmother Nancy and Elle’s grandfather Joe were brother and sister. My grandmother died a long time ago.”
“We all loved Grandpa Joe.” Aubrey’s smile brightened. “It’s funny, Elle had never mentioned you, at least not until we started planning this all out. Then you’re all she could talk about. How you’d just come back from college. Architect?” she asked as she tilted her head.
“Bachelor of Design in Architecture.” He nodded. “FSU.”
“I was going to school.” Her eyes turned towards the large windows his crew had ripped out earlier that morning. A few bugs buzzed in and out of the empty spaces.
“For?” he asked when she didn’t continue.
Her blue eyes moved back to him. “Art,” she said with a sigh.
“Sounds like you miss it?” He tucked his hands in his jean pockets.
She shrugged and walked over to the fireplace and ran a finger over the worn wood. He had plans to refurbish the old thing with oak. The fireplaces in all of the cabins would be modernized into gas fireplaces, but he planned on keeping the hearths classic and rustic looking. It would be part of the charm of each cabin.
“I do sometimes. I suppose when there is more work around here for us to do, I won’t be so…”
His eyebrows drew up. “Bored?”
She chuckled softly. “I guess living in a city has turned me into a time snob.” She glanced over at him.
“We could always use some extra help,” he suggested. “If you were an art major, I’m sure you’ll have no issues picking up a paintbrush.” He nodded to the walls. “We start painting in here in about a week. Course, we’ll tape it all off and spray, but…”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful. I know how to use a sprayer.” She clasped her hands together as if excited.
“I’m sure I can find other things for you to do around here.” He glanced around just as Elle stepped back inside.
“I’ve got to go meet the cleaning crew for the main building.” She glanced at her watch. “Aub…”
“I think I’m going to help out around here. Aiden says he could use the extra help,” Aubrey jumped in.
Elle’s eyebrows shot up as she glanced his way.
He nodded quickly, confirming. “If you can spare her today.”