ready.
There were a few guys moving around the downstairs, making notes of things that needed to be fixed or updated. They didn’t seem to notice me as I made my way to the kitchen. Once there, I turned on the coffee pot and wished I had some industrial sized ear plugs. Seriously, was all that noise necessary so early in the morning?
Glancing at the clock on the stove, I frowned and grumbled a little more. It was 10:00 am. Technically not early for normal people. But I wasn’t normal. I was an author with my mojo back. Apparently, my mojo was a night owl. It was a good thing because so was I.
Mornings were overrated.
As soon as I had a cup of coffee in my hand, I slipped on the flip-flops I kept at the kitchen door and ventured outside to say hello to the contractor. You know, be friendly and all.
“Morning!” He called a greeting as he stood outside the cellar entrance. Lord, I didn’t even know what all might be down in the cellar. I’d nearly forgotten it existed. Hopefully, nothing that would incriminate me or my family. Like bones of something or someone for whatever Aunt Winnie used for spells. Not that she used many bones for her spells, but it was Winnie I was talking about. Anything was possible. And nothing would surprise me.
“Need anything?” I walked off the back porch and peered down into the cellar, but nobody was screaming or running out with looks of terror, so it must not have been that bad. I made a mental note to check down there later tonight.
“Nope.” He grinned as he inspected my neon green leggings. “We’ll let you know if we do.”
That grin turned into a smile that revealed two dimples as he met my gaze. His brown eyes were slightly darker than caramel candies. He was a cutie and young enough to be my son.
And on that note…
“I’ll be in my office if you need anything.” I smiled and made my retreat, having satisfied my obligatory welcome and offer of help. Now it was time to go to work. I was trying to work out a schedule and manage my time better now that I have a book deadline. On my days off from the bookstore, which I start tomorrow, I’ll work on my book during the daylight hours. I didn’t need to stay up all night with the construction going on during the day.
But changing my routine was harder than it seemed.
When I entered the kitchen and spotted the bottles of water, my hospitable side got the better of me. I put the bottles in a cooler and covered them in ice, then dragged them onto the porch. There. Now they had plenty to drink if they needed it.
After topping off my coffee, I headed to my office. I was still feeling inspired by being back in Maine and my new prospects at the bookstore. It was a great feeling that I wasn’t going to spend too much time thinking about.
I settled down at my desk to write, but my attention kept drifting out the window. I had the perfect view of their work truck and couldn’t help but notice how young and fit several of the construction workers were. I spent more time watching them work and admiring the view. I really had to stop myself from ogling before I was caught being a creeper. Plus, none of them set my insides on fire like a certain cop I ran into at the grocery store three days ago.
And I will not think about Officer Walker.
After lunch, during which I nearly convinced myself to make sandwiches for the entire crew, I sat back down to work. Oh, I offered to make lunch, but they politely declined. It was the mother in me to make sure everyone was taken care of. Maybe I’d get a pet to care for since my son abandoned me for higher learning.
On that thought, I searched my office for Snooze and found the large beast stretched out on top of the second desk Auntie used. He was on his back with his feet in the air, furry belly, and everything else exposed for all to see. The huge cat had no shame.
I was about to throw a paper ball at him when my cell phone started ringing. “Saved by the ring tone, Kitty Kat.”
Snooze’s reply was a loud snore that made me laugh.
Glancing down at the phone, I smiled