The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,18
a wheelchair, but that can get expensive.”
Juan nodded as he turned the page over. Julia was examining the plans intently as her father passed the pages over to her.
“As for the outdoor access, that’s probably the easiest fix because you’re on a relatively flat surface with a straight run to the barn and parking area. We can simply pave those surfaces and lay a new slab,” Kaiden finished up, and glanced over at Juan. “Anything in particular worrying you so far?”
“Only that it looks far more extensive than I imagined. I thought we could just redo the shower to allow me access in a chair, and we’d be done.” Juan looked up at Kaiden.
“Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that,” Kaiden said gently. “You’ve got to take the current pipe placement and drainage into account before you start bashing down walls. Do you know Mike Betts? He’s a really good plumber. He’ll see you right.”
“I know Mike’s father.” Juan studied the kitchen plan. “It does look nice with some of the countertops lowered, and the sink at chair level. Have you done one like this before?”
Kaiden handed over a photograph. “Yeah, I helped Sam Morgan do the kitchen in her new house on Morgan Ranch. She doesn’t often use a wheelchair, but occasionally she needs one, and these adaptations helped a lot.” Kaiden pointed at the wood. “I made the cabinets myself.”
“You did?” Julia asked.
“Yeah.” Kaiden briefly met her startled gaze. “That’s my job.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Kaiden reminded himself to keep things short and polite.
“Could you do that here?” Juan asked.
“It depends on the timeframe.” Kaiden refused to commit himself. “I have quite a lot lined up right now with the Morgantown Preservation Society.”
“But such beauty would be worth waiting for,” Juan murmured. “Don’t you think so, Daughter?”
“Sure, Dad, but if Kaiden is too busy then we’ll have to do without, or get someone else just as skilled as he is.”
“I can recommend a couple of guys from out near Bridgeport who do good work,” Kaiden chimed in.
“I’d much rather it was you,” Juan said firmly. “The less strangers in my house, the better.”
“I understand.” Kaiden nodded. He should really ask Juan how long Julia was planning on staying and arrange the work around that, but he couldn’t do it in front of her. He’d much rather do the carpentry himself as he always enjoyed it.
“I’ll leave you to think about it,” Kaiden concluded. “I included some cost estimates in the back, but they are pretty basic. You can probably expect to pay more for customization.”
“Thank you.” Juan looked up at Julia. “You’ll take a look at those for me, won’t you, my dear, and tell me what we can afford?”
“Of course I will.” Julia patted his shoulder.
Kaiden stood up. “I’d better get on. I rode over so it’s going to take me quite some time to get home.”
He shook Juan’s hand and stepped around Julia with a polite good-bye. He grabbed his hat and coat in the hallway, and was halfway along the path before he heard her shouting his name. This time he didn’t make the mistake of looking back, and carried on into the dilapidated barn where he’d left Domino, his horse.
“Kaiden . . .”
He looked up from checking the girth. “What’s up?”
“I need to apologize to you.” Julia was now blocking his exit from the barn, which was just peachy.
He slid his fingers under the leather making sure he hadn’t pinched the gelding’s skin. “You already did, so we’re good.”
“I doubt that. I was out of line.”
She paused as if waiting for a response he had no intention of giving her and kept right on speaking.
“Thanks for the plans. They really are great.”
“You’re welcome.” He checked the reins, untied them from the hitching post, and started toward her.
“Kaiden . . .”
He had two choices. One, keep going and run her over, or two, stop and deal with her like an adult.
“Look, you apologized. I know you were having a bad day, so we’re done, okay? Finished. End of story.”
“But I hurt your feelings,” Julia said earnestly.
Kaiden snorted. “Have you met my dad? I face him down on a regular basis, so your little temper tantrum barely registered.”
“Temper tantrum?” She settled her hands on her hips. “Really?”
“You even stamped your foot,” Kaiden added, and then remembered he wasn’t supposed to be provoking her.
“I was . . . worried about everything, and you—well, you were just standing there smirking like you always do, knowing it sets me off, and—”