It was looking more loved than it had when she arrived. It was hard to manage any time in her schedule, but just a few minutes every now and then helped. It didn’t seem like only a couple of weeks since Cooper’s Crossing had become her new home, but the time had flown while she was busy.
The tree where she’d made love with R.P was fast losing its flowers, and small cherries were forming into larger fruit. She’d have to get someone in to mow the lawns because she really didn’t have time to do it herself. There would surely be someone around who could do it—a school kid looking for extra pocket money. If there was a community board in town, she might put up a notice; otherwise, Sassie could ask her new friends.
“Right, lovely puss. Time to get stuck into the cabinets so I can go to town and start looking for fittings to make this house a very welcoming home.” She threw the dregs of her tea on the grass and headed back to the house. There were only two cabinets and drawers left to build. She’d left those until last, thinking they would be the hardest with all the extra fittings. She was right, but once one drawer was made and the sliders on, it was easier. With the last screw drilled into place, she let rip a squeal of delight, scaring the cat, who was fast asleep in a sunny spot by the window.
“Ah, you have bad nerves, my lovely cat. Best you get used to the noise if you’re going to be happy here. Nothing will hurt you, but I’m guessing your last owner was a little more sedate than I am.” Sassie brushed her hand over the cat’s back and looked at all the cabinets standing proudly in her spare room, waiting until her floors and plumbing were done to be moved to their rightful place. Once she called in a tradesman to fit the new pipes and a hot water system, she could put everything in its place and lay the bench tops. A coat of paint to freshen things up, and most of the work would be done.
Apart from the floors. She’d almost forgotten that. Oh, Sassie O’Leary, are you sure you haven’t bitten off more than you can chew, girl?
The wide hardwood floors would look beautiful polished up with the white cabinets and black bench tops—golden and warm, just what she wanted in this old house. A couple of rag rugs positioned in front of the sink and perhaps the stove and that would be enough to show it off to its best.
She just had to find someone to do it for her because there were some jobs she didn’t even want to think about tackling, and polishing floors was one of them. Maybe R.P. could give her a name this afternoon when he came over. It went on her mental list of things to sort out.
So, floors polished, walls painted, cabinets put in position, and then the counter tops. That would almost complete the kitchen and she could begin to dress it with pretties to make it homely and welcoming.
“Right, enough. I’m going to town to buy paint and see what I can find for this house.” She grabbed her purse and car keys, whistling as she shut the door behind her.
* * *
Riley was busy hanging doors when his brother walked into the townhouse.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself. What’s happening, Grady? Run out of people to arrest?” He drilled in the last screw and swung the door to make sure it was hung properly and cleared the newly laid carpet. “What do you think? The place is coming together, isn’t it? I should have them ready on the market for later this week.” He put the drill down on his portable workbench.
“Looks good. You’ve done a great job. I hope they sell fast.”
“Yeah, me too. Kind of stretched the bank balance paying for all this, but I think it’ll all be worth it in the long run. With the profit I make from these apartments, I should be able to invest some cash and do another couple. Be nice to be able to retire before I hit pension age.”
“I know what you mean. Listen, about Sassie…”
Riley held up his hand. “Don’t even go there, all right. We’re happy as we are, no ties, so before you go getting on your high horse, back off. Just because you’re in the land of the happily married doesn’t make it right for everyone.”
“I get that, but Lara and I were talking last night. I know you come across as the big, tough guy playing loose and free, but I don’t want to see you hurt. You’re still my little brother, after all.” He got such a sappy look on his face that Riley paused.
“Fuck it. It was all her idea, not mine.” He kicked at the workbench.
“Do I take it things aren’t going as you wanted?” Grady leaned against the wall and took great interest in his thumbnail.
“I don’t even know how I feel right now. I mean, who would have guessed? Me, falling for someone.” He snorted. “That’ll teach me.” Pain filled his gut, as if speaking the words finally made it clearer in his mind. “She makes me happy to be alive. This morning when I left her bed, she lay there sleeping, her hair spread out over the pillows, and I suddenly thought, I don’t want to have to go back to my own place.”
“Are you sure, Riley? Hell, you’ve only known her what, just over a week or so.”
“Yeah, I know, all right? At first I thought it was just me wanting to make another conquest, but
