Now I stare at a very gorgeous—and young,very young, not at all fitting the sexy siren voice I just heard—woman with long ginger hair and cute freckles. I don’t know what else to do, so I wave and say, “Hi.”
“Oh, Josie. Hi!”She instantly brightens up.“Archie’s been talking about your magic touch and said you are a wizard who can make our dreams come true. I was hoping you’d make our dream home come true too. What do you think?”That was totally below the belt. Her voice is so full of hope that my heart sinks into my stomach. I give Archie a stink-eye because she’s clearly a targeted attack on my conscience.
He smiles smugly and flips the phone to himself. His face instantly changes into the saddest one on the planet, and he tells her, “Josie recommends we get rid of the house and build a new one.”
“Oh.”Her tone is sad. Very sad. Rehearsed sad.
After that, Archie flips the screen at me, and they both make these puppy eyes at me that I can’t resist. Leila’s lower lip even trembles a little.
“Fine!” I throw my hands in the air. “You tricksters.” I point an accusing finger at them. “It’s your money and your time. Don’t expect August, though. It’s not happening so soon.”
“We’re okay with that.” They both start nodding quickly, agreeing to everything, suddenly not so sad after all.
I send them both an evil eye. “That was not fair.”
“And totally rehearsed.”Leila laughs.“I gotta go but I’ll see you soon. I guess you’ll be staying? I have a feeling you will be.”Her sincere, welcoming smile warms my heart.
“I guess,” I reply. I’m a bit reserved because I’m not quite sure I’ll be able to pull this off with the locals, but I wave goodbye.
She waves back and hangs up.
“That was not fair,” I complain.
“In love and war.” He puts his phone into his pocket and spreads his arms wide, not seeming even a bit remorseful.
I turn my attention back to the house, looking at it from a different angle. And from this angle, the place needs even more work. Wincing at all the work I’m going to have to do, including finding and fixing all the original details, I make my way toward the building.
“Here are the keys!” Archie jogs toward me with an outstretched arm.
I stop and turn to him with a quirked brow. “Do you think I’ll need them?”
He glances at the house, and his cheeks pinken. “Fair. Still, take the keys—we don’t want problems with the local police.” He chuckles, sounding vague. I hope he hasn’t heard about my run-in with one of those on my way here. Otherwise, he might fire me on the spot. And I need this job.
Narrowing my eyes, I take the keys. “We sure don’t.”
“Cool.” He nods and looks at my car. “I hate to say it, but you might need a different ride around here.”
My hackles rise. “What’s wrong with mine?”
He scratches the back of his head. “It’s cute and all that, but it’s—” He cuts himself off, looking for the right words, but I’m on a war path.
“What but?”
“But it’s cute, and that’s the problem. You know?” His eyes go round as if I’m supposed to understand what he means.
“I don’t.” My eyes narrow further.
“It’s not for local roads,” he explains calmly, flinching a little. “You’ll get stuck somewhere after one rain.”
“I’ll manage.”
“Josie,” he sighs.
“I’ll manage,” I repeat firmly, and he gives up.
“Okay.” He throws his hands in the air defensively. “Call me when you get stuck.”
I send a scolding stare his way, and he instantly fixes his mistake. “If. If you get stuck.” His eyes twinkle with humor, and I can’t help but smile.
