“Guess you better get some building permits going.”
Jon chuckled. “Already have that in the works. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t need to hire some labor.”
Ken shook his head. “You don’t need to hire labor. You have all the labor right here.”
“Yeah. Brad said the same.”
Ken took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Alex was betrayed by the person who should always have protected her. Because of that, she doesn’t know how to trust you yet.”
Jon nodded, “I didn’t do myself any favors.”
“She’ll come around.”
“That is my prayer.” Jon stood, and Ken stood with him. They shook hands. “I’ll let you know when I need the exterior walls raised.” He gestured around. “This place is looking decent. You need anything?”
Ken shrugged and shook his head. “Thanks.” He walked his brother to the door. “I’m half a mile away. Keep not drinking. Sober suits you.”
Jon slapped him on the shoulder and went outside, shutting the door behind him. Ken took the opportunity of the break to down a glass of water and then reset the ladder so he could climb up and measure the wall above the door.
Atseven a.m. on Friday morning, Daisy looked up at the morning sky and thanked God for clear blue skies and sixty-degree weather. She knew the afternoon high would climb to eighty-five, but they could get a lot of work done before the afternoon heat.
Beverly approached with Thomas Osborne. Daisy walked forward and held her hand out to him. “Good morning, Mr. Osborne. How are you?”
“Thomas, please,” he corrected, shaking her hand. He wore a pair of worn jeans, a dark green T-shirt, work boots, and a tool belt slung low on his hips. “I can’t tell you how much this means to us.”
Daisy smiled her professional smile. “Having the ability to do it means the world to me. We have a lot of support.”
She heard the rumble of vehicles and turned to see four black pickups pull up. Beverly whistled under her breath. “Look at that workforce headed our way.”
Daisy watched as the trucks pulled into the parking area. Her eyes scanned each person who exited a truck, desperately hoping to see Ken but also hoping that he had decided not to come. She recognized Phillip Dixon as he walked toward them. Like his sons, he stood tall and had a wide chest. Unlike his sons, he had a shaved head.
He wore dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt with the Dixon Contracting logo over the pocket, and a red hardhat. His biceps bulged out from under the sleeves of the shirt. “Daisy Ruiz,” he said in a deep voice, “it’s good to see you again.”
If she worried that Ken had told his father about their falling out and he’d treat her differently, his warm greeting alleviated those fears.
“You, too, Mr. Dixon.” She gestured at Thomas. “This is Thomas Osborne. We’re building the house today for his family.”
Phillip held out his hand. “Pleasure.” He gestured at Thomas’ belt. “That looks like it’s been used, son. Where do you work?”
Thomas shook Phillip’s hand as his cheeks brightened. “Yesterday, I finished a house for Culpepper. They didn’t have anything new, so I’m looking again first thing Tuesday morning.”
Phillip narrowed his eyes, looking from the younger man’s worn boots to the white hardhat on his head. “I’ll see you in my office Tuesday morning. Seven a.m.” He lifted his chin. “Do you know where to come?”
“Uh, yes. Yes, sir.”
Phillip turned to Daisy. “Plans?”
She smiled and led the way to the table where she’d rolled out the house plans. “It’s a four-bedroom. They have four kids, so I think they’re planning to give the two older kids their own rooms, and the two little kids will share.” She gestured at the lumber pile. “My project manager confirmed the inventory last night. Plumbers finished up at four yesterday, and electricians laid their groundwork. They’re coming back tomorrow afternoon.” She tapped a clipboard. “Here’s the proposed schedule.”
“Who’s your project manager?”
“He’s a retired PM from the school board. He used to oversee their construction projects and now sits on our board of directors. Harvey Madison.”
“Harvey?” Mr. Dixon’s face lit up. “I’ve worked with Harvey many times. Will he be here?”
She nodded. “He’ll be by around lunch. He sets everything up, and I initiate on the day of.”
She held up the clipboard, and he glanced at the top page. “How many of these have you done?”
