Kevin drove back to the town square. With the garland and lights up on the front of the store and the red bench moved back outside to the porch, even from the street Daisy’s looked cheerier already. He parallel parked along the curb right in front of the store.
“You straightened and secured the store sign,” Lisa said. “When did you do that?”
“This morning before I picked you up.”
“You are an early bird. It looks wonderful. Thank you.” Lisa grabbed the box of ornaments and jumped out of the truck, still eyeing the sign. “I love it.”
He exhaled a long sigh of contentment. “This has already been a great day.”
A sunny cheerfulness filled her as she went to unlock the front door with a bounce in her step.
Kevin got his toolbox out of the back of the truck while Lisa worked the key in the old lock and pushed it open, holding it for him. “After you.”
He made a beeline for the beam. Just the fact that there wasn’t one lying diagonally across the space opened it up. He looked up. “All right. They did a nice job. A coat of paint and that will be like new.”
“They did. It looks great.” Lisa spread her arms out as she walked through the clear room. “It feels so much bigger.”
“That’s terrific, I’ll—” As soon as he lowered his focus, he noticed the place on the wall where the damage had left its mark. “Oh, no.”
“Hmm.” Lisa followed him closer to the damage. “It’s not that bad. We can just cover it up with some plywood, and a couple coats of paint.” She shrugged. “No big deal.”
He shot her a cold look. “It could be damaged on the inside,” he said abruptly. He kneeled down, inspecting it closer. “Maybe even the pipes.” This was exactly what he’d been afraid of. Unforeseen issues. He’d been on enough jobs where sloppy work had covered up problems resulting in impossible deadlines, project overruns, or worse…someone getting hurt. “No. This is a big deal.”
She swiveled slowly. “I suppose that means you want to open up that wall.”
“Yep. Wouldn’t you?”
Lisa looked at the wall and back at him. “Well, yeah, we can’t risk there being water damage in there, but—”
“It’s going to add some labor. We might have to bring in a plumber.”
“Do we have time for that?”
Kevin turned on her. Sacrificing good craftsmanship for the timeline was a mistake. “If a pipe bursts, it would take twice as long and cost twice as much.” He stood, trying to contain his frustration, but this was a sore subject for him.
“I know. I’m agreeing with you.” She cowered back a little. “I’m not saying we cut corners—”
“Aren’t you?”
“No. I’m—”
“It seems like you are.”
Behind them, the bell to the door tinkled and Ezra walked in. “Wow. This looks a lot better.” He looked pleased as he walked around with a broad smile of approval.
Lisa glanced over at Kevin, then smiled and somehow managed a perky lilt to her voice. “We’re not done yet, but—”
Ezra pressed his palms together in front of him. “You see, that’s just what I wanted to see you about.” His expression stilled and grew serious. “I know you had a few more days before you were ready, but the buyer called today and she said she can only look at the place tomorrow.”
Lisa shrank back.
“Tomorrow?” Kevin came flying around the counter. “No. Ezra. There are repairs we’ve got to take care of before we can even think about—”
“I think we can.” Lisa’s voice was soft, but her position firm as she held his stare.
A little bewildered, Ezra looked back and forth between the two.
Kevin stepped in closer to Lisa. “Look. I appreciate the enthusiasm, I do, but I just don’t see how we can.” His jaw pulsed.
Lisa took a deep breath, and her eyes filled with determination. Without her normal cheerfulness, she calmly leveled a stare, and said, “I don’t see how we can’t try.”
Kevin didn’t like it one bit. He wasn’t covering up potential problems no matter what. She wasn’t going to give in, though, and what choice did they have? An early buyer was still a buyer. Giving it a try only meant starting to do what needed to be done anyway. Clearing his throat, he said the words slowly as if testing out the idea. “All right. Fine. Let’s see what we can do.”
Ezra seemed a little confused by their altercation, but instantly relieved. “I appreciate it.” He got out of there as fast as he could, as if he feared they might change their minds.
Lisa faced Kevin. Very matter-of-factly, she said, “So, if you just want to start on the wall, I’ll get started on the shelves.” She took off her coat and walked over to the other side of the room.
He hadn’t meant to blow up on her. He took his coat off and grabbed the broom that was leaning against the counter. It was going to be a long night if they weren’t going to talk. He started to sweep the sawdust from the floor. She quietly cleaned the shelves. The absence of her bubbly good nature was deafening.
Unable to stand the quiet between them, he reached over and pushed the power button on the radio.
Christmas music echoed through the space.
Lisa stood across the room in her soft pink sweater, wiping down shelves. She turned to him for a moment, then looked away and concentrated on the task at hand. Once she finished cleaning the shelves, she put down her rag and walked to the corner of the room.
She got out her phone, and he heard her side of the conversation.
“Hi, Hannah. It’s Lisa. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”
A pause.
“Ezra stopped by. The buyer is coming tomorrow. Is there any way I can get you and Michelle to come over and help me get things together here at the store in the morning?” He could hear the hope in her voice.
“You don’t know how much this means to me. Is eight-thirty too early? There’s so much to do… Thank you so much. I’ll see you then.”
Lisa hung up the phone and let out a sigh. For two hours the music filled the space and they kept working, crossing things off the list as quickly as they could.
Kevin installed the wainscoting he’d painted to cover the front counter on the left side of the store. Rather than let the scraps go to waste, he had just enough to also install it beneath the windows on the front wall. It gave the place an immediate facelift.
Lisa finished cleaning the shelves, then lined the glass front counter on the righthand side of the store with a layer of white fleece, making it look like snow. She’d staggered some Christmas decorations. It wasn’t much, but it somehow made that side of the store appear fuller.
“I think we should call it a night,” he said. “If you want, I can take you to get the Christmas tree from Dad’s first thing.”
She hesitated, but finally nodded. “That would be great. It’ll have to be early. Hannah and the gang are going to meet me here at eight-thirty in the morning to help me arrange whatever we’ve got. I sure hope this works.”
He looked around. “It already looks brighter. With some merchandise it will be even more eye-appealing.”
She shrugged. “All we can do is try.”
“Let me give you a ride back to the inn.”
She put down her rag, and he was afraid for a second that she was going to turn down his offer, opting to walk rather than be alone with him in the truck.
“Look. I’m sorry I blew up on you.” He lowered his head. “Shortcuts can be dangerous. People can get hurt. I overreacted. I just want to do the right thing.” He didn’t need to tell her the whole story, but he’d learned his lesson about shortcuts, and no one would make him compromise on his standards. It was his reputation at stake.
She started to say something, then stopped.
“I really am sorry. It won’t happen again.” He reached his hand out.
From across the room she walked toward him. The radio played “Silver Bells.”
“Forgive me?” He took her hand and spun her in the middle of the wide-open store. “Please?” In a couple days this place might belong to someone else, and she’d be heading off to Boston or to wherever her next job took her. He didn’t want to miss the chance to dance with her even for just one spin here at Daisy’s.
She laughed when he pulled her to him and swayed, and then relaxed into his arms. “I do understand about the shortcuts. It’s just—”
“I understand your point too. It never hurts to try.” He twirled her, then pulled her hands into his chest.
She spoke softly. “You’re full of surprises.”
They swayed to the music. “So do you forgive me?”
“I do.”
He hadn’t meant to snap at her. He’d overreacted, and he’d hurt her feelings. That bothered him. More than it should, maybe. He held her hand tight, not really wanting to let go. She felt nice in his arms, and she let him lead. They danced until the end of the song.
“Ready to go?” He asked with a nod, half-hoping she’d say no.
“Not really, but we should.”
His racing heart knew exactly how she felt.