With one last survey of her domain, she reentered the house. Tea cleanup and dinner prep next, followed by an hour with Allison while her chicken baked in the oven. That would brighten her spirits despite the sun’s sudden game of hide-and-seek.
And after her evening meal was finished, she’d wander over to the caretaker’s cottage and end her day with the perfect companion.
Lucy Lynn.
6
“If I didn’t know you, I’d think those dark circles under your eyes were evidence of heavy partying over the weekend. But since I do know you, I’m guessing you spent your so-called free time burning the midnight oil.”
At Kyle’s greeting bright and early Monday morning, Jon slid from behind the wheel of his truck, stifled a yawn, and scanned the jobsite. No sign yet of the other two crew members.
“I did put in a few extra hours.” He reached back into the truck for his work gloves. “The bid for the Edgecliff job has a ton of moving parts.”
“You really think the owner and her potential partner are going to shell out the big bucks it will take for the sort of work you told me about last week?”
“No idea. And it’s a boatload of money, no matter how I slice and dice the numbers. But I want that job.”
“Some outfits would cut corners to win a bid like this.”
“Not my style.”
“I know. And I agree taking the easiest or cheapest route is bad policy. A stunt like that may get you short-term results, but it will bite you in the long term. If I can help you out with anything at this early stage, let me know.”
Jon began to close the truck door. Hesitated.
Should he pull Kyle into the bid process?
Sharing numbers with the crew wasn’t SOP, but his foreman’s jobsite input was often astute. And from everything he’d observed, the man was programmed for efficiency. Hadn’t he come up with a clever idea that allowed them to reduce costs on their last job by 10 percent without sacrificing one iota of quality?
Decision made, Jon reached back into the cab and pulled out the draft of the proposal he’d labored over throughout the weekend, along with the notes he’d jotted during and after the tour of the grounds with Ashley.
If he wanted to give his foreman more responsibility, what better place to begin than by asking for his up-front input on a project that was vast in both scope and prestige?
“Why don’t you read this over? See if you spot any major errors or opportunities. After all the hours I’ve put in on it, the numbers are beginning to blur on me. I could use a set of fresh eyes.”
Kyle gave the papers Jon held out a once-over. “Are you sure? I mean, I’m usually a dirt-under-the-fingernails kind of guy. People have always tapped me for physical, not mental, work.”
“Not to downplay your considerable contributions in sweat equity, but from what I’ve seen you also have a sharp mind.”
A flush suffused Kyle’s cheeks, and he shoved his fingers into the back pockets of his jeans. “I only have a GED, Jon. I never studied business and economics, like you did. And I don’t have your fancy degrees in horticulture or landscape design.”
“Don’t discount on-the-job training. I’ve learned more in the real world than I ever did in school, even if my academic credentials did open doors. And one of the biggest lessons I learned was not to pass up opportunities.” Jon waved the papers in front of him. “Going once, going twice—”
Kyle snatched the sheets and motioned toward two cars that were parking nearby. “The guys are here. We’re ready to roll. You want me to look at this over lunch?”
“I’ll get them going while you read through it. Find a quiet spot, and don’t rush.”
“Okay. I’ll give it my best shot.”
Jon started to turn away, but a hand on his arm stopped him.
“Thank you.”
Kyle’s choked words of gratitude, along with the deep appreciation in his eyes, tightened Jon’s throat.
“I’m the one who should say thanks—and more often. You do great work. I’m lucky to have you.” He called up a grin. “Now take a gander at that and be ready to give me your two cents. You can leave the paperwork on the seat of my truck after you finish.”
“I’m on it, boss.”
Forty-five minutes later, when Kyle rejoined the crew, Jon waved toward several potted rhododendron bushes on the far side of the yard. “Let’s get those in the ground while the guys finish up this bed.”
He didn’t bring up the bid until they’d hauled the bushes across the yard and picked up shovels. “Okay. Give me your top line.” He positioned his shovel and pressed down.
“The job is big.”
“The biggest I’ve ever tackled.”
“You think the four of us can handle it?” Kyle put his shovel to work too.
“Not in Ashley’s timeframe.”
“Ashley?”
Warmth crept up his neck, and Jon focused on the hole he was digging. “Rose Fitzgerald’s potential partner.”
“Yeah, I know who you mean. You mentioned her name last week. But usually you keep it more formal with clients.”
That was true. And he’d continue to be more businesslike with her in person.
But in his mind, she was Ashley. Had been from the moment she’d placed her slender fingers in his hand and given him a firm shake in front of Edgecliff.
“I’m talking to you, not her.” He sank the blade of the shovel deep into the fertile earth. “Back to your question. She wants to be up and running ASAP. I’ll have to bring on a couple more people. I was hoping to expand the crew at some point anyway.”
“What about after this job is over, assuming we get it?”
“The Edgecliff project should help the business grow. As it is, I have to refuse too many bids because I don’t have the personnel to get the work done in a timely manner. But that doesn’t happen often enough to justify new hires. Adding to the crew shouldn’t be a problem if we get this job, and more people on staff will also allow me to go after not only more, but bigger, projects. What else struck you?”