She stopped at the foot of the driveway where it met the sidewalk, picturing a cute mailbox there. Then she would line the drive on either side with flowers to make it look like a country lane. Orange daylilies, Queen Anne’s lace, and blue cornflowers grew wild along many of the country roads around Philly, and that colorful, random, blowsy look always said summer to her. Maybe the combination of the three would work here as well. She liked the idea, and made a mental note to add that to her list of things to do. That same combination of flowers would be lovely around the pond, she was thinking, as the house came into view. She slowed her steps when she saw the Shelby & Son truck parked next to a picturesque stand of white birch. As she drew closer, she saw Linc in front of the house, his focus on the phone in his hand.
“Hi,” she called.
He turned at the sound and smiled, then dropped his phone into his back pocket.
“Hey, Grace. I was just looking up your number.” He took a few steps toward her.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, I just wanted to check something. I’d made notes the last time I was here, but I have a question about the measurements of those back rooms where you want your bedroom and bath.”
She held up the key. “Follow me.”
Grace unlocked the door, and they went inside. The air was just as close and stifling as it had been every other time she’d been there, but this time a live wasp buzzed at the window in the front room. Linc opened the window to let it out.
“I was looking for something to smack it with,” Grace said.
“Swatting at it would be a good way to get yourself stung. He wasn’t bothering anyone. He just got trapped in here and wanted out.” He closed the window and relatched it. “Looks like you need screens.”
“I hope he didn’t bring any friends with him.”
“I’ll check for nests when I start the reno,” Linc assured her. “It’s not unusual for insects to move in when a property is vacant for a while.”
“Nests?” Grace grimaced and looked upward at the corners of the room.
The merest hint of a smile on his face, Linc walked past her and down the hall to the back rooms, a tape measure in his hand.
“I can’t remember if you said you wanted a tub and a shower combined, or separate fixtures,” he said when she came into the back room behind him.
She pondered the choices. She’d wanted separate—a big soaking tub for those times when she wanted a bubble bath and a good book, and a big shower wide enough for two, because you never knew.
“I can have both, right?” she asked.
“I’d need to take a little from the walk-in closet, but sure. You can have both.” He stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze direct.
She was momentarily hung up on eyes that held her spellbound. How was it this guy was still single? Had he always been? she wondered. Maybe he had a girlfriend.
Oh, of course he would, she thought. How could he not?
“Grace?” He’d caught her mentally speculating on his status.
She hoped he wasn’t psychic.
“How much off the closet?” she asked.
“Maybe a foot or so.”
“So worth it. Yes, tub and big shower. I want a shower big enough for two.”
He nodded and made a note without reacting. Well, of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a client had made such a request.
“Now, when do I get to pick out the tub? And the vanity? And the shower surround? I like clear glass, and I like . . .”
“Whoa.” Linc laughed. “Let’s get the walls down to the studs and get the ceilings down, the carpet ripped up, and then take a look at the space. You should have an idea of what you want before those things happen, but we’re dealing with limited space here. You want to be precise when you measure so you know, for example, what size cabinets to order. Taking down walls will change things slightly.” He must have noticed her look of disappointment, because he added, “If you find something you feel you cannot live without, show me, and I’ll do my best to make sure it works in your space, okay?”
“So I need to hold off on ordering anything?”
“You shouldn’t be doing the ordering. Let me do that. As a contractor, I can get a better price, nine times out of ten.” He walked across the hall to the kitchen. “Look at it this way. You can save enough to upgrade to designer tile for that big shower.”
“Good point. I’ll go over everything I want with you, and you can do the ordering. But fair warning: I want a lot.”
“You’re entitled. Your house.” He knelt on one knee and tugged at a section of carpet. “Let’s see what’s under here.”
“I tried to pull it up in the front room, but it wouldn’t budge,” she told him.
He yanked up the edge of the carpet to expose the floor beneath. “Wow. Check this out.” He leaned back and beckoned her closer. “Heart pine. I’ll bet anything it goes through the entire place.”
Grace leaned over Linc’s shoulder. “Oh, that’s lovely. Why would you want to cover that with this ugly gold carpet?”
“The carpet probably wasn’t this ugly when it was put down. Remember, this place was an insurance office for years, so you had people in and out in all sorts of weather. Be happy they had the floors well covered. The thick carpet and the pad under it protected the wood. If it looks like this all the way through, we’re only going to have to sand it lightly, then put a protective stain on it. It’ll save you time and a lot of money if we don’t have to do anything but clean them up.” He licked a finger and rubbed the wood. The grain was beautiful. “There you go.” He looked up at her. “Antique wood just waiting to be brought back to life. Assuming it’s as old as it looks.”
“Oh, it’s really old. I found this place on a map from 1843 at the library. It could be on another even earlier one, but I ran out of time. I’ll keep looking, though.”
“Eighteen forty-three? Seriously?” Linc stood and brushed the dust off his hands.
Grace told him the story of how the house appeared to be the original structure on this side of town and how parcels had been sold off.
“Good detecting. I was wondering when this place was built.” He looked around the room appreciatively. “I’d have been able to deduce the age to a certain extent when I start taking it apart. The old nails they would have used would be a clue. Now I can’t wait to rip the old drywall off and see what’s behind it.”
“I’m afraid we’re both going to have to wait a little longer until the sale is completed. But once that’s done—rip away.”
“In the meantime, you go ahead and start building a file of what you want. Cabinets for the kitchen . . .” He hesitated before asking tentatively, “If you don’t mind me offering a suggestion?”
She shook her head. “No, go ahead.”
“Maybe for the kitchen cabinets a natural wood. Something warm. Walnut would be perfect but pricey for the type of grain you’d want. Brass handles would complement the wood, but if you want a look that’s a little more contemporary, you might go for chrome. Light-colored backsplash—something simple. I know everyone does white subway tile, but there’s a reason for it. It’s classic and unobtrusive. You’d want those walnut cabinets to take center stage.”