Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“What are you going to do about the big holes in the walls?” Cullen wants to know. “We don’t have a huge homeless population, but you’ll have squatters right away with gaping, empty windows.”
“I’ll cover them with plastic for a few days,” June replies with a laugh, brushing him off. “And then, I’ll have to install new framework for the new windows coming in a few days. They aren’t quite as big as the original stained glass, but I want to keep the arch look since this still looks very much like an old church.”
“That’ll be cool,” I reply. “Are you doing white or black trim?”
“Black.” June grins, obviously picturing it in her head. “With the white paint, it’ll look so cute.”
“The sooner you install those new windows, the better,” Cullen says. “A person can cut through plastic easily.”
“Good god, Cull, what do you think’s going to happen? This isn’t the city. You’re so cynical.”
“Being a police officer tends to do that to a person because we see the worst of people,” he reminds me. “Besides, cynical is better than sorry. You’ll have tools in there, and you’ve already started working on the interior. I don’t want anyone to break in and vandalize your stuff. I’m a little protective of my sister.”
“It’ll only be a few days,” she insists. “Don’t worry so much. You hover.”
“I’ll have extra patrols in the area over the next few days, just in case. And I do not hover.”
“Ah, sibling rivalry,” I say, blowing out a breath. “Good times.”
Above us, the crane starts to move, and I can hear a saw revving up. It sounds like they’re about to start taking out some of the windows.
“Looks like someone brought in pizza,” Cullen says with a grin, pointing to the pizza boxes being passed around the crowd across the street. “It’s not even close to lunchtime.”
“I’m surprised there’s no popcorn,” June adds, smiling at Harvey as he jogs across the street with a box for us. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“Are you kidding? It gives me an excuse to come watch the show. This little church has been here for as long as any of us can remember, and most of us have family members buried out back. We want to watch the transformation.”
“I guess I hadn’t thought of that,” June says, pulling a pepperoni off her slice of pizza and eating it. “I’m building a fence in the back to separate the graveyard from the house so the people who want to pay their respects can without feeling as if they’re walking through private property.”
“I know that we’ll all appreciate that,” Harvey replies as he pats June on the shoulder. “I’d better get back to the safe zone. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank again!” He hurries back across the street, and Cullen reaches for a slice of pizza.
“I eat pizza for breakfast all the time.”
“Who doesn’t?” I ask, biting into a piece and then turning to June. “Are you sure you want people just walking around in your backyard whenever they want?”
“No,” she admits and licks her finger. “But there has to be a way that I can make it work because, like Harvey said, a lot of people are buried back there. Sure, some no longer have family living here, but some do. I don’t have the time to figure out a visitation schedule or something.”
“Adding the fence will help,” Cullen says. “Just make sure you keep it locked and put up some cameras for added security.”
“I already plan to,” June assures her brother before tilting her head and adding, “Maybe I’ll get a big dog. I’ve been thinking about it anyway, having a big ol’ dog that I can take to job sites with me. Maybe I’ll rescue one.”
“Not a bad idea.”
The men come out of the chapel, and it looks as if the last of the windows have been taped up, which means the messy work is about to start.
“Here we go.” June closes the pizza box and shoves it at Cullen. He just shrugs and moves to set the leftovers in his passenger’s seat. “I’m so ready for this.”
Even with June and me jumping in to help the crew, it was well past dinnertime before the last window was out, packed, and loaded onto the truck. When we finally left the chapel, we were both filthy and sweaty, but now that I’d showered, all I wanted to do was call her and see if she wanted to grab something to eat with me.
Before I can, though, my phone pings with a text from my sister.
* * *
Luna: Pack a bag for the weekend and come to the inn.
I scowl.
Me: What??
Luna: Just follow orders for once! No questions. Do it now!!!!!
* * *
“What in the hell are you up to?” I mutter as I follow orders for once and pull out a duffel bag, toss in enough stuff for a couple of days, and then head toward the inn.