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)
“Some people wouldn’t want to live in a place where something like that happened.”
I frown and shake my head. “It’s not the chapel’s fault. Besides, Sarah didn’t die, thank all the gods, and it was only a little blood to clean up. It’s fine.”
Apollo nods and looks around. “This is going to be really cool, Juniper.”
God, I love the way he says my name, and I normally hate being called by my full name. Everyone calls me June.
But not Apollo.
No, he has to say my full name like it’s sweetness on his tongue. He finds ways to slip it into conversation here and there, and it slides along my nerves like warm honey. Which only irritates me.
Unfortunately, after a night of bad decisions three months ago, I know exactly what it sounds like when he says my name in the middle of some mind-numbing sex, and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from that. Why, oh why, did I have to give in to temptation and accept his offer of going home with him at the bar that night? I wasn’t that drunk.
Except, I know why. It’s because the chemistry between us, despite my ferocious disdain for him, is off the charts, and I thought I could work him out of my system.
It didn’t work.
“Juniper.”
I blink and raise my eyebrows. “Sorry, what?”
He studies me with narrowed eyes. “What were you thinking about?”
“How annoying you are. What did you say?”
“How many rooms are you going to frame in?”
“Two bedrooms, one and a half baths.” I walk around, pointing out where I picture everything going. “There’s an office through that door that I’m going to turn into a laundry and mud room. And there’s a basement, but I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.”
“There’s a basement?” He sounds surprised, but then he nods and shoves his hands into his pockets. The movement makes the muscles in his arms and chest flex, and I have to take a long, slow breath. “That’s right. I’ve seen the small windows in the foundation. That’ll be good because we can run most of the wiring down. That’ll work for plumbing, too. Who do you have doing that?”
“Maxwell Tilly.”
Apollo nods in satisfaction. Max does a great job, and I was lucky that he could fit me into his schedule.
“Are you replacing the stained glass?”
Behind the altar there is a beautiful, arched piece of stained glass featuring Jesus on the cross. On each of the two walls perpendicular to that one, there are five more windows that display different scenes from the Bible.
“Yes. I thought long and hard about it, but I need more light. Not to mention, I absolutely don’t want Jesus watching every move I make, you know?”
“I can understand that. What are you going to do with them?”
“I’m selling them to a church in Portland who’s building a new place. They were excited to get these windows since they’re antique, and the artistry is really beautiful.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I didn’t want them to get chucked. So, I’m glad they’re going to a new home. They should have a crew out here to take them out next week.”
“That soon?”
“Yeah. I’m ready to get going on this project, Apollo.”
“I don’t blame you. Okay, well, I’ll have an estimate written up and sent over to you in the next couple of days. I can work in stages as you get things done. I know that’s not usually how we do it, but I think that once you get your hands into this, it’s going to go quickly.”
“That’s my hope. I’m still finishing things up over at the inn. Luna’s been impatient and disappointed that we hit some snafus.” I sigh. “There was way more outside work than I anticipated, and there was nothing I could do about it.”
“Luna’s fine,” he assures me. “My sister’s a smart woman, and she understands what delays and back orders on products can do to a project. Besides, she gets to have her big, fancy opening in time for Christmas, so she’s excited about that.”
“I am, too.” I nod and look around the room once more. “I’m hoping to be living here by Christmas.”
“Whoa. It’s the middle of October.”
“Yep.” I turn to him and offer him a bright smile. “So, we’d better get busy.”
Apollo’s phone rings at the same time as mine does, and when I check mine, I see it’s my crew at the inn.
“I’d better get back to work.”
“Me, too,” he replies. “I’ll be in touch about the estimate.”
“Thanks.”
He pulls up short and narrows his eyes at me.
“What?”
“You just thanked me. Do you have a fever?”
Now, my back is up, and I feel bristly. “Because I’m a fucking professional, Apollo. Now, get out of my chapel.”
“That’s more like it,” he decides with a nod and walks out ahead of me. I leave the windows open to let the place air out some more, but I make sure the door is locked before I walk to my truck.