“You don’t need to apologize.I get it.”
“So,” said Michael, “I guess this meansHandymenwill be wrapping up soon.Are we good with that?I know I am.”
“So am I.We had a good run.”Eli turned to Nick.“But where does that leave you?”
“I’m going to pitch some ideas to Lacey,” said Nick.“I’m going to chase this opportunity.Maybe they can do the show with one host.”He grinned.“After all, I am the youngest and best-looking.I’m made for TV.”
“You’re made to be a pain in the ass,” said Michael, chuckling.“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m sure.”
Michael stood.“Okay, then.You know you have our support.”He polished off his coffee.“Well, I’m going to go check on Em.She was feeling some morning sickness today.By the way, don’t tell Mom and Dad about the pregnancy.We want to wait a little longer.”
Eli and Nick agreed.
Eli stood as well.“You coming?”
“Nah,” said Nick.“I’m going to finish my coffee.”
As his brothers left, Nick planned out what he would say to Lacey.It wouldn’t be easy convincing the people in charge that the show could be done with one host, instead of three.After all, Lacey always said one of the selling points of the show was the ‘trio of hot brothers’ angle.If he hosted the show on his own, it would mean he’d need to be three times as savvy and three times as charming.
He could do that.He’d never had an issue with being charming.
If anything, his brothers often accused him of being too charming.
As he considered the possibilities, his pulse raced.This idea…it excited him, and he hadn’t been excited in a while.
Handyman Nick.That might work for the name of the show.
Or maybe it could be about fixing decks, his specialty.Maybe he could focus on creating fantasy decks, the type one would find in a rock star’s back yard.Amazing, multilevel creations with built-in hot tubs, saunas, fire pits and professional cooking stations.Decks with Nick.Another good name.He could see it now.
Nick grabbed his cell phone and jotted down a few notes.With each new entry in his notepad, he became even more eager to meet with Lacey again.He just had to figure a few things out and he would have the perfect pitch.
With a swig of his coffee, Nick headed home, eager to make his dream a reality.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t all fizzle with the producers telling him he wasn’t good enough on his own.
Chapter Two
“Runaway cat!”Claire Brewer rallied her volunteers as she juggled two broken cat carriers.
Seizing its moment, one of the injured cats she’d rescued had burst out of its wonky carrier and now huddled near the wall of the sanctuary.The poor thing hissed any time one of the volunteers tried to get near it.
After gently setting the carriers on the ground, Claire pulled out a few cat treats from her pocket and sidled closer to the feline.“It’s okay, baby,” she crooned.“I’m know you’re scared, and I can see your back paw is hurting you.We’re going to make you feel better, I promise.”
Moving slowly, she made herself small by crouching, and neared the animal.When she was just a few feet away, she opened her hand and displayed the treats.
Hungry, the cat issued a pathetic meow.
As she inched closer, her volunteer David crept up behind the cat, armed with a blanket.Claire had faith that David would save the day.He was twice her age, but nimble, and he’d wrangled hundreds of cats in his time.
Although the cat was fully aware of the hulking man at its ass, its need for food won out.It hobbled toward Claire and her treats.Claire placed a few on the ground in front of the cat, and as it gobbled them down, David swooped in with his blanket and swaddled the ball of matted fluff.
She breathed a sigh of relief.The Haven Cat Sanctuary was surrounded by open fields, and if the injured kitty had run, they would have lost it in the tall grasses.With its bad leg, the little thing wouldn’t have made it far before becoming prey to a hawk.
“Awesome work, David.You should be in charge of this place,” Claire kidded.
“Don’t I know it?”David replied, tossing his head as he walked past.“Quick, someone tell the poor, overworked owner.Oh, wait.That’s you.”
