“I could lend you some money,” said Mia.
“I appreciate it, I really do, but I can’t accept it.I won’t.”Mia had a little boy, and there was no chance Claire was going to take money away from her nephew.
“Then I’m going to ask you one last time.Please sell the sanctuary.You’d make a mint on this property.”
“So some greedy developer can get his hands on it and turn it into condos?No.”The sanctuary was nestled in a rural area about forty minutes from Toronto.Although legislation had been passed years ago to protect the green space, or Greenbelt, from urban sprawl, it didn’t mean developers didn’t still covet the properties nearby.Even in the short time Claire had lived in the area, she’d seen it change.Housing encroached on so many of the open spaces that used to be farmers’ fields.
“You sound just like Arthur.”
“Is it any wonder?”
“Claire, I admire you for keeping Arthur’s vision alive, but he’s gone.He wouldn’t blame you for moving on.”
“I have moved on, but Haven is important to me.”
“But this was neveryourdream.You’re only thirty-three years old.You can still make your dream a reality.Remember how you were going to be a photographer and travel the world?”
“My dream,” she began, closing her mouth when she realized she’d given up on it long ago.“My dream…can wait.I won’t let this business fold, Mia, not on my watch.It’s Arthur’s legacy.”
“And you did right by him.You kept it going for a long time, but you’re working yourself to the bone.When was the last time you had a break?A vacation?Hell, even a day to yourself?You work from morning until night and you fall asleep in your clothes.”
“But—”
“Don’t even try to argue with me.I found you asleep at your desk again just last week.It’s not healthy.”
“I won’t give up on the business, and I won’t give up on the cats.Until they get adopted out, they have no one but us.”
“Then you need to start accepting some help,” said Mia.“I know you’ve always had a problem with that, but it’s time.”
“I do have help.The volunteers are incredible.”
“I’m not talking about the volunteers.I mean real assistance.”
“Such as?”
Mia released her sister’s hand and sat back in her chair.“So…I did something.”
Claire narrowed her eyes.“What did you do?”
“I filled in this application on your behalf a few months ago.I didn’t really think it would go anywhere.It was mostly just a lark.”
“Mia.You’re making me nervous.”
“It’s nothing terrible.Actually, it’s really cool.The application was for theHandymenshow.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You know,Handymen.Those cute Zorn brothers, the guys who come to people’s houses and help them renovate.”
Claire was aware ofHandymen.It was one of the few TV shows she watched.She always caught the reruns late at night, just before she fell into bed.She was especially aware of Nick Zorn and his cheeky grin.In fact, his handsome face had infiltrated a couple of her dreams.“I know the show.I just don’t see what it has to do with me.”
“I got an email back this week, and I’ve been sitting on it because I wasn’t sure what you’d think.”Mia beamed.“They want to have you on the show, like, right away.”
“What?”
“The team fromHandymenwants to help you renovate Haven.Isn’t that amazing?”
“But…but I don’t need help.This place doesn’t need renovations.It just needs a little kickstart and cat food.Lots of cat food.”
