“Quick question. Contractor’s guy insists plan is safe and any changes would be way out of my budget range. Hasn’t sent me his math yet. Am I crazy to consider going with his original plan?”
His reply came fast.“You're not crazy, just fed up. I’ll take a look if you want.”
At what? I didn’t have the numbers yet.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d appreciate it. I’ll have it all later, hopefully tomorrow,”I texted.
His reply came in fast.“Great. I have a few thoughts already.”
I breathed out in partial relief. It didn’t feel as lonely with him involved.
A few hours later, as the sun dipped low and the last of the contractors packed up their gear, I was at the far edgeof the property with Lani, talking through paint samples for the cabins’ accent walls.
Dave’s truck slowed to a stop near the main house.
Then a second car pulled in, facing it.
I shaded my eyes with one hand, squinting toward the drive. When I recognized the tall figure stepping out of the rental—dark jeans, gray tee, duffel bag slung over one shoulder—my breath caught.
Sebastian.
He looked calm, like he hadn’t just flown for three hours then driven for another three without a heads-up.
“What the—” I muttered, already moving.
12
Sebastian
I EXPECTED TO FINDRuby in her office.
Instead, I spotted Dave at the front, slowing his truck out of the parking space while barking through the driver’s window at a younger crew member to hurry up.
Recognition flickered across his face when he noticed me approaching. “You’re the engineer friend, right? Spoke to my guy the day she hired us. Sullivan?”
“Sebastian.” I extended my hand.
“She sent you?” he asked, shaking it through his car’s window.
“No. I wanted to take a look. Saw some pictures and wanted to check in on the calculations for this one.” I pointed my chin toward the house behind him.
Dave looked exasperated, resting his elbow on the rolled-down window. “I sent her the plan.”
I bunched my mouth to the side in ayou’ll have to do better. “That sketch didn’t sit right.”
He opened his mouth to argue, then looked past me and went quiet.
I didn’t have to turn. I felt Ruby before I saw her.
She stormed across the gravel like a woman who’d had it. With the day. With Dave. With everything.
“Sebastian,” she said when she reached us, breath slightly quick, eyes locking with mine as I turned toward her. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I gave her a half smile.
Dave looked between us. “So what is this, exactly? You bringing in a second opinion now?”
“I’m just here to take a look,” I said, still looking at Ruby.
