I startled. How did she know?
I quickly stashed my jewelry and phone in my glove compartment, changed shoes, and locked up the car, then headed inside. The property was a huge old Victorian that sat just outside a suburban neighborhood on what had to be a couple of acres. With the private drive and expansive grounds, this would be a great property someday. Right now, it just looked a little sad, with the yard overgrown and peeling paint and missing shingles on the house.
Inside the house it was controlled chaos. At least a dozen workers were scattered around, the sounds of hammers and saws filling the air.
“Livi.”
Sam directed me to join her with the crook of a finger, and I scurried over which was weird. Olivia Laurent didn’t scurry for anyone.
“Guys, this is Livi, she’s green so go easy on her. We’ll start her on pulling up the floors. Barney, she’s with you today, show her the ropes.”
Barney gave me a nod, his expression unreadable.
Sam turned back to me. “Listen to what Barney says and do what he tells you, Princess Livi.”
I winced a little at the unflattering nickname.
“And for God’s sake, stay out of trouble, please.”
Then she strode off, leaving me standing there awkwardly with several guys staring at me curiously.
“Come with me, we’ll find you some gloves. Wouldn’t want to mess up that pretty manicure of yours.”
I could tell by the condescension in his tone that he thought I’d be useless. It just made me want to prove myself. Little did he know I’d been underestimated my whole life. But the thing about me was that I hated to fail. I didn’t fully understand what it meant to do home restoration, but I’d do my best to prove myself to these people, no matter what it took.
“I’m not worried about my nails,” I said firmly. “I’m here to work. Just tell me what to do.”
Something flashed in his eyes. Respect maybe.
A few hours later I was a sweaty mess. My white shirt was covered in dirt and God knows what else. My nails were ragged.My damp hair was sticking to the side of my face. And my body was aching.
I pressed my hands into my lower back, moaning and stretching my pelvis forward just as Sam walked by.
“Taking a break already, Princess Livi?”
“Just stretching.”
I sent her a smile that charmed everyone in my life, including the judge who agreed to give me community service after my arrest. It did nothing for Sam.
“When you’re done stretching, I need you to remove the wainscoting in here.”
At my blank look, she pointed to the decorative panels affixed to the bottom third of the wall. At least I assumed they’d been decorative at some point, right now they just added texture to the filthy walls.
“Sure boss, no problem.”
I had the sense that she was trying hard not to roll her eyes.
I picked up a hammer that someone had left on the floor, assuming that would be the most appropriate tool for removing wainscoting and swung it over my shoulder. And lost my grip. The hammer went flying into the wall with a crash. When Iturned around, the hammer was stuck in the drywall, held up by the little claw part.
My hand flew to my mouth. “I’m so sorry!”
I rushed over to try to remove it, but a chunk of plaster came with it, leaving a large hole in the wall. Inside I could see what looked like bunched up newspapers.
“I can fix that,” I said, even though I had no idea how.
“How will you fix that hole in the hundred plus year plaster, Princess Livi? I’m curious.”
My eyes swung back to her.
