"How did I get so lucky to be the first?" Sometimes it felt like I couldn't get ahead. I was finally on the way to living my dream, supporting my daughter and myself, and now this. I hated the idea of closing up shop and going back to a regular office job.
"There's no way to know when something like this will happen. That's why inspections are so important."
"I'm just renting." I racked my brain to try and remember if Eve had ever mentioned the pipes. I think it was something more general like,We'll take a look at the buildings when renovations at the inn are completed.
"You might want to look for an alternative option. You won't be up and running before Christmas."
That made my mind careen to bad places, and my hands shook. "I'm going to pack up my things in the front. Eve's on her way."
"I'll find you if I need you."
All thoughts of Hudson being attractive were gone now. All I could think about was that I had bills to pay and no store front for weeks or maybe even months. He hadn't specified a time period, which made everything worse.
I was so excited this morning to open my newest delivery of items and to try them on. I'd thought about selling my products online, but I didn't have a website, a lingerie model for the pictures, or anything set up for shipping. I was so screwed.
Then there was the bigger issue. I was forced to work with a grumpy plumber who was irritated that I was wearing lingerie.
CHAPTER 2
HUDSON
Eve arrived, and I caught her up on what was going on. Neither of the women were happy with my conclusion that all the pipes in the town's buildings would need to be replaced.
Eve had been adamant that Angela's shop be up and running first. Angela was upset that her shop would be closed for a while, but it couldn't be helped.
I wondered if she was in a bad place financially or maybe just starting her business. I remembered the early years of my plumbing business when I wasn't sure I'd be able to pay my bills, much less be able to hire employees.
Now my business was established, and I worked with my brothers' contracting company. My problem was that I had too many customers and not enough time to do everything. But I could sympathize with Angela's situation.
I'd cleared most of the standing water, leaving behind wet carpet, linoleum, and wood floors. When I heard Cooper's voice, I went to the front to greet him.
Cooper held an industrial-sized fan in his hand while he asked Angela if she wanted to go out tonight to forget about her troubles.
Irritation shot through me. "You here to work or chat like a gossip?"
Cooper broke off mid-sentence. "What crawled up your pipe?"
I scowled deeper at his poor attempt at plumbing humor. "I was looking forward to a Saturday off when I got the call."
Cooper shook his head. "It's not my fault you don't hire anyone to be on call. You could have done it years ago. But you're too stubborn. You think you're the only one who can do it right."
"I am the only one who can do it right," I said, feeling the sentiment deep in my bones as Angela and Eve watched our back-and-forth.
Cooper rolled his eyes but lifted the fan. "Where do you want this?"
"We need a few in front to dry out the wood and then some in the back," I said, eager to focus on work.
Cooper set up the fan by the front counter. He turned it on, and the space filled with white noise.
"I'll help you get the rest." I was eager to get everything set up so that I could get out of here. There was something about being near Angela that had me on edge.
Outside, Cooper had parked his truck, with the lettering Sterling Bros Contracting, at the curb. He rested his forearms on the tailgate, not bothering to pull it down. "Why is Angela wearing your sweatshirt?"
I rubbed my neck. "She was trying on lingerie when I got here."
He looked through the windows behind me as a smile broke over his face. "It looks like she's naked under your sweatshirt. It had me wondering if you two were doing something before the pipe burst, if you know what I mean?"
"She's wearing something under there. Just not much." When I'd arrived, she was standing on a chair, her armsstretched over her head as she tried to turn the valve for the water. Her ass was peeking out from under the lace edge of the shorts. My brain had short-circuited for a second before I remembered what I was supposed to be doing, turning off the water and assessing the damage.
