“Hello?” Pastor Powell poked his head through the heavy plastic barrier between the existing kitchen and the almost existing dining room.
“Hi. What brings you to this neck of the woods?” asked Cash.
“I wanted to see the progress. Mr. Hansen hasn’t stopped talking about this project and how fast it’s going. You’ve got some excited clients spreading good things about you throughout our congregation.” He rocked back on his heels.
Cash marked the line with a construction pencil. “I can use those kinds of rumors.” It was the other kind he was worried about. No matter who wanted to hire him, if he couldn’t get plans approved or had constant interference from the city, his reputation would deteriorate.
Seth circled the room, taking in the position of wires hanging from the ceiling and poking out of the walls. “How are things going with Maggie?”
Cash glanced over his shoulder to make sure the Hansens weren’t listening in. He’d had a front-row seat to their family life. The more he saw, the more he wanted this for himself. Even when the kids screamed and there was mac and cheese on the floor and blankets everywhere, the feeling in this house was different than the one he’d grown up in—and he liked it.
“Good.” He glanced down, pulling the tape measure out and then letting go so it pulled back in on itself. “I guess.”
“Guessing is not a good idea when it comes to a wife.” He gave Cash a warning look.
Cash shrugged. “I’ve been working late the last five nights. We don’t have much time for us.”
Seth smacked his back. “Make time. Put this all away and get back to that house and tell her you miss her.” When Cash hesitated, Seth’s jovial expression lowered to one that was more guarded. “I sense there’s something holding you back. Did you guys have a fight?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Cash swiped his X-Acto knife down the material and made a clean cut.
“So you have a beautiful woman and you’re not running off to spend time with her? That’s normal. Yeah. I get it. Keep on, brother.”
Cash laughed. “Have you ever wanted something so bad that you’re afraid to go after it?”
Seth nodded. “Yep.”
“What did you do?”
“I let her walk away.” He made a face. “I eventually woke up and raced after her. I can’t say that every day of my life has been bliss since then, but I can tell you that it’s been better than being alone. Even the bad days with Evie are better than the good days alone. It’s crazy. I know I sound like a lovesick fool, but it’s true.”
Cash stared at the exposed studs in the wall, wondering if they felt as naked as he did. This feeling of being seen was hard for him to get used to, and it’d kept popping up since Maggie had come back into his life.
“Think about it.” Seth gave a small wave as he made his way out of the room. “And bring her to church. We want to meet her.”
Cash chuckled. “I will.” He’d been so focused on getting the house done, then getting this job done so he could get back to the house, that he’d pushed hard every day without a break. The pace was wearing on him, especially since it was coupled with the worry about which direction the next attack from Murdock would come from.
He couldn’t stop, though. Not when so much was on the line for Maggie. She understood why he was working late. And it wasn’t like she was waiting around at home for him to walk through the door. He was fine. Seth was good at giving advice, and he’d take it … as soon as he was through with this job. He picked up the piece of sheetrock and fit it into the opening.
Chapter 19
Maggie pulled the thermometer out of the fridge and frowned. It was cold enough to keep foodborne bacteria from forming but not quite cold enough to chill her Jell-O. The molded cranberry dessert sloshed around in the scalloped pan. With a sigh, she set it on the counter and glared. Sammy wanted her side dish recipes today, and she was going to be short one if this didn’t set up.
A knock sounded at the door, and she peeked out the window to see a used-car salesman standing at her door. Taking off her apron, she opened the door and offered a smile. “Hello.” Being friendly seemed like a good idea, even though she had no idea if this was another of Murdock’s tricks. “Can I help you?”
“Mrs. Diamante?”
“Yes?”
“Is Cash around?”
She eyed him carefully. There was no need to let him know she was alone out here in the middle of the woods where nobody could hear her scream. “Can I tell him who’s asking?”
“I’m Sam Goodall, his granddaddy’s lawyer. I’ve been trying to get a hold of him for the last four days, but we keep missing one another. I finally decided to track him down.”
“Oh!” She offered her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.” He smiled up at her, taking her in as if she were the new kid on the block. He knew about their quick marriage and the reasons for it. Well, some of them. “I have some information for Cash. I’m afraid it’s not good. He didn’t seem to like me much before, and now he’s going to have a reason.”
