Maggie’s paintbrush dropped, landing on the plastic she’d laid down. “Inspector?” Her voice cracked.
Cash was already moving to intercept the man. “Jackson!” He pasted on a smile and stuck out his hand. This had to be another one of Murdock’s attempts to steal the house right out from underneath him. “It’s good to see you.”
Maggie’s forehead creased. She gave Cash a panicked look that screamed,We’re not ready! He touched her side, hoping to bring her comfort. He could handle this.
They shook hands and Cash stood in the doorway, blocking the inspector from entering, all while doing his best to maintain an airy sense of unconcern. “What brings you by?”
“I’m here to inspect the place for a certificate of occupancy.” Jackson began digging through the messenger bag slung over his shoulder. His short-cropped hair didn’t quite camouflage his bald spot.
“I think you’ve got your dates mixed up.” Cash chuckled. “Our inspection’s tomorrow.”
Maggie nodded vigorously. The woman should never play poker. Her emotions were written across her face.
Jackson held out a yellow slip. “I know. But I’m leaving for a cruise tomorrow, and I have to get this done before I leave.”
Maggie’s mouth fell open, and then she snapped it shut. “A cruise?” Her voice was syrupy sweet. “Shouldn’t you have had ample time to give us warning?” She exchanged a look with Cash.
Jackson beamed as Cash took the yellow slip from him. The date on the slip was today. “I won it! I can’t believe my luck. This guy from the cruise line called and said they pulled my business card out of a fishbowl. I don’t even remember putting it in. It’s just the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Cash’s blood pressure began to rise.
Jackson continued, “I only had a days’ notice, and I know you guys have to be all figured out by tomorrow, so I moved you up.” He glanced back and forth between them.
Cash did his best to hide his horror. Murdock had beaten them. He’d bet his business that the guy had paid for the trip out of the taxpayers’ pockets, just to yank the rug out from under Cash. “Jackson, I gotta tell ya, we aren’t ready. We need today to finish up.”
Jackson frowned. “There’s nothing I can do about it at this time. It’s either now or never.”
Cash’s heart sank to the plastic tarp under their feet. He pushed off of the wall and stepped aside. “Have at it, then.”
Jackson grinned, obviously riding his good-luck high. He paused at the unfinished railing and made a note on his tablet.
“What’s going to happen?” Maggie asked in a hurried whisper.
Cash shook his head. “We won’t pass.” He groaned. “Normally, he’d give us a checklist and we could finish up what he found and then have a reinspection for occupancy. But if he’s leaving town, then we’re sunk.” He wanted to sink into the floorboards.
Maggie’s hand fell away from his arm. “Can we call in another inspector?”
“You’re not getting it,” Cash snapped. “This is it. We’re done. Moose Creek has one inspector, and he’s skipping town to sip fruity drinks and salsa on a ship.”
“We’re done?” Maggie asked. “You don’t meanwe’redone?” She wagged her finger back and forth between the two of them.
Cash turned. “The deal’s off. I didn’t uphold my end of the bargain. I didn’t even give you the kitchen you asked for.” He dropped his chin to his chest and scrubbed his hands through his hair. “Some fake husband I turned out to be.”
“Cash.” Maggie whispered his name. It sounded like a caress, but it only reminded him that she was a better woman than he deserved. She’d put her dreams on hold to help him reach his, and what did he give her in return? Failure.
“Cash, we can still—”
He spun on her. “Still what, Maggie?” His words were loud and harsh and stabbing through the air. Her eyes went wide with hurt and confusion. He wanted to stop, but she had to understand there was no hope of saving the house. “We’re done here. In fact, I should tell the guys to stop. From right this moment, I’m spending my own money to fix up someone else’s house.”
He stormed inside and started barking orders.
Maggie didn’t follow. He glanced over his shoulder to see her put the paintbrush in a plastic baggie and then put the lid on the paint can. The slope of her shoulders was made of sorrow and loss.
She understood. And he was a snake for being the one to make reality sink in.
Chapter 25
Maggie stood by the trailer she and Cash had used to sleep in and throw together sandwiches on their short breaks from working nonstop on the house for the last week.
