THREE
Monday morning, part of the daily routine was to check messages. “Hello Olivia, Leslie Jacobs, I am calling to make an appointment. I will be dropping by at 10:00 on Monday morning, just in case you are available. I believe you have my number.”
Olivia checked her watch, “Dammit.” It was nearly 10:00 now. She figured she might as well see what she wants. She gave herself a last-minute inspection, about that time the door jangled open. It’s her, dressed like a fashion model on show day. Her make-up was perfect down to her blood red lipstick. This time her hair fell across her shoulders in loose curls. Olivia estimated her outfit was the price of her new horse.
“Ms. Jacobs, how nice of you to drop by. Coffee?” Olivia’s demeanor took a one-eighty turn, demonstrating the difference between work and home.
A flustered Leslie replied, “Coffee, would be grand. Cream and sweetener, if you have it?”
Olivia nodded her head and motioned toward the sitting area. “Please take a seat and I will be just a minute.”
Woman of her word, she returned with two coffees and joined Leslie. “Now, what can I do for you?” Olivia grabbed a notebook and began taking notes.
“Meridian Corporation bought the Edwards ranch. They are considering using it as a retreat house for their employees.” She stirred her coffee and watched Olivia through her lashes.
“Edwards Ranch? I am very familiar with it. How many guest rooms?”
“We were hoping for ten with different configurations for sleeping from king beds to bunks. Of course, keeping the living room and kitchen areas. Maybe even a lounge and spa.”
“That is quite a job, do you have a budget for it?” Olivia scribbled a few quick calculations.
“Budget is one million dollars. Do you believe that to be a sufficient amount?”
Olivia tried not to gape at her, but this was a huge job. She had never dreamed of one so large. “I am sure that is more than sufficient. Does Meridian have a time frame in mind?”
“Yes, the deadline for this is within four months.” Leslie sipped her coffee and let the meaning soak in.
“Before I can accept this job, I will have to see the property and locate a crew available in the area.”
Leslie smirks she has her on the ropes. Now for the knockout punch. “There is also a bonus for having the job done on time. An additional fifty thousand dollars.”
“May I ask why such a hurry?” Olivia had never heard of such a flagrant use of money and power, if its legal.
“There is a special annual event the company holds and they are wanting a permanent place to use.” Cool as a cucumber, Leslie laid out the details.
Olivia scrolled her appointment book. “I can meet you on Thursday, to check the property and give you my definitive answer.”
Leslie clapped and stood to leave. “Thursday morning, is 11:00 an appropriate time?”
“Yes, that will be fine. Thanks, you for this tremendous offer.” Olivia accepted before she dropped into the nearest chair. She phoned Garrett, immediately.
“Bear, are you sitting down?”
“Well, I am on a horse, if that is sitting.” He chuckled.
“That Jacobs woman just offered me a million-dollar project with a half-million early completion bonus.”
Garrett whistled. “Whoa baby, what a job. Can you do it alone? What can I do to help you?”
“I am going to need an architect and a substantial size construction crew. I need Sarah.” She sighed into the phone.
“I know the guys who built my house, they’d be good. And I think I have the name of the architect I used for some of my building in Tomitown. I’ll hunt that up for you if you need. By the way, which ranch did they buy?”
“You will never guess? The Edwards Ranch…” She laughed.
“Shit, no way… better call Valerie. Hey, you need to anyway.” Garrett said his goodbyes and Olivia dialed up Valerie.
“Hello Beautiful, how’s everything on the Double T Ranch?” Valerie was always so cheerful. Considering the party fiasco when we were last in Carlton, I am surprised she was still speaking to me.
“Things are wonderful. I hear you made a big score?”
“Big Score? What are you referring to?” Valerie was puzzled.
“The Edwards Ranch sold, that was a nice commission.” Olivia was shocked.
“No, as a matter of fact, he closed his agreement with us. So, if it’s sold someone else got the commission.”
“I am so sorry. I have been approached by a representative of the buyer to remodel the entire ranch into a ten-room bed and breakfast, more or less.”
“Who bought it. Do tell?” Valerie’s curiosity broke through.
“Some company …Meridian Corporation. I have never heard of them, but that’s not surprising.”
“You bet your ass, I will be checking into them.” Valerie was a pretty good detective when she wanted to know something.
“How do you feel about being my matron of honor?”
Valerie squealed. “I am honored, when sweets?”
“Think you can pull a wedding together in a month?” Olivia just threw it out there.
She heard the tapping of nails on a computer keyboard. “Of course, easy-peasy. Any particulars I might need to know?”
“Nope, except don’t go overboard. Keep it simple and elegant. You know I love pink and yellow. Oh, and Sarah will need a dress as well. She will be a bridesmaid.”
“Fabulous, she left for home this morning. So, you can ask her yourself.”
The ladies chatted and caught up. Wedding plans are well underway in Carlton. Olivia trusted Valerie with her life, a wedding would be a piece of cake for her.
***
Olivia stretched her arms above her head. She had been at the computer most of the day researching designs, and sourcing beds, bedding, drapes, flooring, carpeting, etc… She scrubbed her tired face and once again, the door jangled. When a lovely sight waltzed in, “Sarah, sweetheart. I have missed you so much.” Olivia enveloped her in a hug.
Sarah hugged her back. “It’s good to be home. What is going on with you?”
Olivia dragged her over to the couch and regaled her with stories about Shimmer and then the strange but incredible offer she had been given.
Sarah jumped from her seat. “When do we start? I can’t wait to dig in.”
Olivia smiled at her enthusiasm. “Wait, don’t you have school?”
Sarah calmed down. “Well, seems I can’t go to school anymore?”
Olivia’s jaw dropped. “What? You are kidding, right?”
“Yes, just a little bit.” She puffed out. “Seems all the entry level classes I tested out of because of my experience. Now, I need to wait for Spring semester to sign up for the new classes. I am all yours, if you’ll have me.”
Olivia stood up and hugged her again. “Have you, I don’t know what I would do without you on this job. Can you start right away?”
“I will be in at eight with bells on.” Sarah paused and changed her inflections.” Can I ask a favor?”
“Anything you know that.” Olivia reassured her.
“I was wondering if Erik might stay in the loft? I will stay with my parents, but he is here doing some research for his undergrad work.”
“Of course, he can. Let me get you the key.”
Garrett stepped up behind Sarah and grabbed her around the waist. “How is my Sarah girl?”
She squealed and screamed. Erik jerked the door open thinking something was wrong with Sarah. “Whew, it’s just you, Mr. Thomas.”
“Hey Erik.” He extended a greeting shake. “And please call me Garrett.”
“Garrett, nice to see you again.”
Olivia returned with the keys. “Should have known it was you making such a commotion, Bear.” She kissed his cheek. “Nice to see you Erik, here are the keys.”
“Wow, I was just coming to ask you about that. I see Sarah beat me to it.”
Garrett raised an eyebrow. “Keys?”
“Yes, he is going to be using the loft while he is here doing some research.” Olivia pulled Garrett in by the beltloops. “I’m starving, let’s head over to the steak house for dinner. Its’s a celebration, Erik and Sarah will join us, won’t you?”
In unison, they said, “We’d love to.” They snickered at each other. Erik asked, “Let me put my stuff upstairs before we go?”
Garrett reluctantly let go of Olivia, “Sure thing, let me help you.”
FOUR
Sarah met Olivia at the Edwards Ranch Thursday morning. They had discussed the job costs involved, as well as, researched other designs and floorplans. Now, Olivia was better prepared to meet with Ms. Jacobs today. With Sarah as her wingman, she was more confident in herself.
Leslie met them at the door, dressed more casually this time, wearing slacks and a silk top with sandals. “Good to see you again, Olivia. And who is this lovely young lady?”
Olivia greeted her. “This is my protégé, Sarah.”
“Very nice to meet you Ms. Jacobs. I am anxious to share my design ideas with you.” Sarah impressed both Olivia and Leslie with her forthright confidence.
“Shall we begin?” Leslie led them throughout the entire house, although Olivia was familiar with the floorplan, she was grateful for Sarah’s input. She noticed structural things Olivia was sure she’d have missed.
Leslie led the ladies into a kitchen nook for a snack with iced tea. “I am sure after trudging around this manse you are ready for refreshment. Please take a seat.” Sarah and Olivia enjoyed the snack.
Olivia sipped her tea. “When should we begin?”
Leslie became animated with a wide grin. “You’re taking the job?”
Olivia peered to Sarah and she shook her head. “Yes, we are accepting your offer to remodel the ranch.” Sarah produced some contracts from her folder and gave them to Leslie.
“Have your lawyer examine these and when you are ready, so are we. In the meantime, we will get together a story board of options for you to choose from.” Olivia stated in her best business tone.
“I will get these to him today. I am sure we will be ready by Monday at the latest. Will that be agreeable?” Leslie checked her phone, Phillip had texted her from somewhere in the house. Her demeanor quickly changed to panic, her face paled and her body stiffened.
Olivia noticed her expression. “Is everything alright?”
“Sorry, a personal matter.” She shook her head and stuffed her phone in her pocket. The brightness had disappeared, as well as, her smile.
“We’ve taken up enough of your time.” Sarah slid her chair out and Leslie showed them out. “We will be waiting for your call.”
Leslie still appeared frightened and only shook her head in response.
Sarah whispered to Olivia. “Whatever spooked her? She turned white as a sheet.”
Olivia smirked. “Not my circus, not my monkey.” Both ladies bent over in laughter.
On the ride back to the office, they chatted about layouts and floorplans. “When did you say Peter Adams, was flying in?” Sarah asked.
Olivia glanced at the car clock. “He was driving a rental over from the airport. He has the original floor plans. I am hoping he has some news for us.”
***
Olivia and Sarah rounded the corner to the office and found a dark-haired man standing outside a car waiting. Olivia quickly parked and greeted him. “Peter, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. Have you been here long?” She escorted him up to the door and unlocked it.
Peter chuckled. “Olivia, not but a minute. I was just stretching. Airplanes are a tight fit for my long legs.”
She returned his mirth, with a chuckle of her own. “Good, Peter, this is Sarah Gibson, she is my protégé. We are excited to see what information you brought to us.”
Sarah greeted Peter. “Nice to meet you Mr. Adams. Can I get you some coffee or a soft drink, maybe iced tea?”
Peter patted her back. “I’d love a glass of sweet tea, and please call me Peter.”
Sarah smiled and exited the room to prepare the tea. Olivia shared the news of the contract bid and the bonus. Peter and Olivia had attended some classes in college together and he had also designed the floor plan for Garrett’s hotel. The old friends exchanged pleasantries while waiting for Sarah to join them.
“Such a small world sometimes. How are Lanie and the baby?”
Peter beamed. “Lanie is as beautiful as ever and baby Derrick is growing too fast. How in the world did you wind up in Tomitown with Garrett?”
“Long story short, I was a damsel in distress with a flat tire and he rode in on his black steed and rescued me. And the rest, as they say, is history.”
Sarah returned with the tea. “Peter, what did you find out about the Edwards Estate? Will we be able to transform it into ten-bedroom B&B?”
Peter spread out the blueprints on the table. He pointed to the load bearing walls and the placement of electrical and plumbing. “These will of course need to be brought up to the current code. The house was built over fifty years ago. But the structure is sound and I believe the project can be done.”
Olivia laughed with glee. “How soon can you have the blueprint for the remodel and construction ready? We are spreading the bonus around to everyone and this is a nice feather in your cap at the agency.”
Peter winked at Olivia. “Is Monday to soon enough?”
Sarah jumped from her seat. “There is so much to be done, crews to call, supplies to order and …” she gasped. “The story boards to make.”
Peter belly laughed at the eagerness of Sarah. Olivia grinned with admiration. “It will be okay, Sarah. Everyone is on standby for Monday. We will meet the foreman and get demolition underway.”
“Are you staying over Peter? Garrett has plenty of room at the ranch.”
Peter stood and gathered his things. “I can’t. Now that I am family man, I rarely go out of town. Since it was for you, I made an exception with wifey’s blessing of course.” The change in his behavior showed how much he loves his wife.
Olivia embraced him. “I understand, I can’t be away from Garret either.” She walked him to the door. “Give Lanie a kiss and one for the baby. I hope to meet him soon. Perhaps this summer, you could come for a visit?”
“We just might take you up on that. I know Lanie loves to go horseback riding and this is a truly quiet peaceful place.” Peter glanced up and down the streets.
“Perfect, I will give her a call after the construction is done. Have a safe trip.”
They waved good-bye. Her gaze fell down the sidewalk. She noticed a stranger in town. His appearance startled her by how much he resembled Phillip. “Not possible. Why would he be here?” Too much excitement, she thought had her seeing things. “Sarah, let’s lock up and get a fresh start tomorrow. I am exhausted.”
“Uh, well okay, but I am supposed to meet Erik here for dinner. Do you mind if I stay and finish up the details get a head start on my storyboard?” Sarah blushed, Olivia knew love when she saw it. Her flushed cheeks and shy smile didn’t fool anyone about her feelings for Erik.
“You are making me appear bad. But you know this office is as much yours as it is mine. But my cowboy is waiting for me.” She threw her bag over her shoulder. “I am out of here, see you tomorrow.” She stepped away. “And Sarah,”
Sarah caught her gaze. “Don’t work too long. You have a cowboy waiting for you as well.”