A Secret Message (Lavender Cove #1)

Five

RULE MET UP WITH A local contractor at Lavender Cove's public library the next day. While the older man had never worked for any of the prestigious architectural firms that Rule was used to doing business with, Carl did come highly recommended by Gabriel, and that was as good a reference as any.

"It might take over a month to complete the renovations," Carl estimated after inspecting Rule's draft. "I like to take my time with these old places, give it the respect it deserves."

Most other firms would have finished the job in half the time, but Rule decided to keep this thought to himself. His friend was no fool, and Gabriel wouldn't have recommended Carl if he wasn't the real deal.

"How many weeks are we talking about exactly?"

"Probably six, give or take a few days."

"And the projected cost?"

Since Carl named a figure that was extremely reasonable, Rule decided to give Gabriel's guy a chance, and they were able to close the deal soon after.

"Why the library, by the way?" Rule asked as they walked out of the study room they had used as their meeting place.

"Multitasking," the older man explained with a grin. "I'm also on babysitting duty. That's my granddaughter right there."

Carl pointed towards the children's nook in the lobby, and it was only then that Rule noticed who it was seated in front of the kids, and a Narnia book on her lap.

It was her.

The woman at the cafe...and whose smile he had actually found himself still thinking about while having coffee this morning.

Rule was tempted to stay right there and watch her until his gaze would make her look his way. Maybe even make up an excuse so that Carl would introduce him to the lady. But when he felt his phone vibrate inside his pocket, and he saw that it was Beatriz calling him again—-

Rule said his goodbyes to Carl and forced himself to walk away. He was too old to believe in destiny. Too weary, too cynical. Someone like her, who looked as if she had never known heartache or hardship—-

Someone like her didn't deserve someone like him.