Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(58)

“Do you sense something there?” I asked as I walked in.

“I do.” She sounded confused but intrigued, and turned to me. “Do you know why?”

“I do.” I smiled. “I was able to see more about the spell that gave the house a personality. The heart of that spell is in a crystal within the wall. I cleaned out the space where it sits, and I think it really improved the house’s mood.”

“It definitely did.” She looked around, a broad smile on her face. “You’ve really brought this place back to life. It looks beautiful.”

“Thank you. There’s a lot of work left to be done, but I’m hopeful.” I searched her face, unable to stop thinking about the woman I’d seen in the vision. “You remind me of the person who cast the spell, actually.”

“Really?” She gave a small laugh. “Do I look like her?”

“Not exactly, no. I don’t know why you remind me of her.” I gave my voice a prodding tone, hoping she might fill in some of the blanks.

“Perhaps she was an old woman like me.”

She was trying to distract me. “No, she wasn’t. I think there’s a connection between you two, though.”

“Surely not.” She shrugged. “Perhaps it’s just that I live next door.”

That made absolutely no sense, but I couldn’t say it to her face. “Maybe just a coincidence.”

“That’s probably it.” She agreed readily, and I knew there was more to this story than she was telling me. But I couldn’t exactly call her a liar to her face.

“I think there are some people here to see you, dear.” She pointed to the space behind me, and I turned.

Charlie stood in the doorway, along with Lee and Carlos.

“Hi, guys!” I turned back to Judith. “I’ll see you later. Thank you for coming.”

She waved me away. “Go on, dear. Talk to your friends.”

I left her where she was, staring at the wall that hid the crystal, and walked over the men who had just stepped inside the room. They wore the heavy work boots and worn jeans that were the uniform of contractors everywhere, though it was clear they’d put on their good jumpers for the party.

I smiled at them. “Thank you for coming. Charlie, Lee, and Carlos, wasn’t it?”

“It was.” Charlie grinned at me. “Thank you for having us. You’ve really done a lot with this place.”

I gestured to the room behind me. “I’ve got it all fixed up and ready for some professionals to come in and work their magic.” I winked, making it extra obvious and even a little cheesy. “Like you guys.”

“Oooh, was that what this was all about?” he said, his tone distinctly flirty. “You just wanted to lure me and the guys here?”

“Guilty.” I raised a hand. “Truly, though, I was hoping to show you that the house is safe to work in.”

“It seems good.” He looked around. “The beer and sausages were a nice touch. And the band is excellent.”

“I thought I’d grease the wheels a little.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I want to meet the town, and this is a great opportunity.”

“So, you’re on a deadline with this house?” Lee asked.

“I am. It needs to be finished by the middle of the week after next for me to inherit it. Otherwise, it goes to my miserable uncle.”

“That’s a strange requirement of a will,” Charlie said.

“I know. I’ve got no idea why my grandmother wrote it that way, but I’ve got a little less than two weeks to keep my new home. I was hoping you guys might be able to help me.” I considered batting my lashes, but that would be laying it on too thick. “I’ll pay you overtime, of course. A rush fee, even. Are you free to do some work?”

“We could be.” Charlie smiled. “It would be a shame for you to lose this house, especially after putting so much work in. And you’re definitely an asset to the community.”

“An asset to the community?” I grinned.

“Oh, most definitely.” He was flirting up a storm with me, which I was so not used to.

“So, that means you’re in?” I asked. “There’s quite a bit of electric, roofing, and plumbing that needs to be done.”

“We can start tomorrow,” he said.

“Oh, my gosh. That’s what I was hoping you would say.” I was so excited, I wanted to clap.

“It’s because he likes you,” Carlos said. “Ever since we played darts at The Sea Shanty, he’s been hemming and hawing about how to contact you without seeming like a creep.”

Charlie turned to him. “Really, mate? You’re going to spill my business like that?”

Carlos shrugged. “Women like honesty.”

“That is true,” I said. “And I do really appreciate you guys finding time to help. This is a huge deal for me.”

“It’s not a problem,” Charlie said. “We’ll be here around lunchtime.”

“Excellent. I’ll leave the house unlocked, if that’s all right. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow and I might not be here, but I’ll be back the next day. You just get started, if that’s all right.”

“Perfect. We’ll be here.” He winked. “And maybe afterward, you and I could get a drink?”