“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“What isn’t? I woke up late, stepped into water all over the bedroom floor. The cat still has an upset stomach-and that’s putting it mildly.” She pulled her hair back into a ponytail with her hands, securing it with a covered elastic. “All of that and it’s just nine a.m.”
“It could be worse.”
She raised an eyebrow, hands perched on her hips. “Care to tell me how?”
“You could still be without a contractor instead of having the best at your beck and call.” He couldn’t help but tease her.
“Good point.” She shot him a wry smile.
“What kind of flood?” he asked, concerned that the old pipes were giving her trouble.
“The kind that isn’t going anywhere,” she said, turning and walking away. “I need caffeine,” she called over her shoulder. “Want some coffee?”
He blinked in surprise at her change of subject and, given no choice, he followed her. “Black would be great,” he said to her back.
Once in the kitchen, which appeared to have been renovated in the last decade at least, he sat at the table, placing his clipboard down.
Lauren worked quickly. She poured them both cups of coffee that had already brewed and handed him a steaming mug.
“Thanks,” he said.
She nodded, lifted the cup and finished her caffeine fix in short order.
“So where’s the fire?” he asked, taking a sip of the hot coffee.
She placed her mug in the sink and ran water inside it. “We have work to do.”
He wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep things moving quickly to avoid any serious conversation or because she really did want to get started on the job.
Regardless, he took the hint. Steeling himself, he downed his coffee and placed the cup in the sink, rinsing it as she’d done with hers.
“Let’s start with the flood.” Picking up his clipboard, he gestured for her to lead the way.
After surveying the water in the large bedroom on the main floor, he realized things didn’t look good. “Where’s the water heater?”
“There’s a laundry room over here.” She led him out of the bedroom, which he appreciated since the bed hadn’t been made and the rumpled sheets only served to remind him of what he’d rather be doing.
What she’d prohibited him from doing, unless he could convince her otherwise. But he was a professional and he knew she needed to sell this house, so he focused on the job first.
“The laundry room backs up to the bedroom,” he said, reaching for the door. He opened it carefully and, just as he’d feared, found the old water heater surrounded by a huge puddle.
“Is it bad?” Lauren asked, hovering over his shoulder, so close her scent surrounded him.
“Seems that way. Considering how old and corroded the water heater looks, I’d guess it needs replacing, which means a big expense. Plus labor.” He turned to see her shocked expression.
“Well, that’ll put another huge hole in my bank account, but I don’t have a choice. When will you know?”
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not an expert at everything.”
She propped one shoulder against the wall. “Really? What a disappointment.” Despite the situation, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
He laughed. “Plumbing’s not my thing, unfortunately. I’m going to have to subcontract the job. I’ll make a few calls and see what I can do.”
The first plumber who came to mind was Uncle Edward, but the notion of asking him to work on the old Perkins house seemed wrong. Jason didn’t want to jeopardize his uncle’s recovery by pushing him too far.
“Let me start with JR Plumbing.” He called and the owner answered on the first ring.