Can't Stop the Feeling (Whispering Bay Romance 6)
Page 56
She must have sneaked out of the house sometime in the last couple of hours.
He’d envisioned them having breakfast together. Maybe even taking Rachel to the beach for the day. He’d made plans. And he never made plans with anyone.
His cell phone rang. Ben lunged across the room to answer it, then realized that he’d never given Jenna his number. The call was from his personal office line.
“What is it?” he snapped.
“So sorry to bother you, sir, but you said to tell you when something was wrong. Um, normally, I would never…since you’re an early riser, I thought…”
No need to take his foul mood out on Gavin. “Not a problem. What’s going on? Is this about Greta?”
“Absolutely not. I took care of that creature last night. She’s already back in Miami and her agency has received a blistering review on her substandard performance. I’m calling you about the inspection for the house.”
Ben didn’t have to ask what house Gavin was referring to.
“Go on.”
“It appears there was some major flood damage in the past. It can be repaired, but the initial estimates are coming in way over budget for this project.”
“How much over?”
“Twenty percent.”
“Shit.”
“My sentiments exactly.” There was a pause. “May I suggest something, sir?”
“That’s what I’m paying you for.”
“When we put the bid on the house, I took the liberty of looking at some additional properties in the neighborhood. Just in case things didn’t work out. There’s a very similar house just a block away that we can probably get for the same price. With your permission, I’d like to exercise the clause that allows us out of the current contract.”
“What does Tiffany think?”
“She’s all for it. But she wanted me to check with you first.”
“Then do it.”
“Yes, sir. Excellent, sir. Thank you—”
“Gavin?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Good work.”
Ben hung up then got dressed. He was lacing up his sneakers when Rachel came padding into the room. Her hair was a tangled mess, and there was a sleep mark on her right cheek. Before she could say anything, he grabbed her into a bear hug making growling sounds until she was laughing so hard her tummy shook.
“Uncle Ben!” she squealed. “It’s to-mo-rrow!”
“So it is, cupcake.”
She beamed at the nickname. “Can we watch Annie again? Can Jenna watch it with us?”
Now that Jenna had skipped out on him, he’d thought to get some work in. And he should probably give Tiffany a call. It had been over a week since he’d last spoken to her. But right now, nothing else seemed to matter except this little girl with his brother’s eyes.
“Sure. We can watch Annie again, but Jenna’s at work right now, hon. Maybe we’ll see her later.”
“Okay.”