Wrapped Up In Christmas

“Those are my recommendations on what needs to be done and what I need to do to accomplish each task. I’m going to pick up tools, supplies, and so on. Strategizing a game plan, figuring out the variables, is the best way to get the job done right and meet your Christmas deadline.” Feet propped on a barstool rung, he leaned back a little to better look at her. “You want to see?”

Excitement lighting her eyes, she nodded. “I’d love to.”

Chapter Four

Sarah picked up the notepad and began flipping through the pages to see what Bodie had come up with. What she saw had her glancing at him in new appreciation. He’d done schematic drawings of the two bedrooms and their new adjoining baths, and had apparently measured every nook and cranny as all the data was there. On each page, he’d made lists of needed supplies.

The pages were quite impressive, as were his drawings. Some of his suggestions didn’t fit with her vision, though.

“I should have told you, but I mean to put claw-foot tubs into the baths.” She’d bought one at an estate sale and been over the moon when the previous owner had delivered. She was still searching to find another.

He shrugged. “Up to you, but you need at least one walk-in shower, too.”

“Why?”

His gaze dropped from hers to stare at the notepad, then he shrugged.

“Not everyone can climb in and out of a tub,” he said, as if it was obvious.

And it should have been—yet she hadn’t considered it, despite all the hours she’d put into dreaming up the bed and breakfast.

“You want to be able to accommodate disabled or elderly guests that might not be able to or want to step up into one.”

With growing respect, Sarah stared at him.

“I think you should put a walk-in, tiled shower in at least one of the baths. That way, you’re accessible and just making it easier on anyone with mobility problems whether from age, injury, or health concerns.”

What he said made sense, but she had that beautiful old cast-iron claw-foot tub and it fit with the vibe she wanted for the house.

“If you want to use the claw-foot tub, too, we could make it work.” He studied his drawing of the room. “But the room will be a little crowded.”

“I don’t want crowded or cluttered. That’s not the feel I want for Hamilton House.” But he made valid points. She would have to accept not having the claw-foot tubs in both of the downstairs rooms.

“Or we could just use a tub in the larger of the bathrooms.” Had he read her mind or what? “We’d still need to install a shower unit with the tub if it’s the only means of bathing for that room, because most people take showers, not baths.”

Sarah stared at him, feeling a little awed and a whole lot impressed. She felt foolish for not having thought of the things he was saying. She’d been trying so hard to make sure she covered all her bases and yet what he said was so simple, so sensible, so important for her to have available for her guests.

How could she have missed that? Why hadn’t any of the other dozen or so people who’d been in and out of the house made a similar suggestion? Especially the contractor who had framed the bathrooms.

“Okay.” She added at least one tiled shower to her mental list of necessities. She’d have to see cost and possible layouts before she made a final decision on whether both suites would have them. “What else?”

She listened carefully as he rattled off item after item. She couldn’t disagree with a single suggestion he made. Fortunately, most of his suggestions were small fixes.

“Everything you’ve said sounds great, but I’m not sure it’s all in my budget.” She sighed. “Looks like the plumbing issues are a must.”

He nodded.

“On the rest of the items, I’ll need to prioritize, run the numbers, and see what will have to wait until I get Hamilton House up and running.”

“I can do most of the labor by myself, Sarah. That should save you quite a bit, since you’d only have to pay for supplies.”

He sounded so sincere, as if paying him was no big thing, that a smile tugged at her lips. “Sounds great, but I have to be able to pay you, too, Bodie.”

His mouth opened and for a moment she thought he was going to say she didn’t have to pay him. The sentiment was so strong between them, she’d swear that was what had almost come out of his mouth. Which made zero sense. He was a complete stranger, even if sitting here with him at her kitchen island didn’t feel strange at all.

It felt… natural. As if she’d known him her whole life. Yet, he really was a stranger whom she knew very little about.

“I’m in no hurry to be paid. You can give me an IOU and pay me after Hamilton House starts showing a profit.”