“We are booked solid.”
Chris beamed around a mouthful of potatoes. “It’s great.”
Maggie frowned. “The only thing I’m not sure of is this Bird sink install next weekend. I can’t find anything about it in your notes, Sebastian.”
I shoveled in a mouthful of chicken, trying to buy some time. Eleanor spoke up. “Oh, never mind about a job for them that weekend, Maggie! There’s a craft fair in Calgary I am dying to go to, and Patrick can’t take the time off. If Sebastian is booked, will you go with me?”
Maggie’s eyes lit up. “A craft fair?”
Eleanor nodded. “It’s huge. And Mousetrap is playing at one of my favorite little theatres. We’ll take Connie with us to see it. We can make it a long weekend!”
Maggie looked worried. “I’d have to ask at the library for the time off, although I’m sure it’s fine, but…” She trailed off, her voice sounding uncertain, and she looked at me.
I leaned forward, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “First off, Angel, you don’t need my permission. Second, Eleanor is right. I have an install I promised to help with, so I’ll be busy all weekend. If you can get the time off, go and enjoy yourself.” I already knew she could since I had called her boss and told him what I had planned. I had already done some work for him and he planned to use me again, so he was more than fine with her taking a couple of days off. I made him promise to act as if he knew nothing when she inquired. I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll miss you, but I want you to go and have fun. Buy some crafty things for our home. Give Connie a hug and tell her I look forward to seeing her again soon.” She had come to town after Patrick called her, and he was right. His mother was warm, friendly, and loving. We got along well and kept in touch regularly.
She beamed at me. “Okay.”
I sat back, hiding my grin. She had no idea. She was going to be so surprised.
Perfect.
The minute the coast was clear, we started. Amber and Mandy came over and helped us pack up the cupboards. I had done a bunch the day before, taking Maggie out for dinner and keeping her out of the kitchen so she didn’t notice the empty cupboards. It had been easy to distract her when we got back—I helped her pack then made love to her until she fell asleep. This morning, I had coffee ready for her and woke her up just in time to grab a shower and be ready when Eleanor arrived.
By noon, the kitchen was empty, and the old washer and dryer gone. The electrician was already wiring up a new outlet for where I was moving the newer stacking appliances I had bought for Maggie that had been hiding in Eleanor’s garage, along with all the other supplies. They were my biggest splurge, but the old ones were in pretty bad shape, and the new stacking set fit so much better.
We worked tirelessly, Finn being kind enough to have my two shifts covered at the bar. I promised to make it up with an extra set in the future. He was pleased since the crowds grew every time I performed, so the bar did well.
By Sunday night, the flooring was down, cupboards installed, the rooms painted, and we were busy in the newly converted laundry/bathroom. Monday, the countertops would go in both rooms, I would add the hardware, and the new-to-us appliances would be hooked up. Maggie was going to flip. Eleanor had decided she “needed” new ones and insisted I take her old ones. I knew from Patrick she had only bought them a year ago, but she claimed she wanted stainless and her white ones had to go. He just grinned and clapped me on the shoulder. “Let her do this, Sebastian. She adores Maggie. Both of you, actually. I don’t care if she buys a new set every month if it makes her happy.”
Once again, I was left reeling from their generosity. How I had gotten so lucky, I didn’t know. But since meeting Maggie, my life had changed, and all for the better.
Monday night, I looked around, pleased. The cupboards were painted a soft dove gray, the counters a blend of silver, gray, and white quartz Maggie had drooled over when I took her to look at samples for “another customer,” and the floor a dark gray slate. Eleanor’s appliances included a dishwasher, which Maggie had never had before now, and I knew she was going to love the refrigerator with the French doors and the self-cleaning oven. The bathroom was simple, but it would be a useful feature, saving lots of trips up and down the stairs, especially when we had guests.