Liam surveyed the six men rounded up for the job, based on recommendations from both Mitch and Tyler Edison at the hardware store. All were fairly seasoned and had been out of steady local work for some time, due to the economy. This job would be a good trial run. If any of them worked out, it’d be a great start to forming his own crew.
“Obviously, our focus is on getting the main pharmacy back to normal. But given the group we’ve got out there right now, I think that’s going to happen within a week. The goal is to get all the flooring installed and vacuumed today. I’m planning on staining and sealing tomorrow. The longest part there will be waiting on the stain and sealant on the new floors to dry. Three days for that. Mitch and I already finalized the designs, so I can get the rest started while that’s going on. So…maybe two weeks?”
“Good. Keep me posted on timeline. I’ll handle my end. I want to talk to Riley about setting up an open house to show off the new space anyway, and that would be a great means of launching this as well.”
“You really think you can pull it together that fast?”
Norah gave him a pitying look. “Please. Have you met me?”
Liam laughed. “Fair point. I want you to keep this under your hat, at least until we’re finished. I want to surprise Riley.”
Norah crossed her heart. “Discretion is my middle name.” She checked her watch. “With that in mind, I’m going to get out of here. Your lady fair will probably be finishing her presentation soon, and I want to be back to talk to Gerald when it’s through.”
“How did she look?” Liam asked.
“Like a million bucks. Maybe a little bit nervous, but she’d already gotten off on a tangent about essential oils when she busted Gerald’s headache in thirty seconds, so I think she’s going to be fine. She nailed all the practice runs of the presentation. I’m betting a celebration will be in order later.”
“Good. She needs a win in her column. It’s been a rough summer for her.”
“Not all bad.” Norah stroked a hand down his arm. “She got you.”
“True enough.” But Liam wasn’t sure Riley was as comfortable with that as he was.
“I’ll be in touch. Bye, Molly!” She sent a sunny wave to his mother, who perched on a sto
ol behind the counter.
As the door jangled, Molly pinned him with a Look. “You’re up to something.”
“I am.” He was, in fact, up to several somethings. “Working on a surprise for Riley.”
“Is this the kind of surprise that’s going to make her angry? Because that didn’t work out well for you before.”
“No. It was her idea, actually. I’m just bringing it to fruition. And in keeping with that, I need to go.”
“You’re leaving in the middle of all this work?”
“Gotta pick up more supplies at the hardware store. I’ve had a few things on special order, and Tyler texted earlier to say they were in.”
She smiled at him. “You like it. Building things.”
“I like seeing the possibilities and maximizing potential. And yeah, it’s good seeing solid results of the work. Having a real finished product that will last.”
“It suits you. And, with that in mind, perhaps it’s time to start talking about turning the garage into a proper wood shop for you. Unless you plan to get your own place sooner rather than later.”
Liam thought about the other plans kicking around in his brain. “That depends.”
“Well, I’m not trying to rush you out. You know I love having you home. But if your plans change, I completely understand.”
She knew. She was standing there looking all innocent and casual, but she knew. Who knew how. Her Mom-dar put military intelligence to shame. Time for a tactical retreat.
“There’s plenty of other stuff to worry about for now. You okay holding down the fort until I get back?”
“You go ahead. I’ve got this.”
As the weather was gorgeous and unseasonably cool for this close to August, Liam rolled the windows down on his truck and took the long way, weaving through the shady streets of town. The parking lot at Waldrop Park was half full as he drove by. On impulse, he swung into the lot and got out to inspect the new fence. He’d been on deck to help assemble it, but with everything that had happened, he hadn’t been able to make it to the work day.
Norah had wanted whitewashed pickets, but Mitch convinced her to go with a better quality stain and sealant. The final result wrapped the perimeter of the property. Liam walked the length of it, reading names of the individuals and businesses that had donated. Children’s laughter split the air and drew his attention to the playground proper.