Blueprints: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky

Author:Barbara Delinsky [Delinsky, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466878853
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2015-06-09T16:00:00+00:00

seventeen

Six had come and gone when Caroline finally finished her meetings and went down the hall to see Dean. He sat with a mess of open folders at one of three desks in the general contractors’ office. Wearing thin-framed glasses, he was poring over what she knew were either subcontractor bills or supply invoices. Using a pencil to keep track, he darted her a glance over the glasses, then returned and made several notes.

Caroline liked seeing him this way. It was a different side of him. Perversely, she liked the glasses. They made him look his age.

Sinking into one of two chairs facing the desk, she put her elbows on its arms and exhaled.

He tossed the glasses aside. “You look exhausted.”

“I am. How can four hours in an office do what eight at a worksite cannot?”

“Was it tough with the Realtors?”

She shot him a dry look. “Is Dana ever any other way? She had a chip on her shoulder from the get-go because of the time. She didn’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic, even though she lives in Boston and does a reverse commute. We couldn’t meet earlier, because Linda had a closing, but our only other option was waiting until next week, which I didn’t want to do.”

Linda Marshall, Caroline’s friend from the nail shop, lived in Williston. With four children who were not only attending local schools but were involved in every sport, she was in a prime position to know what was happening in town before it happened, and she had agreed to work with MacAfee Homes in that regard. Caroline had sold Theo on the idea of hiring her, but with the stipulation that she sell the idea to Dana; hence today’s meeting.

“Dana isn’t happy,” she told Dean now. “No matter how vehement Linda was about not wanting to touch the buyer side, Dana just didn’t want to hear. She likes things the way they are and doesn’t see any need for change.”

“Did she come around?”

“Grudgingly. Not that I care if she up and leaves the company. My gut says Linda is worth it. She just gave me tips on two houses we may be able to buy.” She slid a piece of paper his way. Coming forward, he put on his glasses to study it.

“Interesting,” he said, then, “Good. I’ll check them out in the morning.”

Dean was vital to a preemptive buy. With a quick look, he could tell how much a property was worth and what MacAfee Homes would have to spend in order to turn it around and sell it for more. His instinct rarely disappointed—which was why Caroline refused to begin to discuss the country house he had bought. That one was doomed.

Removing the glasses, he sat back again.

“I like those specs,” she taunted, knowing he hated them enough to wear them only when his eyes were tired, but she was tired, too, and the country house was a bad move.

“You would,” he said, undaunted. “Has she picked up chatter on the Weymouth place?”

“Only vague speculation.

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