Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) by Katie O'Boyle Read Free Book Online Page A

that?”
    “Joel’s a buddy, and I was the one driving when we had the accident.”
    Tony watched Ralph’s face for any sign of blame or censure.
    Ralph grinned. “So that’s how come you got that shiny new red truck in the dead of winter?”
    Tony let out a breath of relief. “Yeah, the old white one was totaled. I’d been saving to get one next summer. The insurance money gave me enough extra to get what I wanted right away.”
    Ralph clapped a hand on his shoulder, the one that had been steadily improving through physical therapy. “So you got your own red rider wagon for Christmas?”
    Tony grinned. “That’s what my girlfriend said, too. She even made me a Radio Flyer pilot’s license. I guess her little nephew got one with his red wagon, and she found out how to get one for me.”
    “She sounds like a keeper.”
    Tony beamed. “Yes, sir, she is.”
    They returned their attention to the set of construction drawings spread out on a sheet of plywood on saw horses. Ralph explained the aggressive schedule. “Crew’s coming this morning to finish insulating the floor. This afternoon they’ll start the laminate flooring and finish it overnight. It’s faster than hardwood, and we can’t go with carpeting because he’ll be in a chair for a while.”
    Tony felt that in his gut. Joel in a wheelchair .
    “You okay?”
    Tony gave up a prayer to get his emotions under control. Maybe other people didn’t blame him for skidding on black ice and plummeting into the trees, but he blamed himself for the accident. This was his big chance to help Joel’s recovery, and he meant to do all he could on this construction project. He nodded for Ralph to continue.
    “Framing crew will put up the studs tomorrow morning. Insulation goes into the walls tomorrow right after. Dry wall starts tomorrow night. Kitchen and bathroom—”
    “There’s plumbing already?”
    Ralph nodded. “We roughed it in last week, when we dug the hole for the pool. We’re just lucky the ground hadn’t frozen yet. The real cold snap started this week. This time of year, you don’t expect a break like that.”
    “You got all the worker bees you need?”
    “Depends on how much you can handle yourself. I know you got banged up in that accident.”
    Tony showed him his doctor’s release with the current restrictions. They talked about his tasks over the next two weeks, and Ralph drew up a schedule.
    “Looks like we could use another carpenter who can also do the heaviest lifting in the kitchen area,” Ralph concluded.
    “I know a guy. Needs some supervision, but he’s good.”
    “Bring him around this afternoon.”
    Tony hesitated.
    “Something else on your mind?”
    “Yes, sir. I know you’re the foreman and you’re my boss, which is great. But how did you happen to call me for the job?”
    “Justin Cushman is calling the shots here. He recommended you, gave me your cell number. You know him?”
    “Joel’s uncle? No, sir.” Tony wondered who had given his name and number to Justin Cushman. Must have been Joel or Manda. He remembered telling Manda he was ready to build anything Joel needed for his recovery. She’d probably passed that along. That felt really good. “Never met the man.”
    Ralph grunted. “You will, soon enough. It’s an experience.”
    “As in . . .?”
    “He could get St. Peter to redesign heaven, if he wanted.”
    “Are you sure Joel’s up for a visit from me?”
    Manda took her eyes off the road for a second and smiled at Gianessa. “Absolutely. He’s been starved for company, and I know you won’t tire him out. You’ll know how to handle it.”
    “I can just wave from the doorway and wait for you two in the café.”
    “Well, I have an ulterior motive.”
    “Which is . . .”
    Manda’s laugh was self-conscious. “I want you to help Joel recover, and I think if you can spend some time talking to each other you’ll know what he needs and he’ll have confidence that you’re the right person for