Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) by Laurie Kellogg Read Free Book Online

that would make him a
rather ungracious guest, considering the guy was footing the bill for his and
Haley’s vacation.
    On the way back to the table, he made a detour to see how
she was doing.
    “Hey, Uncle Justin,” she gave him the first genuine smile
he’d seen on her in weeks.
    “Are you having fun?”
    “I guess.”
    “Hi, Mr. Riverá,” Jamal said next to her. “Is it all right
if I take Haley to the mansion’s rec room after dinner? Mr. Elliot has a
bowling alley, pool, and ping pong tables, and a bunch of computer games he
said we could play.”
    Hadn’t Nick told him the boys were bunking together in the
mansion’s rec room—as in there would be beds, cots, sleeping bags, or other
assorted soft places to get a girl horizontal?
    The words absolutely
not sprang immediately to Justin’s lips, but he bit them back. Hell, at
least the kid had the manners to ask his permission.
    “If you’re worried, there’ll be an adult there from Mr.
Elliott’s staff the entire time.”
    “In that case, I guess it would be okay. Just let me know
when you’re leaving, all right?” That way he’d know if he had to go check on
her.
    Heading back to his table, he passed Luke who was chatting
with Doc Foster.
    The groom grabbed Justin’s arm as he walked by. “Is now a
good time to talk?”
    “Sure. What do you need?”
    “I was just telling Doc here about a project I have in the
works. I haven’t shared it with Sabrina yet, but I’m quitting the force and
using a large bequest I received to open a school for at-risk teens. I’m
wondering if your firm would be interested in the contract to design and build
the campus.”
    “How large a campus?”
    “Between the administration’s offices, classrooms,
dormitories, a gymnasium, library, cafeteria, etc. I think we’ll need at least
six buildings to start. Plus we’ll need a pool, tennis courts, and athletic
fields. If possible, I’d like to use local talent and stimulate Redemption’s
economy.”
    Justin released a long whistle as he raked his fingers
through his hair. “A year ago, I would’ve given my big toe for the job. But to
be truthful, now that the company has lost Marc, I’m not sure I could handle
such a large project.”
    Before his buddy became ill, Justin had volunteered with
Habitat for Humanity in Philly, drafting architectural changes and doing
construction. Unfortunately, he’d had to quit his charitable work since he now
had to oversee what Marc had been responsible for, as well as doing his own
job.
    “It sounds like you need a new partner,” Doc said.
    “There’s not exactly a surplus of guys with a general
contractor’s license, managerial experience, as well as the capital to invest
in a partnership, Doc.”
    “Call me Matt. I promise not to tell you to turn your head
and cough tonight.”
    Justin laughed. He sure as hell hoped not, or his doctor
might feel more in Justin’s shorts than he bargained for. Seeing Trisha again
had kept him semi-hard all evening.
    “I might be able to hook you up with someone,” Matt told
him. “Are you familiar with Danvers Quality Homes in the Flemington area?”
    “Hell, yeah. They do beautiful work.” At least as good as
Marc’s. They were only twenty minutes from Redemption.
    “Abby and I are good friends with the couple who own the
company. I was in ‘Nam with Ben Danvers. He and his wife have been eager to
retire. Their son Mike has his contractor’s license and manages their site
operations. They’re more or less in the same situation you are. If his parents
retire, Mike will be short-handed in the sales and business office, which is
where your company seems to be stronger.”
    “So what are you suggesting?” Luke asked. “That Justin
merges with Danvers?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Hey, I’m open to the idea, if we can agree on terms,”
Justin told Matt. It would solve a lot of his problems.
    He and Marc had carried life insurance policies on one
another to buy the deceased’s