Haven Creek by Rochelle Alers Read Free Book Online Page A

you’re apologizing, then I accept your apology. Now, can we get back to business?”
    Pushing up his glasses, Nate pinched the bridge of his nose. Restoring a house to its original state was a monumental undertaking that would probably take years to complete. Attention to detail would be vital to ensuring authenticity. He wanted to turn down Morgan’s offer because he barely had time to complete the work Shaw Woodworking had already been commissioned to do. And there was still the barn, which he wanted to finish before the end of the summer. However, if he could get Bryce to assist him, then perhaps he could help Morgan with her project.
    “I don’t know, Morgan. I’ll have to think about it.”
    “I don’t want to pressure you, but I’m going to need your answer before the end of next week; otherwise I’ll have to contact someone else. I’ve projected three to five years to complete the entire restoration.”
    He was taken aback by the sudden chill in her voice. It was apparent that Morgan was no shrinking violet. She had a business to run, and for every businessperson, time translated into money. “Can you give me a hint of what I’d be involved with if I decide to accept your offer?”
    “You’ll have to come by my office and I’ll show you the schematic.”
    “What’s the address?”
    “It’s on Main Street off Moss Alley, two doors down from the Muffin Corner. You can find me there most nights.”
    “What made you open an office in the Cove and not the Creek?”
    Morgan laughed. “You must think I’m a traitor not to live and work in the Creek, but I didn’t want to be in direct competition with my former employers. It would be like rubbing salt in an open wound. They were shocked when I handed in my resignation, and mad as hell when they found out I’d opened an office in the Cove. I only have one client, yet they bad-mouth me every chance they get.”
    “One client and a restoration project of historic proportions. There’s no doubt when this land is fully restored it will draw as much attention as Mansfield Plantation and Middleton Place.”
      
    Morgan clasped her hands behind her back to keep from throwing her arms around Nate’s neck and kissing him. Nate hadn’t seen her plans for the restoration, yet he’d fully grasped her vision for the historic landmark house and land. She unclasped her hands. He’s got it! screamed the voice in her head.
    “You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?” he asked.
    She compressed her lips. “How do you know?”
    “Your eyes, Mo. They give you away.”
    “You have no idea how much this project means to me,” Morgan admitted. “It’s not about becoming my own boss as much as it is about saving a culture that makes me proud to say I’m Gullah.”
    Nate smiled, exhibiting a mouth filled with straight white teeth. “I understand where you’re coming from. When I lived in California, people always made fun of my accent. I tried to explain that I was Gullah, but they looked at me as if I’d come from outer space.”
    “We may have inflections, but definitely not accents. My roommate at Howard was from Chicago, and when she came home with me during spring break she couldn’t stop raving about the food and the lushness of the island. I believed she would’ve moved here after graduation if she wasn’t engaged to a boy who lived in Houston.” Morgan glanced at her watch. “I think we better get back. Thank you for hearing me out.” Reaching for her hand, Nate’s thumb caressed her knuckles, the calluses on the pad making her heart beat a little too quickly.
    “I can’t give you an answer until I see your plans, and then I’ll have to talk it over with my father and brother.”
    “The entire restoration is projected to take at least three years. So please keep that in mind when you talk to them.”
    “Okay, I will.”
    They walked back to the parking area, where Morgan put on her heels. When they reentered the tent she felt as