Seaglass by Chris Bridges Read Free Book Online Page B

the lumber yard, he’d immediately volunteered to open a line of credit for her.
    That, of course, had brought on the waterworks—again. Ed was turning out to be a father-figure of sorts. It was such a foreign and unusual experience for her. He seemed to cheer for her and root her on. Madeline kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far, it hadn’t. He was patient and kind with her, but most unusually, he was proud of her. She remembered their last conversation.
    “Ed, I don’t think I can accept this. There’s too much risk involved if the house doesn’t sell right away.”
    “Listen kiddo, I’ve seen your work first hand and Kayla won’t shut up about you. Take the credit line. Pay it back when you sell. It’s simple.”
    She’d opened her mouth to refuse again when he’d held up a single finger and raised an eyebrow. She’d smiled nervously and nodded. It was a deal.
    Somehow the Barrows family had wormed their way into her heart and she was beginning to understand what it meant to be a real family. Of course, so far that only extended to Ed and Kayla. Knox had been conspicuously absent lately and Madeline was beginning to think he was avoiding her.
    Now, as she began to unpack her tools, she heard the smooth roar of Kayla’s BMW pull up outside. As per usual, she didn’t bother knocking.
    “You look like someone just handed you a diamond ring.” Kayla laughed as she threw her arms around her friend.
    “It’s better than a diamond ring.” Madeline smiled as she pointed out the handcrafted built-ins. “Do you have any idea how hard these pieces are to find?”
    “Um, no. No I don’t.” She replied as she shook her head. To her, it looked like a gross mess.
    “Under these many layers of paint is a masterpiece.”
    “You sound like my brother.” She snorted.
    “Why?”
    “He’s into all that stuff. Restoration and refurbishing. He’s constantly getting calls and referrals from museums and private collectors.”
    “Wow. That’s fascinating.”
    “I just saw some old dresser being delivered to his shop. He was practically proposing marriage to it.” She shrugged delicately. “I’d rather just buy something new.”
    “There’s history in those pieces.”
    “Yeah. You sound just like him.” She looped her hand inside Madeline’s elbow and pulled her toward the front door. “C’mon. Let’s grab lunch and talk strategy.”
    Madeline smiled as she closed up the front door and locked it behind her. She watched as the woman practically danced down the steps and laughed. They couldn’t have been more opposite if they’d tried, yet there was a real friendship developing here. Madeline couldn’t remember the last time she had a real friend. What friends she’d made in school had gone on with their lives. She’d tried to keep in touch for a while, but eventually they’d moved on and it seemed easier to let them go.
    Now, she looked over at her new friend as she babbled about marketing the house and timing the sale. Madeline was happy to relegate those details. All she wanted to do was work on the house and bring it back to life. Kayla pulled up in front of the Touchstone Diner on the corner of Main Street .
    “I’m starving!” She announced as she pulled open the door of the retro 50’s style diner.
    Madeline rolled her eyes. Kayla’s announcement that she was “starving” meant she’d probably order soup and salad versus her traditional order of salad only. The woman couldn’t weigh more than a hundred and ten pounds.
    As if reading her mind, Kayla piped up. “When you’re short, you have nowhere to hide an extra five pounds. Be grateful you’re tall. I’d kill to have your legs.” She practically growled as she led Madeline to a booth by the door.
    Maddie shook her head as she slid into the booth across from her. It was almost unfathomable to her that Kayla could wish she looked like her. She looked down at her attire. A navy t-shirt and cut off shorts. Well, at