The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series Read Free

with a grin.
     
    Riley didn’t know whether to be annoyed or impressed by the fact that her ideas were neither stupid nor impractical. He made a few suggestions, a few changes, but mostly just for form’s sake. He found himself swept up in her vision and felt as if he could see the finished event center as clearly as she could. They talked, argued, negotiated, and finally agreed on some of the details. When it got dark enough that the small lantern they’d carried with them to the barn didn’t do much more than create some shadows, Riley knew it was time to call it a night.
    “All right, that’s enough for tonight. I’ll draw some of this up, run it by you in a day or two, and I’ll talk to the electrician and the plumber about the additional work. Right now, I need a shower and something to eat. And you need some sleep.” He couldn’t see the dark circles around her eyes in the dusty, gray light of the barn, but he knew they were there.
    As they left the barn, Susan started to worry. “What do I need to tell the electrician tomorrow? I’m not sure I understand all the blueprints well enough to explain what I want. What if he has questions I can’t answer?” She was biting her lip and twisting her hair.
    “Don’t worry, an electrician knows how to read blueprints and I’m only a phone call away.”
    “Okay. What if we haven’t thought of everything? What if I want to change something or add something later?”
    “Relax, Red. The subs aren’t going to finish everything at once. There’s some work they need to do initially then they’ll be back later on as the work progresses.” Riley climbed into his truck and started the engine. “Everything will be fine. I’ll try to stop by some time during the day to check on things.”
    “Thanks, that would make me feel better.”
    “Okay then, see you tomorrow.” He gave a little wave as he started to back out, then stuck his head out the window and added, “Oh, by the way, electrician’s name is Cindy.”  With a devilish wink, he revved the engine and sped off.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2
     
     
    “So, Cindy should be arriving soon,” Susan muttered to herself as she glanced at her watch while tackling the orange shag carpeting in one of the upstairs bedrooms. She had spent the better part of the night wondering who Cindy was and what kind of favor Riley had called in to get the electrician out to the house ahead of schedule. She had spent the rest of the night wondering why she cared. All in all, for as tired as she had been, sleep hadn’t come easily. She had tossed and turned and when she did drift off, images of a beautiful, blonde, and buxom Cindy fawning over Riley filled her dreams.
    She better know what she’s doing, Susan thought. She wasn’t going to put up with some ditzy girlfriend of Riley’s who played at being an electrician. She’d fire her, that’s what she’d do. When she screwed up, or asked too many stupid questions, or wasted time talking on the phone, she’d fire her. Riley would just have to find someone else. Satisfied, she gave the carpet a good tug and was rewarded with a particularly stubborn section in the corner finally coming loose and sending her falling onto her backside.
    Susan was still fuming when she heard a vehicle pulling into her driveway. Ready to let Cindy know she wasn’t going to accept anything but professionalism and quality work, she stomped down the steps and out into the yard. The small, trim woman heading toward her with a quick, purposeful gait had a clipboard in one hand and the other extended in a greeting. Her hair was short and black but showed more silver than black; her face was small with bright, keen eyes, and Susan put her age at about fifty-five. She must have looked confused because the woman laughed a little as she shook Susan’s hand and introduced herself.
    “Hi, Susan Taylor? I’m Cindy Fossen.”
    “Hi. You’re the electrician?”
    “Riley didn’t tell you to expect a