Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

“Great. I’ll try to get the landscaper there too. And you can meet Carol, as well. I can already tell she’ll like you. Here, I’ll give you directions. It’s a little tricky to find.”

We settle the details and I scribble them down on a page in my notebook.

“Thank you, Mr. Faulkner.”

“Please, call me Charles.”

“Okay. Thank you, Charles.” I grimace slightly. Calling him Charles feels too familiar, but calling him Mr. Faulkner makes me feel like a child. Ugh. Stop overthinking this.

After I hang up, I smile to myself despite the nervous tightening sensation under my ribs. This is good. This is going to be good.

I’m grateful for a lead on some work. I make a mental note to buy Wyatt a bottle of wine as a thank you for helping me get a foot in the door with his uncle… when I can afford a bottle of wine, that is.

3

OLENA

Nat’s yellow Jetta pulls up to the curb right as I step out the front door of the apartment building. I duck into the passenger seat, chucking my climbing bag behind us with an overly dramatic flourish.

“What’s with you this morning?” Nat asks with raised eyebrows, rummaging in her purse. “You look pretty chipper for someone fresh off a tragic date.”

“Well, perhaps my fortunes have changed!” I narrow my eyes mysteriously, wiggling my fingers at Nat like I’m casting a spell.

“Yeah? Okay, then, spill,” she says, putting a hair elastic between her teeth and gathering her small black braids up into a ponytail, a few of the shorter ones escaping her grasp and falling back down in front of her eyes. She looks at me expectantly, her dark eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Wyatt’s gotten me a job lead with his uncle. He just called and I’m meeting him on Thursday to see the property.” I smile nervously.

“Seriously? That’s excellent!” Nat breaks into a grin, doing a little happy dance in the driver’s seat; the girl loves a celebration. “See? I knew you could get your mojo back.”

“Well, so far nothing’s confirmed, but it sounds promising. So my mojo level is still TBD.”

“Tell me everything. How’d the phone call go?”

“Good. Actually, really good. Wyatt clearly did quite the job talking me up. His uncle was so kind. He said my work was beautiful.” I pull an awkward, embarrassed face.

Nat lets out a whoop and slaps my arm gently.

“Proud of me?” I ask, knowing the answer. I smirk to myself, cautiously letting the good feelings simmer in my gut. I won’t let myself worry about the specifics yet.

“Abso-fucking-lutely, Len!” She’s giddy and her enthusiasm is contagious.

I can’t help but grin. “Thanks.” I take a deep breath and blow it out, dropping my head back on the headrest and turning toward her. “Just tell me I’m brilliant and it’ll all be smooth sailing, please.”

Apparently, I need some reassurance that I can do this—a little push to help me kick the self-doubt monster’s ass.

I don’t know why I’m so hesitant to embrace this job. I was plenty busy with my business in the big city, so getting back on the horse shouldn’t feel this intimidating. I guess, on some level, I have always attributed any success I had to the talented people I worked with. Now that I’m starting over from scratch here in small town Lennox Valley, all while knowing no one in my field, I’m feeling so… vulnerable.

“Girl, you’re gonna be fantastic at this job. You’ll have all the beautiful, creative wisdom, the unique ideas, and the professional plans… and you’re gonna blow this guy away with your charm and skill. And, most importantly, you’ll be getting paid again! Congrats. Seriously, I love this for you.” She waggles her eyebrows at me, sporting another huge grin. Nat’s the best at hype.

I inhale another huge breath and let it out. “Okay, yes, thank you. I can do this. I will do this.” I try to fill my mind with the kinds of thoughts I assume successful people think, telling myself it’ll be rewarding, interesting work. That I have a handful of creative ideas I’ve been holding onto for just the right project and how maybe I’ll get to implement some of those hidden gems at the Faulkners’ property. The place sounds pretty huge, so the possibilities could be vast.

“I do usually love the beginning of a brand new project,” I say to Nat.

“Yes! Exactly. The creative juices get flowing…”

“Yeah.”

I sigh. There’s something beautiful about starting from scratch with a landscape. I know going to see the property on Thursday will ignite my designer brain in the best way. Plus, being outdoors and getting that first look now—just as early signs of spring show up—will be beautiful. An old Tudor revival home on a misty cliff-side overlooking the river has a certain dreamy appeal, any way you slice it. I smile to myself, but it fades when I realize I will need a way to get there.