The Other Side - J. D. Robb [115]
Jake Ridgeway took a moment to admire the lush gardens as he parked his truck in the circular driveway. When he stepped out, he took another long minute to study the house he was about to enter. Though he no longer designed houses, the love of architecture was in his blood. He’d earned a great deal of money designing some of the best-known mansions in northern California. Now he used his skill designing custom cabinets in those same mansions. But only if the job appealed to him.
He climbed the wide stone steps and rang the bell. Minutes later, a plump woman ushered him inside and led the way to a suite of rooms on the main level.
“Miss Christina, the young man I told you about is here.”
If he was surprised by the woman’s youthful figure as she pushed away from her desk and hurried forward to shake his hand, he was even more surprised by the firm handshake and the brisk, businesslike attitude.
“Mr. Ridgeway. You come highly recommended. My neighbor, Brian Wallingford, has nothing but praise for the work you did in his library.”
“Thanks.” He broke contact and turned to study the thick wall of plastic sheeting used to keep the dust of the newly re-modeled addition to a minimum in her office space. “That’s quite an addition. What did you have in mind in there?”
Christina led him across the room and lifted a flap of the plastic to permit entry into the now-empty space. “I’m thinking of a desk here, in front of the window. That will give me more light while I work. Then a wall of custom cabinets on this side, with perhaps a marble countertop and open shelves above.”
He could see it clearly. “Nice fireplace. You’d want the marble to match that surround?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but yes, I think that would be lovely.” She continued to move around the room. “Maybe you could add some bookshelves on either side of the fireplace?”
He nodded. “Not a problem. Anything else?”
She crossed her arms, tapping a finger on her arm. “I love the look of old wood. Something rich and dark that matches my current office. I don’t want it to look as though it’s been added, but rather like something that was always here.”
“I could bring some samples.”
“Fine.”
He waited. When she offered nothing more he pulled out a pad. “I’ll take some measurements. Make a few drawings.”
“Then I’ll leave you to it.” She turned and made her way back to her office and her father’s desk, leaving him silhouetted beyond the plastic sheeting.
Within minutes she was lost in her work.
While Mark rolled up his sleeves to measure and make notations on his pad, Ted and Vanessa hovered.
“You see, Ted? He’s just what we hoped for. Look at those muscles.”
“I see them. But it’s obvious that Christina didn’t.”
“Not yet. But she will. And that handsome poet’s face. She can’t ignore a face like that for long. Just look at those dark, soulful eyes. What woman could resist them?”
Ted chuckled. “It’s a good thing he can’t see you drooling, babe.”
She joined in the laughter. “As long as we’re choosing a champion, why not one who’s easy on the eyes?”
Ted glanced at his daughter, fielding a call at her desk while her fingers sped across a keyboard. Like Jake, she was completely lost in her work. “He could look like a Greek god and be as noble as any mythological hero, but if he and Christina don’t connect, it won’t matter at all.”
His wife followed his gaze and sighed. “That’s why we’re here, darling. If they don’t connect on their own, we’ll just have to nudge them along.”
“Remember the rules. We’re not allowed to meddle.”
“No, darling. We’re not allowed to interfere with their free will. Gram didn’t say anything about nudging them in the right direction.”
Ted chuckled again. “If I’ve learned anything after a lifetime with you, babe, it’s this: I should never argue when you’re about to play matchmaker.”
“This is much more than playing, darling. This time, it’s a matter of life and death.”
Five
Jake opened a box and took