I’m terrible about staying in touch. Things have been busy here (which I love). Now that I’m far enough along, I can share the news. I’m pregnant and due in November. No marathon for me this year!
I’ll be happy to make a pendant for your young friend. Is this the bright girl you told me about who knows sign language? I love avid readers!
How’s life out in wild Colorado? Do you still love it? Are you done with your library remodel yet?
I’ll drop it in the mail for you in the next few days. I’m so glad you wrote. One day, we need to meet. I feel as if I’ve known you forever.
Love,
Lizzy
Finding people who were genuinely kind and nurturing always filled Zoe’s heart with happiness. When she started her crowdfunding campaign, Lizzy was the first to pledge.
No one deserved peace, love, and fulfillment like she did.
Returning to Mandy, the two of them were soon lost in conversation, signing as they worked.
* * *
When Nate searched them out after noon, Mandy and Zoe were laughing and signing with their backs to the door, sitting cross-legged on the floor. They were relaxed and lovely.
He stood watching them interact, glad of the opportunity. His daughter noticed him first and they turned to him with big smiles. He walked over and held out his hands to help them to their feet.
Zoe wasbarefoot. So adorable, he almost couldn’t stop himself from gathering her in his arms.
She chuckled as she looked up at him. “You’re really tall.”
“I bend.” He did and kissed her forehead.
Blushing brightly, she smiled shyly. He watched as she stepped into high pumps. Suddenly, the image of her in nothingbutthe shoes slammed into his brain.
The reaction throughout his body was instant and powerful.
With effort, he forced himself to think about the summer Mandy got a horrible stomach virus that graced her with vomiting and diarrhea. After two days, there were no clean sheets or towels left in their house. The awful memory shot his pending erection right to hell,thank god.
Clearing his throat, he asked, “Are you ready to see your completed renovation, Miss Green?”
Her eyes went wide. “You’re done?”
“We are. Ready for a tour?”
Zoe nodded excitedly. She and Mandy quickly picked up the books in various stacks, turned off the lights, and locked up.
The rest of his crew filed out, waving as they hauled the last of the gear to the truck.
Her anticipation was palpable. Absently, she signed, “I might need to turn on the old attic fan. Maybe that will help with the fumes.”
“I’ll check the breaker after you see it.”
Nate led them up, more than a little nervous himself. The moment she stepped off the stairs on the third floor, Zoe teared up.
“It’s perfect. Seeing all the plans result in this…Nate, thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, Zoe.” He stood back, watching as she inspected the realization of her vision.
They’d maintained the open floor plan as much as possible. There were twelve spacious enclosed cubicles with privacy walls between but glass at the front to allow exposure to natural light. Each one featured a lockable transparent door.
On the opposite side were three small conference rooms, a kitchen area, a four-stall co-ed bathroom, and a storage space with lockers for use by each business. They’d built a rack for office equipment.