Free We'll Be Home for Christmas by Helenkay Dimon Page A

and handed them to Spence. “We’re in luck. So long as we repair rather than rebuild, we can avoid the pre-construction permit process. We’ll need all sorts of inspections at the back end before she can open up, but at least we don’t have to hold off on doing any of the actual work now.”
    Spence glanced around, swearing he could hear the wood creak and break just from the bit of wind blowing around. “Guess that rules out knocking these to the ground and starting over.” Which was a shame since Spence truly believed that would be faster and easier.
    He’d sent Travis out to doublecheck the permit requirements rather than risk fines and government red tape because Travis was the one with the builder experience, having worked for one before getting hired at the nursery. His carpentry skills rivaled most professionals and he built nicer furniture than what you could buy in any expensive store in D.C. His basic plumbing and electrical skills would also come in handy, which was why Spence named Travis the unofficial project manager.
    Spence attached the papers to his clipboard and paged through them, mentally calculating the cost of reconstruction. He already paid for the labor through the workers’ usual nursery salaries, but that left the cost of materials, which wasn’t insignificant. He’d moved some money over from his savings account to the checking account he set up for the job. Looked like he’d need more. “Thanks for doing this.”
    “It’s my job.”
    “Not really.”
    Not that Travis complained. Travis never complained, which was one of the many reasons Spence liked him and the business provided a small cabin at the back of the nursery property as part of his employee benefits. They were desperate to keep Travis happy and on staff.
    “You think I’m going to leave her out here without help?” He glanced around, clearly searching for Lila this time.
    Spence didn’t bother to help him out with locating her. “Not your style.”
    They didn’t say anything as Spence flipped through the pages. Then Travis piped up. “You know I’m not making a move, right?”
    “Excuse me?” Oh, Spence knew exactly what Travis was talking about but chose to keep his head down and off the subject.
    “You can relax. She’s all yours.”
    Spence’s hand stilled. This time he looked up, drilling Travis with a we’re-done-talking-about-this glare. “She’s not mine.”
    Travis ignored the warning...as expected. “You sure?”
    Spence blew out a long breath, even put a low growl behind it. “We had something quick and hot months ago.”
    Travis tucked his hands in his back pockets and shifted his stance. “Uh-huh.”
    “What?” Spence let the papers fall back down on the clipboard.
    “Nothing.”
    “Why hold back now? Say what you want to say.”
    “Honestly? You do the quick and hot thing all the time. I’m surprised I’m not doing work for a whole list of your women.” Travis snapped his fingers a few times as if the answer just popped into his head. “Oh, that’s right. You’ve never stuck around long enough to introduce any of us to those women.”
    “I can fire you, you know.” Spence wouldn’t but it was good every now and then to re-establish who was in charge, because even he wondered sometimes.
    Travis just shook his head. “That’s not going to keep it away.”
    “What are you talking about now?”
    “Whatever you’re wanting to do with her.” Travis glanced behind Spence and smiled.
    Spence knew without turning Lila was coming. Around them, all the men hesitated in their work to spare a smile. Something about having her on-site cleaned up their language and stopped the low level of understandable grumbling that often came with standing outside in the cold for extended periods of time.
    “Travis?” Lila stepped off the repaired porch of the main cabin and walked right into the middle of the conversation. “That receipt you dropped off this morning? There isn’t an amount for