Free Hazard Play by Janis McCurry Page A

throat.
    “Meaning?”
    “The Nevada side, anyway. I found out today that’s where our jumper landed.”
    “Hmm, more tempting, but still not sold.” Reclining in her lounge chair on the balcony beat a job any day.
    “Maybe this will seal the deal. You-know-who is after him.”
    “You’re kidding. I thought he was getting out of the business.”
    “Not yet. Anyway, that’s what my guy says.”
    Bailey. It would be fun to beat him out of a job. It’d serve him right, too. She smiled. “Okay Tuck. I’ll do it. Text me the particulars.” She hit end and went into her bedroom. Those prints would be perfect for the south wall.
    * * *
    “These are very good references, Mr. McLeod.” Rand looked up from the sheaf of papers containing customer letters and photos of his completed construction work.
    “Thanks. You said over the phone you had some questions?” Danny McLeod sat across from her, elbows braced on his knees and hands loosely clasped. A blond shock of hair fell across his brow and he absently pushed it out of the way. 
    She laid the references on the table. “Some people buy houses in Tahoe as a getaway. I want this for my home. Sanctuary, I guess you could call it.”
    “I get that.”
    A man of few words. She noticed such things in people. It helped in her business. She also observed how laid back he looked in Levis and a polo. Comfortable in his own skin. Not interested in brand labels. Hazel eyes looked back at her with polite interest. He hadn’t tried to hit on her. A refreshing change. She avoided mixing business with pleasure. In her experience, it usually ended badly. She appreciated that Danny McLeod was all business.
    “One catch.” She gestured toward the photos. “This is the first home I’ve had and I’m not exactly sure what I want my sanctuary to look like.”
    He laughed. A nice laugh. “A fun problem to have.”
    She smiled, not minding the gentle teasing. “Agreed, but if you don’t mind, I’d like some help. What do you say?”
    “Does this mean I have the job?”
    “It does. Where do we start?”
    They stood and shook hands. Danny McLeod topped Rand’s six feet by an inch, no more. He didn’t seem to be intimidated by her height. In fact, he looked genuinely pleased they were eye level to eye level.
    “Your house is modern contemporary. Assuming you want your interior remodel to complement that design, I can bring Metropolitan Home and Elle Dècor magazines for you to try to find ideas that you like. Architectural Digest is another popular magazine you can read. Are you looking at a house-wide remodel?”
    “Not necessarily. I don’t want to remodel just for the sake of change.” She walked to the picture window and looked out at the lake. A small breeze kicked up whitecaps and she sighed in contentment.
    “With a system. We go room by room, I find out which areas you’ll use most, what you like or don’t like about the existing rooms. Then, we narrow it down and you get to pick what you’d like to remodel first.”
    He spoke from behind her, respecting her space. She hated being crowded. She turned and folded her arms across her chest. “I’ll do some research on the Internet. See if I find anything I like.”
    He shook his head. “Not the best idea.”
    “Not technologically inclined?” Maybe a man who worked with his hands didn’t use computers.
    “It’s not that. The Internet has its uses. It’s just not the best place for accuracy of scale to room and furnishings. What looks good online might not look good in your space.”
    “You’re preaching to the choir. I use the computer for my work and I’ve seen a lot of junk online.” She walked him to the front door, retrieved his jacket from the coat closet and handed it to him. “Are you available to start soon?”
    “Give me a day or two to get some things together. This is only my day job.” He saluted her with two fingers. “Don’t worry. I only do one remodel at a time.”
    She’d made it