Read Online Another Chance by Ariadne Wayne - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ariadne Wayne
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I have to be there for that.”
“Is it going to be different Mum?”
“Not too much, it’s just a bit of sprucing up really. Making the place nice.”
Sophie nodded. “We should do the same to this place too, Mum.”
“You’re right, Soph, I haven’t done anything as I thought things should stay as Grandma liked them, but I really need to get that retaining wall checked and the exterior of the house. If this guy does good work in the store, I can get him in here to take a look.”
Her grandmother had died the previous year leaving everything to Cassie as her sole surviving relative. Losing her had left a hole in Cassie’s life that nothing would fill, but it was easing every day. She had helped Cassie raise Sophie, and now it was just the two of them.
“We should get going Miss.” Cassie stood up and grabbed her bag. Sophie did the same. She was the spitting image of Cassie except her eyes were blue like her father. It was clear Sophie would be tall like him too, enough of a reminder that she’d never completely shaken Patrick from her thoughts but also never told him of Sophie’s existence. Sophie had never asked, so Cassie had let things lie, but she knew the time would come when she would have to tell Sophie the truth and every day brought that moment closer.
By the time Cassie got to the store, there were a few of the staff waiting outside for her. When she let them in, there was excited murmuring over the renovations. Cassie had convinced Mr Smedley to update the look of the store after so long and everyone was excited about it.
It was mid morning before the builder arrived, and Cassie was summoned to the middle of the store to meet him.
“This is Mark Burrows,” Mr Smedley said, “he’ll be working on the changes we talked about in the store.”
Cassie guessed he was maybe ten years older than her, perhaps mid thirties. He was tall and well built, clearly spending a lot of time doing physical work. Typical tall, dark and handsome, but rugged.
“Cassie Warren.” She extended her hand towards him.
He took her hand and held it for just a moment before shaking it. His hands were rough and calloused but surprisingly gentle.
“My pleasure,” he said. His voice was deep, with a rich timbre that had a surprising affect on her.
Her heart fluttered a bit at that, and she swallowed it back. “You have spent so long waiting for that date with Adam, don’t screw it up now,” she thought to herself.
“Just let me know if there’s anything you need, I’ve told the other staff that there might be some disruption, so we’re all prepared.”
“That’s my girl. Best store manager I could have ever appointed,” Mr Smedley said proudly.
“I try my best.” She smiled at Mark. “Just don’t take any cheek from those girls, if they get too much tell me. I know what they can be like.”
“I think I can handle it.” He laughed.
As they walked around the store with Mr Smedley showing Mark what work they needed, Mark was more interested in watching Cassie. He loved how her green eyes sparkled when she talked. Her long auburn hair hung down her back, it was straight with a slight hint of curl, and he guessed that let loose it would be curly and soft to the touch.
“Is that all achievable?” asked Mr Smedley.
“Oh, uh that all sounds good. If you could detail it in writing for me, I can finalise the pricing, and we’ll be good to go.”
Mr Smedley grinned. Cassie was completely oblivious to the way Mark was looking at her. He wasn't. “That’s fine, I’ll get that done this afternoon along with anything else Cassie can think of. I won’t be around so she’ll be the one you need to talk to if you need anything or if anything has to change.”
“Of course.” He couldn’t think of anything better right now than being told what to do by the gorgeous redhead. She had curves in all the right places, and he’d take any opportunity to get to know her better.
The staff room was full of
“Is it going to be different Mum?”
“Not too much, it’s just a bit of sprucing up really. Making the place nice.”
Sophie nodded. “We should do the same to this place too, Mum.”
“You’re right, Soph, I haven’t done anything as I thought things should stay as Grandma liked them, but I really need to get that retaining wall checked and the exterior of the house. If this guy does good work in the store, I can get him in here to take a look.”
Her grandmother had died the previous year leaving everything to Cassie as her sole surviving relative. Losing her had left a hole in Cassie’s life that nothing would fill, but it was easing every day. She had helped Cassie raise Sophie, and now it was just the two of them.
“We should get going Miss.” Cassie stood up and grabbed her bag. Sophie did the same. She was the spitting image of Cassie except her eyes were blue like her father. It was clear Sophie would be tall like him too, enough of a reminder that she’d never completely shaken Patrick from her thoughts but also never told him of Sophie’s existence. Sophie had never asked, so Cassie had let things lie, but she knew the time would come when she would have to tell Sophie the truth and every day brought that moment closer.
By the time Cassie got to the store, there were a few of the staff waiting outside for her. When she let them in, there was excited murmuring over the renovations. Cassie had convinced Mr Smedley to update the look of the store after so long and everyone was excited about it.
It was mid morning before the builder arrived, and Cassie was summoned to the middle of the store to meet him.
“This is Mark Burrows,” Mr Smedley said, “he’ll be working on the changes we talked about in the store.”
Cassie guessed he was maybe ten years older than her, perhaps mid thirties. He was tall and well built, clearly spending a lot of time doing physical work. Typical tall, dark and handsome, but rugged.
“Cassie Warren.” She extended her hand towards him.
He took her hand and held it for just a moment before shaking it. His hands were rough and calloused but surprisingly gentle.
“My pleasure,” he said. His voice was deep, with a rich timbre that had a surprising affect on her.
Her heart fluttered a bit at that, and she swallowed it back. “You have spent so long waiting for that date with Adam, don’t screw it up now,” she thought to herself.
“Just let me know if there’s anything you need, I’ve told the other staff that there might be some disruption, so we’re all prepared.”
“That’s my girl. Best store manager I could have ever appointed,” Mr Smedley said proudly.
“I try my best.” She smiled at Mark. “Just don’t take any cheek from those girls, if they get too much tell me. I know what they can be like.”
“I think I can handle it.” He laughed.
As they walked around the store with Mr Smedley showing Mark what work they needed, Mark was more interested in watching Cassie. He loved how her green eyes sparkled when she talked. Her long auburn hair hung down her back, it was straight with a slight hint of curl, and he guessed that let loose it would be curly and soft to the touch.
“Is that all achievable?” asked Mr Smedley.
“Oh, uh that all sounds good. If you could detail it in writing for me, I can finalise the pricing, and we’ll be good to go.”
Mr Smedley grinned. Cassie was completely oblivious to the way Mark was looking at her. He wasn't. “That’s fine, I’ll get that done this afternoon along with anything else Cassie can think of. I won’t be around so she’ll be the one you need to talk to if you need anything or if anything has to change.”
“Of course.” He couldn’t think of anything better right now than being told what to do by the gorgeous redhead. She had curves in all the right places, and he’d take any opportunity to get to know her better.
The staff room was full of
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