Read Online Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) by Katie O'Boyle - Free Book Online

and he was definitely looking down his nose.
    “Sorry, wishful thinking.”
    “I’m Joel’s uncle, Justin Cushman.” The man smiled and held out a muscled, manicured hand.
    Tony liked his firm handshake. “Call me Tony.”
    “Thank you for meeting me this evening, Tony. I’m glad you’ve recovered enough to be part of this construction project.”
    “Yes, sir. It’s a privilege, sir. I’ll do anything for Joel.” He paused then continued. “I’m so—so sorry about the accident. There was no way to prevent the crash once we hit the black ice. If I’d had the new truck then, with the side air bags . . .”
    “Can’t be undone. Joel is focusing on the good that’s come out of it. Let’s both of us do the same.”
    “Yes, sir.” And it was true, there was some good in his own life as a result of the accident—his new girlfriend Sunny and the new red truck.
    “A few people are working here that were unemployed a week or a month ago. They’re not home worrying how to pay the bills. And this eyesore garage is becoming a luxury suite with a lot of potential for the Manse Inn and Spa.”
    “Ralph showed me the plans. There’s a lot of work to be done in a short time.”
    “Show me the progress. I haven’t been inside for a few days.”
    “Sure. Do you know this lady?” Tony pointed over Justin’s shoulder to a slender, toffee-haired woman making her way across the parking lot toward them. Her long down coat might be off the rack at the mall—probably Bean’s—but on her it looked silvery and sleek, like a hot runway item.
    Justin’s eyes softened and his mouth struggled with a smile.
    “Ms. Dupioni,” Justin greeted her. “Meet Mr. Pinelli.”
    “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Tony stuck out his hand.
    For a moment, the woman kept her hands in her pockets and only had eyes for Justin Cushman. Tony withdrew his hand. Obviously these two knew each other. She flirted with her eyelashes and Justin reacted with a silly smile.
    Finally Ms. Dupioni favored Tony with a smile that outshone the sun. “Hi, Tony.”
    How does she know my name ?
    “I met you last night at . . .”
    “Oh, right,” Tony said quickly. He recognized her now. She’d been with Manda at the Hot Dog AA meeting in Canandaigua. “Jessica, right?”
    “Gianessa. Is this the right place for a tour of Joel’s therapy facility?”
    “Yep. Are you ready for the tour, Mr. Cushman?”
    “Justin,” Justin corrected him. “Glad you could join us, Gianessa”
    “What’s your interest in the construction, Gianessa?” Tony asked.
    “I’m a physical therapist by training, and I’ll be handling Joel’s therapy once he’s out of the hospital.”
    That statement put a scowl on Justin Cushman’s face. While Tony wrestled with the padlock, he tuned into their murmured exchange. Justin seemed peeved that Joel had picked Gianessa for the job without consulting him. Gianessa’s frosty reply sounded like, “Be glad Joel is taking charge of his recovery.”
    Tony flipped the wall switch and went ahead of them into the old garage. The space was lit by a string of caged lanterns that crisscrossed the beams of the garage. The flooring was complete and the drywall was taped and curing.
    “The flooring will do nicely,” Justin remarked. “We wanted hardwood, but high-quality laminate was faster. The walls are ready for paint?”
    “In a few days,” Tony said. “They need some drying time. We’ve started on the kitchen, and the plumbers will be back tomorrow to finish the fixtures in the bathroom. Then tiling.”
    “Are you planning a roll-in shower?” Gianessa asked, her tone professional.
    “Right, let me show you.” Tony led the way and pointed to marks on the floor for the boundary of the shower. Drains and pipes were already in place.
    Gianessa nodded her approval. “Plenty of room in here for a chair.”
    Tony let out his breath all at once.
    “He won’t need the chair very long, Tony.” Gianessa pressed his forearm