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

with her firm, gentle hand, and the knot in his stomach let go. “Once his arm heals, he’ll use crutches and then a cane. He’s determined to stand for the wedding.”
    “Thanks,” Tony mumbled. He felt better than he had in a month. How did she do that?
    Back at the makeshift table where the construction drawings were spread out, Gianessa studied the plans, touching the dimensions of each doorway and tracing the path of Joel’s wheelchair between the living spaces, in and out of the kitchen and into the pool area. Justin stood across the table, watching her.
    When she had traced every possible path of the wheelchair, she pointed to an unlabeled area between the pool and living space. “What’s this going to be?” she asked.
    Before Tony could answer, Justin said, “I thought it might serve as a workout room. I’m curious what you think.”
    Gianessa favored him with a smile. “Thanks for asking. It’s a good size for a couple of machines and some weights. Is that in the budget?”
    “It is now.”
    “Good. Joel will be ready for it about a month after he comes home.”
    “He does like working out in the spa with his guests,” Justin said amiably. “Is it better for him to work out over there?” While he talked, he circled around the table to stand beside her.
    “Not at first. Having this facility,” she said, pointing to the unlabeled room, “will give him the freedom to stay indoors during the worst weather and also give him privacy for his workout until he feels ready to mingle with the guests in such a physical setting.”
    Justin put his hand on Gianessa’s back, and reached over to brush an invisible speck of dirt from the plans.
    Gianessa smiled at his touch and his proximity.
    “Good thinking,” Justin said.
    “About the kitchen.” Gianessa circled her finger over the area on the drawing. “Since you haven’t decided about the cabinets—where, how many, and so on—keep in mind Joel will want to cook as much as he’s able. It’s good therapy for him. He’ll need one counter, or perhaps an island, at the correct height for a wheelchair. And we’ll need to be smart about the appliances. Have they been ordered?”
    Justin shrugged, and Tony told them, “Not as far as I know.”
    “You’ll choose those for us, Gianessa?” Justin’s tone was brusque.
    To Tony, it sounded an order. Uh-oh .
    Gianessa’s suddenly stiff posture was the only indication she’d heard Justin. She moved away from him to a section of the plans that showed the pool structure. Instead of getting huffy, she responded in a musical tone, “Justin, your vision for this place is stunning. And I can tell that your crew is fully on board, including Tony. You’re a strong leader.”
    She favored both of them with a smile. “Of course, you won’t hear ‘yes, sir’ from me because I work for Joel as a physical therapist. Nevertheless, I support the project and will help out where I’m needed, when I’m available.”
    Justin cleared his throat. “I’m sure Joel will appreciate having your expertise brought to bear on the selections for the kitchen, Gianessa.”
    Tony closed his eyes. If Justin was playing the Joel Card, he knew he’d blown it.
    “Since I don’t have a car and don’t know the stores around here, I’d need to team up with someone.”
    “Tony?” Justin barked.
    Tony had seen that coming. “I’m your man.”
    Gianessa graced him with a dazzling smile. “Perfect, thank you. And, gentlemen, I’ll need shelving and cupboards near the pool for the weights and noodles and so on. I’m thinking they might fit along this wall.” She ran her finger along the line on the drawing. “This faces the Manse, correct?”
    Tony nodded, but he knew not to say “yes, ma’am.” He worked for Ralph, who worked for Justin Cushman.
    “If we can place the shelves and cupboards on the side toward the Manse,” Gianessa continued, “it will give Joel and Manda some privacy in the pool but still admit most