She’d be up all night. And after the keyed-up day she’d had so far, she was going to require a good night’s sleep in order to give her all to the job the next morning.
“Your firm’s offer to help out with the finishing touches on the recreation center was quite generous, Mrs. McCall. On behalf of the town council, we are truly grateful.”
“It’s Miss,” she gently corrected. “And my company was more than glad to be of part of such a positive undertaking for your community.”
“I have to admit,” he began as he took a sip of the coffee he’d just poured himself, “that we never expected to have a professional interior designer join us on this project. I’m beyond thrilled.”
She just hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed. While she wanted to believe her skills were still sharp, not having as much opportunity to make use of those skills as she once had meant there was a possibility that her expertise might have diminished somewhat.
“Miss McCall?”
Alyssa snapped out of her thoughts with an apologetic smile. “Yes?”
“I was just saying that Myrna and Doris have a room for you over at The Cat’s Cradle.”
“The Cat’s Cradle?”
“It’s the boardinghouse they run at the far end of town. I’m sure you’re aware the town agreed to take care of your accommodations during your stay here. The Wilson sisters have very generously offered to provide your lodgings at no cost to the town.”
“That’s so kind of them, but isn’t renting rooms at the boardinghouse their livelihood? I’m more than willing to pay for my stay there.”
“Nonsense.” He waved the suggestion off. “In fact, the council already offered to pay them, but they refused to accept any money. This is their contribution to the rebuilding of our town. Besides, those two run the boardinghouse because they rarely venture away from The Cat’s Cradle and welcome any and all company that comes their way. Neither one of them is in need of money. Trust me.”
So far every person she had met or heard about in Braxton was unbelievably kind and giving. That eased her worries about being in a town where she knew no one. “I look forward to meeting them.”
“I’m sure that goes both ways.” The words had barely left his mouth when his smile faded, replaced by a worried frown. “You aren’t allergic to cats are you?”
She shook her head. “Not that I know of. Why?”
“Because Doris has a real soft spot for felines.” He started back to his desk. “I’ll call and let them know you’re on your way. You can stop by the rec center in the morning to see how things are coming along and decide on its finishing touches. Light fixtures, paint, trim and furniture of some sort.”
“I’d like that. Is the boardinghouse within walking distance?”
“Maybe when the sun’s shining. But there’s the possibility of rain moving in. You’d be better off driving there.”
“I’m afraid I don’t own a car.”
“Then how on earth did you get here?”
“A friend of mine drove me here,” she explained. “She’ll be back to pick me up once the job is finished.”
“Which should be just in time for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. You and your friend are welcome to join us for it if you have the time. And while I’m at it, I would highly recommend seeing the reenactment of our Savior’s birth the local church here puts on Christmas Eve afternoon. Brings tears to a grown man’s eyes I tell you.”
“It sounds wonderful. But Erica has family in San Antonio she’ll be spending time with over the holidays. She’s not scheduled to pick me up until the day after Christmas. But even if she can’t make it for the church’s program, I’ll be certain not to miss it.”
He sipped at the steaming coffee, studying her curiously. “No holiday plans for you?”
She lowered her gaze to the papers on his desk. “No.”
“Well, we’re glad to have you join us here in Braxton for the holidays.”
“Thank you, Mr. Clark. I really appreciate that,” she told him with a smile. “Now, can you tell me how to get to The Cat’s Cradle?”
Rusty Clark’s gaze shifted past her and a smile moved across his weathered face. “This here young man can take you there.”
She turned to find Nathan Cooper’s broad shoulders filling the open doorway.
“Take her where?” the cowboy replied, his gaze meeting hers.
“To The Cat’s Cradle,” the elderly store owner said. “Now that the sun’s gone down, it’s sure to be too cold for our town’s guest to be walking that far.”
Nathan nodded. “You’ll get no argument from me there.”
“I don’t mind the cold,” she insisted. “Besides, I’d rather not impose.”
“It’s no imposition” came his husky reply.
“Miss McCall,” Rusty said, “I’d like you to meet Nathan Cooper.”
“We’ve already met,” she said, her gaze fixed on the man in the doorway. His face wasn’t as clear as it had been when she’d looked up at him out on the sidewalk outside, but that didn’t matter. She recalled every chiseled contour of his handsome face. The startling blue of his eyes. The slightly crooked hitch of his smile.
Rusty Clark clapped his hands together. “Wonderful. It saves me the time of making introductions. Something tells me the two of you are gonna work real good together.”
“We’ll what?” Both Nathan and Alyssa replied in unison.
“I assumed you already knew, seeing as how the two of you are already acquainted. Nathan and his brother’s company is in charge of construction for the rec center.”
She looked his way. “I had no idea. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve done so far. I can’t wait to start on the design plans for it.”
Nathan Cooper held up a hand. “Hold up. Design plans?” He shot a questioning look in the older man’s direction.
“Miss McCall’s design firm has ever so generously offered to donate their services for the project and have sent us one of their top designers to do the job.”
“I thought I was handling the project through to completion,” he replied as he moved farther into the room to join them. “Does the council have some sort of problem with the work I’ve done so far?”
Mr. Clark shook his head. “Goodness, no. Your work, as usual, has been top-notch.”
Alyssa bit at her bottom lip. She hadn’t meant to step on anyone’s toes when she’d accepted her firm’s offer to send her to Braxton for this project. “If my helping out is gonna be a problem...”
“Nonsense,”
