Read Newport Dreams: A Breakwater Bay Novella for Free Online

valuable away or break anything . . .”
    He turned to Geordie. “You can take a couple of shots of the crew just for the record, then explore the first floor if you want or you can take the rest of the day off.”
    Geordie shot Bruce a look that confused him. She was pissed. At him? What did he do?
    She heaved a sigh, not really a sigh, more like taking a deep breath.
    “I’ll stick around, if that’s okay. There are plenty of things to be documented in situ , as is, before they’re restored to their former glory.” She narrowed her eyes at Bruce. “For the record.”
    “What the—? Fine.” Just when he was about to think she was okay, she copped an attitude. Who the hell did she think she was? He stopped as the answer hit him. That was what pushed his buttons. Not the fancy car, the expensive camera equipment, not even the designer jeans.
    It was because she was some dilettante rich kid out on a lark who would leave as soon as she lost interest. She didn’t need this job. Hell, she could pay for a good chunk of the restoration for what she probably paid for that car. He could probably survive for a whole year on the same amount. Hell, she’d laugh if he invited her to dinner, she probably ate at five-star restaurants.
    He reached for his notebook. He’d spent hours last night calculating specs and working out scheduling for demolition and reconstruction, while Miss Fancy Pants was out getting wasted and probably having hot sex all night.
    He logged in, then stood glaring at the women until they left the room.
    Doug shook his head and leaned over the fact sheet.
    “I know,” Bruce said. “I’m just a little stressed these days. Sorry.”
    “Look if you don’t have the time, I understand. I’ve been there. I had to turn down lots of work when I started out, because I had to work paying construction jobs. Made me crazy.”
    “But you stuck it out.”
    Doug straightened up. “Having second thoughts?”
    “No. And I could make it fine if some of my clients would actually pay me. But it seems the richer they are the slower they are in paying.”
    “Which is probably why they’re rich.”
    “Probably.”
    “Look, if you need to spend some time on your other work, do it. We’ve got enough work to keep us busy. I’ve got a call in to a couple of carpenters. They can handle the changes. Catch up with your other work. We’ll still be here.” He chuckled. “Actually, we haven’t paid you either.”
    “You’re different. I want to do this and nobody else is being paid yet, except that party girl, and if you ask me she doesn’t need the money.”
    “Maybe not, but she takes a damn good photograph.”
    “Jeez.” Carlyn said as they walked tandem back to the office. “Feeling a little tense, are we?”
    “I know.” Meri pantomimed strangling herself. “I probably should have stayed to see the numbers, but I was afraid he was going to blow.”
    “Is he always this nasty?” Geordie asked. “Or . . . or is it just me that sets him off?”
    “You?” Carlyn stopped and threw her arm around Geordie’s shoulder.
    It took her by surprise and she nearly flinched away.
    “Why do you think it’s you?”
    Geordie shrugged but didn’t answer.
    When they reached Carlyn’s office, Meri closed the door. “I don’t know Bruce very well. I’ve never worked on a project with him. But Doug doesn’t allow histrionics on a project, does he Carlyn?”
    “Only his own. Fortunately the worst he gets is teddy-bear-on-a-tear. I don’t know about Bruce, but I bet you money, Doug’s in the kitchen telling him to lighten up.”
    Geordie took a breath. Her throat tightened. “Maybe I should just . . .”
    “Don’t quit,” they said simultaneously.
    It made Geordie smile and at this point she didn’t think she had a smile left.
    “At least not until after lunch,” Carlyn said. “We’ll go out. Meri can’t do anything until the cleaners are gone except help them haul garbage. Totally a waste of her