Renovated hearts (Closed)

[Asa]

Gizella Brynn

She was a writer seeking distance from chaos of city life. Comfort and relaxation peace and quiet... that's what she was looking for and money was not really a concern. Her agent found her the perfect property with a little cottage on it that would be serviceable until the main century old house on it could be remodeled. The cottage was far enough away from the main house that the renovation work would not bother her but her agent did suggest that she meet with the contractor and see what he thought he could do with the property and that she should at least wander over and keep an eye on the renovations to make sure she got all she wanted in this house. She knew he was right and had agreed to meet with the contractor to see what ideas he had for the house.

She walked up the little trail to the main house and saw the contractor standing there talking with she guessed some of his crew. As she neared them the other two walked away and said they would wait to see what they needed to do first and walked away as the contractor looked up and smiled to her holding a computer tablet. His eyes so piercing and blue as she returned the smile sinking into his eyes for a moment.

Let me start off ma'am by saying I love working on old houses like this. Keeping the charm and character of them while making them flow better and be more functional for the modern life. I already have several ideas from the pictures your agent sent me but I would love to walk through with you and see what you want and need to make this the prefect home for you.

The contractor smiled and clearly tried to look her over without making it too obvious. She smiled and nodded.

Yes lets walk through and we can discuss what would be helpful and I can show you a couple of areas that really don't seem all that structurally safe.

 

[gearhead73]

Ethan Summers had accepted the contract for this renovation as a favor to a real estate friend he had known since high school. He usually didn't care for catering to the every whim of rich homeowners that never appreciated the craftsmanship that was present in older homes. They often removed irreplaceable wood work and timeless stone accents in favor of the garish and gaudy. However the payout was going to be good, and no matter what the finished product resembled, Landmark Restorations would better for it.He had started the company seven years ago and since then had spent countless dollars and hours trying to reach that next level. This project and the income from it could be the catapult he needed.
He was talking to a couple of his most trusted builders when he saw her making her way from the in-law suite toward the main house. He told the guys to make themselves scarce while he schmoozed the boss lady to find out what she was going to want done. He walked to meet her and extended his hand.
"Let me start off ma'am by saying I love working on old houses like this. Keeping the charm and character of them while making them flow better and be more functional for the modern life. I already have several ideas from the pictures your agent sent me but I would love to walk through with you and see what you want and need to make this the prefect home for you."
He flashed his eyes over her body taking in the two obvious assets below her chin berfore extending a hand to usher her inside.

 

[Asa]

Really I like it the way it is there are just a few things that structurally worry me and a few things that could be modernized like wiring and all that.

She walked along with him into the house pointing out a few minor cosmetic changes that really didn't change the true charm of the house but did make it a bit more functional for modern times. Revealing some areas that were definitely structural problems from age weather and settling.

So how long do you think it will take to handle all of that?

 

[gearhead73]

"For the total project, I'd say you are looking about six to eight months."
They were making their way to the rear of the house to a reading room that had been added by the previous owner.
"The overall foundation of the house is good although there are a few water issues in the basement that will need to be addressed. Some coding changes require that the insulation of the attic be replaced."
He turned to face her once again taking in her form. She was beautiful and rich and at first he had thought that she would be another trophy divorcee trying to spend some of her ex husbands salary, just for spite. However, as they talked she had seemed to take a genuine interest in keeping most of the house original.
"The wiring will take a while, as well as the plumbing. Some of the materials we will need to restore the woodwork and masonry aren't available locally, so acquisition time will delay some of the repairs."
He opened the rear door of the sunroom so that they could move to the small patio at the rear of the house.
"I understand you are living on the property during the renovation?"

 

[Asa]

Yes a little cottage on the other side of the tree line to the west of the house.

She smiled watching his eyes as they talked.

Take your time I really like this place. It gives me the distance from all the chaos my agent thrives on in town.

 

[gearhead73]

"Outstanding. I should have the permits from the city by tomorrow, so if it's ok with you, we can start immediately."
He once again extended his hand.
"I look forward to hearing your insights and ideas as we progress. Now if you'll excuse me I have quite a few calls to make. It has been a pleasure meeting you."
He gave her his warmest smile. His short time with her so far has actually been enlightening. She seemed to have a genuine interest in preserving and restoring the house to its former grandeur. As he walked away, he pulled out his Nextel and chirped the two men he had been talking with earlier.

 

[Asa]

She shook hands with him and smiled. I can't wait to see how it all comes together and finding various little things for the house.

She smiled again and turned to walk back to the cottage to again sit before the computer enduring the writers block she was suffering.

 

[gearhead73]

The following day Ethan set about securing the permits needed to begin work. He had made arrangements for and inspector to take a look at the foundation and basement and make recommendations to solve the moisture problem.
The inspector had left after giving Ethan some rather disappointing news. The scope of the basement project had just doubled so he felt he should pass along the news to Gizella.
He strode down the path to her cottage and rapped on the door.
"Mrs. Brynn, could I have a word please?"

 

[Asa]

She again had been sitting there bundled in a thick warm robe with her mug of hot tea. hearing the door and Ethan's voice she tore herself from the mocking empty screen and walked over to the door making sure the robed was secured and opening the door the length of the chain.

Of course what is it?

 

[gearhead73]

"Mrs. Brynn, I am sorry to disturb you, but I am afraid the timeline may have already taken a hit. We are going to need to excavate the outside wall of the basement and install a waterproof membrane to seal the cracks."
He was growing a bit uncomfortable talking though this small crack in the door. He wasn't some ruffian off of the street, they had shaken hands for God's sake.
"To get the equipment I need in here, I will need to build a temporary entrance to the property. We can restore the landscaping with no problem, but I thought you should be aware of what was happening."

 

[Asa]

Yes that is perfectly fine. I will be up there later just running a little late this morning.

She smiled to him again those eyes... shame eyes like that could not give more inspiration for her writing though when she does perhaps his eyes could find their way into the book.

 

[gearhead73]

Her response had been brief, but friendly. She didn't seem overly concerned with the specifics of the project so Ethan made a mental note of this.
"Very well then, I will begin to make the arrangements."
He returned the smile that she had shown, then turned and with a hand grasping his trusty phone and walked toward the main house.
He had procured the equipment needed for the dig earlier in the morning now it was just a matter of marking the areas that needed excavation with spray paint. Things were starting to move along nicely around late afternoon and what was once a pristine yard and garden was now a working construction sight. Ethan had always taken pride in his organization skills so seeing things happening like he had planned put him in great mood. This project's notoriety within the area, could bring forth work that could keep Landmark humping for a couple of years. This could be the break he had been hoping for.

 

[Asa]

She quickly got ready as the sounds of the heavy machinery could be heard and made her way up towards the house to watch them work. The book was going to have to wait as she was trapped in the grip of writers block.

 

[gearhead73]

Ethan was in the office of the construction trailer that had be delivered about an hour ago. They were cramped and offered little in the way of comfort, but they were a necessity none the less. It would be impractical to schlep the countless reams of paper that comprised blueprints, invoices and purchase orders form his home office to the job sight. There would be times when other members of the crew would need to review the prints, so leaving them in a central location, kept work moving.
There were two windows on opposite walls of his office. They let in just enough light to keep one from tripping over the miscellaneous boxes and tools strewn about the floor. He bent his head backward trying to relieve the tension that had built up from hunching over his paperwork. As he straightened up he caught a glimpse of Gizella walking toward the site. He roamed his eyes over her slender form admiring the way her hips swayed as she walked.
'Wow!' he thought, 'I wonder why her ole man let her get away?'
Shaking his head to regain focus, he set about continuing his task of organizing invoices.

 

[Asa]

She walked around at a safe distance asking a couple of the workers if they could dig up a couple of the plants that were in the way of the machinery instead of it rolling over them mistaking them for being more weeds as they were nearly covered in weeds. She found some empty planters in the greenhouse like back porch for them to put the plants in and smiled as they were saved and set aside for now. She continued to walk around watching as they were knocking down a small wall that really no longer worked as that much of a divider opening up the formal sitting room a little more. She was curious as she walked around watching the crews work.

 

[gearhead73]

Having finished his paperwork, Ethan exited his trailer and headed into the house to check the progress on the interior wall of the basement. After getting an update from the masonry crew he headed upstairs to check on the electricians. He had just reached the landing when he heard someone shout "Heads up!."
The pain was excruciating and he fell back against the railing which gave way sending him crashing five feet to the floor below. The pain had started to ease and the room was becoming dim. He tried to move but it was if his arms and legs were incased in quicksand. Then everything went dark.
"Ethan!...Ethan!... can you hear me? Ethan!"
His eyes slowly opened and the fuzzy image of Miguel came into view.
"Ethan, there you go...come on buddy...are you ok?"
He was starting to come around he was slowly getting his bearings back. Miguel took his hand and helped him to his feet. His head was throbbing and his entire back ached. He could feel the warmth of his blood as it trickled through his hair and behind his ear.
"So sorry man." Miguel said. "One of the electricians dropped a tape measure from the third floor. You are a lucky man, you should have had a hard hat on."
He was right and Ethan knew it. He gave Miguel a slight nod of agreement and touched his head to survey the extent of the injury.
"You should go to the hospital and get checked out. I can have one of the guys..."
"I'll be fine. " Ethan interrupted, "I just want to go to my trailer and get cleaned up. Thanks Miguel."
He exited the house on somewhat shaky legs and headed toward the trailer. He had a first aid kit in there and a spare shirt.
'Idiot' he chastised himself. He had known better and had always been a stickler for safety, and here he was making a rookie mistake.

 

[Asa]

I think he is right...

Her voice calling out following him.

You should get that checked out. Actually... I insist. You are in my employ and I don't want any problems at all. So lets go

 

[gearhead73]

Ethan stopped at the door of the trailer. As he turned Gizella was crossing the grass closing on him.
"Mrs. Brynn, it's nothing really just a scratch. I have gotten worse fixing breakfast." he said with a chuckle.
"I just need to clean it up and with a Big Bird bandage I will be right as rain." he maintained the smile trying to display confidence. This was his big break, and the last thing he needed was her think him a klutz.

 

[Asa]

She smiled.

Call me. Gizella and lets go. This is not up for discussion. It is more important to make sure the people I have taking care of renovating are in good health.

She was polite but determined as she smiled pointing to the path leading to the cottage and her car.

 

[gearhead73]

This was a crossroads for Ethan. He had never liked being ordered to do something, especially when it was a personal matter. He contemplated digging in his heels and defining for her the boundary that he felt she had so elegantly crossed. While it was true that he provided a service at her behest and specific direction, he did not work for her. He felt that too often homeowners believed that as long as they were paying you, they could treat you as they wished.
However his head was pounding and his back was aching so he was in no mood for a fight.
"Then I leave myself to your care" he said forcing a smile. "May I change my shirt at least?"

 

[Asa]

She smiled... for some reason she actually cared. He was the way to get this house livable and those eyes. Beyond that he seemed so nice and it was better he be well than a timeline be met. Her eyes shimmered as she nodded.

Yes that is fine... just have to make sure that you are well enough to oversee and help explain all of these changes and work so that I might be able to add something like this into one of my books.

 

[gearhead73]

He a slight nod and proceeded into the trailer. He put on a clean shirt, then reached into one of the drawers of the desk and retrieved a ball cap. Placing it gingerly on his head and headed back out.
They got to her car and she opened the passenger side door for him. He winced form the sharp stab to his lower back as he got into the seat. Soon they were on their way in silence. After several minutes, Ethan decided to break the quite and try to engage in a polite conversation. They had never really talked unless it had to do with the project but he was curious about her. Where she was from, what brought her here; these and other questions had come to mind, but the opportunity to just talk had never presented itself.
"So, you mentioned a book? You're an author?" he said looking over to her.

 

[Asa]

Glancing over at him at a red light she smiled and nodded.

I have written a few books.

Her eyes quickly moving back to the road as traffic began to move again. It took a little while to get to the hospital from her home but that was not something she was all that worried about right now.

How long have you been specializing in older houses like mine?

 

[gearhead73]

It seemed obvious that she didn't want to talk about herself. So pondering her question, he thought that maybe if he shared a little about himself, that she would be more apt to open up.
"Not long really. I started out doing construction with my ole man. I was a teenager and needed a job for the summer do my dad asked his boss if I could help out around the job site. After a few months I started helping move materials, then cutting boards for the other carpenters, and within a few years me and my dad were working side by side."
He hadn't thought about his father in a long while. When he had died of cancer Ethan had thrown himself into his work trying to ignore that pain of losing his mentor and best friend.
"Years later, a friend of the family asked my dad and I if we could help with a few repairs at his mother's. It was a beautiful little craftsman style cottage out that had been neglected over the years. It took two years of weekends and holidays to finish it, but when we were through...it was perfect."
He turned to look at her as she drove.
"That's when I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to bring back the artistry that people used to put into their homes. Today things are so sleek and cold. A home should be comforting, warm, and inviting. That is what I love about restorations, I get to restore a home, not just a residence."

 

[Asa]

She smiled again pulling into the hospital parking lot and hopped out to wander around to help him out. Walking in with him she found herself watching his eyes from time to time... drawn to them almost it seemed.

Well now that you are on the list where were we... you had told me about how you got into renovations. I find it fascinating and Yeah all these new homes and over sized buildings in town and how the butcher the old flats and apartments. That's why I found the home I did.