One and Only Read online

  Sarah lifted an old wooden shelf off the wall. “I’ll keep working in this room. You go and talk to the builder.”

  “Thanks. Don’t lift anything that’s too heavy.”

  “I won’t.”

  She left Sarah and headed into the hallway. Blake and Daniel walked out of another room carrying a big piece of rolled-up carpet.

  “We’ll be with you soon,” Blake said. “We need to throw this in the dumpster first.”

  Elizabeth walked ahead of them. “I’ll show Paul the main reception and storage areas, then head to the rooms where we’ve been working.”

  Blake nodded and she rushed down the hallway.

  For the last few days, she’d been trying to stay positive. But the more time she spent in the old motel, the more worried she became. It had seemed so simple when she first saw the listing for the complex.

  She would buy the building, renovate the rooms that were in the worst state of repair, then rent out the remaining space to other community groups. Eventually, she’d own a one-stop shop for anyone needing help.

  As she passed each room, she knew her ultimate goal was going to take a long time to complete.

  Paul Owen stood in the reception area with a clipboard in his hands and a smile on his face. Elizabeth hoped he was still happy after he’d seen the building.

  She held out her hand. “Thank you for meeting me here.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ve driven past this property each day for the last couple of years. I’m surprised the previous owners wanted to sell.”

  “So am I. The realtor said their original plans fell through. I guess I was in the right place at the right time.”

  “Let’s hope so. Why don’t you walk me through the building? I’ll make some notes and take photos while you explain what you want to do. I can’t give you an exact price until an architect has drawn up the plans, but I can give you an estimate.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. “That sounds great. We might as well start here.” As she walked around the reception area, she shared her vision of what it could look like.

  Paul listened carefully, then pointed to the ceiling. “I’ll climb into the roof cavity before I leave. If the water damage is from the exterior tiles, we won’t be able to do anything until the weather improves. If it’s from a burst pipe, we can fix it straight away.”

  Elizabeth crossed her fingers and hoped it could be fixed sooner rather than later.

  By the time they walked into the first office, Blake and Daniel had joined them. She introduced everyone and waited for Paul’s verdict on the room.

  “You’ve done a lot of work already.”

  “I thought it would be a good idea to get a head start on any construction.”

  Paul nodded. “Are there any architectural features you’d like to keep or replicate?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “The building doesn’t have many features. It was built in the 1970s.”

  “That’s not a bad thing,” Paul said. “Architecture from the seventies is simple and clean. Your building may look a little unloved, but it should be solid beneath the plasterboard. Back then, they made houses to last.”

  She could have hugged Paul. The word ‘solid’ made her heart race and her spirits lift. She was worried the whole complex was tied together with string. Her biggest fear was that one good storm would destroy the entire building.

  When they walked into a room they hadn’t touched, Paul sighed. “Is this what the rooms looked like before you stripped them?”

  Daniel nodded. “Elizabeth’s been working twelve-hour days since she bought the property. We’ve pitched in to help, but she’s stripped most of the rooms.”

  “You’ve done a good job. It’s easy to get disheartened when you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.”

  “Have you done many renovations of this size?” Blake asked.

  Paul nodded. “We have a team who specialize in commercial and residential property redevelopment. We recently finished a building in Great Falls that was similar to this one. It was knee-deep in squatter’s trash. Within five months, we’d converted the building into high-end inner-city apartments. I’ll email you some before and after photos.”

  A high-pitched squeal echoed down the hallway.

  “That’s Sarah.” Elizabeth raced toward her friend. As soon as she was in the room she frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  Sarah knelt on the floor and patted three little kittens. Their black and white coats were matted and their eyes, weepy. “I thought they were giant rats. I don’t know where their mom has gone.”

  To Elizabeth’s surprise, none of them tried to bite or scratch Sarah’s hand.

  Paul’s head appeared from around the doorframe. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”

  Sarah sighed. “I wish we’d found them sooner. They must have been scared by all the noise we’ve been making.”

  Daniel walked into the room and handed Sarah a box. “I know someone at the animal shelter who will look after them.”

  Sarah patted each kitten as she lifted them into the box.

  Their pitiful meows made Elizabeth sad. “They need something to eat and drink.”

  Sarah held the box close to her chest. “I’ll take them to the animal shelter. After they’re safe, I’ll buy some kitten food and take it back to them.”

  Daniel found a torn piece of fabric. “Put this over the box. It will give the kittens a little protection from the cold. When you arrive at the animal shelter, ask if Sally is working today. She’ll find homes for them.”

  Sarah nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Don’t rush,” Elizabeth said. “Enjoy being in the fresh air.”

  A plaintive meow came from the box.

  Blake rubbed the matted fur of one of the kittens. “What if their mom comes back?”

  “I’ll keep a lookout for any adult cats,” Elizabeth promised. “If I find her, I’ll take her to the shelter.”

  Daniel nudged Blake. “You could always move to Bozeman and have a ready-made cat family.”

  Blake took his hand out of the box. “And give up my apartment overlooking Central Park?”

  “Why not?” Daniel said. “You don’t have to visit a park to enjoy the great outdoors here.”

  Sarah smiled. “You could take the kittens home with you. They would enjoy the view of the park even if you stay in New York City.”

  Blake shook his head. “The kittens will be better off at the shelter. Someone will give them a good home.”

  “Okay, but if you change your mind you know where to find them.”

  Elizabeth opened the cloth and placed it across the top of the box. “Drive carefully.”

  After Sarah left, Elizabeth pointed down the hallway. “There are ten more rooms in this block, Paul. Would you like to look at each of them?”

  He nodded. “Lead the way. You never know when you’ll find something that could be an issue.”

  Blake started to say something, then stopped.

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “Do you want to contribute to the conversation, Blake?”

  “No.”

  “You weren’t going to say that the whole building is an issue, were you?”

  The smile on Blake’s face told her his answer. At least he was honest. “You’re probably right. What do you think, Paul?”

  He rubbed his jaw. “I can only comment on what I’ve seen so far. As long as the roof is watertight, most of the work you want to do is cosmetic. A fresh coat of paint, new plasterboard and flooring, curtains, and light fixtures will make a big difference. We need to check the heating, electrical cables, and water pipes. If they’re okay, you’ll come in close to your budget.”

  Paul’s reply wasn’t as comforting as Elizabeth wanted it to be. There were a lot of big ‘ifs’ in the list of things he still needed to check. At least Daniel and Blake hadn’t said ‘I told you so’.

  “Let’s keep moving through the building,” Paul suggested. “The
more I see today, the more accurate I can make my estimate.”

  “When do you meet the architect?” Blake asked as they moved into the hallway.

  “On Wednesday. She came last week to have a look.”

  Daniel peered inside the next room. “What did she say about converting the floor above the reception area into an apartment?”

  “The plumbing and electrical work are in place. All we need to do is move a few walls. And before you ask, they aren’t load-bearing.”

  Daniel patted Elizabeth’s back. “Congratulations. You’re learning construction lingo already.”

  “I need to,” she muttered as she followed Paul. “I wouldn’t have a clue about any of this if I didn’t.” She glanced down. A cell phone with a bright pink case was sitting on the floor. “Sarah’s dropped her phone. I’ll see if she’s left.”

  Elizabeth picked it up and ran out of the building.

  Sarah was leaning inside the cab of a black truck.

  “You forgot something.”

  Her friend turned and smiled. “You didn’t find another kitten, did you?”

  Elizabeth handed her the phone. “No kitten, but you did drop this.”

  “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks.” Sarah closed the truck’s back door and slid her phone into her pocket.

  “I’m glad I saw it. It wouldn’t have survived someone’s boot landing on it.”

  “Especially if it was Blake or Daniel’s.” She gave Elizabeth a quick hug. “I hope the meeting with the builder goes well. I’ll see you soon.”

  After Sarah drove out of the parking lot, Elizabeth took a deep breath. It was nice to be outside, to forget about the cost of what she’d started. She needed to stay positive, remember why she was doing this.

  She turned to go inside. Goose bumps prickled her skin. As casually as possible, she let her gaze wander along the street, looking for anyone or anything that didn’t belong.

  When she’d first arrived in Bozeman, she’d felt the same sense of dread, the uneasiness that came with being watched. This time was no different.

  It didn’t look as though anyone was lurking in the shadows or staring through a window. With a final glance down the street, she walked into the clinic. It was crazy to think anyone would have followed her to Bozeman. She was tired, stressed, and over-sensitive, that’s all.

  But in case it was more than that, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to a friend in Cedar Rapids.

  She was perfectly safe.

  No one would hurt her.

  Not again, anyway.

  Later that night, Elizabeth sat in her brother’s living room. After dinner, Daniel had gone into town to see a movie with Holly. She really should go back to her loft, but the open fire was addictive.

  As the flames danced across the logs her worries melted away. The scent of pine mingled with the hickory and oak that Daniel liked to burn. It reminded Elizabeth that Christmas wasn’t far away. She thought about the lights, the sparkly decorations, and the sense of wonder that only Santa could bring.

  “Do you want a hot chocolate?”

  Elizabeth’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. “I thought you’d gone into town with Daniel.”

  “Holly’s going to Toronto soon. I thought they’d enjoy a night out together.”

  “They wouldn’t have minded your company.”

  “I know.” Blake frowned. “You weren’t planning on going into town to work on your clinic, were you?”

  She looked at her watch. “It’s seven-thirty.”

  “And?”

  “It’s too late.”

  Blake grinned. “I’m glad we got that out of the way. So, do you want a hot chocolate?”

  Elizabeth pulled herself off the sofa. “That would be great, but I can make it.”

  “I know you can, but so can I. You’ve been busy all day. The least I can do is make you a drink.”

  She sat down. “You’re not softening me up for the bad news, are you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Crazy Love app questionnaire. I’m guessing that you found my application and don’t have a match.”

  Blake ran his hand around the back of his neck. “We haven’t matched you with anyone because we lost your application.”

  “How did that happen? The process is supposed to be foolproof.”

  “The questionnaires are usually submitted electronically. Because I gave you a paper copy, your response relied on someone adding the data to our program. That never happened and we can’t find your original questionnaire.”

  “Did you bring the forms with you?”

  Daniel pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  Elizabeth thought about the app, the way Daniel’s life had changed when he was matched with Holly. Before Elizabeth had bought the building in Bozeman, she’d wanted to find that kind of happiness, too. But now, she wasn’t so sure.

  “Maybe the forms were supposed to go missing.”

  Blake seemed confused. “I don’t understand. Why would you think that?”

  “A lot has happened in the last week. I don’t know if I have the time to start a new relationship.”

  “If you want it bad enough, you make the time.”

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “Like you do?”

  “I’m an exception to the rule,” Blake muttered. “I’ll be back in a minute with your drink.”

  While Blake was in the kitchen, Elizabeth placed another log on the fire. If she was going to sit here feeling sorry for herself, she might as well do it in style.

  She sat on the sofa and sighed. Finding someone special was important to her. She wanted to share her life with a man who would be her soul mate, the yin to her yang. The Crazy Love app might be her last chance at finding true love.

  “Here you go.” Blake left a mug of chocolate on the coffee table. He sat in a chair and focused on the envelope he’d given her. “I think you should complete another form.”

  Elizabeth knew his company had spent a long time making sure the app worked. She would have been shocked if he’d said anything else. “What if it doesn’t work?”

  “It worked for Daniel. You know as well as I do that he’s not the easiest person to get to know.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “It’s just as well he didn’t hear you say that. But you’re right. I never would have matched Holly and Daniel, but your program did. They’re perfect together.”

  “We aim to please. I really am sorry that your questionnaire has gone missing.”

  “It’s all right. I’m just pleased my missing form is the reason I haven’t heard from you. If you couldn’t find anyone I could date, then I’d be a little worried.”

  Blake sipped his drink. “Why did you want to join the program?”

  “To find true love.” Elizabeth cringed when she heard the wistfulness in her voice. “I know it sounds corny, but over the last twelve months I’ve had plenty of time to think about my life. Finding someone special is important to me.”

  “Once we’ve inputted your answers from the questionnaire, your wish might come true.”

  “You sound like my fairy godmother.”

  “If I was your fairy godmother I would have whipped you up a handsome prince by now.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “He doesn’t have to be handsome.”

  “No? I thought all women are looking for a knight in shining armor.”

  “I’m not a damsel in distress. I want someone who’s kind and funny. Someone who sticks with you through thick and thin and always looks after you.”

  “Sounds reasonable.”

  “That’s what I thought, but no one I’ve dated has been ‘The One’. In the last few years, most of my friends have married and had children. And if they’re not married, they’re living with someone. Even my little brother found the love of his life before me. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

  Blake shrugged. “You just haven’t met the right person.”

  Elizabeth used
to think the same thing, but she wasn’t so sure anymore. She didn’t know how Blake would answer the next question, but he was the only person she could ask. “Is there anything that would put you off dating me?”

  His drink sloshed over the edge of his mug.

  She pulled a handful of tissues out of a box. “Here. Use these.”

  While Blake mopped up the hot chocolate, she studied his face. Usually, she knew what he was thinking. But right now, all she saw was a bright red blush on his cheeks.

  Her heart sank. “I can’t be that bad.”

  Blake cleared his throat. “Were you asking me on a date?”

  Elizabeth’s eyes popped open. She’d already fallen in love with Blake once. That had ended in disaster and she wouldn’t go there again. “You’re my brother’s best friend. That would be the worst thing that—”

  “Okay. I get what you mean.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “It’s not that you’re not handsome, because you are. And you have an all right kind of personality, if you like the assertive, bossy sort. You’ve got a good sense of humor—”

  “Elizabeth?”

  “Yes?”

  “You can stop talking now.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. “I made it worse, didn’t I?”

  A smile pulled at his lips. “Not really. When did you last go on a date?”

  “A few months before I was diagnosed with cancer. My friends set me up on a few blind dates. They were okay, but I didn’t meet anyone who was special.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. The right person is out there somewhere.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “You’ve dated a lot more people than I have. What were your girlfriends looking for?”

  “Money.”

  She thought Blake was joking—until she looked into his eyes. “They must have wanted a lot more than that.”

  “If they did, I didn’t have it.”

  “Why did you break up with Chanelle?”

  “Chantal. And the reason we broke up was simple. She loved my money more than she loved me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Blake shrugged. “It happens all the time. You and Daniel are the only people who don’t treat me differently to your other friends.”

  “That’s because we’ve seen you at your worst.”