Shades of Sedona (Choices: Story Four)

By Beth Carpenter

“It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man.” After a disastrous first marriage, Rebecca took that advice to heart. Two husbands later, Rebecca is now a woman of independent means and still beautiful. She decides to build a home in Sedona to be near her young grandson. However, there are signs that her beauty can’t last forever, and the opportunity to reel in one more wealthy husband seems too good to pass up.

Dan is a man living with regrets. Despite his thriving business, his past keeps him alone and he’s fine with that, at least until Rebecca comes into his life. Still, her plans obviously don’t include him, and anyway she’s just a client, so why does he care so much?

As Dan and Rebecca work together on her dream house, their friendship grows, but old habits die hard. Can they overcome the past in order to build a future ... together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Carpenter
• Release date: Feb 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301463114

Beth Carpenter

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SHADES OF SEDONA

Choices: Story Four

By Beth Carpenter

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Beth Carpenter 2013

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To Brenda, Liz, and Annalea,

Many thanks.

Chapter 1

Rebecca studied her reflection in the mirror as she applied lipstick. The shiny blond hair was precisely arranged to flatter the classic oval face, but the expression on that face was less than pleased. The harsh lighting in the ladies’ room of the Flagstaff airport accentuated the rapidly expanding cluster of tiny lines at the corners of her bright blue eyes. She used her ring finger to touch the skin under one eye, slightly puffy from the flight. As much as she hated the thought of needles and knives, maybe it was time to get a little work done. Good genes and expensive skin care treatments could only go so far, and after more than half a century, she might have to resort to more drastic measures.

Tired after flying all day, she regretted her decision to decline Blake and Donna’s offer of dinner and a bed tonight. Of course, she could always call them and say she had changed her mind. Her brother and his wife would be happy to have her, but she was eager to get to Sedona before dark for her first look at the new house she was having built.

She rolled her suitcase to the parking lot and located her shiny blue all-wheel-drive Acura, exactly where Matthew said it would be. Her son and his family had flown out this morning for a short trip, but they had thoughtfully driven her car as well as their own from Sedona to the airport so she would have a way to get back.

The spare car remote was in her purse, so she only had to touch the sensor to unlock the door. A welcome note was waiting in the glove box, along with a set of house keys. Rebecca smiled. Matthew and Kristen were very good to her, although it was her grandson, Will, who was the final factor in her decision to move to Sedona permanently. He was a toddler now, getting cuter every day, and she was looking forward to spoiling him on a regular basis.

She took the overpass across the highway and started toward Oak Creek Canyon, passing through the towering ponderosas along the way. She lowered the windows a few inches. Her weariness vanished as she breathed in the clean pine scent. There was snow in the woods here, patches like white Christmas tree skirts hugging the roots of the tall pines, but thankfully, the roads were clear. Soon, she came to the edge of the canyon, switchbacks leading her lower into the shade.

The pines gave way to mixed hardwood forests. The sycamore’s pale-barked branches stood out in the shadows against the darker ash and alders, with the occasional old cottonwood. The twists and turns of the road took her through the forest, with occasional glimpses of the gurgling creek. In the spring, the trees and shrubs would explode into leaf in every shade of green, but for now they were bare, waiting. The temperature edged up as she drove through the canyon, and the patches of snow disappeared. As she neared Sedona, the evergreen foliage shifted to silvery desert tones along with the greens of the junipers and twisted pinion pines, and she caught sight of the red cliffs in the distance.

After negotiating the usual traffic jams and tourists’ crossings in uptown Sedona, she drove around the traffic circles and past the shops. A violently purple cinderblock store advertised vortex tours. Next door, a chic stone-and-glass boutique displayed only a discreet nameplate, giving no clue to the nature of their merchandise, but Rebecca knew they sold wonderful designer jewelry. Across the street from an upscale shopping complex, a row of rickety clapboard shops boasted of crystals and psychic readings. Behind it all, the spectacular red rock formations lined the skies and still had the power to take her breath away.

Eventually she turned into a residential neighborhood, carefully chosen to be near Matthew and Kristen’s house but not so near as to intrude upon their privacy. She found her lot, thrilled to see that the framing of her new house seemed to be largely complete. Warning tape surrounded the huge alligator juniper in the corner of the lot, protecting it from construction vehicles as she had requested. It was past quitting time, and the house was deserted. She stepped on a cinder block to enter what would eventually be her front door.

She moved through the house, stopping to take in the views from the windows. Just as she had requested, the dining room window offered a perfect frame for Coffeepot Rock. She was too far north to see the coffeepot shape, but it was still a spectacular view to enjoy each morning as she sipped her coffee.

She went upstairs to find the master bedroom also had a perfect view of Coffeepot from what would be the French doors leading to the balcony. It was all exactly as she had envisioned. She took a tape measure and a marker from her purse, and made a few marks on the studs in the bedroom and bathroom, noting them in a small notebook.

Rebecca went back downstairs and marked a few studs there too, before going through the kitchen and laundry room to the garage. Behind the garage was a small room, and outside that doorway she found a pile of litter, lumber, and scattered cigarette butts. A breeze caught a plastic sack and it sailed away to be caught high on a tree limb as she watched, frowning.

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed the familiar number.

Mr. Rose, it’s Rebecca Russell. I believe our contract specified that the construction site would be cleaned at the end of each day.

Hello, Ms. Russell. Yes, that was the agreement. I haven’t made my final check of the day. I take it that the area was not left clear?

No, it was not. I’m at the site now, and as well as a pile of trash, there are cigarette butts scattered around the forest. This is simply not acceptable.

I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not far from you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Sure enough, less than five minutes later a truck pulled into what would be the driveway. The man who climbed out was a surprise. Rebecca had hired Mr. Rose on Matthew’s recommendation, but all their dealings to date had been by phone. She had an image, based on the last contractor she had worked with, of a middle-aged man with thinning hair combed over his bald spot and a stomach paunch hanging over his belt. Other than the age, she could not have been more wrong.

Because she was standing in the shadows behind the garage, he didn’t see her immediately and she had a minute to study him. His thick head of mahogany-colored hair was highlighted with just a few strands of silver at the temples. The jeans he wore hugged his fit body, and the rolled-up sleeves of his flannel shirt exposed muscular forearms. He had the face of a man who loved the outdoors, rugged and tanned, with good-natured lines around his eyes.

He removed a box and a coffee can from the bed of his truck, and started toward the house. Rebecca stepped from the shadows and he stopped when he saw her, his mouth open in surprise.

Ms. Russell?

Yes, I’m Rebecca Russell.

You’re Matt’s mother? His voice held disbelief.

Yes, that’s right. Rebecca’s eyes twinkled. Mr. Rose, I presume?

He recovered and stepped forward to offer his hand. His grip was firm but gentle. His unusual golden-brown eyes met her gaze directly, and his admiration was obvious. Rebecca was accustomed to male attention, but she always enjoyed it.

He glanced toward the pile of litter.

I apologize for the mess, he said. I have a new carpenter, Lee. He’s very skilled but if he doesn’t start following the rules, he won’t be working for me much longer. The trash is bad enough, but dropping cigarette butts on the ground in a climate this dry is just plain dangerous. He began to gather up the butts, dropping them into the coffee can. He collected the lumber scraps and litter into a box, transferring everything to the bed of his truck.

Thank you for responding so quickly, Mr. Rose. Rebecca spoke as he worked.

Please call me Dan.

Is that short for Daniel?

He laughed. Yes, but only my mother calls me Daniel, and only when I’m in trouble.

Rebecca gave a mischievous smile. Daniel, can you promise that this won’t happen again?

Yes ma’am. Tomorrow I’ll lay down the law to the carpenter, and if we have any more problems I’ll can him.

In that case, I’ll call you Dan, and you may call me Rebecca. I don’t want anyone fired. I just want a clean site.

That was our agreement. His eyes flicked over her. It is nice to finally meet face to face instead of over the phone.

I agree. I’m quite pleased with what you have done so far.

I’m glad to hear it. Dan shut the tailgate of his truck and turned toward her. Rebecca, do you have plans for dinner tonight?

Well, no. Matthew and Kristen are out of town on some sort of acquisition trip for the museum.

Dan’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Like Indiana Jones movies?

Rebecca laughed. Exactly like that, I’m sure. That’s why they took the baby.

How do you feel about Mexican?

I love Mexican. She glanced at his hand. Will your wife be joining us?

Dan looked amused. I haven’t had a wife for a very long time, but if I did I assure you she would be invited.

She gave him her most charming smile. In that case, I would love to join you for Mexican food.

He looked at her. She knew he was evaluating her outfit, tailored slacks, a silk blouse and slim blazer. He glanced down at his jeans. All right, I can go home to change and meet you at the restaurant later.

Do you usually change before you go to this place? Rebecca asked.

No, not usually. It’s casual but the food’s great.

Sounds like my kind of place. Let’s go as we are. Shall we take my car or yours?

Let’s take yours. Mine is full of sawdust.

She handed him the keys. Let’s go.

***

What was he thinking? Dan didn’t make a habit of asking out beautiful women. Actually, he didn’t ask out women at all, much less clients. Yet, here he was, driving her fancy car and taking her to Rosa’s. He considered taking her to one of the more upscale Mexican restaurants in town, but he wasn’t sure if they would be able to get in without a reservation, so he drove to his familiar haunt.

Hola, Dan. The host greeted them at the door. How are you today?

Fine, Miguel. This is Rebecca.

Rebecca smiled at him. I’m delighted to meet you, Miguel. Something smells divine.

Rebecca, it is a pleasure to meet you. Miguel took her proffered hand, and for a moment, Dan thought he was going to kiss it before he released it. That smell is our special tonight, pork chile verde. Please come this way. Instead of Dan’s usual table near the television, he led them to a table at the front window with a view of the red rocks, and handed them menus with a flourish.

The waiter appeared almost immediately with a basket of chips and cups of salsa. May I get you something to drink?

I’d love a classic margarita, Rebecca told him with a smile.

Right away. The waiter started away, and then turned back. Your usual, Dan?

Thanks, Ray.

Dan was amused. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one under Rebecca’s spell.

Rebecca looked over the menu. Shall I have the special, or is there a favorite of yours I should try?

Everything is good. I usually have a combo plate or the fajitas.

Ray returned with the drinks and a bowl of guacamole. On the house, he explained.

How lovely. Thank you. She rewarded him with a smile.

Are you ready to order?

I’ll have the special, Rebecca decided.

Make it two, Dan said.

The chile verde is very spicy tonight, Ray warned.

Good. Spicy is how I like it. Rebecca winked at him and he almost dropped his order pad before leaving them.

She sipped her drink. I was impressed with the job you did on the museum renovations as well as Matthew and Kristen’s house. How long have you been building?

I’ve been a general contractor for twelve years now. Before that, I did carpentry.

I appreciate that you were able to make Matthew’s home special, not a cookie-cutter house.

I specialize in custom homes, in the true sense of the word. They aren’t necessarily expensive homes, but we build them individually according to my clients’ plans. I’m not interesting in developing huge subdivisions of McMansions. He grinned. Besides, I don’t have the financial backing even if I did want to.

Rebecca laughed. She had a wonderful laugh, low and musical. It’s refreshing to hear someone admit that out loud. I’m excited about what you’ve done so far on my house. I’ve always wanted a house like this, a Spanish villa with a red tile roof and a balcony. I can stand on the balcony with a rose in my teeth and be serenaded by a mariachi band.

Dan laughed, but he could picture her there on the balcony, like Juliette.

It’s a very well-thought-out floor plan. I didn’t recognize the architect’s name.

He’s barely out of school. I’ve been working on this house, off and on, for years. He and I worked through all the details to make sure it would all come together.

So it’s really your design?

Pretty much, other than the foundation design and shear wall calculations and such.

I’m impressed.

Their food arrived. Dan took a bite and then a swig of his drink. Whoa, it’s spicy tonight.

Rebecca tasted the chile verde and licked her lips. It’s perfect.

Dan managed to eat his dinner with the aid of several glasses of ice water. Rebecca asked questions about building in Sedona, and he described some of the more absurd requests from his clients.

… and the four sides of the pyramid on the roof had to face the four directions of the compass, even though the house was on a southwest axis, which would have been fine if they happened to mention that before we built the whole darn thing.

She gave a chuckle, and he found himself trying to remember funny stories just to hear her laugh.

I hope I won’t be one of ‘those’ clients that you tell stories about someday.

It’s not likely. Maybe I shouldn’t be asking you this since I’m profiting from it, but why are you building a house? I understood when I was working on Matthew’s house that the casita was for your use.

Casita. Is that what you’re calling their little guest house? It’s a lovely place, and so sweet of them to think of me when they were building. However, it was only intended for visits. Kristen is a darling, but having your mother-in-law in constant residence is too much to ask of any woman. Once I decided to live here permanently, I knew I needed a place of my own and this was the excuse I needed to build my dream house.

So what made you decide to move to Sedona? he asked.

Why, Will of course. Have you met my charming grandson? she asked with a proud smile.

Yes, I have. He’s a fine little boy.

I think so. Do you have children?

I … uh, no. He looked away, not wanting to explain further.

Rebecca cocked her head and seemed ready to ask another question when, mercifully, Ray came to check on them and refill their water glasses. He noticed that Rebecca had only eaten part of her dinner.

Was the chile too spicy for you?

No it was absolutely perfect, she assured him.

May I put the rest in a box for you?

That would be very nice. Thank you Ray.

Dan paid the check, with a larger than usual tip for all the extra service Ray had pressed upon them, and drove Rebecca back to the construction site to pick up his truck. She got out of the car and walked around to the driver’s side to stand next to him.

Thank you for the wonderful dinner, Dan, and for introducing me to Rosa’s. It was a lovely welcome to Sedona.

Thank you for your company this evening.

She smiled once more before climbing into her car. He stood rooted in the spot as he watched her drive away.

Wow. He felt star struck. She was unique, a woman with the beauty and elegance of Grace Kelly, spiced with a tantalizing hint of Mae West. He shook his head, forcing himself to return to reality. She was a client. This was simply a dinner to welcome her to the project, not a date.

He was certain she didn’t date men like him. Everything about her was expensive, from her car to her clothes to her haircut. The house he was building for her, while not overly large, was a custom design with many special features that translated into a good bit of money. His personal wealth was finally respectable after years of building his business, but he was a blue-collar kind of guy, and she was trophy-wife material.

What did it matter anyway? He didn’t date. The last thing he needed in his life was the distraction of a woman. He’d already broken one woman’s heart, and he certainly didn’t need to repeat that mistake. Yes, Rebecca was only a client, and he would work hard to keep her happy, happy with her house anyway, but there would be no more extracurricular activities.

Chapter 2

Good morning, Rebecca called, lugging a box of donuts from the backseat and setting them on the hood of her car. I’ve got coffee too.

Quickly, three men assembled in front of her new house.

Hello. Help yourselves. I’m Rebecca. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you’re doing on the house.

Thank you, one of the men mumbled. He stuffed a chocolate donut into his mouth and dusted the crumbs from his hand to shake hers. Then he removed the donut from his mouth so he could speak. I’m Trevor. He motioned behind him. That’s Lee and Jarrod.

I’m glad to meet you gentlemen.

Jarrod nodded politely and removed his hardhat, but Lee narrowed his eyes at her before he grabbed a donut and moved away, not looking in her direction.

She picked up a cup of coffee and stepped over to him. Coffee?

No, thanks.

She leaned closer, speaking quietly. Lee, I’m sorry if I got you in trouble with the boss last night.

He shrugged and shifted his feet.

Dan told me how much he values your skills, and I can see what a wonderful job the three of you have done so far. I was a little cranky last night after traveling all day and I may have overreacted. I’m sorry to be so fussy.

No, it’s my fault, he admitted. "I was supposed to clean up, but I was in