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Our company was fully an all-hands-on-deck kind of place, and this project was going to prove just how well we all worked together to get the perfect design.
Chapter 2
Ian
Present Day
Every time I climb out of my vehicle, I’m blown away by the quiet beauty of this small town.
West Jefferson, North Carolina is a mecca of nature, peace and quiet, and natural beauty. Best of all, I think it’s the best kept secret around. Until this job came along, I’d never heard of this little mountain town. Boy, was I missing out.
The scenery is like that of a movie, almost unnatural, and yet, the town is so down-to-earth. Quaint. The residents are friendly, the shops and eateries are very accommodating, and even when a group of rowdy boys come in after a long day of construction, they all have big smiles on their faces.
There have been many times over the last month that I’ve contemplated moving here. It’s just a place where I could see myself living. Even if it’s nothing more than a ‘getaway’ or a place I use when my body forces me to take a day or ten off.
Yeah, I know, I sound like a travel commercial.
It doesn’t make my words any less true.
In reality, I am not in my Winston-Salem office as much as one would think. I like to be hands-on, overseeing the projects I put my name and reputation behind. That means, hotels—or in the case of here in West Jefferson, a sleek, gorgeous bed & breakfast that dates back a few generations—are my home away from home most of the time.
So one could say I’m a full-time traveler. A man of the road and sky, if you wish. My office can move wherever I go. All I need to do my job is my laptop, a sketch book, and a few packs of pencils. Legit, I don’t have to have a big fancy office to be able to work.
With my reputation and work ethic, prospective clients would come to me no matter where I put down roots. If they can’t, well, that is what FaceTime and Zoom are for. Am I right? As my pop would say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Closing my room door behind me, I turn the card that asks for maid service over and set off down the hall. I usually keep the room in great shape, but every few days, it is nice to have new, crisp sheets.
I straighten my tie and zip up my coat, ready to face the day before me. The backpack I have slung over my shoulders holds my laptop, chargers, and the latest blueprints. A small change had to be made to the outside patio, but it was a minor fix. Thankfully. I am starting to hit that wall of ‘getting older,’ which means I need more than three hours of sleep a night now. Long gone are my all-nighters.
Glancing at my watch, I take the stairs in a rush. I have an hour before meeting the crew at the Oswald property. Just enough time to walk down to the diner and snag the breakfast orders I put in last night. If they have food, they’ll have the needed fuel to work; especially in these colder conditions.
I’m rubbing my hands together by the time I pull open the diner door. Sal’s is a hidden gem in this town. There’s nothing else like it. A fifties-style diner with red leather booths, a jukebox, and framed music and Hollywood memorabilia on the walls. Marilyn Monroe shares space with the likes of Patsy Cline and Dean Martin.
“Good morning, what can I get for you this morning?”
“Good morning. I should have a pick-up order for Grisham. It’s a hefty breakfast order.”
“Oh yes, give me just a sec and I’ll get it together for you.”
“Thank you.” I pull out my wallet, taking a moment to enjoy the quiet of the morning. It won’t last long. Once we’re on site, it will be balls to the wall for everyone.
“You any kin to that writer?”
I chuckle. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked that. I look to where two old timers are sitting, steaming mugs of coffee on the counter in front of them.
“Sorry, no. Not that I know of anyway,” I respond, shrugging.
“Too bad. I like them books.”
“I hear that a lot.”
“Here you are, hun. Thirty-two bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches, two large breakfast bowls with extra eggs, and a short stack. That’ll be,” she hits a few buttons on the register before looking back up at me, “one forty-seven and thirteen cents.”
I nodded, pulling out four fifty-dollar bills. I set them on the counter while I search my pockets for the thirteen cents.
Success!
I hand it all to her, a huge smile on my face. “Thank you. Y’all keep the change and split it between you. We appreciate you accommodating this big order.”
