Building Up to Love Read Online Free Page B

Personally, the way it’s going lately, I think it’s a waste of time. Enough about me, how long are you here to stay?”
    “I haven’t decided. Although I think my grandparents are on to something here. Of course my father is fit to be tied. He wants me home and back to work at the company, yesterday. I keep telling him I can do what I need to do via Skype, but he doesn’t agree. Yes, the firm is a family business. I’m third generation. I got my architectural degree to make him happy. But I’m not made for the office. I want to be in the field, work with my hands. I’ve really enjoyed this old house. I think I’d like to specialize in historical houses.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    “Wait one minute. You’re an architect?” Laura asked.
    “Yes.”
    “You lied to me.”
    “No, I didn’t. You never asked me. And after I heard your opinion of them I figured it would be best if I kept that piece of information to myself. See we’re not all stuffy,” he waggled an eyebrow at her.
    “You should have told me.” Laura felt betrayed. If she could escape the room she would.
    “I’ve done a good job for you and I will continue to do so. It’s just a title, nothing more. You can’t judge me by a title. All architects are not the same. You’re not being fair.”
    She was embarrassed. She hated when others judged people based on shallow ideals, and didn’t think herself capable of such things. “You’re right. I sincerely apologize for my actions. It’s not in my nature to judge others. I hope you will forgive me.”
    “You’re forgiven. I hope you forgive me for deceiving you. I really wanted this project. I love this Victorian, thank you.”
    She noticed Travis appeared pasty. She reached over and put her hand on his forehead. “Geeze, you’re burning up. I think you have an infection. We need to find a way out of here.”
    “Yeah, I’m not feeling all that great. Help me up and let’s see if we can get the door open.”
    She struggled under the weight of his body. It seemed as though it took hours to get him to the door. He tried the knob; it turned, but the door wouldn’t give.
    “Door’s blocked,” he groaned. “It’s safer not to force it. It could only be a few shelves, or it could be a cave-in. We don’t want to disturb anything until we acquire the proper equipment. Let’s go back.”
    The two of them dropped to the ground. “I would kill for a couple aspirin and a glass of water right now,” Laura said.
    “Do me a favor,” Travis mumbled, his eyes closed. “Don’t mention water, or for that matter, aspirin.” Five minutes later he snored softly.
    Laura leaned over and lightly placed her palm across his cheek, which felt both clammy and warm at the same time. She needed to get him out of here, the sooner the better.
    She looked around the room again for some rope or a chair. She walked between the shelves. A couple of boards lay on the ground, but she needed something more. What can you do with a couple of boards? Something was stacked in a dark corner but she couldn’t really make it out. She walked closer and had to keep from squealing with joy when she realized she’d found four wooden crates. She dragged two of the crates out and situated them under the hole in the floor. Then she went back to where she saw the two boards and laid both boards across the crates. She grabbed the last two crates and put one on top of the boards. She estimated it would give her nearly four feet. She stood five-feet-five inches and hoped she’d be able to reach the basement floor with only the three crates.
    Laura looked back at Travis. He looked wretched. He was going into shock and every second counted. She checked the crates and the boards; everything appeared balanced. Laura took in a deep breath and stepped up onto the first level. The boards creaked with age and she waited until they settled into place. She stepped up onto the top crate all the while making sure her body weight was distributed