Don't Marry Your Contractor*

Prologue

Author's Note:

This story is both the prequel and sequel to Don't Date Your Contractor* Each chapter will start with a time marker to show readers when the chapter takes place. The Odd numbered chapters take place in the Present day and the Even numbered chapters take place in the past.  For the puposes of making the book readable for wattpad phone readers, longer chapters are broken up into smaller chapters labeled Ch 1 and Ch 1.5, etc.

As the novel progresses, the past and present chapters will converge at the end of the story.

The original Novel was written as a G-Rated Hallmark TV Movie Screenplay (you know the ones...) This sequel is more PG-13 rated, but all of the steamy bits will be off-camera or fade-to-black.

I Look forward to your comments on this work-in-progress story and will publish new chapters as they are completed.

Cheers, JC

Present Day:

A few days after Christmas on a cold but clear day, Justin and Charlotte did the final walk-through of her new, but old house. As they returned to the fantastic chef's kitchen, Charlotte commented. "The house is absolutely beautiful Justin. You outdid yourself, every room is like something out of a magazine."

"Thanks, Char, I have a good crew."

Justin gestured to a stack of folders on the black granite-topped island in the newly remodeled kitchen. He smiled at her and slid a blue one towards her. "Okay, we're just about done. Here is your Certificate to Occupy, this other folder has all the instructions for the appliances, the next section lists all of the phone numbers of the plumber, electrician, HVAC company, carpet guys, painters and everyone else who worked on the house. Everything is under warranty. If something is not right..."

Charlotte took the folder, scanned the paperwork and smiled again. "Right got it."

Justin then looked into her eyes. "But hey, I'm just down the block, so call me 24/7 if anything goes wrong and I'll take care of it, okay."

Charlotte reached over and gently touched his hand. "Okay, it's a deal. I have you on speed dial after all."

Justin then stood up and handed her a ring full of keys. He looked around the beautifully finished house and gestured towards the front door. "Okay, then that takes care of everything."

Charlotte was mysteriously quiet for a moment. "Great, thanks for everything, Justin. Can I walk you to the door?"

They walked out of the eight-foot carved oak door and paused at the top step. Charlotte looked at Justin and smiled seductively. "So it's official, you don't work for me any more right?"

"Nope."

"Good, I've really wanted to fire you for weeks. Okay then, you're fired!"

With a big smile, he responded. "You can't fire me, I quit!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

With that, she turned around as if to go back into the house. She then paused and did an about-face and looked at Justin. She had a nervous smile on her face as she held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Charlotte and I'm new in town, but I grew up here. I have this great newly remodeled house. I'm single and I'm a pilot for Alaska Airlines."

Justin looked puzzled for a moment and then he finally got it. He held out his hand, squeezed Charlotte's warm hand in his, and responded in kind. "I'm pleased to meet you and welcome back to Boise. I'm Justin, I was born and raised here. I'm single and I own my own business."

Charlotte looked deeply into his deep blue eyes and whispered. "So you're single? Are you seeing anyone?"

He answered quietly. "No. But I think maybe I just found someone."

"Me too. So, Justin, I have an idea for a great first date or whatever it is."

He smiled knowing that she was VERY good at planning things out. "Go on."

"You know, I worked Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so other people could spend time with their families."

"That was very nice of you."

"The guys with young families definitely appreciated it, plus the overtime money was good. However, I have made sure that I am off the schedule for New Year's Eve and a couple of days after that."

"I'm guessing that you have a plan?"

She looked away for a moment and then turned back and again looked into his eyes. "Would you like to go out with me on New Year's Eve?"

"I'd love to, that sounds great. Do you have any place special in mind? I think that we can do better than the famous Idaho potato drop."

Charlotte gave him a conspiratorial yet very seductive look. "As it turns out, I do have a plan and I think you're going to like it."

She picked up her phone and sent him a quick text. From his pocket, Justin's phone buzzed. Charlotte smiled at his puzzled look. "The details are all there. You have a first-class ticket to Seattle, on Alaska of course and I booked us rooms at the Arctic hotel. Have you heard of it?"

Justin nodded dumbly. "Yeah, the super fancy place with the polar bear, right?"

Charlotte reached over to hold his hand. "You got it. My treat. We also have reservations at their very swanky and exclusive New Year's Eve party. You know, dinner, dancing, champagne and all of that. I had to pull a few strings but I know people who know people in that town."

He chuckled. "I don't doubt that Char!"

"Anyway, it's black tie, so dust off that tux cowboy."

"I can't wait."

"Me too."