Paxton
Book Sixteen of the Farraday Country Series
Chapter One
“And… cut.”
Now that the cameras weren’t running, Paxton Farraday leaned left then right, stretching out his back. Even though he’d argued there was no need to film replacing the hotel bathroom when that episode was already over and in the can, what the production company wanted, the production company got. Still, it was bad enough he was feeling his last birthday, there was no reason to record his aching back on camera for the world to see.
“I hate bathtub installs.” Quinn, Paxton’s next older brother—not including the five-minute Owen had on him—rolled his shoulders. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one with age troubles. “Single tub isn’t so bad but these blasted all-in-one units have a mind of their own.”
“Yeah, remind me never to complain about hauling bags of mulch or root ball trees again. Lugging and installing bathtubs is modern day torture.” He cracked his back. “It’s downright painful.”
“Agreed.” Quinn nodded. “Next time the younger guys can haul these things around.”
The camera crew pulled back. Someone shouted lunch break and standing in the doorway, sporting a floppy hat, and big sunglass—the only carryover from her fashionable days in Los Angeles—Valerie, Morgan’s wife and the show’s producer, rushed up to them. “Excellent shoot, guys. Executive feedback on the last few episodes has been great and the internet buzz with the fan base is, well, buzzing. Now, we need to talk about that off-camera build.”
Paxton exchanged a glance with Quinn. “Off-camera build?”
Her gaze narrowing, his brother Morgan’s wife dropped her hands on her hips. “Don’t you two read any of my memos?”
“Of course we do.” Frowning, Quinn spoke up before Paxton could admit he might skim a few.
Even though Valerie was smiling, her frustration with her brothers-in-law was apparent. “The show was approached to sponsor a new home build for a needy family. Since the ratings were so high for the homestead fixer-upper, the execs thought a similar project for charity would be fabulous publicity. They were on it like white on rice.”
Now that he thought about it, Paxton remembered noticing the name of a well-known charity in one of her never-ending memos, but had skimmed more than usual. “Must have missed the details on that one, but, of course, you know we’re game to help. Within reason.”
Quinn nodded. “Agreed. But off camera? How is that going to boost ratings for the show?”
“There might be a camera crew once in a while for social media reels. Now that we’ve just about finished this season, once we film the wrap-up episode, you guys will have plenty of time on your hands for the project.”
Plenty of time? Paxton didn’t mind helping out anyone going through a rough patch, but the construction company had projects lined up for the season break from here to Oklahoma and back. “We’d better find Owen, but can we discuss this somewhere other than this cramped bathroom?”
Valerie looked around and chuckled. “Good point. Let’s go outside.”
Paxton followed her with Quinn on his heels. They settled at a picnic table by Molly’s food truck.
Setting her insulated mug on the table, Valerie looked from one brother to the other. “The build is a standard three bed, two bath, two-car garage. Single story. About thirteen hundred square feet. Easy peasy.”
Paxton almost laughed. The way his sister-in-law described the task at hand, she made building a house sound like playing with Legos.
He glanced at Quinn. “Did you know about this?”
Quinn frowned. “Can’t say that I did.”
Valerie shook her head. “The franchise has bought a lot near downtown.”
“Where?” Paxton asked.
“I forget the street. The one where a house caught fire and burned to the ground. The house was a health and safety hazard. The city razed the actual house, left the foundation, and the charity bought it for a song. Owen promised to fit it in, so it’s a go. The network loves the idea of charity work, and with the popularity of Construction Cousins, Tuckers Bluff is now on the map.”
“Great. Next, we’ll have folks from out of state rushing here and pricing the locals out of the market.” Quinn blew out a sigh at his own words. “Present company excepted.”
“Understood.” She shook her head. “I really thought Owen would have filled everyone in on the details. Anyhow, the reason I grabbed you two is that Owen said you guys would be point on this.”
“Us?”
She nodded. “That’s what he said. Rules are the same for this as with all other of the charity projects. The family will be hands on as much as time permits. They have to do their sweat equity.”
“Do they have to have any skills?” Paxton wasn’t keen on having someone on a job site without experience working with power tools. That’s how people wound up in the ER.
“No clue, but most folks about to receive the gift of affordable housing are eager to learn.”
“Marvy,” Quinn grumbled under his breath.
Paxton resisted the urge to agree. The network executives were the bane of his and his brother’s existence. “I’m heading into town.”
“Now?” Quinn’s eyes widened.
“Owen is helping Jamison out at O’Faredeigh’s. I think a little chat might be in order.”
“Works for me.” Quinn nodded.
His brother had to have lost his mind to have squeezed building an entire home from the ground up into their busy off season schedule. Though he did love the idea of a worthy cause, he didn’t see how this was going to work. “What was my beloved twin thinking?”
***
“Oh, look! A playground.” Sandra Lynn’s son turned those puppy dog eyes on her. “Can’t we stop and play? Just for a little bit?”
The last thing she needed was another stop. After driving for so long, all she wanted was to get to her mother’s house, unpack what few belongings she’d managed to bring, and relish in the familiarity of her old room. At the least, she did not want to be driving anymore.
David had grown restless with the long ride. She couldn’t blame him, five-year-olds and road trips across three states, including one as big as Texas, were never a good mix. For the last forty miles, he’d been dancing on her last nerve. She loved her boy more than her own life, but she wasn’t going to take a long road trip with him ever again. Well, maybe once he turned thirty-five.
“Pleeeeease,” David blinked at his mother.
Okay, maybe one more quick break would do them both good. She pulled into an open parking space. With most kids in school, they pretty much had the park to themselves. She’d barely come to a stop and David was out the back door and across the grass like a shot. Straight for the monkey bars. The really tall monkey bars.
Closing her eyes, she said a small prayer that her rambunctious son didn’t wind up in the ER with a broken arm. Opening her eyes, she looked around at the playground that hadn’t been here when she left Tucker Bluffs years ago.
So much had changed since she’d run off to marry Ed, but a few things were still as she left them. The café hadn’t changed a bit, though her mom had told her that Abbie the owner had married a Farraday—one of the many cousins she had run around town and the ranch with during the summers when they were kids. And, of course, Sisters boutique. So many towns had lost their Main Street shopping to big-box stores. It made her smile to see that Tuckers Bluff still had a thriving business district. The familiarity pushed away the tension that had become a way of life for her. And there was the Cut n’ Curl. Polly had been kind enough to hire her part time as a shampoo girl. It wasn’t much, but any work would be a blessing. She would have much preferred her homecoming had been a triumphant return rather than slinking home, divorced, with her tail between her legs, but she was home. That was the important thing. She’d finally broken free from Ed Morton.
“Look, Mom, no hands.”
She glanced up and forced a smile. Did Tuckers Bluff even have an ER? “Be careful. I’m going to call and let Grandma know that we’re close.” Pulling out her phone, she pulled up her mother’s number.
“Sandra. Hey. I thought you’d be here by now.”
“We made a few more stops than I’d planned, but that’s a road trip with a restless boy. We’re at a nice small park in town. We won’t stay too long. I think we should be home within the hour. I figure it’s best to let David run off some of the built-up energy.”
“Good idea. That’s what he probably needs. He’s been cramped in your car for hours, and in that tiny apartment for too long.”
Her husband—ex-husband—had insisted on a fancy modern apartment as if they were young swinging singles and not a family with a boy who needed fresh air and space. At least now he would have it. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Love you, baby, and get him good and tired out.” Her mom chuckled. “He’s all boy.”
Why her mother thought she knew anything about raising boys, Sandra had no idea. She’d been an only child herself. Something she hadn’t wanted for her son, but now, it looked like history was doomed to repeat itself. Not that she’d been raised by a single mother. Her dad had been the best. Made her feel like his princess her whole life. It was one of the hardest parts of moving away with Ed. Her dad had begrudgingly thrown them a wedding, but made it clear to Ed that he didn’t approve of him. At the first possible excuse, Ed had dragged her away to Chicago and wouldn’t even let her come home for her father’s funeral. She really should have listened to her father. But, of course, she wouldn’t have David if she had. Glancing over at her son now swinging so high that she wondered if the swing set’s metal legs wouldn’t pull right out of the ground, she smiled. Boys.
Glancing over at Sisters, a list of things she was going to need ran through her head. Thinking on it, she’d drop David off at her mother’s for some grandmother loving and run to Sister’s. Her gaze drifted back to David. Oh, how she loved that boy. “Daddy, I’m sorry you aren’t going to get to see your grandson grow up,” she whispered. She was sorry about a lot of things.
“And… cut.”
Now that the cameras weren’t running, Paxton Farraday leaned left then right, stretching out his back. Even though he’d argued there was no need to film replacing the hotel bathroom when that episode was already over and in the can, what the production company wanted, the production company got. Still, it was bad enough he was feeling his last birthday, there was no reason to record his aching back on camera for the world to see.
“I hate bathtub installs.” Quinn, Paxton’s next older brother—not including the five-minute Owen had on him—rolled his shoulders. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one with age troubles. “Single tub isn’t so bad but these blasted all-in-one units have a mind of their own.”
“Yeah, remind me never to complain about hauling bags of mulch or root ball trees again. Lugging and installing bathtubs is modern day torture.” He cracked his back. “It’s downright painful.”
“Agreed.” Quinn nodded. “Next time the younger guys can haul these things around.”
The camera crew pulled back. Someone shouted lunch break and standing in the doorway, sporting a floppy hat, and big sunglass—the only carryover from her fashionable days in Los Angeles—Valerie, Morgan’s wife and the show’s producer, rushed up to them. “Excellent shoot, guys. Executive feedback on the last few episodes has been great and the internet buzz with the fan base is, well, buzzing. Now, we need to talk about that off-camera build.”
Paxton exchanged a glance with Quinn. “Off-camera build?”
Her gaze narrowing, his brother Morgan’s wife dropped her hands on her hips. “Don’t you two read any of my memos?”
“Of course we do.” Frowning, Quinn spoke up before Paxton could admit he might skim a few.
Even though Valerie was smiling, her frustration with her brothers-in-law was apparent. “The show was approached to sponsor a new home build for a needy family. Since the ratings were so high for the homestead fixer-upper, the execs thought a similar project for charity would be fabulous publicity. They were on it like white on rice.”
Now that he thought about it, Paxton remembered noticing the name of a well-known charity in one of her never-ending memos, but had skimmed more than usual. “Must have missed the details on that one, but, of course, you know we’re game to help. Within reason.”
Quinn nodded. “Agreed. But off camera? How is that going to boost ratings for the show?”
“There might be a camera crew once in a while for social media reels. Now that we’ve just about finished this season, once we film the wrap-up episode, you guys will have plenty of time on your hands for the project.”
Plenty of time? Paxton didn’t mind helping out anyone going through a rough patch, but the construction company had projects lined up for the season break from here to Oklahoma and back. “We’d better find Owen, but can we discuss this somewhere other than this cramped bathroom?”
Valerie looked around and chuckled. “Good point. Let’s go outside.”
Paxton followed her with Quinn on his heels. They settled at a picnic table by Molly’s food truck.
Setting her insulated mug on the table, Valerie looked from one brother to the other. “The build is a standard three bed, two bath, two-car garage. Single story. About thirteen hundred square feet. Easy peasy.”
Paxton almost laughed. The way his sister-in-law described the task at hand, she made building a house sound like playing with Legos.
He glanced at Quinn. “Did you know about this?”
Quinn frowned. “Can’t say that I did.”
Valerie shook her head. “The franchise has bought a lot near downtown.”
“Where?” Paxton asked.
“I forget the street. The one where a house caught fire and burned to the ground. The house was a health and safety hazard. The city razed the actual house, left the foundation, and the charity bought it for a song. Owen promised to fit it in, so it’s a go. The network loves the idea of charity work, and with the popularity of Construction Cousins, Tuckers Bluff is now on the map.”
“Great. Next, we’ll have folks from out of state rushing here and pricing the locals out of the market.” Quinn blew out a sigh at his own words. “Present company excepted.”
“Understood.” She shook her head. “I really thought Owen would have filled everyone in on the details. Anyhow, the reason I grabbed you two is that Owen said you guys would be point on this.”
“Us?”
She nodded. “That’s what he said. Rules are the same for this as with all other of the charity projects. The family will be hands on as much as time permits. They have to do their sweat equity.”
“Do they have to have any skills?” Paxton wasn’t keen on having someone on a job site without experience working with power tools. That’s how people wound up in the ER.
“No clue, but most folks about to receive the gift of affordable housing are eager to learn.”
“Marvy,” Quinn grumbled under his breath.
Paxton resisted the urge to agree. The network executives were the bane of his and his brother’s existence. “I’m heading into town.”
“Now?” Quinn’s eyes widened.
“Owen is helping Jamison out at O’Faredeigh’s. I think a little chat might be in order.”
“Works for me.” Quinn nodded.
His brother had to have lost his mind to have squeezed building an entire home from the ground up into their busy off season schedule. Though he did love the idea of a worthy cause, he didn’t see how this was going to work. “What was my beloved twin thinking?”
***
“Oh, look! A playground.” Sandra Lynn’s son turned those puppy dog eyes on her. “Can’t we stop and play? Just for a little bit?”
The last thing she needed was another stop. After driving for so long, all she wanted was to get to her mother’s house, unpack what few belongings she’d managed to bring, and relish in the familiarity of her old room. At the least, she did not want to be driving anymore.
David had grown restless with the long ride. She couldn’t blame him, five-year-olds and road trips across three states, including one as big as Texas, were never a good mix. For the last forty miles, he’d been dancing on her last nerve. She loved her boy more than her own life, but she wasn’t going to take a long road trip with him ever again. Well, maybe once he turned thirty-five.
“Pleeeeease,” David blinked at his mother.
Okay, maybe one more quick break would do them both good. She pulled into an open parking space. With most kids in school, they pretty much had the park to themselves. She’d barely come to a stop and David was out the back door and across the grass like a shot. Straight for the monkey bars. The really tall monkey bars.
Closing her eyes, she said a small prayer that her rambunctious son didn’t wind up in the ER with a broken arm. Opening her eyes, she looked around at the playground that hadn’t been here when she left Tucker Bluffs years ago.
So much had changed since she’d run off to marry Ed, but a few things were still as she left them. The café hadn’t changed a bit, though her mom had told her that Abbie the owner had married a Farraday—one of the many cousins she had run around town and the ranch with during the summers when they were kids. And, of course, Sisters boutique. So many towns had lost their Main Street shopping to big-box stores. It made her smile to see that Tuckers Bluff still had a thriving business district. The familiarity pushed away the tension that had become a way of life for her. And there was the Cut n’ Curl. Polly had been kind enough to hire her part time as a shampoo girl. It wasn’t much, but any work would be a blessing. She would have much preferred her homecoming had been a triumphant return rather than slinking home, divorced, with her tail between her legs, but she was home. That was the important thing. She’d finally broken free from Ed Morton.
“Look, Mom, no hands.”
She glanced up and forced a smile. Did Tuckers Bluff even have an ER? “Be careful. I’m going to call and let Grandma know that we’re close.” Pulling out her phone, she pulled up her mother’s number.
“Sandra. Hey. I thought you’d be here by now.”
“We made a few more stops than I’d planned, but that’s a road trip with a restless boy. We’re at a nice small park in town. We won’t stay too long. I think we should be home within the hour. I figure it’s best to let David run off some of the built-up energy.”
“Good idea. That’s what he probably needs. He’s been cramped in your car for hours, and in that tiny apartment for too long.”
Her husband—ex-husband—had insisted on a fancy modern apartment as if they were young swinging singles and not a family with a boy who needed fresh air and space. At least now he would have it. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Love you, baby, and get him good and tired out.” Her mom chuckled. “He’s all boy.”
Why her mother thought she knew anything about raising boys, Sandra had no idea. She’d been an only child herself. Something she hadn’t wanted for her son, but now, it looked like history was doomed to repeat itself. Not that she’d been raised by a single mother. Her dad had been the best. Made her feel like his princess her whole life. It was one of the hardest parts of moving away with Ed. Her dad had begrudgingly thrown them a wedding, but made it clear to Ed that he didn’t approve of him. At the first possible excuse, Ed had dragged her away to Chicago and wouldn’t even let her come home for her father’s funeral. She really should have listened to her father. But, of course, she wouldn’t have David if she had. Glancing over at her son now swinging so high that she wondered if the swing set’s metal legs wouldn’t pull right out of the ground, she smiled. Boys.
Glancing over at Sisters, a list of things she was going to need ran through her head. Thinking on it, she’d drop David off at her mother’s for some grandmother loving and run to Sister’s. Her gaze drifted back to David. Oh, how she loved that boy. “Daddy, I’m sorry you aren’t going to get to see your grandson grow up,” she whispered. She was sorry about a lot of things.
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