A New Foundation by Rochelle Alers (philippa perry book txt) 📕

She returned his smile. “Thank you.” Dom left, closing the door behind him, and Sonja shifted her chair to face the door. She didn’t want any more walk-in surprises.

Taylor gave his former coworker a rough hug. “You look incredible.” Robinson had shaved off his beard and his nut-brown face radiated good health.

“I’m trying, Williamson. Let’s go because I’m anxious to see what you’re working with.”

Taylor unlocked the doors to the Infiniti. “Let’s ride, brother.”

Twenty-five minutes later, Taylor tapped the remote attached to the visor, and the gates protecting Bainbridge House opened smoothly. The trees lining the path to the property were in full bloom, and dappled sunlight filtered through the foliage like the brilliant diamonds in the priceless jewels that had been packed away for decades. He’d purposely kept busy to keep his mind off Sonja. The interviews had yielded results with positive prospects to fill the positions for his restoration team.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Taylor gave Robbie a sidelong glance. “What’s the matter?”

With wide eyes, Robbie stared straight ahead. “Why does this château look as if someone picked it up from the French countryside and set it down in Jersey?”

“That’s because someone did, Robbie. I found the original plans and discovered the château was disassembled stone by stone, stored on ships sailing across the Atlantic, then hauled up here by wagon where it was rebuilt.”

“It is magnificent.”

Taylor nodded, smiling. “That it is. The interior is even more impressive.”

Robbie slowly shook his head. “I can see why you quit working for the firm. I would’ve done the same if someone left me this place.”

“This isn’t mine alone. I share the property with my brothers and sister.”

“From what I see, you have enough to share with dozens of brothers and sisters.”

“What’s the expression, Robbie? Too many cooks spoil the broth. Right now it’s just me. Two years from now it will be Joaquin, and then Tariq, and finally Viola.” Taylor had said finally when he wanted to say hopefully. “I’m going to take you around the grounds before we go inside.”

He led Robbie to the stables and barn. “We have paddocks for six horses.”

“Do you plan to house horses on the property?”

“Yes. My brother Tariq is a vet, and his specialty is horses.”

“What are you going to do with the barn?” Robbie asked.

Taylor glanced up at the rotting crossbeams. “I’m seriously thinking of demolishing and rebuilding it. There’s too much rot. I’d like your expertise when I put up another building.”

“What do you plan to use it for?”

“I’m going to need an additional entertainment venue. There are two ballrooms in the main house for weddings and private parties, but after I show you the blueprints, you can suggest how to reconfigure them for meeting rooms and an on-site restaurant. The new structure can be used for larger banquets.”

“Where do you plan to rebuild it?” Robbie asked.

“Behind the main house with an enclosed walkway connecting the two structures.”

“Will the design conform to the château?”

“Yes. I want it to look as if it is a part of the original design. Will that pose a problem?”

Robbie ran a hand over his shaved pate. “Not at all. But I have to admit it will be my first time designing a château. How large do you want it?”

“Between five-and six-thousand square feet.”

Robbie nodded. “That’s enough room for almost two hundred people.”

“That’s sounds about right. Let’s go inside and you’ll see what awaits you.”

Taylor showed Robbie original copies of floor plans and blueprints of the entire property spread out on a banquet table in the larger ballroom. Robbie listened intently when he showed him his blueprint and what he’d planned for the vineyard, orchards, gardens and the golf course. He was forthcoming when voicing reservations about whether to refurbish the golf course.

“I’d keep it, Williamson, because it’s only nine holes. If it were eighteen holes then I’d say scrap it. If you’re going to have guests come for a week or even a long weekend, some may want to play a couple of rounds.”

Taylor smiled. “True, but if they want to exercise they can always use the health center with a workout room and the indoor pool.”

Over the next three hours he showed Robbie the bedroom suites on the second and third floors. He explained the structural modifications he’d planned to make when removing walls and expanding more than half the suites to accommodate four to six guests in each suite. Taylor also told Robbie that he wanted to install two more elevators, bringing the total number to four.

“What do you plan to do with the turrets?”

“I’m still up in the air about the space. I have to confer with my brothers and sister whether they would want live up there or take up residence in the cottages.”

“Where do you plan to live?”

“I’ve claimed one of the cottages.”

“Nice, Williamson,” Robbie drawled. He extended his hand. “If you want an architectural engineer, then I’m your man.”

Taylor shook the proffered hand. “Thanks for joining the team.” He had his two architectural experts: Sonja Rios-Martin and Robinson Harris.

Chapter Fourteen

Taylor brushed a kiss over Sonja’s mouth when she opened the door. As promised, he’d planned to make chicken and waffles for their first Sunday brunch. “Hey, beautiful.”

She flushed with the compliment. “Hey yourself, handsome.”

He’d stopped by the night before and left a container of marinating chicken. He did not ask to stay over and for that Sonja was grateful. She wasn’t quite ready to take their relationship to the next level. After all, they had two years in which to get to know each other in and out of bed.

Not having dinner together for several days had allowed her more time to devote to the contents of the trunks. She had anticipated spending hours on the project so she’d planned slow cooker meals. Beef stew and chili accompanied with salad fortified her for lunch and dinner.

“I’ve set out the cast-iron pot and waffle iron for you.”

“Good.” Taylor held up a small shopping bag. “I have