Starter Home
© by Whisperee

01/2008

Chapter One

"Oh God, what have I done?" Kiki looked from the keys poking through her fingers to the front door of her new house. Her life signed away for a piece of property. She wanted to run back to the realtor's office; surely houses can be returned, like sweaters or appliances, right? She blinked hard and tried to recapture that feeling she had the first moment she'd driven by. There it was: the distinctive portico, the eyebrow dormers that seemed to wink at her. It was his design, she was sure of it. Sure enough to convince the loan officer at the bank, who, by curse or good fortune, was a Walter Ames Parrish fan-boy. She ran into them from time to time, folks who were avid about the work of the 'great designer'. They seemed to know more about the man than she did sometimes. He was literally shaking with excitement when she showed him the photos and went above and beyond to push through the loans for the house and the renovations.

So that was it. The albatross was firmly around her neck now. All she had to do was get through the renovations, run a website during it, and then, somehow, sell it for more than she’d paid for it.

That was all? Kiki set her jaw and squared her shoulders. There was nowhere to go but forward. She let herself in and went straight to the kitchen; there was a lot to do before the contractor came to do the walk-through. And where was Peter anyway? He was supposed to be there to help get the cameras set up for the web cast. Her trouser pocket chirped and she pulled out her cell phone to see a text from her friend. She chuckled as she punched in the phone number.

"Couldn't just call me? I'm right here."

"I didn't know when you'd be done." Peter's tone was almost too apologetic. "Kiki? Don't be mad."

"Mad? About what? Oh no . . . don't tell me you can't make it."

"It's Barb's Aunt, she passed away Thursday and the wake's tonight. We have to go out of town."

Kiki sighed. Was this a harbinger? "I'm really sorry, Peter. Maybe I can reschedule things."

"You don't have to. I hope you don't mind, but I talked to a friend of mine who owes me a favor or two. He's a pro, a documentary film-maker."

"Peter, I can't pay anyone, you know that!"

"No pay needed. He owes me. Barb and I put him up when he split with his wife. He's really good."

"Have I seen anything of his?"

"I wouldn't think so, he does mostly educational stuff. How about it?"

"But you know what I want! Clayton will reschedule if I ask."

"I'm telling you, no need! I filled him in; he'll be great. Better than me, even," he laughed.

Kiki paused; she knew Peter wouldn't pawn off someone second rate on her. "Okay, what's his name?"

"Steve. Steve Morrison. He should be there soon."

"But ... wait, if you've had time to arrange this, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I didn't want to worry you in case things worked out. Okay, Barb's calling, I gotta go."

"Condolences to Barb for me? Bye." She'd barely finished her goodbyes when se heard the doorbell sputter. She raced to answer it only to be greeted by the back of a head. What kind of nut turns around when he rings a doorbell? "Yes?" He turned back and Kiki drew in a quick breath when he grinned at her. A good looking nut.  She wondered what he wanted. "Can I help you?"

"Are you Kiki?" He held out his hand when she answered yes. "I'm Steve, Pete's friend?"

"Good timing, I just got off the phone with him. Thanks for helping out. C'mon in. I hate to hurry you, but there's lots to do."

"Okay, what is it exactly? Set up a camera for a web cast?"

Kiki hit her forehead in frustration. "He said he filled you in! I should have known!" Steve didn't notice her aggravation, he was busy looking around. She expelled a sharp breath; he'd have to do. "Okay, I need to install several cameras around the site here. I need to be able to switch around as the renovations go forward."

"Then what do you do, edit the footage together?"

"No, I'm leaving it up all the time for a website."

"That's brave," he laughed. "And a good way to keep contractors honest; they okay with this?"

"Free advertising on the site and potential referrals? Of course!"

"Makes sense to me. You know there's already a show or two like this on television."

"And I'm not trying to imitate those. The thing is, I'm convinced this house is an unaccredited work by my father, and I'm going to prove it and renovate it to the way it should be, or better, maybe. Its last owners did some god-awful things to it."

"The daughter protecting her father's legacy? Cool idea, hope it works out for you."

"Me too, there's a lot riding on it."

"Sometimes it's good to take a risk." Steve briefly touched her shoulder for reassurance, then pointed to some boxes in the corner. "Those the cameras Pete got?" Kiki nodded in reply. "Let's get started then!"

Kiki soon wondered if Steve had been joking about not knowing what to do, or perhaps he was that good, because the cameras were soon up in the main rooms where she wanted to record progress: master bedroom and bath, kitchen, great room, front hall and the porch. The test runs on her website worked great and she flipped through each one. "Kitchen. It's going to be the hub, I bet." She turned when she heard his voice.

"Of course it is. I was just looking at the alternatives." She hated the annoyed tone in her voice, but she was getting more nervous by the minute.

"You know you could stand a couple more for the best coverage."

"Those are the only ones I could beg, borrow or steal," she sighed. "I'm on a shoestring here."

"I have more sources to beg from," he said with a wink. "I'm sure we could work something out." Kiki raised her eyebrow at that remark, wondering what he meant. "Don't worry, babe, that's how you make the shoestring stretch. I do a favor for you, you do a favor for me." He didn't wait for her to answer, instead casing the kitchen again. "What now? We done? Are you going to go live with this thing or what?"

"Contractor's going to be here soon. So yes. Going to go live with this thing. You don't have to stay, it'll probably be painful for you."

"I'll stick around, see if everything's working, if that's okay." He grinned again, his eyes twinkling at her. She didn't mean to stare, but he was something to look at. Full, wavy hair, greenish eyes, and a charming bit of stubble; she imagined he was the type who only shaved when he had to. Somehow the distraction helped calm her. "I said, okay?"

"Oh, yeah. That'd be great. Shit! It's show time! Where are my notes?!"

~*~

Steve sat on the porch waiting for Kiki to give him a lift home. They hadn't spoken much about the web cast; he thought it better that this first one was behind her. She was as jumpy as a cat at first and fumbled terribly with her note cards. He wished for her sake that she'd pre-recorded her introduction, but it wasn't his call. It wasn't until the walk-through with Clayton that he began to see the potential for her project. She held her own with the contractor, clearly expressing what her plans were and what she wanted from him. It was obvious they'd worked together before and their easy banter showed their mutual respect. And she knew her shit, like Pete had said. He didn't know what kind of audience she'd get, but the Internet attracts all sorts, he knew. Just watching her held some entertainment value. Her short brown hair emphasized her strong features: large brown eyes, arched brows, and mouth that was slightly turned up, even in repose. Graceful, too, not a hint of awkwardness as she bent down to point things out to Clayton, or point upward. All in all, an interesting hour or so. His thoughts were interrupted by the sharp slam of the screen door.

"Ouch! I hope that's one thing you're fixing."

"It's on the wish list," she chuckled wearily, "like a million other things. So, what kind of guy lives in Southern California and doesn't drive a car?"

"I lived most of my life in New York, never needed one there."

"How do you shop? Get to work? Go on dates? Get anywhere?"

How many people had asked him those questions? He'd lost count, but he was able to reel off the answers without thinking. "Online. Live near my studio so I walk. Dates pick me up or we take a cab. I get anywhere any way I can. Friends, strangers, bike. I've even been known to use mass transit from time to time."

"I always thought of New Yorkers as more, I don't know, self-sufficient."

"Resourceful. We're resourceful. And I meet all sorts of people living like this, which is good in my line of work. Never know where the next project is going to come from."

"I'm with you there, I was driving around randomly when I found this place." Kiki opened up her car doors and Steve made himself comfortable in the front seat, telling her where he needed to go.

"I'll let you know about the cameras in the next week or so."

"But you've already done me a favor today."

"Today was Pete's favor. This would be a favor for you, for giving me this ride home."

"Oh, I see how this works now," she laughed. She gave him a sidelong glance. "Now you know this wasn't a setup, don't you?"

He paused. "Wasn't it?" he teased; Pete hadn't said one way or the other, but no harm trying.

"No. What did he tell you? He should know better than that!"

"It's okay, babe, I was teasing, the subject didn't come up at all, believe it or not. So I take it you are non-set-uppable?" He pointed to her fingers on the steering wheel. "No ring."

"It's in process," she said sheepishly.

"Ah, I see. Too bad." The traffic suddenly slowed to a crawl; it looked like they were in for a longer car ride than he expected. "Tell me about him then. Why wasn't he at your first web cast?"

"Oh, I'm sure he'll come sooner or later."

"I thought you said it was a big deal to you?"

She shrugged in resignation. "He'll come when I tell him about it."

She said the last so quietly that Steve had to think about what he heard. "Oh, that speaks volumes," he laughed.

"Oh, he knows about the house, he's behind this one hundred per cent!" she added quickly, "Just not the web cast part. It's probably a mistake, but it's just something I wanted to do on my own. Shit, why am I telling you this?!"

"Because it's easier to talk to strangers than friends or family sometimes."

"You're probably right. Anyway, he has his own ideas about these things, and I wanted it to be mine, for better or worse. Although it might end up being worse, given how today went."

"You were great after you got over your jitters; you might want to ditch the cards and just speak off the cuff."

"Thanks, probably no one saw it, anyway."

"You never know, oh hey, this exit." He pointed to the off-ramp and Kiki careened to make it. A few streets here, there, and she was at his condo. "If this were a set-up, I'd ask you up for a drink."

"But it's not."

"No. But no harm in expanding one's circle, is there? Pete's your friend, I'm Pete's friend. Why not?"

She laughed at his logic, but in her mind she conducted a quick go-/no-go analysis. What was wrong with making a new friend, especially a non-driving photographer whose eyes seemed to look right into her? Was his humor as wicked as his smile intimated? One cup of coffee was a small price to pay to find out. "Oh no, damn, I can't!"

"Sure, okay." He hopped out of the car and she immediately rolled the window down to call after him.

"No really, Steve, I have to get home, Ted and I have been invited to his parents for dinner."

"You're a busy lady, I understand."

"Next time, if you're able to find another camera or two. I'll pay you back with coffee."

He leaned into the window and grinned. "Got a deal." He pulled his phone from his pocket. "Can I get your cell number?"

She arched her brow again at his request. "Not a set up, right?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I think Kiki Parrish is worth getting to know, set-uppable or not-set-uppable."

"Thank you for being disappointed," she answered, before reeling off her digits.

"Got it," he said, flipping down his phone. "See you later." He thumped the windowsill and stepped back onto the curb. She couldn't help herself from watching him in the rear view as she pulled away.

"Get a grip, girl!" she told herself, feeling slightly guilty at feeling attracted to him. The phone tingled in her purse, and she reached for the Bluetooth earpiece and quickly answered. "I'm here, I'm here, yes?"

"Oh, good, just checking to see if the number works."

"You thought I'd give you a fake number?"

"Are you driving? You shouldn't be talking while you're driving!"

"I've got an earpiece, I'm hands free."

"Hmmmm ... hands free to do what?" His voice was low and smooth and in her ear, for God's sake, and it was sending chills through her.

 A low giggle erupted in her throat. "Free... to drive my car."

"Engine running well?"

"It's practically purring." He was definitely wicked, that much was clear, and it was distracting her from driving. "I think I need to stop this conversation now, Steve."

He giggled into her ear. Giggled! "Just when it was getting interesting. Okay, I'll let you go. Keep that engine purring, Kiki-cat."

Kiki-cat? Had she heard right? She giggled and shut off her phone, she didn't want to hear any other voices in her ear for a bit.

~*~

"How'd it go, sweetheart?" Ted Duncan greeted Kiki at the door off their place with a full body hug. Kiki let herself be engulfed and buried her face into his chest. He was almost a foot taller than she, and she had to tip her head up to meet his gaze.

"I'm exhausted, baby. I think the lawyers get paid by the signature. Then the walk-through with Clayton. Lots to do, I hope I have the budget for it." She tried to make it sound like a full day, no need to mention the web cast, or her new acquaintance.

"Why won't you let me help you, Kiki? Just think how great a job you'd do with more help!"

"We've been through this, Ted. Can you drop it?"

"Okay, okay, my stubborn girl. But you're not the only one exhausted by a day with lawyers and bankers. Drink?"

"No, I'll wait until we get to your folks'," she answered while heading to the bedroom to change. "What was your meeting about?"

"You'll see. Dad has a surprise."

"A surprise?" Kiki was curious, but Ted stayed tight-lipped, dutiful son he was. "I'm not sure I'm up for any of your Dad's surprises tonight, Ted."

"You'll like this one, sweetheart, don't worry."

They arrived at Teddy's place in time for cocktails. Even though Ted's mother was alive and very well, Kiki always thought of their house as Teddy's, for she knew he had a hand in every piece of furniture, every knick-knack, and every piece of art in the place. She wondered if her and Ted's friends thought the same thing about her place. Teddy greeted her with his own hug, a huge bear-like one befitting his name. He was as tall as his son, but heavier set, with a full head of white hair. "So, you're a homeowner now, Katherine?"

"I think it owns me," she joked, taking the generous gin and tonic he offered.

"The first one always feels that way, honey. Let's go toast your venture at dinner, I can't wait to get to dessert." He held out his arm to escort Kiki to the dining room, where the Duncan excess extended to the dinner table. Teddy presided over the conversation, as usual, but he was a lively and excellent storyteller, and Kiki hung on every word. Ted and his mother Carolyn had heard his stories many times, but they still laughed at the familiar jokes. Kiki watched Ted listening to his Dad. Funny that the father had the diminutive name, and Ted used the more formal one. But Ted would never be a Teddy. More educated than his father, he used his number smarts to make deals whereas Teddy used his people smarts. Watching Ted laugh, she wondered if he'd be as successful without his Dad’s ability to schmooze. "So, Katherine, had enough? Are you ready for your surprise? Come into the drawing room."

There was coffee waiting there for them, and an easel covered with a sheet. "Go on, Kiki, look at it."

"Art?" she asked, looking quizzically from father to son before pulling the sheet. It was an aerial photo of a parcel of land. Looking closely at the surrounding area, she figured its location. "Santa Monica? There's an available parcel in Santa Monica? Wow!"

"Yes. And we've an option on it, Kiki, to build the Village at Duncan Gardens, the first LEED platinum lifestyle center."

 "A green shopping center? Isn't that an oxymoron?"

"Now Kiki, the retail is just a small portion, it will be mainly housing. A little community right where there was nothing before. A sustainable community."

Kiki tried not to roll her eyes. She knew what the Duncan's developments were usually like, and no one needed more of those. "Congratulations, that's great. I'm not clear on the surprise though."

"I'm going to develop it, sweetheart. Dad's letting me take the reins on this one. And I want you to design it and help get the LEED certification, too."

"But Ted, I've cut back at work so I can work on the house! Certification will take months, and then there's the permitting, public hearings, and all that! It's a lot of work."

"Ted thinks you can handle it, Katherine, and so do I."

"Gene's not ready to let me have full design control, Teddy, especially given my relationship with Ted."

"Gene's on board with this; it's been arranged." Kiki wondered what carrot had been dangled in front of her boss's nose.

"A sustainable project from Duncan Development. That'll help the community process, calling it green. You know what they say, green is the new black."

Teddy broke out into a deep, hearty laugh. "Very funny, my dear, I must remember that one."

"Dad, I think she was being ironic."

"No, not our Katherine." Teddy chucked her under her chin and reached for his coffee. "When are you going to make her a Duncan, son? We'd be proud to have her in the family officially."

"I'm not sure she's ready to stop being a Parrish yet, but it's not for my lack of trying." Kiki raised a brow at him, annoyed he'd made it sound so one-sided.

"She wouldn't have to, she could use both," Carolyn offered.

"I don't know," Kiki said shyly.

"I keep telling her all the famous architects have three names: Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Ames Parrish, and last, but best, Katherine Parrish Duncan."

"That sounds lovely, dear, don't you think?"

"It's growing on me. Anyway, I'm much too busy to plan a wedding with the house renovations, and now this… surprise."

"So you'll do it?" Ted lifted her up and twirled her around. Kiki thought she really didn't have much choice. It had, after all, been arranged.

"Yeah, but my house is first, understand?"

The men broke out into laughter. "See? My stubborn girl!" Ted said again.

"And dear, we have people who could plan the wedding, it doesn't make sense to do-it-yourself these days!" Carolyn said with a sweet smile, and Kiki wondered if that was a dig at her project.

"If he ever actually proposes, I'll talk to you about a planner."

"Theodore James Duncan, you said you've tried!"

"We've talked about it, Mother."

"But have you gotten down on one knee and presented a ring?"

"Well…"

"Now honey-lamb, be patient. He's a Duncan, he knows how to treat a lady. He just wants it to be the perfect time, right son?"

"Right, Dad." Ted leaned down to kiss her on the cheek and brushed his lips against her ear. "I'll give you the Duncan treatment at home, lady-of-mine."

They said their goodnights shortly thereafter and hurried home to take to bed. After a stressful day, Kiki was happy for the release that came with their lovemaking, and relieved that they didn't discuss the night's events.

It would have been perfect if only he’d said "hmmm" in her ear.

Chapter Two