This is a re-posting of an original story from 2007 entitled Quartet - Ingrid. I have attempted to improve the grammar, punctuation and, I hope, the readability of the story.
*
He picked up the local phone book, flipped to the Yellow Pages and found what he was looking for. Punching in the numbers on the keypad, he listened as it rang. Just after the second ring, a soft female voice answered.
"Ingrid's Designs, how may I help you?"
"Good Morning. My name is Steve Inhalt, and I was given your firm's name by Roger Anthony. I understand you did some work for him and he was very complimentary with the results."
"I'm pleased that he's pleased," she said, again in a soft, very feminine voice.
"I didn't catch your name, miss."
"I'm Ingrid Solberg, the proprietor and sole employee, Mr. Inhalt."
"Miss Solberg, I recently purchased a home in West Vancouver and it badly needs modernizing. Mr. Anthony is a client of mine and I trust his judgment. He says you can do the job, and that I will be satisfied. I'd like to arrange an appointment to meet with you and show you the property. We can go from there."
"Thank you for calling me Mr. Inhalt. I can't make it today, but how about tomorrow afternoon, say about three?"
"Three will be fine. I'll look forward to seeing you then. Bye."
"Goodbye," again with that soft, smooth-as-silk voice.
He hung up the phone and wondered what sort of woman was the possessor of that provocative voice. He couldn't remember being turned on by just a voice on the phone before, but she had come close. He walked back to the spare bedroom in his apartment and resumed his work.
At three the next afternoon he was standing in the empty shell that was to become his residence. He looked out the curtainless picture windows to English Bay below and Vancouver Island in the distance. The entrance was just to his left. Anyone approaching the front door would have to come past the big windows.
When Ingrid Solberg walked by the windows at a minute after three, he was stunned. She was the most spectacular woman he had ever seen. In the two or three seconds that she was in view, he absorbed all the information he could from what he had seen. She was tall, medium length dark red hair, voluptuously proportioned, and had an almost imperial posture. She didn't just walk, she strode to the front door.
He waited a couple of seconds after her knock to compose himself before walking to the door. He opened it and looked straight into her clear blue eyes. She wore a lovely smile as she held out her hand.
"Mr. Inhalt?"
"Yes, yes, uh Miss ...?"
"Solberg."
"Yes, Solberg. Please come in." He realized he was stammering, and must have looked as awkward as he felt.
"You're right on time," he said, searching for something to say.
She was wearing a pale blue sleeveless blouse, navy blue slacks with a bright yellow belt and shoes. Despite her physical appearance, she was all business.
"Actually, I was a couple of minutes early. I wanted to look around the property and see what's what. No good doing up the inside if the place isn't going to make it on the outside."
She said it in a matter-of-fact manner, but with a light smile on her face. That smile seemed to be a consistent feature.
"Well, actually, I do have plans for the exterior. The siding is to be stained. The carport floor will be lowered eighteen inches and the space made into a proper garage. The little galley will be expanded into the back to permit a full size, fully equipped kitchen. Why don't we walk around and I can show you what I'm planning."
"Great, let's go."
"Why don't you lead and I'll follow and tell you what I'm thinking," he suggested.
"Fine." Again, that smile.
As he walked behind her he looked at her more openly. Regardless of how he tried, he couldn't help being distracted by this woman. Her skin was a soft white; she was certainly not a sun worshiper. Her lovely, bare shoulders and arms were sprinkled with tan freckles. He had never thought of freckles as sexy, but this woman changed all that.
She would walk a few feet, make a couple of verbal observations, and write a few notes. She took pictures with a small, pocket flash camera. When she turned to face him, he saw the freckles on her forehead and cheeks. Very sexy, he thought. He began to wonder where else those freckles appeared. Her question caught him in mid-daydream.
"Pardon, I'm sorry I didn't hear your question," he stammered again. She had him completely off balance.
Once again that enigmatic smile and silky voice.
"Who have you chosen to do the construction work?"
"Tony Blanton. He also came recommended by a client. Talking to him, he was thinking a lot like me, so he was an easy choice."
He had recovered some of his composure.
"You're very lucky to have clients who can steer you to the right people," she said, looking over her clipboard at him.
"I certainly am." He was looking directly at her. She smiled slightly and turned back to the house.
"Tony's a good choice. He does solid, quality workmanship, not flashy, and is usually on time if his clients don't mess him up with changes."
That sounded like a hint. He made a mental note not to frustrate Tony with last-minute decisions or delays.
"That's a good point and one of the reasons I've called you. I want to get a head start on the detail decisions and make sure we don't get behind or miss something."
He was beginning to regain his usually orderly thinking.
"I'd like you to assess the space and give me some renderings on what you think will work."
"Pardon me for being nosy, but is there a Mrs. Inhalt to share in these decisions?" she asked with a serious look.
