by Lia London
Her face became unreadable for a moment. “I don’t know if I’m ready to run all the way to Portland.”
“No pressure,” he assured her. An image of her sitting in these pajamas across from him at his own kitchen table teased him, and he smiled at the feeling. “But if you do, my door is open.”
“Yes, Dopey,” she quipped, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Was she calling him stupid? He was too tired to balk.
“Can I tell you my news, and maybe it’ll help you know what to do.”
Maris pulled herself upright. “This I’ve got to hear.”
“I think I just got us some pretty good publicity.”
“Us?”
“Well … it started out as me, but I’m dragging you and the shelter into it, since that’s what started it.”
“Tell.”
“Ever heard of Chieko Makiguchi of KGW News?” He went on to explain how Chieko planned to run a feature segment on Angel’s Rest the day the Lumberjack shipment arrived. “It’s a local-guy-does-good story, but it wouldn’t have happened without you, Maris.”
“I’m pretty sure Lumberjack wasn’t going to pay me in body wash.”
He gave a wry smile. She meant it as a compliment, but he wanted to prove to himself he had other gifts.
If only he could find them.
“You’re pensive over there,” said Maris, reaching her hand towards him.
He let his hand flop forward, lacing his fingers through hers. The perfect fit. “Maybe I’m a little tired after all.”
“Come on,” she said, standing up. “Sounds as if we have a lot to plan, and some big decisions to make, and I, for one, need my brain awake to do that.”
Crawford yawned at her, bewildered. “Where are you going?”
“To bed.”
“You got a guest room?”
“Nope.” She leaned sleepily against the back of the couch. “I’ve got work in the morning, and you’re coming with me.”
His eyes popped wide. “To work?”
“Yes. But now, to bed.”
Did Maris not understand the whole pull comment he’d made earlier? Dazed, he followed her into her room.
She left the room darkened. “Shoes off please, but keep the jeans on unless you brought jammies.”
At the edge of the bed, she yawned. “Hit the lights in the other room, huh?”
Crawford did as commanded, then stood in the doorway.
She tucked herself under the covers on the far side of the bed and lay with her back to him.
Acutely aware of his pounding pulse, he toed off his shoes and lifted the blankets. They smelled of lavender and Maris, and he ached at the sweetness of it.
Slipping under the covers, he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling in silence, unsure of how he could stand being this close to Maris without getting much, much closer.
Cautiously, he rolled to his side, facing her, tracking the shadowy line of her curves in the darkness.
“Goodnight, Crawford,” she mumbled. “I’m so grateful you came.”
“Of course,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. Unable to hold back entirely, he stroked her arm and came to rest, nuzzling his cheek into her flowing hair. His heart beat four more times, and he silently added, I love you, Maris.
As if she’d read his thoughts, she let out a soft, happy sigh and rolled back just enough to spoon against him.
It took him a few minutes to steady his breathing and will his body to stay put, but then exhaustion overtook him. He slept with his arm encircling her until morning. It was the most profound and perfect sleep he’d ever experienced.
An Angel’s Rest.
Chapter 13 ~ A Hostile Take Over
Claudia caught up with Maris and Crawford in the elevator, and her eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Jacuzzi, coming back for more.” Her eyes devoured him. “A little rumpled, are we? Pull another all-nighter with the boss’ daughter?”
Maris ground her teeth. Considering what Claudia undoubtedly did with the boss, she had no room to cast sleazy aspersions. “He’s—”
“I arrived this morning,” said Crawford.
Maris cast him a look of wonder. Technically, he spoke the truth, though his arrival in the wee small hours wasn’t what Claudia would construe.
Emboldened by his obvious disdain for Claudia, Maris lifted her chin. “We’ve got a few calls to make and orders to place, and then we’ll be at the Annex for the day. You won’t have to deal with his wrinkled shirt.”
Claudia tapped the Man Up logo on his chest with a finger, leaning into him with a coy smile. “Too bad.” She sneered at Maris. “Guess I’ll have to settle for watching the Recreation Nation commercial again and again.”
Crawford took a step back and made a point of staring at the doors with grave focus. “If that’s your idea of work.”
The elevator door dinged open to reveal Maris’ father. His brows shot up as Claudia’s hand retracted from Crawford’s chest. Both of them stammered in greeting with flushed faces.
Maris unsuccessfully stifled a snort and darted out with Crawford on her tail, scurrying down the hall to her office. As she passed Adi’s office, she drummed her fingers on the door in their rhythmic code for summoning a private meeting.
A moment later, Adi swept into Maris’ office and shut the door behind her. “Hi. You must be Crawford.” She held out her hand. “I’m Adi Dar. It’s really nice to meet you. Maris told me what you did for the Annex.”
Crawford’s uncharacteristic blush tickled Maris, and she added, “Isn’t he wonderful?”
“He is,” said Adi. “But I’ve got bad news.”
Maris dropped into her seat, unwilling to let go of the high she’d experienced all morning. Waking in Crawford’s arms, his soft kiss, and his tender words all told her Happily Ever After waited just around the corner.
“What now?”
“Scuttlebutt in the room next to mine—the breakroom, Crawford. I can hear everything that goes on in there—is Queen Claudia has made a decree: No long-term lease on the building for the Annex.” Adi pinched her face in a poor but recognizable imitation of Claudia. “We are not in the business of renting buildings. We charge rent. If those homeless people aren’t paying, then neither are we.”
Crawford squinted. “Does she not understand the definition of homeless?”
The color drained from Maris’ face, and her legs began to shake. “She’s pulling funding?”
“After one year. I wouldn’t fantasize about renewal options.” Adi leaned back, her arms crossed. “She’s a piece of work, that Claudia,” she grumbled to Crawford. “She knows the Annex is Maris’ baby, and she’s been trying to kill it ever since she found out about it.”
“She can’t do this to me,” Maris moaned.
“She can, honey. You tendered your resignation. You won’t be around to say anything.”
Crawford expelled a long stream of air. “So, this whole thing is suddenly very temporary, huh?”
Worried dimples marked Maris’ forehead. “Oh, Crawford! After you donated your whole—” She covered her mouth to hold back the tears.
“No, no. Don’t worry about that,” he said, his hand closing over hers. “I’m just wondering if we need to cancel the feature Chieko’s doing.”
Adi perked up. “What feature? Who’s Chieko?”
As Crawford explained the publicity to be gained from the feature story, Maris gazed at him with overwhelmed appreciation. Yet it wouldn’t be enough if Claudia cancelled the lease. In her stupid, immature haste, Maris had given up her position at Conway Comm and wasted all of Crawford’s effort and sacrifice.
“Hmm,” said Adi, chewing the inside of her cheeks. “Hmm, hmm, hmm. Lots to think about there.” She pursed her lips and eyed Maris pointedly. “Don’t cancel the feature, and don’t forget you’ve given notice. You, my little angel, can accomplish a lot before you actually leave!”
Crawford gave her a lazy grin.
“Think of how much you’ve changed me in … has it even been two weeks?”
Maris flushed with warmth. “Oh, you were already Prince Charming. I just had to get your uniform out and dry clean it.”
“Oh.” He brushed off the shoulders of his t-shirt. “Then I’m already to go fight the evil witch?”
“And rescue all the peasants,” said Adi, standing to go. Before slipping out the door, she wagged a finger between Crawford and Maris. “And then you kiss the fair princess and all that good stuff.”
Crawford saluted. “Yes, ma’am.” The door clicked shut, and he stood to lean over the desk, placing a sweet, lingering kiss on Maris’ lips.
She sighed. “So much good stuff.”
After a few hours of painting and cleaning, Crawford grimaced. “Ugh, my man scent is coming on.”
Maris looked up from her crouched position beside electric sockets where she was installing safety covers. “You mean your entourage of hygiene products can’t stave off the sweat?”
“I forgot to pack any. I was in such a hurry to get here.”
Maris beamed at him. “Oh no. Are you turning into a dumb blonde, too?”
“Always was.” He stretched, feeling muscles tightening from too much sitting followed by unfamiliar repetitive movements. Maybe he could take a jog to loosen up.
“What time is the shipment coming in?” asked Maris, crawling to the next outlet.
Crawford watched her move for a moment before blinking back into the present. “Huh? Oh, 2:45-ish.”
“Is the reporter going to be here in time?”
“Oh yeah. Chieko’s nothing if not totally reliable.”
Maris arched a brow, freezing mid squat. “You know her that well?”
A prickling crept up the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah. We met once before during a TV show. We had some scenes together that never aired.” No point in giving more details.
“Oh. Cool.” Maris bent back to work. “Why don’t you head back to my house and shower up so you’ll be all hunkalicious for the cameras?”
“Good idea. Maybe I’ll grab some clean clothes, too.”
“Great.” She jumped up and came to his side. “I should be paying you for all this work.”
“No, we’re friends, Maris. I want to help.”
“None of my other friends kiss me like you do,” she said with a flirtatious wink. “I think maybe you’re something other than a friend.” She squeezed his arm. “But you do stink. Go. Lather up with Lumberjack!”
“You have some?”
“Uh, I guess not. You’ll have to settle for something fruity or floral.”
He swept a fingerful of her hair up to his nose. “I’ll survive. See you at two-thirty.”
“My keys are there by my bag,” she said pointing. “You might need those to get in my house.”
“Right. Thanks. I’ll be back soon.”
Driving back to her home, Crawford marveled at Maris’ trust in him. She’d said he was something other than a friend. What was his role? Was he ready to play it?
As he let himself into her front door, he surveyed the place she called home. Its peaceful charm glowed with a woman’s touch. It felt like a home, not merely a place to live.
But as he stepped into the shower and dabbed Flirty Femme into his hair, he panicked. He pulled aside the shower curtain and stared at his reflection in the mirror over the sink, scarcely recognizing the man he saw. The aura of Ladies’ Man fogged over, and the cloud of uncertainty began circling in.
“Excuse me, do you know where I can find Crawford Andrews?”
Maris glanced up from her labor of pulling up drop cloths to see a petite woman in a bright yellow windbreaker with a KGW logo on it. “Oh wow! You’re here!” She glanced at her watch. Kicking the plastic sheets aside, she brushed off her hands and came forward to give the woman a welcoming handshake. “You must be Chieko. Crawford told me all about you. Thanks so much for coming.”
“Yes, thank you. Chieko Makiguchi, KGW News. Is Crawford here?”
“I expect him any second. He had to clean up after working on this all day.” Maris smoothed her hair back, aware of how unkempt she was in her work clothes. “I’m Maris Conway of Conway Community Builders, by the way. This is the future home of a homeless shelter we’re sponsoring.” She swept her hand in a wide arc. “Crawford has been instrumental in getting most of this done.”
Chieko spun in a half circle, her appraising eye taking in the tidy, vast space. “So you’re the little lady who wooed him into doing all of this?”
Maris laughed. “Oh, he knows what he’s doing. He took the lead on half of it.”
“I bet he did.” A glimmer in Chieko’s eyes set off warning bells in Maris’ stomach.
Maris resumed kicking the drop cloths aside. So, Crawford had reconnected with her recently. Was she an acquaintance, or an old flame? Maris cleared her throat. “Like I said, he’s been a big help. I expect him any minute.”
“Great. Mind if my cameraman sets up? I see the truck arriving now, so we’ll go get shots of that first.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
Chieko went to the door and called orders out to someone she called James.
Maris eyed the truck which was backing up to the wrong unit, and knew she’d have to push her way past Chieko to get through the door. Would she be able to tell Maris was a silly, jealous fool?
She bit her tongue. What was she thinking? She wasn’t anything to Crawford. They’d met two weeks ago. This whole fling had started with a bid on a resort getaway. She could claim no right to be jealous one way or the other, and she was an idiot to think he didn’t have a girlfriend back in Portland, whether it was Chieko or someone else.
Heaving a sigh, she pressed through the door and jogged over to the driver of the semi cab to give directions for loading. When she turned back, a young woman with short, bleached hair pushed a baby stroller up onto the strip mall sidewalk with a wide grin.
“Hey!” called out the woman cheerfully.
Maris squinted without recognition. “Hey?”
“It’s me, Megan. From the other night.”
“Oh my gosh! I didn’t recognize you with the new hairdo.” Maris rushed forward to hug her. “The baby! How are you two doing? Where’d you go afterwards?”
“My parents took me back in after they heard about Angel.”
“Angel?” she dropped to her knees and peeked into the stroller.
“Yeah, your boyfriend said this place was called Angel’s Rest, so I thought I’d name my little girl after it.” She tugged the blanket back, revealing a small, dark face with mounds of black, swirling hair.
“Angel,” whispered Maris. She grinned up at Megan. “She’s beautiful! You must be so happy!”
“Happy and scared, but I have a better chance now, thanks to you. I don’t know what I would have done if you and your boyfriend hadn’t been here that night.”
“I smell another chapter in this story,” said Chieko, appearing behind Megan. “What’s this all about?”
Megan reached down to pick up her baby, explaining all the while how Maris and “her boyfriend” rescued her the night of her baby’s birth.
“His name is Crawford,” said Maris, wishing Megan would stop linking them together.
“Your boyfriend?”
“Yes,” answered Chieko for her. “So, you were the first person to benefit from the people of Angel’s Rest?”
“I guess so.” Megan shifted Angel to her other arm.
“Want to be on TV?”
Megan’s eyes widened with enthusiasm, and a few minutes later, she sat outside the dorm unit recounting her adventure one more time.
With inexplicable animosity roiling in her, Maris wanted to fume, but as she watched Chieko in action, she saw genius. Chieko drew from the girl a tale of her life on the streets as a homeless teen, and how this place with kind people who treated her well was a miracle for her.
By the time Megan finished, James the cameraman
panned over to the enormous stack of Lumberjack hygiene supplies, and Chieko launched into a glowing tribute to Crawford Andrews and his spirit of volunteerism and altruism.
Maris could tell that Chieko and Crawford had been more than casual acquaintances.
She stopped to view the tape with James as Crawford pulled up in his Mustang.
Maris signaled to Megan, and the two went over to meet him. “Guess who’s here?”
“Chieko?” asked Crawford.
Maris frowned. Did he have feelings for her? “No. I mean, yes. But I meant Megan from the other night with her beautiful baby girl—named Angel!”
“Sweet!” Crawford bounded from the car and swept Megan and the baby up in a hug. “This is awesome! Baby can be the mascot!”
With a smile, Maris stepped back. Her heart and brain kept swirling around and going over bumps, too emotional, with ups and downs and sucker punches happening all day.
Chieko strolled over. “Ready for your part of the show?”
“Me?” Maris wilted. “I’m all grubby from working all day.”
“Good. Then we’ll have truth in journalism.” She waved her hand back at Crawford. “No one will believe he lifted a finger, looking like a breezy supermodel.”
As Chieko nudged Maris into position for the camera, her face softened. In an almost maternal gesture, she combed Maris’ hair back with her fingers.
“Don’t get your hopes up too high. Guys like Crawford look amazing holding a baby, but he’s not in the market for one.”
Though Chieko’s fingers were gentle, her words cut through Maris’ lungs, drawing a gasp. “What do you mean?”
“He doesn’t commit.” She gave a meaningful look.
“Were you two together, then?”
Chieko shook her head, a hint of sadness playing at the corner of her mouth. “I had my glorious weeks with him last summer. I cut it off when I found out he hit on two other women at the same time. They were my cast mates, so I found out.”
“Oh my …” Bile rose in Maris’ throat. “Can you give me a minute before we film. I need to … freshen up.”