by Natalie Ann
And it was true: women seemed to be drawn to that, the more sober, brooding side of him, especially if he was wearing his uniform.
Unfortunately, it was always the wrong type of woman. The type that wanted a bad boy and thought that’s what he was, which was the furthest thing from the truth. Been there, done that, and learned one valuable lesson to boot.
He wasn’t the bad boy all the women thought he was. And wasn’t as hard or as gruff as the men always said he was either. He just had a ton of responsibility on his shoulders. The men he captained at the fire department needed him to be strong and authoritative. Lives depended on it. The littlest mistake and people died.
Outside of the fire department, an even greater responsibility was on his shoulders. The most important one was at home.
Less than forty minutes later, Olivia returned carrying a pizza box with a bag on top. He hadn’t been watching or listening for her. Not much.
She stopped and looked around the store, walls open, wiring sticking out everywhere, and no place to put the box down. He scooted down the ladder and walked over, lifting the box out of her hands, which quickly had her taking the bag off the top.
“Here, I’ll put this on the saw table for you.”
“I guess that’s better than the floor.”
His lips twitched—he couldn’t help it, not with her looking so cheerful and almost…grateful. He wasn’t sure what that was about and thought maybe he was imagining it.
He heard the click of her heels and knew she was following behind him. The moment he placed the pizza box down, she set some paper plates and napkins next to it.
“I grabbed these too. I figured you didn’t have plates just sitting around.”
“No. It’s not a mandatory item in our toolboxes.”
“Do you have mandatory items that need to be in your toolboxes?”
Finn heard one of the men snorting, then laughing behind her, and sent another scowl Bob’s way. The crew was too used to busting on each other over every little comment. They didn’t have any manners half the time in front of the clients.
At least the crew he was with today didn’t. They were a good time out on a Friday night, but a bit too immature in his eyes. That was probably why he got saddled with them on this job.
Thankfully, he wouldn’t be here every day, but maybe he’d let his bosses, Brynn and Alec, know they should have someone a little bit more professional on site at all times, too. Or at the very least give these boys a talking to. “We have what we need in there.”
“Okay. Ah, I’ll just let you guys eat and get back to work.”
She started to walk away with the bag in her hand. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ve got a salad right here. Too much meat on that pizza for me.”
He heard the scoffs and snorts behind him, turned his head again and glared, but when he turned back around she was in the back room with the door shut. He opened the top of the pizza and saw it was loaded with pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs. She wasn’t kidding.
“You guys need to grow up.”
“What, what did we do?” Mike asked, normally the quietest of the group, but still the most immature. He’d been the one making faces and snorting more than the other two. He didn’t even have the grace to look away when he did it.
“She’s a client. A paying client. This isn’t high school and you know better.” He stopped and turned his head. “All of you do. Treat the client with respect.”
He grabbed a slice of pizza and walked away, but not before he heard, “Why is he always such a grouch?”
Just another description of him. He wasn’t being grouchy though; he was being respectful. The young ones had a lot to learn.
***
Olivia hurried back to her office and shut the door with a click, mortified that her face was red. She hadn’t meant to come off sounding like a fool.
Besides that, she wasn’t stupid; the crew had taken everything she said to another level or a different meaning, just reminding her of why she never dated younger men. Or if she did, it was short term and only for a good time.
There was no need to focus on that, though. She was here to work. Here to build a new life and here to prove she could stand on her own.
She didn’t need her mother, or her father—who was never around anyway—or her stepfather’s connections. Not now, she didn’t. They’d helped her before and wanted to again, but this time, it was all her.
The boss. The businesswoman. The decision maker. Too bad she hadn’t realized how hard it was going to be to do it alone.
“Hello,” she said, answering her phone when she noticed it was her half-sister Sophia Harper calling her—the reason she’d moved to Saratoga in the first place.
“Hi, Olivia. How is it going at the store?”
“Crazy. But I expected no less. I’m locked away in the back room working on that new line of inventory I told you about.”
She debated telling Sophia about how the crew had been acting. Well, not the whole crew. Finn didn’t act that way. In addition, she hadn’t missed the glares Finn shot the other crew when they did act immature. In the end, it would sound like she needed help if she told Sophia, so she kept her lips sealed.
“I can’t wait to see the pieces. Why won’t you let me see your drawings?”
“It’s a surprise. Just because I sketch them out and they look nice, doesn’t mean it’s going to come out the way I want it. A few more days and I’ll have several of the pieces completed. Then I’ll show them to you.”
“If that is the best I can get, I suppose it will have to do. Are you going to be home for dinner tonight?”
Olivia wrinkled her nose. She hated living with Sophia right now, even if it was convenient. And temporary, everyone knew that.
Besides, it wasn’t as if she was in anyone’s way. Olivia was staying in a furnished guest suite in the basement, complete with a small gallery kitchen and a spectacular view of the lake. Too bad all the wood of the log cabin wasn’t her style.
“I should be, but I might lose myself in work, too. It’s been known to happen. If I’m not back by the time you’re ready to eat, just start without me.”
“Will do. Olivia, if I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it again. I’m glad you’re here. You and I both know we didn’t have the most normal of upbringings, and it’s nice for me to have some family close by for once in my life.”
“Motherhood making you sentimental?”
“It is. I always wanted kids. You know that. But having Ian and now Addison, well, it’s everything I’d hoped it would be.”
Olivia tried not to be jealous, but she couldn’t help it. Family…she hadn’t had it either, growing up. Neither of them did. And as sad as it was, at least Sophia had more stability than she did, and that wasn’t saying much at all. “I’m happy for you.”
“Are you?”
“Where did that come from? Of course I am.” Olivia was trying to think. What had she done or said to make Sophia think otherwise?
“You’ve been awfully distant lately. I noticed it when you came home to visit at Christmas. Then you left so quickly. Getting your call in January asking my opinion about opening a jewelry store here came out of the blue.”
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?”
“No. I think it’s a wonderful idea. Saratoga is known for its arts, its wealth, and its tourism in upstate New York. There isn’t anything like what you’re doing here, the custom-made pieces and lines you are creating, mixed in with a traditional store. I think it’s going to be a hit.”
“Thanks, Sophia. I needed to hear that. I’m tired of doubting myself, but it’s a hard habit to break.”
“Just remember, Olivia. I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”
“Older sister mode kicking in?”
“Yes. I know there’s more going on. You picked up your life and made too drastic of a change for something to not have triggered it. When you’re ready, you know where to find me.”
>
There was no use denying what Sophia pieced together. “I appreciate it. You’ll be the first to know when I am.”
“I’ll see you at home tonight.”
Olivia hung up the phone and got back to work. She wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not yet. Maybe never, even though she should. Bottom line was: it was time to grow up.
Unique
Finn rapped his knuckles on the door to the back room and waited a second. Olivia opened it slowly, partially blocking him from seeing what was in there. He knew that this room had been finished completely over a week ago, along with the vault door installed. He’d been back there himself, running the pipes for the sprinkler system.
“Yes?” she asked hesitantly.
“We’re starting to clean up now and should be out of your way within twenty minutes. I wanted to let you know. I can lock up behind us if you’re staying.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize it was that late.” She took a step back and reached for her phone on the table to check the time, allowing him to nudge the door open further with his foot and take a quick glance inside. “You can come in,” she said when she caught him looking at the work on the tables. “I didn’t know who was knocking and didn’t want to just swing the door wide open.”
“I don’t blame you. I bet you have to be cautious with your inventory.”
He looked around, his eyes landing on a necklace that looked like it had been hand-hammered. It was…interesting, and nothing at all what he expected. Thick, almost like a collar, yet lying down further on the collarbone by his guess. There were three holes in it though.
“What do you think?”
He shifted his eyes and caught her stare on his. She flicked those green pools of brightness back to her work, then back to him again. “It’s unique.”
She laughed, the raspy sound of it landing in his chest, then traveled fast to his stomach and stopped with a thud. “It is. It’s one of a kind.”
“You’re making that? I mean, I thought everything just came here in pre-made, or with empty settings or something and you put stones in them.”
“I’ll have plenty of pieces like that. But I also make custom pieces and designs.” She backed into the room and pulled a tray over, showing a bracelet that he guessed was supposed to match the necklace, the same metal hammered out. Only this one had three stones in it, purple in color but in varying shades. “The bracelet to go with the necklace. I’ll set the stones in the necklace tomorrow.”
He traced a finger over the large dark purple stone in the center. “What is it?”
“The stone or the metal?”
“Both.”
“Amethyst and white gold. I’ll make a silver one at some point, slightly different, though, and at a lower price point. This is a special order for a repeat client. It won’t go in the store.”
He looked around the room some more, and caught several pieces in different stages of completion.
“How do you work like this? Half-finished pieces everywhere.”
Her grin—wide and dazzling as sunshine—lit up her face. “Things need to set and cool. While that is happening, I work on another or draw up more designs. I’m always working on something…usually several things at once.”
“I never realized how much work went into it. Like I said, I just thought you bought a setting or whatnot and placed a stone in it.”
“I do that too. And it’s a general assumption. I’m sure those more traditional pieces are what is going to keep me afloat for a long time. Building a client base isn’t easy. Thankfully I’ve made a name for myself in other cities.”
“Where is that piece going, if you don’t mind me asking? I can’t see anyone wearing it around here.” It was excessively fancy…a bit too artsy for this area.
“LA.”
That made sense. She looked like she belonged there herself, especially with pieces like that, if that was the type of stuff she made all the time. “Are all of your pieces that bold?”
“No. I can make whatever someone wants. This isn’t really my style. A little bit too dominatrix for me. But my client wanted it for a premiere.”
“A movie premiere?” Was she serious?
“Yes, and don’t ask me what movie or what client. That’s confidential. But if you happen to see it on this particular woman, I won’t deny it’s mine. I’m sure she’ll say where she got it—actually I hope she does—but until then, it’s a secret.”
This was all over his head. “Anyway, I need to finish cleaning up.”
“I’ll be right behind you. I’ve got dinner plans anyway, so I’m glad you interrupted me.”
Somehow, he wasn’t surprised she had plans. He’d bet the guy wore a three-piece suit and drove a car worth six figures, easily. He turned and walked away, shutting her door behind him.
Twenty minutes later, he watched the crew walk out of the door while he stood against the wall with his arms crossed, thinking about her.
He liked how she smelled. He’d never been one to notice that on a woman before, not unless they drenched themselves in perfume, which he detested.
But not Olivia. She smelled fresh to him. More like lemons or something else citrusy. It wasn’t strong and overbearing, more like pleasant.
He wondered if it was her hair or her soap. He only noticed it when she moved. When she turned to get her phone and her ponytail swung by his face a bit, then grazed his shoulder.
He glanced up when he heard the clicking of her heels, then watched as she came to a standstill, noticing him standing there. Pushing off the wall, he said, “I didn’t want to leave you in here alone.” Not after he realized what she really had back there in the vault.
“That was sweet, but I’ve got an alarm system.”
She was walking forward and he waited for her to meet him across the room. “I know, but I didn’t feel right just walking out on you, not when I knew you were leaving, too.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
They made it to the front door and he watched as she set the alarm. He could have done it. He opened up this morning.
“How many people know the code to that?” He knew that none of the guys on the crew knew.
“I think just a few people at Harper’s, and my sister. I have a separate alarm for the vault, too. So if anyone managed to get in here during construction, they wouldn’t get too far with any pieces. No one knows the code for the vault but my sister, probably her husband, and me. I changed it once the company installed it.”
“That was smart. Hope her husband is trustworthy.”
She smirked, then nodded and he followed her out of the door and then behind the building to the parking lot.
Somehow he wasn’t surprised her car was the sporty little two-door black Porsche parked next to his truck and mixed in with cars belonging to other shops in the area.
“I know, it’s kind of ostentatious, isn’t it?”
He didn’t reply. He was pretty sure she could read it on his face.
“It’s a nice car.” And forget about having a date with a car worth six figures, she had one herself.
“It was a gift from my father. I told him not to, but that’s all he ever does.”
Finn held back a snort. He didn’t know too many people who would turn down a ride like that as a gift. But he didn’t miss the look on her face. The unimpressed look that said she could have cared less. He sure the heck wasn’t used to a woman reacting that way, either.
“I know a lot of people who would enjoy it.”
“I’m sure. It’s a nice car and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. But you know what, I bet most of those people get to see their father, too. Or maybe their father would have hand-delivered it, rather than having it just show up one morning with a note.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. Part of his mind immediately figured she was pampered and then hearing that car was a gift confirmed it. Yet, deep down, he got the feeling she truly didn’t want the car.
“You could ha
ve turned it away.”
“I could have, but it wouldn’t have stopped it from sitting in my driveway anyway. Might as well enjoy it, right?”
“Might as well.” He wouldn’t know what that was like.
Find My Way
Olivia parked her car on the side of the garage and walked around back to the entrance of the guest quarters. Before unlocking the door, she took a moment to look around at the lake and the beauty surrounding her.
It was so quiet, too quiet for her really, but she was enjoying it for the moment. A good place to be in her life in order for her to reflect and move forward.
She walked in, tossed her purse on the couch, and started toward the stairs to the main level.
She didn’t even get her foot to the first step before she heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet. There at the top of the stairs, holding onto the gate, standing on his tiptoes and trying to look over the top, was her nephew Ian.
“Hi, buddy.”
His smile lit up, the clear green eyes—the same ones his mother and she shared, the ones they’d inherited from Ian’s grandmother, Victoria—wide with excitement. Ian still didn’t talk much for a toddler, kind of like his father, Phil, she guessed. But he lifted his arms for her as she made her way closer and said, “A Livi,” in a low voice.
She wasn’t sure if that was his form of “Olivia” or “Aunt Livi.” She’d always hated when someone called her Livi, making her sound immature, like a child, but coming from Ian, she didn’t care.
Stepping over the gate, she reached down and settled him on her hip, giving him a loud smacking kiss on his cheek. She took a few steps into the kitchen to see her sister still dressed from work with an apron over her clothes and her niece, Addison, in the swing looking around.
“Need some help?”
Sophia turned and smiled. “I wasn’t sure you were going to be home for dinner after talking to you earlier.”
“I said I would.”
“True, but we know that doesn’t always mean you will.”
Sophia was joking, Olivia knew that, but unfortunately it was the truth. She didn’t always show up when said she would. She didn’t always take things seriously—commitments or responsibilities—but that was changing.