by Natalie Ann
“And she turned out just fine,” Olivia said, trying not to get aggravated. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. She didn’t need a father figure or older brother this late in life. “I know enough about Finn. He’s a nice guy, and he seems like a great father. And yes, I know he is thirty-six, nine years older than me. So?”
“Oh boy, I know that look,” Phil said, turning to see Sophia’s smirk.
“What do you know about Finn?” Sophia asked Phil, and Olivia was happy. She didn’t want to ask; she didn’t want to seem like she was going behind Finn’s back finding out anything, but if Sophia asked and she happened to be in the room when Phil answered…well, that was okay.
Phil pulled the bottle out of Addison’s mouth now that it was drained and put her on his shoulder, lightly patting her back.
“Not much. He’s a fireman, but you know that. He’s worked for us a few years now. Alec has more interaction with him than I do. I’ve seen him a few times on job sites. I guess you could say he is more of a father figure on site.”
Olivia had noticed that too. “Is that a shot at his age, which is younger than you?”
“Nope, just that he stays to himself and keeps the crew in line. The younger ones can get playful at times. He keeps everyone on track. Alec wanted to make him a foreman a few years ago, but Finn turned it down.”
“Why?” Olivia could see he would be a good one. It seemed to her he pretty much controlled things now.
“Said he had enough responsibility at the firehouse and didn’t feel he could give it everything it demanded on this job. The fire department comes first, and we know that. Brynn and Alec put him on jobs where he can run the show anyway, and Andy or one of the other foremen can just come and go as needed. They’ve got a lot of faith in Finn and his ability.”
Olivia nodded. She’d seen that too at her store. The crew looked to Finn with questions more often than not.
“What about his son? Trey, right?” Sophia asked. “What do you know about that situation?”
Since the question was directed at Phil, he answered, “Not much. Single father, no clue about the mother. It’s never come up. I really don’t know anything personal about him, sorry. But I haven’t heard anything bad, either.”
“Thanks, Phil,” Olivia said before Sophia could ask another question. She was starting to feel guilty talking about Finn right now. Not that she brought it up, but she figured she’d better stop it.
“Just be careful.”
“I will.”
Play Fair
Finn dropped Trey off at school and climbed back in his truck, drove to the firehouse, parked, grabbed his hat off the seat, put it on his head, and walked in to relieve the captain on shift. “Quiet night,” he commented.
He kept the scanner next to his bed so he knew if there were calls or not. He had to be available if there was a punch out, all men on deck called in.
“Yep. Let’s hope you have one too. Just one call and it was a false alarm last night.”
They always wanted quiet nights. Quiet nights meant no lives on the line.
“Have a good day. See you in a few,” Finn said and watched the other captain walk out the door to his own family.
One by one, Finn watched the shift change, looked over what needed to be done today, and started scheduling the work out.
“You’re doing work at that new jewelry store on Broadway, right?”
Finn looked up to see Chris, one of the code enforcers, talking and flipping through the list of stops he had for the day. “Yeah, why? Time for an inspection?”
“It’s on my list. Anything I need to look out for?”
“Since I’m working there, you know everything’s in line.”
Finn was a code enforcer too. He’d been one before he was a captain and still had those responsibilities, but he couldn’t sign off on his own work.
“Hardly. Just tells me it’s going to be an easy site visit. It’s quiet here today. Why don’t you ride with me on the visits?” Chris asked.
Finn looked over at their assistant chief. Every shift had a captain and assistant chief on duty. “Sure, go on. Get out of here and enjoy the day. Chris has been complaining how lonely he’s been going on inspections. I don’t want to listen to any whining today.”
“Sounds good. Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”
Guess today was his lucky day. He hoped Olivia would be in today. She knew his schedule by now. Or at least, he tried to remind her when he saw her. But he knew she was going to be in and out all week running errands and getting things ready for the store’s grand opening.
An hour later, they pulled in front of the store and got out, put their hats on—part of the uniform—and walked to the front door.
“If it isn’t Finn. Here in official capacity?”
“Nope, just a ride-along on this one. Everyone defer to Chris. Hey, Andy, I didn’t know you’d be here today.”
“Someone has to keep these guys in line when you aren’t around.” There were a few chuckles when that was said, but it was the truth. “I want to get the guys started on the bathrooms today.”
There was one bathroom in back off the vault room. The same bathroom the guys used if need be right now. Also a conference room and gallery kitchen, as well as a permanent workspace for Olivia and an office, but neither of those spaces were completed. Now they were getting ready to put in the two public bathrooms for the store.
“Chris, if you have any questions, Andy is your man.”
Finn was looking around trying to figure out the best way to see if Olivia was in or not. Since they parked in front, he wasn’t able to see if her car was out back.
“Pretty lady is working if you want to say hi,” Bob said, not doing a very good job of hiding his smirk.
Guess it wasn’t much of a secret at this point. Olivia had flirted enough with him in front of the men, not to mention they’d had lunch again yesterday. Left and returned together in her car, no less.
“I’ll just go say hi then.”
He walked back, saw the door closed and was going to just open it without knocking, but thought better of it. Instead he rapped his knuckles once and waited.
She opened the door a crack, the shock written all over her face, then the pleasure and he couldn’t have been more thrilled.
“Finn, what are you doing here?”
“Working,” he said around a grin. “Well, riding along for work. Chris is here doing an inspection.”
“Oh,” she said, opening the door wider to him. “Come in. Do I need to go do anything?”
“No, Andy is walking around with him. I can’t sign off on anything. Conflict of interest,” he explained.
He watched her eyes staring at him, starting at the white hat on his head, his white shirt, dark trousers, and down to his black polished shoes.
“You’re an officer. You never mentioned that.”
“I’m still a fireman,” he pointed out.
“I suppose so, Captain Abraham.” She tapped her nail to his nametag, then leaned behind him and shoved the door shut. “You aren’t playing fair right now.”
Her hands were moving up his chest, slow and precise, her eyes staring into his. What was she saying? Oh yeah, playing fair. “How’s that?”
“You know.” She leaned up close to his mouth and whispered, “Every woman loves a man in a uniform.”
He’d heard it before, and had used it to his advantage many, many years ago. A time when he didn’t have responsibilities and could just go out and have fun, even be a bit reckless. This time though, this time it did something to him to hear her say it, even though he’d put that life behind him.
“Maybe.”
“It’s working. Of course it would have worked better if we didn’t have a room full of men outside that door.”
She still hadn’t kissed him, and it seemed she was waiting for him to make the move. “Guess we should be quiet.” Then he sealed her lips with his, wanting to feel more of her
than just her hands on his chest running along the outside of his shirt.
He returned the favor, sliding his hands under her shirt, touching the soft smooth skin of her waist, and thought for sure he was going to combust.
This wasn’t a good idea. One of them had to get control of the situation, and unfortunately, he wasn’t sure it could be him. Not with her scent filling him, the feeling of her skin under his hands, and all of his senses on full alert.
“You know we need to figure something out.”
He didn’t need to ask what she was talking about since it was pretty obvious. “We do.”
“Any suggestions?”
He was lucky he could think at all right now. “I’ll work on something.”
“Work fast.”
He exhaled and dropped his forehead to hers. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“What’s that?”
“Making it hard for me to walk out of here and not have anyone guess what we were doing, or what I’m feeling.”
She laughed. “Sorry, wasn’t thinking. Phil and Sophia know I went on a date with you Friday. I hope that is okay.”
That comment was just as good as cold water being splashed in his face. “If you were trying to cool me off, you just did.”
“That was the goal. So, is it okay?”
“Sure. My sister knows too. She blackmailed me into giving your name in order to watch Trey.”
“You didn’t tell me that.”
“Didn’t think it was relevant. And the guys suspect it at the very least. I think it’s safe to say it’s out in the open.”
She nodded. “Well, you better go back to work then before they start to wonder what we’re really doing back here.” She stopped and looked down at the front of him. “I’d say you’re good to go now.”
“You’re evil.” And he was loving every minute of it.
She wiggled her eyebrows. “I can be.”
***
All Finn’s visit did was reaffirm in Olivia’s mind that it was time for her own place. The minute he left, she put her work away, grabbed her purse, and locked up the back room. She stopped to see Andy quickly first.
“I’ll be gone the rest of the day. Let me know if you need anything.”
Brynn’s father smiled at her, a knowing smile that made her feel uncomfortable, and she wondered how fast the news was traveling about her and Finn. “I shouldn’t need anything. Enjoy your day.”
Olivia walked around back, trying to get control of her treacherous body. A few more deep breaths and she was good to go. First stop, Harper’s main office.
She parked her car and walked to the front door.
“Hey, Olivia, here to see Phil?”
Olivia fought back the cringe that statement caused. She hadn’t been thinking at all when she decided to come here. “No, Mary, actually I was wondering if Brynn was in?”
Mary pushed up her flamingo-colored cat-eyed glasses and said, “She is, but she’s in with someone right now. Can you wait, or should I buzz her?”
“No, I can wait. I’ll just sit out here if it’s okay?”
“Sure, but Phil is in his office if you want to go in there.”
Olivia didn’t have a chance to say no before Phil showed up at the front reception area. He’d obviously heard Mary and her talking. “Everything okay, Olivia? Is there a problem at the site, or a change?”
“Everything is good. Don’t worry, no changes. I know how much you hate that.”
It was a running joke how much Phil couldn’t stand it when someone made a change last minute or during construction, and he was forced to push other work aside and adjust or create new drawings.
“I would make an exception for you. Do you mind me asking why you’re seeing Brynn?”
Olivia could say she minded and Phil would probably drop it, but since he owned the company he’d know, and it was better coming from her.
“It’s personal. Can we go in your office?”
“Sure.”
She followed him but stopped him when he went to close the door. “Not that personal. It’s fine. I’m going to ask Brynn about finding a house.”
“For you?”
“Yeah. I think it’s time I move out.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you like. Sophia enjoys having you and you’ve been helpful to her with the kids.”
“I know. I love staying there, I really do.” But I feel like I’m imposing on you both, though she didn’t say that part. “I think it’s time I get my own space, though.”
“Is this about Saturday morning?”
“No.” She didn’t want him to think their questioning about Finn was pushing her away. “I’ve been there a month now. It was only temporary anyway, and we all knew that going in. But I’m putting roots down and its time. Besides, you know as well as I do, it’s not like I’ll be moving out in a week. It will probably take time to find something.” Which just dawned on her as she said those words. Damn.
“As long as you don’t feel like we’re pushing you out.”
“I don’t. I know I’ve got a place to go if I need it. And a place to stay until I’m ready.” It was the truth.
“Does Sophia know you’re here?”
“No. I’d like to tell her myself. I’m actually supposed to meet her in an hour anyway to go over things for the store. I’ll tell her when I’m there.”
“Mary said you wanted to see me,” Brynn said from the doorway.
“Hi, Brynn. Do you have time to meet?”
“Sure do, come on in.” Olivia walked out of Phil’s office and followed Brynn into her office, stepping over the fat bulldog in the middle of the floor. “Ignore Droopy. I don’t normally have him in here when I’m meeting with clients, but he didn’t want to wake up and move. Thankfully the last person didn’t mind.”
“He sure does snore loudly.”
“You should hear him at night,” Brynn said, laughing. “What did you want to see me about? Ready to move out?”
“How’d you guess?”
“You stayed longer than we all thought you would. Then again, I hear there is a sexy man in your life.”
“Sophia told you.” She should have figured.
“No. Phil talked to Alec and me about it. He just wanted to find out a few things on Finn.”
“He didn’t,” Olivia stated and hoped her jaw didn’t drop, but had a feeling it did.
“He did. No worries. We didn’t say anything bad about Finn. Not that there was anything bad to say anyway. He’s a good guy. You’re in good hands.” Brynn stopped and smirked. “Or you will be when you get your own place.”
Wow, okay, now she was wondering what everyone was saying behind her and Finn’s back. “Does everyone know?”
“No. Sorry, I couldn’t resist picking on you. I’ll restrain myself now though. Tell me what you have in mind.”
“Fast. I want a place fast.”
“Ha, I knew it. Sorry, being good now, I promise.”
Olivia was tired of being good herself.
Take It All
“Are you sure this isn’t about last Saturday?” Sophia asked when Olivia walked into her office and shut the door.
“No, it’s not. Or it wasn’t when I first walked into Harper’s. But now I know Phil talked to Brynn and Alec about Finn. It’s a bit embarrassing. I’m not naive, you know.”
“No one thinks you are. How could they, when you’ve traveled more than all of us combined? But still, you’re my little sister. We’re watching out for you.”
It felt good hearing it, knowing someone cared enough, but it was still smothering. She came here to be by family, but at the same time she was ready to stand on her own. “It’s a bit late in life, don’t you think?”
“It’s never too late to have someone watching out for you, Olivia.”
“I guess not.”
“So did Brynn have anything to show you?”
“Actually she did. Just one, really. She sh
owed me a bunch of listings, but nothing that I was interested in other than this one. I’m going to see the house tomorrow with her.”
“I’d love to go with you, but I’ve got a packed day.”
“You don’t think I can handle looking at a house on my own?”
Back to the babying again. She thought she was being treated more like an adult here in Saratoga, that everyone had higher expectations of her. That the bar was raised a little bit, but she guessed not.
“It’s not that. I just thought it’d be fun to do it together. Besides, you’re in good hands with Brynn. No worries there.”
Olivia tried not to sigh. She moved back here for family, and now that she was getting so much of it, she was wondering what possessed her to want it so badly.
“Have you had a chance to look over everything I submitted to you?”
“Of course. I’ve got a marketing budget set up for you for the grand opening, and payroll estimates, basic costs, and such. Just tell me how much you want me to lay out and explain to you.”
Sophia being a CPA and a partner in a large firm, Olivia knew she was in good hands here too. Even though Olivia was good with money, better than anyone even knew, she still didn’t know the first thing about running a business.
“I want to know it all. Start from the beginning and go from there.”
“Have you been interviewing staff yet?”
“I’ve run some ads but haven’t set anything up yet. I was hoping next week, but it’s kind of hard without having a place to interview them. I don’t want to do it in the construction and the only room done is where I’m working. I don’t want anyone back there unless I know I can trust them.”
“Smart decision. You can use an office or our conference room here.”
“Really?” She’d never thought of that, never even thought to ask, but it was the perfect solution.
“Sure. Just let me know when you have things set up. We’ve got a few empty offices here. Remember, I own a share in the store, so it’s fine.”
“I thought you were going to be a silent partner?”
Was Sophia already trying to tell her who she should and shouldn’t hire? Not that Olivia had the first clue on what she was looking for and did plan on asking Sophia her opinion, but she didn’t want it assumed either.