by Vella Munn
He introduced her to a couple of men. Joe had access to a number of heavy metal plates, and Rick owned a couple of handyman jacks capable of lifting the dock. When she tried to tell them she felt bad about asking anyone to get in the icy water, their smiles said they were looking forward to the challenge.
Her father had hired men from Missoula to put the cabin’s electrical line underground and build a new chimney. Granted, because of his company he had already seen their workmanship, but it had probably never occurred to him to rely on Lake Serene’s labor force. According to him, the resort hired people who couldn’t get jobs elsewhere. Either he’d been wrong, or things had changed dramatically in the years since he’d taken ownership of the cabin he hadn’t wanted.
Things had changed. She no longer had to bow to her father’s prejudices. Instead she made her own decisions—or rather she went with Nate’s suggestions.
“This is wonderful,” she told Nate when they were heading toward the secluded area where the deluxe retreat was being built. “I had no idea how I was going to handle the dock, which is what initially brought us together.”
“The work will get done.”
They had no history, owed each other nothing. Why then did she impulsively grab his arm? She waited until this complex man was facing her, then, not debating the wisdom of what she was doing, she touched his cheek. Only then did she admit how much she’d wanted to do that. The gesture scared and excited her. She’d just done something she hadn’t known she needed as much as she did air.
“Thank you,” she whispered. Her mind might explode from everything she was experiencing. The thought of revealing how vulnerable she felt terrified her. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now, which I don’t like. Having you come up with some solutions—thank you.”
He closed his fingers around her wrist, guided her hand to her side, and laced his fingers through hers. She couldn’t read his expression but told herself it had softened.
“What has you feeling overwhelmed?”
She always projected confidence because her father had drummed that into her for so long it became her, but on this lovely spring day with the air smelling newborn and a certain man studying her, she could be honest. “Losing both of my parents within a relatively short period and being responsible for the business—it isn’t easy.”
“You’re an only child?”
She answered with a nod. According to the weather report, there was no chance of rain for the foreseeable future. A few clouds had gathered to the west but the sky overhead was a heart-warming blue. In short, it was a Mother Nature kind of day.
“I wanted a sister, but it didn’t happen. Every time I brought it up, my parents told me it wasn’t my decision to make. I also wanted a dog but that didn’t happen either.” She couldn’t remember if she’d ever told anyone that.
“You have one now.”
Disappointment was like a knot around her heart. She’d just handed Nate an important piece of personal information so why hadn’t he responded in kind?
Berating herself for expecting something she had no right to, she untangled her fingers from Nate’s and scratched Bruce’s back.
“That I do,” she said with a cheerfulness she didn’t feel. She had to back off, to regain her equilibrium around Nate. It wasn’t as if she was falling in love with him. Had any ties to him. “I’m not sure which of us chose the other but it has worked out well.”
Nate agreed. Then he changed the subject, maybe deliberately, by explaining that so far the hardest part of getting the mega-cabin built had been finding stable earth for the foundation and jockeying the roof trusses into place. They were looking at the building’s bones, but even now it seemed to be part of its surroundings, married to the hill behind it and the drop-off leading to the lake in front. The outside studs were up, as were the aforementioned trusses. Massive windows were stacked against a wall. Years of being involved in the building business made it easy for her to identify each of the studs for the partition walls she could see through the front door space.
“It really is going to be open concept,” she observed. “What’s the size of the great room?”
“About thirty by thirty, more if you add in the kitchen.”
“I wouldn’t put it there. Not much of a view of the lake for the family cook.”
“I guess the thinking is people will be on vacation and eat most of their meals at the restaurant.”
She whistled. “That takes deep pockets. Are you’re doing the plumbing?”
“I am now. Earlier Shaw and Rey hired someone else for that specific task but he didn’t work out.”
“Wow. Isn’t that a huge job?”
His mouth soft, he gave her a conspiratorial look. “It’s easier than remodeling.”
For a moment she couldn’t figure out what he was talking about or maybe his mouth was compromising her ability to think. What would it feel like against hers? And what might a kiss lead to?
“Oh, you’re talking about getting to work with all new material.”
“Exactly. This is Robert’s baby. My guess is he envisions some of Montana’s movers and shakers coming here. That’s why he spared no expense with it.”
“Maybe he’s trying to make up for going overboard on the budget by cutting corners elsewhere.”
Chapter Ten
HIS NOD, SHE decided, was meant for her alone. She’d be surprised if he and other resort employees didn’t talk about the man who was paying their salaries but maybe he’d decided to keep his opinions to himself. He was making an exception for her because—because why?
Was it possible he was experiencing some of what she was?
And if so what would they do about the mutual attraction?
Attraction? Darn it, she had to get herself under control.
Either that or press her body against his and see what happened.
Somehow they’d gotten inside the partly completed structure without her paying attention to where her feet were going. She heard hammering sounds, but Nate, Bruce, and she were the only ones inside. Fine. Good. This was their secret place with the scent of fresh-cut wood enveloping them and an expansive view of Lake Serene through the openings where the windows would go.
Her phone rang. Groaning, she pulled it out of her front pocket and looked at the number.
“Are you going to answer?” Nate asked.
“No. I have a pretty good idea what it’s about.” She tucked the phone back in her pocket. “Diplomacy’s essential in my line of work. Unfortunately it occasionally gets in the way of honesty.”
He studied her for a moment. “Then forget being polite. Tell people what they need to hear.”
Resentment over his telling her how to do her job flared followed by agreement. Of course if she was no longer in the client-pleasing business—“I’ll listen to the message later.”
“There you go.” He leaned over and picked up a full nail stick for a framing nail gun.
“Leaving this out in the open is asking to have it stolen.” She observed. “What are you going to do with it?”
“Give it to Rey. Knowing what I do about him, he’ll make sure whoever dropped it is never that careless again. That’s what I was talking about. Rey doesn’t mince words. In the long run you’ll probably be better off if you do the same.”
Having had a lifetime of it from her father, she hated anything that smacked of a lecture, but she wasn’t going to tell Nate. “Got it,” she muttered.
He shook his head. “And I’ll stop trying to tell you how to do your job.”
“I’ll hold you to that, unless your advice makes sense.”
“Have you always been interested in real estate?” he asked.
“No. When I was about ten, I wanted to be an Olympic ice skater. It was the only thing I could think or talk about.”
“Was that after the winter Olympics?”
“How did you guess? At least I didn’t set my sights on bobsled racing or I might not be here. I’
d sketch pictures of the costumes I’d have on when the audience applauded. I made several miniature ones to go on my dolls.”
“You sew?”
“Are you sure you want to hear this?”
His gaze steady on her, he nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Why? Am I important to you? “I sew after a fashion. Fortunately my dolls were easy to please. My mother was better at it. She tried to teach me but I was impatient.” Torn between the past and the present with Nate, she leaned over and picked up a discarded nail so she’d have something to do with her fingers. “At least we bonded over the project.”
“It sounds as if you had a good relationship with your mother.”
“I guess.”
“What do you mean?”
As she continued to stare at him, she faced the fact that she wanted Nate to understand some of the factors that had led her to become the person she was. Maybe he’d do the same, but that was his decision. For as long as he showed he cared, she’d turn pieces of herself over to him.
“I have no doubt my mother was clinically depressed. The older she got, the worse it became. I don’t think my father ever got it. He believed she should be able to get a hold of herself. Finally he sent her to a couple of medical doctors, but he drew the line at shrinks. He said they were all quacks. Looking back, I wonder if he didn’t want to hear what they said.”
“Why would that be?”
“It was always his way, nothing else. No negotiating. I don’t remember him ever saying he was sorry.”
“How did your mother handle that?”
“By disengaging. It made for a less than ideal childhood, not that I’m unique.”
“It happens.”
What kind of response was that? Watching as he moved away from her and started wandering around the interior, she pondered what she’d seen in him—other than his physical body. A few seconds ago, his questions had indicated he cared about her. Well, darn it, if he could dismiss her so easily, she should be able to do the same.
Not want to build a thread between them.
This man who no longer wanted to be near her had her so darn confused.
Bruce didn’t feel the same. The dog considered what Nate was doing the most fascinating thing he’d seen in maybe forever. When Nate picked up a crumpled bag Bruce nudged it with his nose. Laughing, Nate tore open the bag and pulled out a French fry.
“That’s my dog,” she said, again reminding herself to stop taking things so seriously. “A real gourmet.”
“Do you mind if I give it to him?”
Pleased that he’d asked, she told him to go ahead. Fast as the fry went down she doubted Bruce had tasted it.
“I don’t like feeding him off my plate,” she admitted as she joined them. Nate stayed put so that was something. “The whole people versus dog food debate but he’s hard to refuse.”
Nate seemed to be taking note of the scant space between them. “Do you ever take him to work?”
“Yes. It’s one of the perks of being the boss. Also I’ve found that if I show up on a worksite with him, it breaks a lot of ice with the workers. Are there any restrictions on resort staff having pets?”
“As long as they’re under control that’s all that matters.”
“Then…” So much for not going beneath the surface. “Then if you wanted, you could have a dog.”
“Yeah.”
“But your lifestyle gets in the way?”
He stopped meeting her gaze and focused on Bruce. “I thought I had one once but—something happened to it. I don’t want to feel that loss again.”
The melancholy in his voice made her throat ache. She’d glimpsed the remnants of a small boy. “Losing something or someone you love is always hard. But we can’t stop living, and loving, because of that.”
He continued to study Bruce while giving no indication he’d heard her, let alone how he felt about her attempt at wisdom. If she looked closely enough, she could still make out the child in the man. He’d never acknowledge that part of him, but if she found a way to get past the surface—
Don’t push him.
The outside hammers were still going strong, that was what she’d think about. The incomplete great room was so large it was almost like being outdoors. It lacked personality; either that or she couldn’t focus on its potential. Nate mattered, with his strong body and deep-set eyes. His sensuality.
“I said something I shouldn’t?” she asked. “Brought up bad memories?” Taking a chance, she rested her hand on his shoulder.
He studied her fingers, warming them with his gaze. “I didn’t know the conversation was going to take this turn.”
“Neither did I. You’re more comfortable talking about remodeling old buildings and dealing with listing docks.” She needed to stop, had no right trying to force their relationship in a direction maybe he didn’t want to go. “I get that. But if you want to talk about, I don’t know, deep subjects, I’m a pretty good listener.”
He tucked the nail stick under his arm and covered her hand with his. “Yeah, I think you would be.”
Just like that everything else stopped. She became deaf to the loud sounds and lost her sense of smell. Saw nothing except him. Her body strained toward him like metal drawn to a magnet. He was making her do the work, standing there like a living statue of manhood while she struggled with need and the fear of giving up too much of herself.
She needed to kiss him, craved his arms around her, his naked flesh pressed against hers, two bodies becoming one, him inside her. Making love. Shivering, she tightened her hold on his shoulder. The wanting became stronger.
When he opened his mouth, she held her breath and prayed he’d do and say what she was incapable of. She needed him to know all the moves in the romantic relationship dance and take the lead. To hold and touch, to whisper what she longed to hear, to take them past whatever it was they were now and on a wondrous journey.
Instead he continued to stare down at her. He squeezed her fingers so hard they started to hurt. His eyes were becoming cave-like. He was pulling away from her while still touching, ripping her apart despite her argument that he didn’t matter that much.
So much. Too much.
Not enough.
“Sorry,” a male voice said from behind her. “It looks like bad timing on my part.”
Stifling a whimper, she jerked free and spun around. She still felt Nate on her skin. Longed to start over.
I’d lie down and spread my legs for you. Do you know that?
The newcomer was slightly taller than Nate with a ramrod stance that made her conclude he might have been military. He wore his black hair short and had on faded jeans. His white button shirt looked out of place. As he approached, she noted lines at the outside edges of his eyes and a slight downward pull to his mouth. His eyes were a rich, chocolate brown. He had big hands and broad shoulders. She guessed him to be in his mid-thirties.
“Shaw,” Nate said. “Something you want?”
So this was the resort manager Nate had told her a little about. Like Rey Bowen, he too carried himself with authority. It was probably just her lingering reaction to having come so close to kissing Nate—that was what had almost happened wasn’t it—but she sensed an air of aloneness surrounding Shaw. Of course. As the man in charge of everything that was happening at Lake Serene, he wasn’t one of the boys.
“Not from you,” Shaw said. “I’ve been in a Skype meeting and wanted to make sure I understand the options with the fireplace. Uncle Robert wanted it close to the hillside but Rey pointed out that that would hamper the draw.”
When Shaw tapped his side, she noticed a tape measure attached to his belt buckle. In contrast to his impressive shoulders, his hips were narrow and he had nothing that even hinted at a belly. She wondered if food didn’t matter to him.
“Will you have a wood burning insert put in a standard fireplace?” she asked. “Maybe propane since there’s no natural gas at Lake Serene.”
Shaw’s atten
tion swung to her. “You’re right about not having access to natural gas. Most visitors never think of things such as what utilities are available.”
“I know a thing or two about the area such as land phone lines or rather the lack of. Insurance is through the roof because of the fire danger.”
She hadn’t intended to show off but having something to concentrate on allowed her to step away from whatever had overcome her a few minutes ago. She was still acutely aware of Nate’s presence but at least her mind had started functioning again.
“I also know the sheriff’s department doesn’t have the manpower to deal with anything except major crimes here.”
“Unfortunately, you’re right,” Shaw said. “We deal a lot more with the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife.”
“Which means there are a lot of regulations.” For years the ranger charged with regulations impacting cabins had been a by-the-books older man. To everyone’s relief he’d finally retired and Echo Rose had taken his place.
“How do you know so much about how things operate here?” Shaw asked. The way he divided his attention between Nate and her, it looked as if he was trying to make a connection. “You don’t work here.”
“I own one of the summer cabins.”
Shaw’s expression changed from casual interest to speculation. Doc was reserving judgment about the resort’s new ownership. Maybe she was about to find out why he felt as he did.
“Do you mind telling me which one is yours?” Shaw asked.
Movement from Nate distracted her. She wondered if he wasn’t comfortable with the conversation’s direction and this was his way of suggesting she end it.
“Thirty five,” she told Shaw because she couldn’t think of a reason not to be honest. “Obviously I’m in the middle.”
“Thirty five,” Shaw muttered. “You have dock problems, right? You also have some trees down along the shore and the cabin needs painting.”
“It won’t be like that for long,” Nate said.
“Oh? And you know that how?”
Shaw had hard edges that stood in stark contrast to his immaculate shirt. She’d dealt with people like that. It wasn’t that he was deliberately being rude. Rather his time was at a premium. His breed could be confident to the point of being obnoxious. It also set him apart, thus her earlier sense that he was lonely—not that he’d ever admit it.