Just Plain Lucky

by Tesa Devlyn

  “Humph.” Michael drained the bottle of beer and set it in the recycle box under the sink. “Regardless whether she deserves it or not, you need to respect your mother.”

  “Isn’t respect earned, Dad? She needs to get her act together.”

  “Okay, back to the dinner plans. It’s important to me that you go.”

  “Oh, all right.” Leif ran a hand through his messy hair making it spike even more. “I’m worn out from arguing with Mom all weekend. She just doesn’t get that I’m happy here.”

  Michael’s heart broke from the misery on his son’s face. “It isn’t easy, is it? She’s determined to lay the guilt on until you move to California. Don’t let her get to you. If she needs a handyman, she can hire one. I’m proud of how you’ve turned around since you moved to Kalispell.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Sometimes I feel sorry for her and other times…she’s made her life hard all on her own.” He finger combed his hair. “I’ll be ready to leave in ten.”

  “Thanks, Leif. I want to help Liana with this remodel. You’ll understand when you see the house.”

  Leif paused in the doorway. “I’m sure I’ll understand when I see her.”

  “Get going, buddy.” Michael tried to sound stern, but chuckled.

  He’d do whatever he had to, to make his bid on Liana’s remodel work. It’d give him time to explore this crazy attraction. She evoked a protectiveness in him that made him want to be the knight in shining armor her friend Shari had mentioned. He couldn’t wait to see her again—her short, messy blonde hair and mossy green eyes.

  He couldn’t fault her urgency to make real estate deals. He’d spent plenty of his life chasing the almighty dollar. Maybe he could teach her to slow down and enjoy life.

  A tiny tune cut through his thoughts. He snapped up his cell phone. “Saxon Construction.”

  “Hello, Michael?”

  His blood instantly heated. “Liana? Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, we’re fine. It just occurred to me that we should look at the plans during business hours.”

  The heat in his midsection cooled. “Evenings are when I work on plans. I have two other projects in the works. The sooner we settle on a bid, the sooner the subcontractors will start on your house.”

  Silence stretched over the phone connection.

  “Liana?”

  “Okay. Why don’t we meet after dinner? About seven?”

  Was she afraid dinner looked like a date? They’d have two teenagers with them. He could hardly take advantage of her.

  “If that’s what you want.” He forked his hand through his damp hair. “See you at seven.”

  Michael snapped his phone shut and glared at it.

  Damn.

  Frustrating didn’t begin to express his feelings for Liana. She stirred him up then jerked him around.

  He’d better start working out at the gym.

  Chapter Three

  “Wow, Dad. This looks serious.” Leif slid out of the truck the moment Michael brought it to a stop in front of Liana’s sorry looking house.

  He lifted the plastic. “Gosh, there’s nothing there!”

  “Tell me about it.” Liana appeared in the living room, rubbing her arms from the chill. “However, we do still use the door.”

  Leif flinched and dropped the plastic. Michael chuckled and patted his son’s shoulder. “Startled you, didn’t she? Let’s go in.”

  Michael led the way to the back door. His stomach churned with anticipation like a kid on his first date.

  Liana opened the door as they rounded the house.

  Michael grinned at her. “Sorry about that. Leif is too much like his old man.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with curiosity.” Liana ruffled her hair and stepped back to let them enter. “It’s good to see you again, Leif. We didn’t formally meet yesterday at Ciao Mambo. I’m Liana, and I think you know my daughter, Brittany?”

  Leif gave his dad a side glance. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Campbell.”

  “Please call me, Liana.”

  A fire blazed in the fireplace, but the forced air furnace blew full force. Her electric bill must be steep.

  Liana led the way to the dining room and gestured toward the table, positioned in front of double-sided fireplace. “Please have a seat. I have to apologize, Leif. I forgot about Brittany’s school play rehearsal tonight. She has to leave right away so you’ll be stuck with your dad and me.”

  Leif shoved his fingers into the front pockets of his jeans and rocked back on his heels. “Brittany, do you have a ride to the school?”

  “Jennie’s mom. She’ll be here soon.”

  “Why don’t I drive you?” Leif turned to his dad. “Can I borrow the truck?”

  “Sure,” Michael said, impressed with his son’s intuition. “As long as it’s okay with Liana.”

  “It’s very considerate of you, Leif. Brittany, does Jennie have a cell phone so you can save her mom a trip?”

  Michael clamped his hand on his son’s shoulder and looked around the house. While Liana made sure Brittany was lined up for the evening, he pretended to explore the exposed studs he’d already checked out on Sunday.

  Liana joined him in the living room, shook her head and smiled as the kids bantered their way out the door. “Oh, to be so lighthearted again.”

  Michael’s chest tightened with emotion. She was so damned beautiful. He wanted to pull her into his arms and make use of the thirty minutes it’d take Leif to drive to the high school and back.

  “What do you think?” Liana folded her arms under her breasts and glanced around the room.

  She didn’t want to know what he thought. Michael cleared his throat. “The roof will have to be jacked up while the rotted studs are replaced. There’ll be some drywall damage.”

  “Whatever it takes to get the job done.” She sighed. “I just want it finished by Thanksgiving. My entire family will be here.”

  Michael fought the urge to promise her the world. Her perfume wafted around him and drove him crazy along with her snug blue jeans and fuzzy sweater. Get a grip, Saxon.

  He’d done fine before they met yesterday morning. He didn’t really want a woman in his life…did he? The past two days with Meredith should have reminded him what could happen.

  Liana gave him the grand tour of the rest of the house and pointed out plans for future remodels. When they stepped into her bedroom, the sight of her big bed and female trappings sent a flame of desire through him.

  “Oops!” She grabbed a black lace nightie off her pillow and stuffed it under the comforter. “Guess I didn’t pick up before you arrived.”

  Her face pink, she hurried out of the bedroom. “How about I open a bottle of wine? We can have a glass while we go over the plans.”

  “Sounds good.” Michael followed her to the kitchen and unrolled the plans on the granite counter top. “Looks like your kitchen had a remodel.”

  Liana nodded as she worked the cork from a bottle of merlot. “It’s what sold me on the house. That, and the secluded lot. I like everything about the kitchen, and it’s the most difficult room to live without.”

  “For sure. You can rough it as long as the kitchen and at least one bathroom works.”

  She poured the dark red wine. “After I left the scene of the crime this morning, I not only made it to my meeting, but I also wrote up an offer for a condo on Big Mountain. How did your day go? Do I owe you damages for job loss?”

  Michael thanked her when she set a glass next to his hand. “I made the meeting and got the job, so you’re off the hook.”

  “Whew! Glad to hear that. Did my voice mail ever arrive?”

  “It did.” Michael nodded. “You loved the house in Whitefish and want to talk about it. It’s one of my favorites too.”

  Liana climbed onto the wrought iron barstool next to his and crossed her legs. “My favorite aspects are the high ceilings and how the light streams in from so many directions. The flooring is exactly what I had in mind, an
d I love the pendant lights over the bar.”

  Michael grinned as he fingered the stem of his glass. “We can sketch those ideas into your drawing.”

  “Wonderful. I have a lot of ideas, but mainly the living room has to be finished by Thanksgiving.”

  “So you said. We’ll cut it close, but it can happen. I’ll provide you with references before I leave tonight. One thing’s for sure, whether you hire me or someone else, the work needs to be done right away. Another month and we’ll see some serious snow.” He held up his wineglass. “Here’s to snug houses and pregnant dogs.”

  Liana blinked. “Pregnant? I guess that officially ends the gender debate!”

  “Yeah. Sad the way people dump their pets like they’re garbage instead of a commitment. Typical of our society to take the easy way out.” Ouch. He hadn’t meant to sound so bitter, but even after three years of single fatherhood, his teeth set on edge at how Meredith left Leif only to want him back at her convenience.

  Thankfully, Trinity left for college the year before the divorce and got away from her mother’s drunken tirades. Meredith swore Michael cared more about his business than his family. “I took her in for a checkup and the vet confirmed she’s about three weeks along.”

  “What should we do with her?”

  “Huh?”

  “With Lucky, the not so lucky Border Collie? What should we do with her? If no one responds to the advertisement? I certainly didn’t mean to burden you with more than a temporary situation.”

  “Lucky’s not a burden. We still want to keep her. Once the pups come, we can find homes for them and have her fixed.”

  Liana stared at him like he had two heads. “Wow. Maybe Lucky is aptly named after all. My ex would have thrown a fit if I’d brought home a dog, let alone a pregnant one.”

  Michael’s heart squeezed at the thought of Liana’s life with an unfeeling jerk. He tried to decide if he should say something or let it go. No matter how angry and disillusioned he became over Meredith’s affairs and how she handled the end of their marriage, he didn’t air his frustrations, or wallow in self-pity.

  “Do you ski?”

  The expression of amazement on Michael’s face when she commented about Frank’s aversion to pets impressed her. At the same time, she couldn’t blame Frank for not taking in more strays when he already had her.

  “You’re good at changing the subject. When I take the time, I love to ski. Brittany and I spent weekends at Tahoe and Big Bear. She signed up for the ski team this year, so I’ll have to dig out my equipment.” She sipped her merlot. “Do you?”

  Michael nodded and his expression softened. She could look at him all night. His dark eyes twinkled with humor. Uh-oh, she’d been caught staring. Again.

  Liana gazed at him for another long moment. “Brittany’s into snowboarding. I’m not very good at it.”

  “You probably haven’t taken the time to learn.”

  “So, are you game for the job?”

  Michael drained his wineglass and narrowed one eye. “You’re very good at changing the subject too. The remodel? Is that what you mean? Hey, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Liana laughed. Having Michael work on her house meant she’d see him a little bit each day. He’d be here when Brittany came home from school. Possibly when she came home from work. The prospect filled her with pleasure and pain.

  Michael made her head spin and her body ache with need. She’d cancelled dinner with him tonight to limit their time together, the intimacy of eating together. When Leif offered to drive Brittany to ballet, she swore father and son had conspired against her, but at the same time, she could have hugged the young man for the thirty minutes of alone time she and Michael shared.

  ****

  Over the next three days, Michael went over the bid with Liana. With her approval, he called in his subcontractors to start the demolition work.

  The rest of the front and side walls of the living room would have to be removed, along with part of the roofing to allow for a new gable. The gable would connect the old part of the house with the addition.

  The place was a mess.

  Original shingles had worked loose and water ran between the tarpaper and plywood. When spring rolled around, he’d be back to investigate the rest of the house. Right now, the focus had to be closing in the new living room.

  Liana kept stressing Thanksgiving as the deadline.

  Not that he’d seen her. She’d called a couple of times to go over costs and the finishing materials she’d chosen. Michael learned another facet of Liana Campbell; she was an expert in design. She was also ambitious, smart, beautiful and sexy as hell. He wanted to see her, get to know her and test the attraction on his mind night and day. Especially at night.

  When his cell phone rang at the end of the day, Michael figured Liana called to check up on progress. “Saxon Construction.”

  “Where’s your son?”

  He switched the phone to his other ear, and turned away from the crew. He’d just suggested they load up and call it a day. “Meredith, he’s home doing chores.”

  “He’s changed since he moved to that godforsaken place.”

  “If you mean he has good friends, good grades and isn’t in trouble, yeah you’re right, he has changed.”

  “You’re still impossible.”

  Michael sighed at the slur in her voice. He glanced at his watch. Five o’clock and she was already sloshed. “Why did you call?”

  “Leif doesn’t want to come home for Thanksgiving.”

  “This is his home. If you want to see him, come here.”

  “You’re suggesting I go back to Montana to see my son?”

  Michael drew a deep breath and waved as the crew left. “Leif has adjusted to the new town and school. He’s not drinking and goes to school everyday without incident. He’s turning himself around, Meredith. Work with him.”

  A car door slammed. Michael turned toward the parking area. Liana walked around the dumpster he’d ordered a couple of days ago. Her jaw went slack with the shock of more destruction to her house.

  Lucky bounded toward her, tail wagging. Liana leaned down and massaged the dog’s back with her slender fingers. Michael barely heard Meredith’s tirade. His full focus had switched to the fashionable hardworking woman who’d lived in his thoughts since he first laid eyes on her.

  Liana straightened and glanced at him. He held up an index finger while he ended his conversation with a protesting Meredith, and snapped his phone shut.

  “Hi there.”

  “Hello.” Liana stared at the new prospective of her living room. “I didn’t think it’d be so traumatic.”

  “It’ll get better from here on out. The footings will be poured by the end of the week. We’ll add chemicals so the concrete will set up faster. Weather dependent, the new gable will take a week. After that the stem wall goes up and so on. It takes a while, but my crew’s fast.” He smiled. “Imagine how it’ll look when it’s done.”

  “I’m trying to. Do you have time for coffee? I found some hammered copper ceiling tiles I’d love to show you.” Liana turned away and started around the house before he had the chance to make an excuse.

  He didn’t want to turn down her invitation, but he was a little hurt over her lack of communication over the past few days. “I have to get home. Leif’s ravenous after basketball practice.”

  Liana faced him, her beautiful mouth in a pout. “Of course. He’s a growing boy. How about we call him and promise you’ll be home in forty-five minutes? If you agree to the tiles, I’ll need to order them.”

  Michael shrugged and followed her. Hell, he acted like a trained dog just waiting for her to throw him a morsel. He stared at her backside, her trim waist and tousled hair. He remembered the tight stretchy things she’d worn the day they met, and how she looked from behind.

  Right now, she wore those ridiculous high heel boots, and had to carefully pick her way over the stone path. Her perfume drifted back on the cool a
ir like an invisible leash pulling him along.

  Liana set her purse and briefcase on the kitchen counter and hurried to the coffeemaker. “I’m sorry I haven’t been more available. Two counter offers came in on Wednesday and another one today. If I drop the ball, I could lose the sales.”

  “I’m surprised you’re home this early.” Heck, he’d thought he was dreaming when he saw her in the yard.

  Michael slid onto a bar stool while she poured water into the coffee maker. Her blouse hiked up and exposed a strip of creamy skin. His mouth watered. She lowered her arm and the blouse hid the skin he wanted to touch.

  Liana set mugs next to the coffeemaker before she turned to face him. “I decided to leave early so I could catch you.” She leaned against the counter. “You’re not an easy man to connect with. I stopped by yesterday, but you were off on another job. Didn’t your helpers tell you?”

  Michael laughed. “I don’t think my crew would like that title.” He glanced around. “Where’s Brittany?”

  “She has ballet practice after school twice a week. She really misses her troupe in San Francisco.”

  Michael stood and moved around the bar, his gaze on hers. “When does she get home?”

  Liana tilted her chin to keep the connection. “About six.”

  Michael glanced at the microwave clock. “Hmm. I have thirty-five minutes.”

  “For?”

  Her mouth softened and her breasts rose and fell at an accelerated rate.

  Very good. He excited her as much as she did him.

  Michael slid his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. “For something I’ve wanted to do since I met you. Crazy huh?”

  “Very crazy and not too wise.”

  “Um.” He moaned when she pressed her body close and drove all reasonable thought from his head. “What if I don’t want to be wise?”

  “A quick kiss could erase the mystique and let us get our minds back on our lives.” She leaned closer and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “Quit talking and we’ll see what happens.”

  She huffed and he chuckled. The moment his lips connected with hers all doubts fled. Over the past three years, he’d simplified his life; the past three days had complicated it. He should pack up his male hormones and leave right now.