by JoAnna Grace
“Keri,” Jayden scolded. “Control your mouth. Maybe T doesn’t want everyone in here knowing her business.”
“Yeah, what she said.” Tina motioned with her head and pretended to read last month’s issue of a magazine.
“Well, Trey is an idiot. What’s up with Bo?” Keri persisted.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” Jayden coughed.
Tina gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I don’t know him that well. He’s nice. Quiet. Dependable. Friendly.”
Jayden threw her hands up and deadpanned, “Great, he’s a golden retriever. Awesome. Does he play fetch, too? Shake his leg when you scratch behind his ears?”
“She’d like to scratch that itch. Look at her blush,” Keri teased.
“I bet he’d be good.” Tina sighed.
“I’m living vicariously through you,” Jayden said. “Go scratch that itch and then call me with the dirty details.” The three of them laughed.
“Moving on,” Tina said. After feeling the heat of Bo’s hands on her waist last night, she didn’t think it was wise to go down that road. Instead, she focused on ideas that Jayden had for the Harris house.
Her heart sank when she arrived back home and Bo was gone. She wanted to see him again, which was a strange sensation. The last time she actually longed to see someone was… Well, it was so long ago she couldn’t remember.
Meg called that evening and since Cole was at work, they were able to talk for a long time. Noah was resting in her arms and every now and then let out precious little noises and sighs.
Tina told her all about Trey and his oh-so-brave texting breakup. Part of her story included Bo, so then Meg began the inquisition as to who he was and what Tina thought of him.
“I miss you guys so much,” Meg said softly into the phone. “I have no friends up here, at least not anyone I can talk to. Cole’s secretary is about the only woman I talk to and I’m not too fond of her. His mother is a crazy bitch who pretends to like me.”
Tina sat out on her balcony and marveled at the sunset with Dixie laying by her feet and watching the ducks play in the water below. “Come visit. I’ll buy your ticket. Noah is old enough to travel and he needs to see his Aunt Tina. He misses me, I just know it.”
Meg giggled. “He does. He told me so. I’m afraid Cole would crap a brick if I told him I was coming for a visit. He’s in the middle of a huge project and he comes home tired and grumpy a lot.”
“Even more reason to come.” Tina huffed.
“How is everyone there?” Meg quickly changed the subject.
Tina went down the list of their friends. The anniversary of Chris’s death was this week and Jayden was dealing with that by focusing on the house. Keri had just closed on a multimillion dollar ranch transaction to which she was ecstatic. Holly had sold some of her paintings to a local gallery that featured river-inspired art. She worked all day at the bank and then painted all evening, far too busy to visit, of course.
“How is Bear?” Meg’s voice tightened, as it always did when she asked about him. She’d been head over heels for him in school, but he was already in the military before she graduated. Meg met Cole when she was nursing school and moved with him to Boston. Meg was ready to leave his ass and come home when they got pregnant with Noah.
Tina always wondered if Meg made the right decision. Not that it mattered now. Noah was a gift from God and despite Cole’s flaws, he loved his son.
“Bear’s good,” Tina said. “The bar is doing very well, especially since it’s right on the river. He makes me sing every time I come in, so naturally, I hate him.”
Meg laughed. “You love him and you know it.”
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny.”
They caught up and planned a visit, maybe for the summer. Tina could take Noah swimming. “Kiss him for me.”
Meg inhaled. “He’s the most angelic thing in the world. Especially when he’s sleeping.” She sounded happy and light. Things must be going well at home.
“Love you, Meg. I’ll see you soon, even if I have to come up there.”
Tina hung up and felt the sting of missing her friend and Noah. She texted Jayden to pick a weekend they could fly up and visit.
Monday morning came with a flurry of people gathered at the Ragland house. Tina went over her playbook for the project, taking the crew through the home and pointing out who would be focusing on what—not that she needed to, these guys knew the drill. Their morning consisted of floor plans, schematics for new electrical wires, and taking a look at the utilities and plumbing. Assess the house, find its weaknesses, fix the issues, and start taking it apart and build it back better.
She spent the most time with her head carpenter. Kevin was making custom cabinetry and doing a complete overhaul of the kitchen and bathrooms. Updated fixtures and appliances were going in so they started removing toilets and sinks.
“The one sink in the upstairs master is staying because it’s a fabulous antique. Do not mess that thing up.” She moved on to the demolition of the current downstairs sitting parlor which was going to be opened up to create a larger formal dining room.
There was something satisfying about the whole process. She was the commander of her ship and her crew, confident in what she was doing, comfortable in charge of their heading.
The dumpster was delivered at noon, two hours behind schedule. But that didn’t slow her down. She jumped on the front-loader and scooped up the trash and boards that had been removed by the crew, dumping the debris into the huge container.
Her happily inflated balloon sprung a tiny leak when she jumped off the machine to find Trey’s car pulling up to her job site. He’d never bothered her at work and had no reason to be at this site.
Removing her work gloves, she met him at his car. “What’re you doing here?”
One of her pet peeves was people bringing their personal drama to her site. Working with mainly men, that was rarely an issue. The occasional spouse dropped off lunch or forgotten tool belts, that was fine. Nevertheless, the personal drama needed to stay at home.
Trey kept his chin lifted and his hands fisted at his side. The way he stood didn’t look natural, as if he were playing a part, purposefully doing something out of the ordinary. “I need to talk to you. Duane gave me the address.”
As if that justified interrupting her day? She would have a serious talk with her dad later.
“I’m working.” Tina crossed her arms and popped out a hip, casting him an impatient look. “Didn’t you break up with me via text? I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“You owe me an explanation. I want to know why didn’t fight our relationship? Is this about me not talking to you about this house?” He waved his hand dismissively at her current project.
“Not hardly. You’re right, Trey, I can’t give you all my attention and I never will.”
“Why the hell not?” He ground his teeth together.
“Because when it comes right down to it, I don’t want to. It’s not worth the effort.”
Trey’s eyes widened and his lip curled up. His shoulders tensed and moved with each heavy breath.
Tina didn’t care how angry he was, he didn’t intimidate her. “My job is to give this house the attention it deserves.”
Trey took an aggressive step closer. “Are you saying your attentions are for sale? Because they have words for that profession. I didn’t know I needed to pay you.” For the first time in their relationship, he actually showed some spine. Too bad he was about to get his face beat in for it.
“Screw you. I’m done here.” Tina turned to leave and Trey reached out, snagging her arm hard enough to yank her backwards, nearly causing her to lose her balance.
“I’m not done with you,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ve done everything for you. I’ve given you everything I have and you’ve spit on it.”
Tina struggled in his hold, feeling his fingers dig into her muscle. This is going to leave a mark. T
hank God she had a shirt on over her tank. No one would see it.
She met Trey’s eyes, letting him see her anger. “I suggest you let go if you want that hand back.”
Trey growled at her, his nostrils flared and his teeth clenched. “And I suggest you remember who wears the real pants in this relationship. I’m not your dog.”
Tina didn’t have a problem meeting him eye to eye and challenging him. She wouldn’t cower to any man. “We don’t have a relationship, never did. But I guarantee I filled out the pants better than you ever will.”
“You’ll never find a man who puts up with you like I do. You’re making a huge mistake. I’m the best thing that’s ever looked at you twice.” He glared at her with pure hatred in his eyes. This side of him was altogether new and must have been covered up well for her not to have seen it.
“Let. Me. Go.” Tina glared at him and her body tensed with every second he kept his hand on her arm. She eased her hand to the hammer hanging from her tool belt and gripped the head, ready to beat the living hell out of Trey if he tried anything.
“Problem, boss?” Bo stepped up behind her, casually wiping dirt off his hands with a rag. He stuffed it in his pocket and crossed his massive arms over his chest.
An eerie silence fell over her job site. Hammers ceased pounding, saws turned off, even the generator and air compressor went dead.
Trey surveyed the scene behind her and swallowed hard, slowly releasing her arm. “Not at all. Tina and I were just talking. Right, T?”
“Leave.” Her body shook with anger and her chest pumped with every ragged breath. How dare he lay a hand on her, especially in front of witnesses.
“We’ll continue this later.” It was more of a warning than a promise.
“Naw.” Bo kept that casual drawl and confident attitude. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t think you will.”
“You took my cousin’s job and now you think you’re going to take my girl? No. Haven’t you caused enough problems?”
“If you don’t leave, I’ll cause another one… And I don’t mind going back to jail.”
Trey’s entire body went rigid as he assessed Bo, looking him up and down. If it came down to a physical altercation, Trey didn’t stand a chance. Bo was pure muscle from head to toe and Trey had gotten far too comfortable behind a desk. One of Bo’s biceps was bigger than Trey’s leg.
“Fine. I don’t need this shit.” Trey yanked his car door open.
“That makes two of us.” Tina turned her back as he spun gravel backing out of the driveway. She didn’t meet Bo’s eyes as she passed him. She couldn’t. This was embarrassment to the Nth degree, not to mention highly unprofessional.
Her entire crew stood around the house, on the porch, and even leaned out of the upstairs windows. It was all hands on deck today. Twelve sets of eyes waited to see how she handled herself.
Can I please die now, Lord?
She forced a cheeky grin on her face. “Crazy bastard. Nearly had to get my nail gun.”
Her guys laughed, some shaking their heads, and went right back to work. Tina chuckled and ducked inside the house, hoping none of her guys followed her.
HE MIGHT’VE HID IT well, but adrenaline coursed through Bo’s veins. There was something about a man laying his hands on a woman that sent him into a blinding rage. That pencil-pushing asshole had a lot of nerve.
When Tina brushed by him without a word, he felt the tension rolling off her shoulders. She could crack jokes to the crew all she wanted. She didn’t fool him. He sensed her frustration, her embarrassment. He let her go, let her walk it off the best way she knew how.
He, on the other hand, needed to find somewhere to cool off for a moment. This old house had a basement in the back corner and that’s where he headed.
He passed Terry and the older man stuck out his fist. Bo bumped his against it, as the other man nodded once. He received the same thanks from all the men he passed; silent approvals for having T’s back. By the time he reached the basement, the red edges were gone and he was breathing steadily.
There stood Tina, illuminated by a thin, wide window of sunshine. Her hands were braced on the concrete wall, her head hung down between her arms. She stood straight and rubbed at her left arm, the one Trey latched on to, turning to find him there.
Their eyes met and froze them in place. Red rimmed her eyes, but no tears or tear tracks.
“The, uh, hot water heater needs to be replaced.” She pointed to the heater in the far corner. Tina made for the stairs, but he stopped her, gently pressing his hand to her stomach as she passed. “Don’t, Bo.”
Ignoring her command, Bo pushed the sleeve of her shirt from her shoulder and saw the beginnings of bruising. Finger sized stripes of angry red and blue. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and went through at least two breathing reps before he could think clearly.
“It’s not a big deal,” she said, pulling away from him. “You’re not going to make it one, either. I can take care of myself.”
“It is a big deal, and I know you can. That doesn’t mean I’ll sit back and let shit happen.”
Her blue eyes held his without flinching. “I don’t need or want a white knight, Bo.”
Leaning down, right in her personal space, he whispered, “I’m hardly a white knight.” Unable to resist, he leaned further towards her and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder, lingering just long enough to hear her gasp, before he stepped back. He’d either planted a seed or signed his pink slip, he didn’t know which. “I didn’t mean to cause issues between you two—”
“You didn’t.” Tina clenched her jaw and wrapped her arms around herself. “Trey is making something out of nothing. He thinks he saw something, but he didn’t.”
Bo nodded, understanding exactly what she was saying. Trey only thought she was attracted to Bo… They were both wrong.
“And really, Bo, going back to jail? That was a little dramatic, don’t you think?” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Duane must not have told her yet. Tina thought he was bluffing and he wasn’t going to correct her just yet.
After a long day of work and awkwardness, he finally got up the nerve to talk to Duane about what happened today. Mr. Foster was no fool, sending Trey to the site like he did. He’d taken a gamble and this time, it paid off. Next time, it might not.
However, when he stepped into the old brick building that housed the office and the Foster’s home, he could hear Tina cutting her dad a new one.
“This is your fault,” she said louder than usual. “I can’t believe you pulled that.”
“What was I supposed to do, T? He wanted to see you face to face.” Duane’s voice was calm, even though his daughter was irate.
“You could’ve told him to kiss your ass. You could’ve told him to go fly a kite in an electrical storm. You could’ve told him to take a long walk off a short cliff, anything besides sending him to my site. You know how that pisses me off.”
“Did you two have words?”
“Did we have—” She laughed bitterly. “Yeah, Dad, and the whole fucking crew saw it. I was ready to take a hammer to his thick head, but Bo stepped in—”
“What?” Now Duane reacted. “What happened?”
“Nothing, really. What was Trey going to do when faced with Mr. Muscle and twelve angry construction workers?” Tina paused, and Bo cringed as she screeched. “Oh, my God! You did that on purpose. You sent Trey out there knowing he would make a scene in front of the guys.” Something slapped down on the floor, possibly a file or a stack of papers. “I don’t need you interfering with my love life.”
“Tina, that dumbass needed to see that not only can you handle yourself, but if he were to piss you off, you have a crew of pseudo-brothers and fathers that would shove his fancy degree and hybrid car right up his ass. He’s lucky Bo didn’t let loose on him. Hell, I’d like to see that.”
Just as he thought. Duane had set Trey up to face Bo.
“Dad? Seriously?”
<
br /> “Bo’s a black belt, T. It would’ve been a nice show.”
There was a long beat of silence. “Bo’s a what?”
“He’s into karate.”
“Yeah, and?”
“He’s upper level black belt or something like that. Impressive.”
“Good to know if I ever need a bodyguard. Oh wait, I can handle my own shit.” Tina stormed out of the office and ran right into him. “Jeez, you’re everywhere I turn.”
“I’m sorry.” Bo lowered his gaze and had a sinking feeling he’d worn out his welcome.
Tina sighed, her shoulders dropped and she clenched her eyes shut. “Thanks for not kicking his ass ten ways to Sunday…since apparently you can actually do that.”
“Don’t thank me. I wanted to.” Bo met Duane’s gaze over her head. He stood in his office door, leaning on his cane. “And that wouldn’t have been good for anyone.”
Duane frowned, but nodded, getting his point. The last thing Bo needed was a fight. His parole officer could only do so much.
“I have to get some air.”
Bo stepped aside and let Tina pass. He and Duane stayed in the hall. “He bruised her arm.”
“I saw.”
“Don’t put me in that situation again, sir.”
“I thought karate and martial arts were all about self-control and discipline?”
“I was controlled. But if he would’ve hurt Tina, I would’ve let it slip… for her.”
Duane’s face went slack as he realized what Bo was willing to risk for Tina. “I see.”
Bo left him with that thought.
BO MADE EVERY EFFORT to keep his distance from Tina that next week. It wasn’t difficult. She was all business to everyone. She didn’t even bring Dixie to work with her, and that was rare. The Ragland house became her primary focus and she gave Bo a wide berth.
When he wasn’t at work, Bo was in the woodshop. There was a peace in creating things from raw lumber. He tested the various types of hard woods: mahogany, walnut, even a soft cottonwood. His grandfather had left a legacy which could be seen all over town. Bo did his best to copy the craftsmanship. He took pictures of all the benches and introduced himself to all the people who had bought from his grandfather, hoping they would also buy from him.