by Natalie Ann
“How come it’s taken you so long to come see me?” Olivia asked.
“I’ve been busy.” Drew set her down and looked her over. “Wow, look at you, all spiffy. Coming to check out your baby?”
“This is how I dress. And I’m coming in to work today, if you don’t mind.”
Finn looked over Olivia’s clothes. Fitted jeans this time, but another pair of ankle boots and a pretty little green sweater, making her eyes stand out even more. Hair pulled back in the same ponytail as yesterday. He wondered if it was her style, or done so she could work, then tried to figure out why those thoughts were even crossing his mind.
“I thought you had your own woman,” Ethan shouted over to Drew. “Didn’t I hear you just got engaged to Jordyn?”
“Your hearing is good as always…when you want it to be. But Olivia is family, didn’t you guys know?”
Finn frowned. No one told him. Not that they would necessarily announce it, but still, you’d think someone would have mentioned the owner was a relation to Drew.
“Sort of family,” Olivia explained. “By marriage.”
Drew put his arm around Olivia’s shoulders, and Finn swore he didn’t feel jealous over that move. “Same thing. Olivia’s sister and my sister are sisters-in-law.”
Uh, what the heck did that mean?
“Want to explain that better?” Mike said, scratching his head. At least Finn wasn’t the only one trying to piece it together.
“What Drew is trying to say, but failing miserably, is that my sister is Sophia Harper.”
There was silence in the room and Finn watched as some of the crew’s faces turned red. Good, serves them right for acting like asses yesterday toward the boss’s sister-in-law, even if they didn’t know.
And Finn didn’t miss the way Drew held everyone’s stare when he made the announcement. Everyone but Finn. Guess the call to Alec Harper last night did what it should have.
“I’ll let you guys get to work then.” She turned and addressed Drew. “So, when are my displays coming in?”
“Ask Finn. He’s making them. Only you would want everything custom made rather than ordered. I’m just here to verify the design setup with you today and start running wires.”
Olivia turned her eyes toward Finn. “Oh, I didn’t know they were being custom made by someone at Harper’s.”
“Finn is the man. He does all the custom woodworking. We’re lucky to have him on board. Any custom units on any projects are made by Finn in his shop, then normally brought over. Though this is a pretty big project. How are you handling this one?”
“The wood should all be here this week,” Finn said, “and I’ll make them on site. There’s too much to make at home and assemble here.”
Olivia continued to watch him, the smile on her face lighting up again. He joked about Drew being the sunshine in the room, but it was Olivia that brightened the place up. “I can’t wait to see what you can do.”
He nodded and watched her walk way. There wasn’t a double meaning in that, was there?
Hidden
A few hours later, Olivia stood up and started to stretch. She’d been leaning over the table for too long. The piece was coming together and might end up being one of her favorites of all time. Too bad it was for a client and she promised one-of-a-kind. They paid a pretty penny for that and she wouldn’t replicate it, not even close.
Deciding she needed to stretch her legs and go for a walk, she grabbed her purse and opened the door to see Finn standing there with his fist raised in the process of knocking.
“Geez, you scared me,” she said clutching her chest.
“Sorry. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk about your display cases.”
“Oh, sure. I was just taking a break.”
“We can do it when you come back,” he said, eying the purse in her hand.
“We could. Or you could go for a walk with me,” she suggested.
“You want me to walk with you?”
“Yeah, you know, that thing where you put one foot in front of the other. I wanted some fresh air.”
She watched as his lips twitched. She’d heard the guys making comments about Finn being grouchy, but he didn’t seem that way to her. He just didn’t fawn over her, not like most of the men did, and honestly, she appreciated it.
“I’ll wait for you. I’ve got a few things to do. Take your time.”
“Suit yourself,” she said, smiling and pulling the door shut behind her, then walked out of the store.
She didn’t miss the looks her way, or Drew clearing his throat. She thought it was funny he made such a big production over who she was and wondered if maybe Phil said something to him.
Last night at dinner, Phil had asked her how things were going and how the men were behaving. She kept the conversation neutral. She didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, but she thought he might have read between the lines.
After she walked around the block, she came back and nodded to Finn. He followed her to her office, then left the door open. She raised her eyebrow at that, but didn’t say anything, just walked forward and shut it herself.
“I don’t like leaving it open with all this inventory.”
“Sorry, I didn’t think of that. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You aren’t.” Wasn’t that just sweet and considerate. Another side to him.
“First, I want to apologize.”
He looked so serious, not nervous, just serious. “About what?”
“About my comment regarding your brother-in-law and if he was trustworthy. Phil is one of the most trustworthy men I know.”
She laughed. “I totally forgot you said it. No big deal. I wouldn’t have said anything, anyway. I hope you weren’t worried over that.”
“Not really. Phil would have laughed if he knew the whole story.”
“Exactly,” she interrupted him.
“But I didn’t want to offend you.”
Okay, wow. “No, you didn’t. So let’s put it behind us and talk about my display cases.” She rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to see the design.”
“I don’t have the exact design yet.” She felt her face drop, but forced her smile back. “I mean I have an idea, but I want to run a few things by you before I start.” He laid out some papers that she hadn’t noticed in his hand. His rough calloused hand that set her heart racing. Okay, she had to stop thinking of his hands that way.
She flipped through the few designs he had. “This, I really like how the wood curves here. These are just stunning. Did you draw this yourself?”
He looked embarrassed for a moment, but then said, “Yeah. Just ideas. And that was my favorite too. I’ll get started on them Friday.”
“Oh.” Her lips pouted, but she pulled them back to a smile. The pout was the old her, the person that did those things to get her way. The businesswoman didn’t pout. She asked questions, but she didn’t pout to get her way. “The wood isn’t here yet?”
“It should be here tomorrow, but I’ve got to work and then I sleep on Thursday.”
What the heck was he talking about? “You mean work on another project? What, are you working all night too?” she asked, her lips twitching.
“No, I’m a fireman and it’s my twenty-four-hour shift tomorrow. I’ll sleep on Thursday and be here Friday.”
“The hose-wielding, ax-holding type of fireman?”
“Is there another kind?” he asked, his eyes laughing at her even though his lips weren’t moving.
“Not that I know of.”
Whoa, holy cow, she didn’t expect that and suddenly her pulse was throbbing and her heart was racing. She might have started to feel a tad bit warm inside, too. Not because of the image of him in coveralls and suspenders with no shirt underneath coming to mind, no that would be sexist.
“Then that’s the type of fireman I am.”
Deep breath. Compose yourself. Time to change the subject. Mind off of him in uniform. “S
o two jobs, huh? One isn’t enough?” she asked, more curious than anything.
“I like to stay busy. It’s a good living, both of them. Not the fancy-flashy-car living, but a good one.”
There was a dig there, she was sure of it, but he didn’t say it in a mean way, more of a funny one. “It’s just a piece of metal, an engine, and four tires.”
“I’m sure a lot of people would disagree with you.”
She knew that, but most people didn’t get it…they didn’t get her. “Most likely.”
He leaned against the door. “So, you would have liked it if he had a ten-year-old car delivered instead.”
She laughed, the sexy throaty laugh she tried to hold back at times. “I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, we both know it’s a pretty sweet ride. But honestly, if he hand-delivered the old junky car, I’d appreciate it more and you know what? I’d drive it just the same.”
“I believe you.”
“You do?” she asked, shocked.
“Sure, why would you lie about it? You’ve got nothing to gain saying that to me. Besides, I can see it in your eyes. Maybe you’re immune to your wealth, or jaded, or maybe you don’t let it define you.”
She cleared her throat. The conversation was getting a little uncomfortable and hitting a little too close to home for her. She reached forward and moved the sheets of paper around some more.
“I guess we share something in common.”
“What’s that? Are you a fireman too?”
That was somewhat funny and she appreciated that he took her hint with the subject change. “Do I look like one?”
This time he smiled, slow and sexy, and there went the composure she’d been searching for. “You look like someone who doesn’t like to get dirty, so that would be a no.” Before she could argue she wasn’t as pampered as everyone thought, he continued, “Then again, I’ve worked with metals before, and it can be a tough dirty job, so I’d bet you’re good at fooling people.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. Didn’t know how to answer him. Someone she’d just met, and yet he saw right through what everyone else always assumed about her.
“I guess we both have some hidden talents.”
That sexy grin again, showing he wasn’t so gruff—at least not around her. “I’ve got plenty of hidden talents. Which one are you talking about?”
She was enjoying herself. The fun flirting she often had with men. But this was different. There wasn’t any hidden agenda here for her, or if she guessed, for him either. They were working together, and it didn’t hurt to have a nice relationship for work. She could control it and make sure it was only flirting—she was a pro at that.
“The drawing. Or sketching. We both seem to be creative and then can put it down on paper. Guess that’s two things. Creativity and sketching.”
“I guess you’re right.” He nodded, and his smile was gone now for some reason, seriousness back in place. Almost like he caught himself loosening up and reined it back in. The abruptness was a shock, but she could do the same.
“I usually am. I’ll let you get back to work,” she said, dismissing him.
He laughed at her, as if he knew what had come over her, but she didn’t care. Businesswoman, she reminded herself.
“I’ll be out front if you need me.”
With that, he turned and shut the door behind him. What the heck did he mean by that?
She didn’t have time to think about it though. She had work to do herself and turned to get back to it, trying to push Finn out of her mind.
Two hours later, she realized she hadn’t succeeded. She’d been working along steadily, but was aware Finn was just outside her door. She’d heard his voice, mixed in with the rest of the men. She’d been able to pick it out, even through the walls. Low and deep, more of a rumble at times. Whether he was gruff or laughing, it had the same sound.
She looked at her watch, saw it was a little after four and realized they would be cleaning up soon to leave, so she did the same.
By four forty, she gave up hoping Finn would knock on her door like he did yesterday to say they were getting ready to leave, so she grabbed her purse and walked out, locking the door behind her.
Her steps faltered when she saw a little boy running to Finn and heard the word “Daddy” from his lips before Finn picked him up and tossed him in the air and set him back down. Then watched as Finn leaned in and placed a kiss on the cheek of a beautiful woman.
She felt betrayed. How could he? How could he flirt like he had with her, been as nice as he was, and be with someone else? He had a child on top of it.
It hurt, but she realized he was no different from any other man she’d met, three-piece suit or not. Guess it didn’t matter what he did for a living; he was still a snake her eyes.
Squaring her shoulders, she put a smile on her face, walked forward, said her goodbyes to everyone, making brief eye contact with Finn. Nodding her head, she strode right past, out the door and around the corner to her car. There weren’t tears forming in her eyes, not really.
Full of Surprises
A few days later, Olivia had calmed down. She was crazy to get so upset seeing Finn with another woman and his child.
She had no claim over him, nothing at all. They worked together. No, correction, he worked for her.
This was her store, her job, and she was writing the checks. She had every right to be friendly and nice to the crew. It was in her nature to do so. She’d convinced herself it was okay to be nice and flirty. No one was getting hurt.
Just because she felt betrayed, well, that was her problem. She had to stop taking everything to heart. He didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did she.
Today Finn would be here, and she would be professional again. Who cared if she was disappointed her judgment was off and she’d flirted with a taken man—her number one rule broken? That didn’t mean she couldn’t put it behind her and move forward.
That was exactly what she was going to do. Move forward and focus on her work again. What she told herself she was going to do to change her life. The reason she moved here to begin with.
So why was she nervous when she pulled into the parking lot and saw one truck there and no one else’s?
She’d hoped she could beat the crew in and avoid Finn until absolutely necessary, but it didn’t work that way.
She knew it was his truck. He was the only one who had the security code on the crew, she’d been told when she asked Phil.
“Morning,” she said briefly when she walked toward him, as he was looking over the wood that had been delivered and was set aside.
She’d been so excited over it yesterday, the thickness of it, the richness and deep grain that was showing through. It was perfect and she couldn’t wait to see what he had planned, what he was going to start making first.
“Morning,” he mumbled back at her, looking half-awake, but that wasn’t her concern. She didn’t care if he had a rough night. She wouldn’t care. “When you’ve got time, I’d like to go over the finalized design. I’ve got a few different ones based on how Phil and you worked out your layout of the store.”
“Whenever you have a minute,” she said briskly and ignored his raised eyebrow, not caring that her tone was curt.
“I’ll be in once the crew gets here and gets to work.”
“See you then.” She continued on, moving right past him and into the room she was working out of, where she shut the door and let out a sigh. Damn him for being so manly.
***
Once the men arrived and were set up, Finn decided it was time to knock on Olivia’s door.
For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what her problem was. One minute she was smiling, teasing and flirting, the next she was cool and collected, almost detached.
It wasn’t his problem though. She was a client and the client was always right.
Maybe he was just reading her wrong. Having only had about four hours of solid sleep was messing with his mind.
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br /> The second day after his shift was always the worst if he hadn’t been able to get much sleep the night he was working. Which happened to be the case. There had been three fire calls on Wednesday night. Thankfully nothing was major, but it seemed the minute he and the crew were settled for the night again, the alarms went off.
He'd gotten home Thursday morning at eight thirty after he’d picked Trey up at his parents’ and dropped him off to preschool, then undressed and crashed face down into bed.
He only allowed himself five hours of sleep after his shift; otherwise he’d never sleep later that night.
Five hours of sleep after pretty much being up over twenty-four…not good. But he was used to it and normally went to bed early later that night.
When his alarm went off before two in the afternoon, he was up and showered, ate a quick sandwich and then made it to Trey’s school.
Trey always enjoyed the early pick-ups, the two of them hanging out and running errands together, then going out to eat. Their special time together, to make up for Finn being gone overnight.
Once they got home and Trey had his bath and was in bed, Finn would normally go to bed himself. Only this time, his mind was racing with the designs for Olivia, so he sat at his desk and began to draw.
It wasn’t until he started yawning around two in the morning that he realized the night had flown by. He finished the last bit up and went to bed.
His alarm going off at six a.m. was torture, but he got up and got Trey ready and went about his day. It was him or no one. He didn’t have the luxury of rolling back over and letting someone give him a hand.
He’d arrived at the store before anyone, looked over the wood that had been delivered, satisfied it had the right amount of grain running through, and knew when they finally settled on a stain every piece was going to be stunning and unique. Just like Olivia.
Why she seemed so businesslike this morning was beyond him, but he was going to go with it.
