by Joan Kilby
“Possibly.” Gordon’s frown deepened.
“I haven’t signed a contract yet, but John Coates turned away a long list of applicants to hire me.” Even though Gordon had more or less confirmed his suspicion that working for him would be problematic, regret gnawed at Angus’s insides. “I’ve made a verbal agreement.”
“My fault for not speaking to you sooner,” Gordon said. “You have to do what’s best for you.”
“I appreciate you saying that. Oh, by the way, I have something for you.” Angus picked up the small cooler at his feet and set it on the desk.
Gordon lifted the lid and his eyes lit. “A trout. You know how much I like fresh fish.”
“I caught it this afternoon,” Angus said. “It’s a small token of my appreciation for, well, everything you did for me in the past. You were a great boss. Whatever happens, I hope you and I can remain on good terms. For old times’ sake.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Gordon regarded him warmly for a moment. “How is your mom? We don’t see her much these days. Now that she’s working at the realty office, she’s very busy.”
“She’s fine, loves her new job, and sends her best wishes.” After his dad’s death in a helicopter crash when Angus was a toddler, his mom had gone to work cleaning houses for the Rentons and the Starrs and other prominent Sweetheart families. Angus wasn’t ashamed of how he’d grown up but he’d never quite felt on an equal footing with the other kids in town. Both he and his mother had moved up in the world but those old feelings of being lesser were hard to shake.
“Glad to hear it. Now let’s get down to business.” Gordon set the cooler on the floor. “We’re in a bind, Angus. I know you’re here to see your mother and have a vacation before you start your new job, but I wonder if you could do us a favor? It should be possible within the time frame of your stay in Sweetheart.”
“Anything,” he said, and meant it. Between him getting a job in Gordon’s factory at age sixteen, and his mom’s cleaning work, they owed practically everything they had to Brianna’s family. A thought about what Gordon might need him for made him lean forward. “Are you doing something with that big piece of waterfront property you own north of Sweetheart?”
“What? No.” Gordon shook his head. “I have no plans for that at the moment. It deserves something really special and anyway, developing it couldn’t be done in three weeks.”
“No, of course not,” Angus said, sitting back again.
“We’re building a community hall down by the lake,” Gordon said. “Unfortunately, the foreman has to take sick time and Blake is tied up with another big job. Brianna is comanaging the build but her time is limited by her tourism work. We need someone competent and experienced to oversee the actual construction. The slab has been poured and the prefab is nearly done. It’s a matter of stacking the logs and supervising the subcontractors, making sure everything’s done according to code. You could do it in your sleep. In fact, you might think it’s beneath you. The company is building it as a gift to the town but we would pay you well, of course.”
“I’d be happy to do it,” Angus said without hesitation. “I don’t want any recompense. It would be an honor to give back to you and to the town.”
“That’s very generous of you but not necessary,” Gordon said.
“Seriously, I’d be happy to donate my time and labor,” Angus said. “It would give me something productive to do during the day when Mom’s at work. And it’s not beneath me. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.”
“That’s terrific. There’s just one slight hitch.” Gordon picked up his pen again and tapped it on his desk. “I would hire you in a heartbeat. Blake, too. We know the quality of your work, and your work ethic. No qualms at all in that regard.”
“But you’re worried about how Brianna will react?” Angus guessed when Gordon didn’t go on.
“You would have to liaise with her.” Gordon paused. “Have you talked to her yet? Does she know you’re in town?”
“Not yet.” He’d wanted to call but had been afraid of a rebuff.
“Blake broached the possibility of hiring you with her, but she needs to think about it,” Gordon said. “I don’t want this to be awkward for either of you.”
“It won’t be a problem for me.” Angus would rather mortgage his soul than have Gordon Renton think he wasn’t capable of delivering on any task.
“Anita and I were real sorry things didn’t work out between you and Brianna,” Gordon added.
Was he? Angus had always worried that his old boss hadn’t been keen on him dating his daughter, given the disparity in their respective families’ social standing and means. So worried that Angus had insisted he and Brianna keep their relationship secret at first—until their attachment became so obvious they couldn’t hide it any longer.
“I was, too, sir.” Whatever Gordon’s true feelings were, words couldn’t describe how sorry Angus was. He’d not only lost the woman he loved, but for five years he’d never felt able to return to his hometown, even to visit his mother. Instead, his mom had come to see him in California.
“Just a friendly word of caution, Brianna’s not into dating these days,” Gordon added. “In case you were thinking of taking up with her again.”
“I imagine that if I did the build, I would be too busy for socializing,” Angus said. “Anyway, she was very definite when she broke up with me.”
“Emotions are best left outside the workplace.” Gordon went on, apparently determined to spell it out. “It’s all fine and dandy when relationships go smoothly but if it went south again…” He shook his head at dark imaginings. “I wouldn’t want personal friction to get in the way of the success of the project. This is Sweetheart Log Homes’s first commercial build. It may be small but it’s important, especially to Brianna. We agreed to it mostly for her sake. She’s initiated this cherry blossom festival and she’s got a lot riding on having the hall ready in time for the ceremonies.”
“I understand.” Back off his daughter and don’t screw up the build. There was no other way to interpret Gordon’s words.
Frowning, Gordon tapped his pen some more. “She was hurt by your breakup.”
“I’m not sure if you know this, but I was planning to turn down the California scholarship and go to the local college so we could stay together. Then out of the blue, she broke up with me.”
In fact, he’d been about to ask her to marry him when she’d blindsided him by telling him in no uncertain terms that they were through, end of discussion. After that he’d been glad of the chance to go far away. Foolish romantic that he was, he’d kept the engagement ring he’d bought her and before coming back to Sweetheart he’d strung it on a chain to wear beneath his shirt. A talisman of hope, even when there was no hope.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of what happened between you two but I’ve said my piece so let’s leave it at that.” Gordon’s face cleared and he became businesslike again. “Meet Brianna at the site Monday morning at ten a.m. You can sort it out between you whether you can work together.”
“I’m sure she and I can come to an amicable arrangement,” Angus said again.
“Are you?” Gordon asked, one eyebrow cocked.
Angus shook his head with a rueful grimace. “Not even a little bit, but it won’t be for lack of trying.” He rose and shook hands. “I appreciate your time, Mr. Renton. Tell Mrs. Renton hey for me.”
When he reached the door, Gordon said, “Oh, and Angus?”
Angus turned back. “Yes?”
“Call me Gordon.”
“Yes, sir.” He gave his head a shake. “I mean, Gordon.”
Outside in the parking lot, Angus drew in a big breath of clean mountain air scented with freshly sawn Western red cedar. It was good to be back. Monday was only two days away. Whatever happened with the community hall, five long years apart from Brianna were about to come to an end. He couldn’t wait to see her.
He felt for the bump beneath his
shirt and the chain attached to the diamond engagement ring. He didn’t know if she still cared, but he certainly did. He’d repressed his feelings for years, but always at the back of his mind he’d clung to the belief that they would get back together some day. Now that he had his degree and a good job, he could finally offer her the future they’d dreamed of so long ago—if only he wasn’t too late.
She isn’t dating. Gordon had said that to discourage him, but Angus took it as a good sign. It meant she hadn’t found anyone else.
Chapter Two
“Angus is back in town,” Brianna told Sarah as they jogged the lakefront trail early Saturday morning. Cherry blossom banners fluttered in the breeze, and the sky was crystal clear on another glorious spring day. “Temporarily, that is.”
“Angus, your ex-boyfriend?” Sarah said, stopping suddenly. “We were just talking about him.”
“It’s a bit spooky.” Brianna came to a halt, too, breathing hard. “I thought I saw a guy who looked like him yesterday on the dock. Minutes later, Blake called to tell me the foreman on the community hall is out sick and he wants to hire Angus to complete the build.”
“How do you feel about that?” Sarah asked as they set off again at a walking pace.
“It’s fine. We need to get the hall built.” Brianna wiped the back of her wrist over her damp forehead. “Dad and Blake are afraid I’ll refuse to work with Angus.”
“Will you?” Sarah asked.
“I have no good reason to,” Brianna said. “What he and I had together was a long time ago. I’ve moved on.”
“Are you sure you don’t still have feelings for him? It wouldn’t be so strange if you did.”
“Ancient history. Angus is a sweetheart, but the most we can be now is friends.” Saying that, she felt a stab of sorrow. Once upon a time, she’d thought he was her soul mate. Then, sensing Sarah was about to object, she raised a finger. “Just because I haven’t met anyone else doesn’t mean I carry a torch for him.”
“Doesn’t it? Maybe you were hurt and are wary of getting involved with a man again,” Sarah suggested. “After all, Angus left you—”
“He left to go to college,” Brianna interjected. “I broke up with him.” Even so, she couldn’t deny that being the one left behind while Angus headed off to a new and exciting life had hurt. “I don’t still love him but I’m not mad at him, either. I’m neutral. No feelings one way or the other.”
“If you say so.” Sarah’s voice held an element of doubt. “You might find out differently when you see him.”
Brianna refused to contemplate that possibility. “We have a site meeting on Monday. I plan to keep it professional. Friendly but detached.”
“Maybe you should have it out with him,” Sarah suggested. “Resolve old issues so you can move forward.”
“There are no old issues. He had a scholarship to a top university. He couldn’t get the range of courses he wanted if he’d stayed in Sweetheart. We went our separate ways, that’s all.” Ruthlessly, she squashed the painful memories of their parting. “There’s nothing to resolve.”
“He may want to rekindle your affair,” Sarah said. “What will you do if he asks you out?”
“He hasn’t contacted me in years. I doubt very much he has the slightest interest in reconciling.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Sarah offered. “I could take photos, hold your briefcase, send out invisible waves of moral support.”
“I’ll be fine,” Brianna assured her, laughing. “This isn’t a big deal. Angus meant something to me once, but from now on our relationship will be strictly business.”
“Famous last words,” Sarah predicted dryly. “Call me afterward and tell me how it went.”
“We’ll have a drink to celebrate the hall build going ahead,” Brianna agreed.
*
Monday morning, Brianna paced in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear for the site visit. Stewie, her Jack Russell terrier, lay on the floor and watched her every move, ears pricked.
“I should wear what I would normally wear to work,” she said to the dog. “No special effort necessary, right?”
Stewie whined approvingly. Brianna put on one of her favorite vintage finds, a blue fitted dress with a Peter Pan collar and short sleeves with cuffs. Mornings were cool so she topped it with a chunky sweater in bright orange.
A little nervousness was natural considering she would be seeing Angus for the first time in five years but, as she drove to the site, that darn flutter in her stomach refused to go away. No doubt when she met him face-to-face, she would remember he was just a man—kind, funny, smart, and attractive in a guy-next-door way—but overall, fairly ordinary.
A white SUV was already parked at the site when she got there. Angus stood with his back to her, gazing out at the water. The breeze that rustled the tops of the trees lifted his dark hair and plucked at his shirt.
Brianna parked her compact car next to his truck and got out, exchanging her white sneakers for a pair of green gumboots against the clods of dirt. The clipboard and pen she clutched to her chest were little more than props but holding them made her feel protected, however flimsy the barrier.
He must have heard her car because he turned and started walking toward her. Even at a distance, even after years apart, his square shoulders and lean hips were instantly familiar—and yet, now that she was really looking at him—different. He’d filled out, and if it were possible, she could swear he was taller.
If this was one of those sentimental ads on TV, she and Angus would run toward each other in slow motion, arms outstretched, eyes locked in blissful anticipation. Instead, she clumped over the uneven dirt in her gumboots, her untamed curls blowing over her face, one hand trying to push them out of the way, the other holding down the skirt of her dress.
With every step bringing her closer to Angus, the past rose up, memories surfacing so fast she couldn’t stop them. Fishing in his little tin boat, swimming in the lake, quiet evenings by the fire. They’d only been together for ten months, but it had been the best time of her life.
Six feet away, she stopped, and ruthlessly shoved aside the memories. She was here to do a job.
He stopped, too, and took off his dark glasses. His clear green eyes seemed to see right inside her, and he was even more handsome than she remembered, his dark hair thicker and wavier, cut differently.
Instead of the work boots and Carhartts of old, he now sported a button-down shirt, smart pants, and expensive leather shoes. A few lines crinkled the corners of his eyes and mouth, adding to an aura of maturity. His bearing was more confident, almost larger than life and brimming with self-assurance.
Who was this man? And what had he done with her sweet, uncomplicated Angus?
“Hi,” she said, still clutching her clipboard to her chest. Her mouth felt dry and her heart was beating too fast. What was the protocol for doing business with an ex? Definitely no hugging, but shaking hands seemed weirdly formal.
While she was deliberating, he held out his hand.
Instinctively, she took it. Brief and firm, the touch of his palm sent warmth right through her. He released first, just when she was starting to be afraid she wouldn’t be able to let go.
“Hey, Brianna, how have you been?” His voice was warm and friendly, deeper than she remembered. “You look great.”
“Fine. Thanks. Nice to see you, too.” Was that her speaking? She sounded strangled, staccato.
“Let’s look over the site,” he said, and started walking. “Talk about the project.”
“Sure.” She fell into step, tripping a little as she hurried to catch up.
“Are you okay?” He put out a hand to steady her, making her feel like a clumsy child. Once again, the impersonal touch was swiftly withdrawn when it was clear she had her balance.
Or did she? When she’d rehearsed this meeting in her head countless times over the weekend, she’d thought she would be the one to rise above the messiness of the past
and be coolly professional. She hadn’t been prepared for him to be brisk with her.
They walked back to the concrete slab that was to be the footprint of the building. “When was the slab poured?” Angus asked.
“Three weeks ago,” she said. “It’s had plenty of time to cure.”
“Good.” Angus shifted his gaze to the shoreline and the park off to their right. “It’s a great spot for a community hall. Fantastic views of the water and walking distance to just about everything in town.”
“The town was lucky to acquire the land at a reasonable price some years ago and hung onto it.” Talking about the project helped bring her heart rate back to normal. If Angus was nervous, he covered it well.
“Walk me through your vision,” he said. “I haven’t seen the plans yet. What do you want to accomplish here? What will the building be used for?”
Wasn’t she supposed to be interviewing him? Brianna needed to assert her lead. “The design is simple but functional. A large meeting room, basically a rectangle with a dais at one end. Smaller meeting rooms off one side and a patio on the lakeside. A kitchen, washrooms, cloakroom. All the subcontractors are lined up ready to go and I’m assured the kitchen and bathroom can be installed in a day. I’ve talked to the county planning commission and they’ve promised to expedite approval. We just need to keep them apprised of progress. I want to install solar panels on the roof but that can wait until after the festival.”
“I’m glad to hear the town is getting on board with green technology,” Angus said. “Is that your doing?”
“It’s my mission in life to bring Sweetheart into the twenty-first century.” She spoke lightly but the region was growing and sustainable development of her hometown was a goal dear to her heart.
“How did you end up in tourism?” he asked. “I thought you’d have your own IT consultancy by now. I googled your name but didn’t come up with anything.”
“I haven’t got around to my own consultancy yet. I’ve been busy with short-term IT contracts and small projects,” she said. “The tourism job came up a few months ago and it looked interesting so I took it.”
