by Vella Munn
One of the last, but hardly an isolated instance. Maybe if he understood more about parent-child relationships he could say something that would help, but he didn’t. What he did know was that their relationship was shifting again. Going deeper. Challenging him.
“I’ve been talking to some people here,” he said because that was safer. “We may have come up with a solution for your dock that won’t cost you a fortune.”
Something he couldn’t grasp passed over her features. He caught surprise and disbelief in her expression but that wasn’t all. She might run a successful business but he was cueing into her vulnerability. If she was dealing with a physical threat, he’d fight to protect her, but whatever she was dealing with had nothing to do with fighting bad guys.
He’d never know more unless she confided in him.
“You did that?” she asked. “Why?”
Why might be the only thing he couldn’t explain.
“The equipment and know-how is here,” he told her. “I like a challenge.”
“Oh.” She looked and sounded disappointed. Then her expression brightened. “That would be wonderful. I really don’t want to put out a lot of money.”
“Glad to help. However, that leaves you with a decision to make.” He waited to make sure she was focused on him. “What would you enjoy doing more, pleasing your clients or watching some ugly men sweat?”
She looked out the door. “In other words do I want to stay at Lake Serene or deal with indecisive clients?”
Even though she hadn’t said, he had no doubt which option held the most appeal for her. He could get the men who’d volunteered their muscles and experience to set on a day for the work that would jibe with her agenda, but this was about more than time management. The way he saw it, she had some decisions to make about her future. Even though her decision was none of his business, he was making it his.
As for why—why not?
Sighing, she stood and walked to the door. “As I was coming back only a few things were on my mind. At the top of the list was seeing what you’d done to protect the lines.”
“I take it you checked things out.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I wouldn’t even know there was a water pipe in the ground if not for the disturbed soil. How long did that take?”
“Not long.” He’d been at it for a couple of hours, but that wasn’t the point. “What else did you think about?”
Her smile took five years off her age. “Going for a long walk and even though it’s too early, trying to spot a fawn.”
“That’s important to you?”
“Yes.” She speared him with something that might be disapproval. “It isn’t to you?”
He liked deer as much as the next person. They’d just never been high on any kind of list. Maybe they should be.
“You’ve seen fawns around here?” He sidestepped. “What time of year are they born?”
“You don’t know? My goodness your education is lacking in certain areas.”
His education had pretty much been a mess, not that he was ready to tell her.
“How about you fill me in?” he asked. “That way if there’s a test I’ll pass.”
She winced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound as if I’m making fun of you. I was teasing.”
Teasing was good, something people who were comfortable around each other did. “No offense taken. So, when do the little buggers show up?”
“Spring, usually June which means it won’t be long. Their spindly legs and innocence delight me.”
It was early May so she was getting a little ahead of herself. However, if she was debating spending the next month or so looking for small spotted deer, he didn’t have a problem with that. It would keep her around.
Give them time to become more than acquaintances.
“I brought several bunches of carrots and a case of apples,” she said. “Don’t tell the Forest Service, not even Echo.”
“I won’t.”
She leaned against the door jamb, making him wonder if he should suggest she sit back down. The longer they talked, the later he’d have to work, but it was worth it. He wanted to tell her something, but the timing didn’t feel right. Maybe this evening.
“I’m going to say what’s on my mind. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I think I need to,” she said. “You enjoy taking your trail bike into the wilderness. I understand that. In fact I’ll admit to a bit of envy.” She studied him. “But when you go roaring through the back country, you disturb the animals there.”
Suddenly defensive, he said, “I haven’t had time for much of that.” Just last evening.
“But as the days get longer and the snow keeps melting, you will. You’ll ride that bike like you did the boat, full-out.” Her features hardened a little, a woman intent on making a point she deeply believed in—a woman whose outlook about certain things was different from his. “I think I understand your love affair with speed, but the woods are full of heavily pregnant doe.”
She was right, it was a love affair. However, she couldn’t understand his need to go as fast as possible, no one did, sometimes not even him.
“I get what you’re saying.” He ground out. “You’re putting the animals’ welfare first. However, my bike doesn’t make much noise. Listen to it before you judge it. More to the point, I’m not going to change who I am.”
I can’t.
Chapter Nine
BAD IDEA. BAD, bad idea!
Mentally berating herself, Alisha stepped outside. She wasn’t Nate’s mother or his anything else. She had no right telling him what he should or shouldn’t do. That was up to the local authorities. Besides, she’d already debated whether to say anything about his off-road antics and had decided to keep her mouth shut.
Looked like she hadn’t been able to after all.
Darn it, talking on the phone had been so easy, but, of course, she hadn’t been in his presence then.
“I rubbed you the wrong way,” she said as she looked back at him. “But I believe in being direct. I’m asking you to think about the consequences of what you’re doing.”
He started toward her, stopped. “I get consequences.”
What was going on beneath the surface with him? A wrong word from her might blow things up between them, but she couldn’t remain silent. “Have you studied pregnant deer? They’re still graceful but they’ve definitely lost speed and agility. A broken leg is a death sentence.”
“Lecture noted.”
“You consider this lecturing?”
“Whatever. You’re looking out for the welfare of all those future Bambi mothers.”
She couldn’t tell whether he was trying to lighten the mood or making fun of her. Maybe, like her, he was trying to salvage this time together.
“I’m also thinking about your welfare,” she said. When she’d first spotted him today, her mind had all but emptied, leaving her with little except appreciation for a well-made male body and its impact on her. She’d thought she’d gotten past the truly carnal while they were talking, but now she wasn’t sure. Darn but things were knotty where he was concerned. “I’d hate for you to get in trouble out there alone.”
“Trouble?”
“Accidents happen.”
He shrugged. “Not so far. Look, I refuse to worry about that.”
Didn’t he value his life? He should. “I’m trying to understand where you’re coming from,” she said. “Maybe it’s as simple as believing it makes no sense to buy trouble.”
“Something like that.”
He was evading, refusing to continue this conversation. Trying to push him would only make things worse, which she didn’t want to happen. “Ah, look, I’ve taken enough of your time. I’m sure you need to get back to work.”
“What time is it?”
She noted that he didn’t wear a watch. Neither did she because she relied on her smart phone, but she’d left it in her car.
“Around eleven I think. Maybe a little later.”
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“Eleven. I got to work around six so it’s my lunch time. How about I point out what’s going on here.”
Relieved because it sounded as if they’d smoothed over a rough spot in their relationship, she made room for him on the narrow walkway. Once they were away from the motel complex she could put a little more distance between them. Hopefully after she had, his presence would stop doing crazy things to her.
If she wanted.
Good grief! For someone who held her own in the business world, she couldn’t make sense of Nate’s impact. Not that she wanted it to end.
What if they kissed, hugged, started down a sensual road? Simply posing the possibility increased her heart rate.
As they stood close together on the walkway with its view of much of the resort, Nate described the work that was being done to the motel rooms. At first she paid little attention to what he was saying. Then she gave herself a mental shake and forced herself back to the here and now.
Nate said enough that she sensed a certain frustration with what management considered acceptable materials. He pointed toward where the newest building for guests was being built. The main complex compromised her view of the lake while allowing her to see everything that was going on in the parking lot.
They’d reached the ground and he was telling her about the new owner’s disagreement with the Forest Service’s insistence on expensive bear-resistant garbage containers, when a tall, solidly built man wearing jeans and a shirt with the resort’s logo on it called Nate’s name.
“You taking off?” the man asked as he came closer.
“No.” He shot her a look she didn’t understand. “What makes you think that?”
“You aren’t in the room.”
“No, I’m not. Look, I was at work before you showed up and even if I wasn’t, have I ever not done my job?”
The newcomer carried a clipboard with several sheets of paper on it. Because he barely acknowledged her existence, she was able to study him. He looked to be in his late thirties, all except for the lines at the corners of his eyes. She’d seen similar stress lines around her own mouth.
“You’re going to be able to finish everything on the list I gave you for today?” the man asked. “I’m sorry but I won’t be able to approve you for overtime.”
“You already told me that, Rey. I know my job.”
“And like it or not I have mine.”
“I know you do.” Nate didn’t sound as irritated as he had a moment ago. “What I’m saying is I don’t need babysitting.”
“Darn it, that’s not what I’m doing. It’s my neck on the line, not yours. Don’t forget that.”
“As if I could.”
*
“WHAT WAS THAT about?” she asked once Rey Bowen was out of earshot. So that was the man she’d talked to about whether she could trust Nate. Judging by his behavior just now, maybe she shouldn’t have.
Nate’s attention returned to her. “Rey knows what he’s doing all right, no doubt about that. He just needs to lighten up and trust his subs to do their jobs.”
“Did he hire you?”
“No. Robert’s nephew did. Rey’s wrapped tight. He’s trying hard to prove himself.”
“Ah,” she said, “the fine art of working with others. Believe me, I’ve been there. Let me amend that, I’m still there—except for today. No more shop talk.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
They stopped by her vehicle so she could put a leash on Bruce and let him out. Bruce sniffed Nate’s hand.
“Do you think he recognizes me?” Nate stroked the top of the dog’s head.
“I’m pretty sure he does. Don’t worry because he doesn’t act slap-happy. It isn’t personal. He’s judgmental, doesn’t let many people into his inner circle.”
“Because of what happened to him before you found him?”
At first Nate hadn’t seemed to know how to communicate with Bruce but it looked as if his scratching technique was passing muster because Bruce sighed and leaned against Nate’s leg. She liked seeing that. “It’s only a guess on my part, but I think you’re right,” she said. “He’s particularly reserved around men.”
“And yet he’s letting me touch him.” Nate reached under Bruce’s chin and lifted the dog’s heavy head. “Hey, buddy, I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
It wasn’t just a casual statement. She read depth behind Nate’s comment. However, much as she wanted to know more, she’d already learned an important lesson today. Nate had no hesitancy when it came to throwing up barriers around himself. A lot of people were like that when they were getting to know someone, her included. She wasn’t about to reveal any secrets to him and shouldn’t expect him to either. She’d do what her father had always told her to do, reserve judgment. In addition, her father had insisted that a person should be suspicious of others, but that had never been her way.
Determined to keep things light, she asked about the lodge deck. Nate drew Bruce’s leash out of her fingers and started across the parking lot heading toward the lake. Anyone looking at them might conclude they were a couple taking their jointly owned pet for a walk. That person probably wouldn’t notice that she occasionally stole glances at Nate or that he seemed to be having trouble slowing to accommodate her shorter legs.
They went around the side of the lodge but instead of immediately turning right where the deck was being built, Nate continued in a straight line. Intent on keeping her footing on the slushy surface of what passed for a lawn, she didn’t try looking around.
“I wanted you to get the whole effect.” He took hold of her shoulders and guided her around until she was facing the lodge. So that was what Nate’s touch felt like.
A little electric. A lot good.
Extending throughout her and making her dizzy.
The unfinished deck extended nearly half the lodge’s length. Cement footings had been dug into the ground, redwood planks were in place, and wrought iron railing was being installed around the perimeter. Stairs led down to the lawn while sliding glass doors allowed people to come in and out of the lodge’s restaurant. An overhang jutting out from the lodge’s roof would protect people from a summer storm or direct sun.
“That’s what I want,” she exclaimed. “To heck with the price, I want one exactly like that right outside my lakefront door. Oh and a smaller one for the second story balcony.”
“Did I give you the idea for upstairs living or were you already considering that?”
She gave him a mock glare. “It’s all your fault. Ever since you mentioned how to expand, I’ve been drawing mental blueprints.”
He chuckled and squeezed her arm. “A deck and a balcony would rock. Because they have to stand up to the snow, the construction could be tricky.”
Who cared? Nate had touched her and everything was right.
Dangerous.
Refusing to consider the possibility that she could get in over her head with him, she reluctantly drew out of his grasp so she could think. “It sounds as if you approve of the new resort deck,” she observed once she’d put mountain air between them.
“I do. That’s one thing Shaw got right. He’s the project manager.”
“What do you mean about him getting something right?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything but it’s my understanding that Robert and Shaw went a couple of rounds over the deck’s design. From what I heard, Shaw insisted that since they were going to take advantage of the setting, they had to do it right.”
They had done that and more. In all the time she’d been coming to Lake Serene, she’d only eaten at the restaurant a handful of times. She remembered a small, ordinary space. Her father had insisted the meals were overpriced and her mother—bringing her around crowds had never gone well, particularly near the end. Of course Alisha had taken the path of least resistance by not asking her parents if they could occasionally visit the resort. Now, she was on her own and the outdoor setting would be perfect for a leisurely
summer dinner.
With Nate.
Sitting across from each other at a small table, looking into each other’s eyes, and making plans for later in the evening.
You have to stop thinking like that! He’ll know.
But was that so bad?
“Okay,” she said, once again struggling to get her thoughts back on track. “Since you’ve thrown cold water on my completely practical plans for surrounding my cabin with redwood decking, I guess I’ll have to settle for dining here.”
“Yes, you will have to settle.”
Was that an invitation, a future date? Or was she reading something that wasn’t there into his comment? Darn it, a man hadn’t physically and emotionally appealed to her for so long that her ability to deal with attraction was rusty.
Maybe she’d never felt quite like this.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” she said, “but maybe your dissatisfaction with the plumbing fixtures you have to work with might be because an ordinary sink can’t compare to this.”
He chuckled, a lively, lovely sound she wanted to hear again. “I guess that’s possible. Nothing like a little envy. Want to take a closer look?”
Now that she’d gotten an overview of the deck, her interest in it had waned but if it meant having Nate at her side a little longer, she wouldn’t turn him down.
She thought someone might object to Bruce’s claws on the redwood but the workmen didn’t pay them any attention. She couldn’t say the same for several female visitors who stared at Nate. He wasn’t movie star handsome and hopefully could care less about trying to meet that so-called goal, but he was male with a capital “M”, rough, rugged, with an action-honed body. She fought the urge to stand closer to him to see if any daggers were sent her way then acknowledged that was juvenile behavior. She didn’t know what to do with her heightened awareness around Nate. Being with him was like hearing a powerful song for the first time and knowing she’d never forget how alive the rocking beat made her feel.
Nate was the radio turned all the way up, windows down, and the wind destroying her hair, driving fast on a summer night.
