Rocky Mountain Angels

by Jodi Bowersox [romance]

She leaned back to look at him. “I know. After three times, Eli finally picked it up.”

  Joe looked contrite and leaned back to sit on the edge of his desk. Sliding his hands down her arms, he pulled her to stand between his legs. “What happened this morning?”

  “Well, you know how Professor Linson gave me an extension on my big accounting project?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you know I’ve been working on it every day.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I finished it last night.”

  Joe grinned and gave her hands a squeeze. “Good job, I knew you could do it.”

  Beth’s lip trembled. “And I lost it this morning.”

  Joe shook his head in confusion. “You lost it? How could you lose it? It was pages and pages.”

  She pulled out of his grasp and took a step back, crossing her arms. “I know it was pages and pages, Joe, but I’ve searched my house from top to bottom, and I can’t find it.”

  He rose and came to her, sliding his palm down her cheek. “I’ll help you look after work. I know what a mess your place can be sometimes.” Beth bristled at that remark, and Joe gave her a half smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that like it sounded.” He gave her a gentle kiss. “We’ll find it.”

  ***

  Ben was unpacking the last box of dishes and putting them in Mari’s cupboards. He was frankly surprised that she had let him do this task; he thought most women were pretty fussy about their kitchens. At least he knew his mom certainly was. But he supposed kitchen stuff was less personal than other things she was probably unpacking in her bedroom. He couldn’t keep his mind from wandering that direction.

  He had assembled her bed the night before and knew she liked out of the ordinary things. She had told him that the black pipes that formed sort of a cube over her bed were there to support fabric. Ben wanted to see it after she had it all put together but didn’t think he should ask. Maybe I can sneak a peek.

  The more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. She had a sense of humor, and her eyes sparkled when she laughed. And when she looked at the mountains, she was like a little kid at the fair. He had driven her up to a particularly good look-out point in the city after they had taken the U-Haul back, and she had made him pull over so she could just look. He had to admit, it had been a long time since he had taken the time to “just look,” and Pikes Peak all covered in snow was breath-taking.

  He chuckled thinking about some of the other things he was learning about her—some of which were kind of quirky. He’d never seen anyone arrange their books and dvds by color before, even breaking up a series for the sake of the design. Joe would have a fit.

  Then she’d arranged her furniture by some weird method that didn’t make any sense to him at all. Why have a TV if the seating doesn’t face it? And he didn’t think the seating she had could support a snail—a small wicker bench that looked darned uncomfortable. Maybe that’s why she didn’t bother turning it toward the TV. If anyone actually sat on it, it would collapse.

  She hadn’t hung any pictures yet, but he had looked through the open box. The woman certainly loved color. Ben set the last bright yellow bowl in a stack sporting every color in the rainbow and closed up the cupboard. The glass doors showcased the pottery like an art gallery.

  He broke down the boxes he’d emptied and thought about Mari’s announcement that she already had one degree. So she’s a couple years older than me. He threw another flattened box on the pile. What of it? Mom is a year older than Dad. It’s really no big deal. He knew he couldn’t ask her outright, but if they actually started dating, he was sure it would come up sometime.

  He sent another box to the pile and had a disquieting thought. She’s only here for school; what if she has a boyfriend back in Oklahoma? Ben’s heart squeezed, but he knew there was no point worrying about it. He just needed to ask her out and see what she says. He took a deep breath and went to find her.

  ***

  Turning his drafting table away from the window hadn’t really helped Eli focus on his work. He kept picturing himself in Mari’s little house helping her with all the heavy stuff—being the one “earning points” instead of Ben.

  They had left around noon to return the rental truck and had been gone awhile, so Eli assumed they’d gone to lunch. And later when he needed to stretch his legs and just happened to do it in front of his window, he saw that they were no longer working in the living room, and that’s when Eli really lost all concentration.

  He knew there was nothing personal or in any way intimate going on between Mari and his brother—they were just unpacking—but it nearly drove him to distraction anyway. And the fact that he was driven to distraction, distracted him all the more, because he didn’t know why. He kept telling himself that he had a lot of phone numbers of pretty women—even women with curls—and this one wasn’t all that special, but somehow he knew that was a lie.

  The women he usually spent time with were glammed up and looking for a good time. Everything that came out of their mouths was flirtation and innuendo. Things like “I’m going to be a zoo keeper” never comes out of their mouths. He smiled unconsciously, remembering the fire in her eyes when he had laughed at that announcement. She’s different, all right.

  Turning his attention once again back to his designs, that smile slid. Maybe if I can just spend a little bit of time with her, my curiosity will be satisfied, and I’ll be able to concentrate. He looked at his watch. At the rate he was going, he knew he could be up late, so he really should take a break. Maybe I can take her out for a quick bite.

  He went to freshen up and brush his teeth.

  ***

  Mari had been trying to drape yards of white sheer fabric over her pipe bed frame when Ben came looking for her. He patiently watched as she swagged a bit here and draped a bit there—criss-crossing it across the top to create a canopy. It took awhile, but she was finally satisfied and stepped off the bed to view it from below. She was very aware that Ben watched her as she inspected it from every possible angle. She knew she was being picky, but it would annoy her to death if it wasn’t right.

  When she started to step up on the bed to straighten a flounce, she was surprised when Ben caught her around the waist and pulled her back. “Mari, it looks great,” he whispered above her ear. “Can you leave it for now and get something to eat with me?”

  Mari slowly stepped out of his arms and turned, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Ben, you must think I’m a nut.”

  He shook his head. “No, I can see how important it is to you, but I’m starving, and since I unpacked the kitchen, I know you don’t have much to cook with yet.”

  She nodded. “Okay, but you need to let me pay to thank you for all your help today.”

  He just smiled. “Nope, it was my pleasure.”

  Mari grabbed her coat and purse off a small, straight-backed chair, and they both left the tiny bedroom. Slipping into his coat, Ben chuckled. “You can be pretty intense when you’re decorating. I’m sorry I interrupted, but I’m sure Joe would have tackled you at least fifteen minutes sooner.”

  Mari felt herself blush again as a vision of Joe tackling her on the bed danced through her head. Just the thought made her heart race. She turned quickly to the door and pulled it open only to find herself looking at a black wool coat hanging open over a blue cotton v-neck t-shirt stretched tight enough to show off some impressive pecs. Mari looked up into the dark eyes of Eli. Angel of temptation.

  She had no control over the smile that lit her face. “Eli! Ben and I were just heading out to grab a bite to eat. Would you like to join us?”

  Eli’s focus shifted past her to Ben. “Do you mean to tell me you haven’t tired of my little brother yet?”

  Mari didn’t have to look at Ben to know that remark didn’t go over well.

  Ben moved closer to her shoulder. “Blueprints finished, Eli?”

  Eli moved aside to let the two exit the house. “No, but I t
hought I might take a break.” He stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. “I don’t want to intrude on your plans, however, so I’ll leave you two to your date.”

  Before Mari thought better of it, she blurted out, “Oh, it’s not a date! There’s just nothing to eat in my house and” —her brain started to catch up with her mouth as she noted Eli’s obvious satisfaction and Ben’s hurt expression— “and Ben has been so kind to help me today.” She knew she had wounded Ben, and she also knew Eli had set her up for it. She closed the gap between her and Ben, raised up on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  Ben lit up like a lantern and Eli tensed. He turned to go. “Goodnight, Mari.” He took a few determined steps before slowing and turning back. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Mari nodded then turned to Ben, who was leaning against the porch pillar, looking smug. Her eyes grew wide in warning. “Now don’t you start!”

  He stood up straight, looking bewildered. “What?”

  Mari turned and headed down the sidewalk. “You know very well, what. There’s so much testosterone floating around out here, I can barely see.” She looked back at him when she reached the car and caught the grin he doused a half second later. “I suppose you’d like to drive?” she asked, holding out the key.

  He took it with practiced calm as he opened the car door for her. “Since you’re new to town...”

  She slid into her seat, shaking her head. Angels?

  Maybe.

  But definitely men.

  Chapter 3

  “Honey, your accounting project couldn’t have just up and walked away.” Joe flipped the cushion on the round swivel chair back down. “If you didn’t take it out of this apartment, it has to be here. Now think.”

  Beth threw a blue sofa pillow across her small living room, just missing Joe’s head. She closed the gap on her cream cardigan as she folded her arms. “What do you think I’ve been doing practically all day?”

  Joe gave her a no-nonsense look. “Now don’t go attacking me. I’m here to help.”

  Beth sank into the sofa. “Well, you’re not helping.”

  Joe crossed the room and sat beside her, taking her hand. “I’m trying to, sweetheart, but—”

  “There is no ‘but,’” Beth interrupted. “I’ve looked over every inch of this apartment three times, and you’ve gone over it twice. It’s not here.”

  They sat in silence for a few moments staring at the nondescript, vertical patio blinds; then Joe put his arm around her and pulled her head to his chest. “Why was this project on paper anyway? Seems to me, everything would be done on computer these days.”

  “Prof. Wilson says every good accountant has to know how to do double entry accounting on paper first, so they understand the process.”

  Joe nodded slowly. “I guess that makes sense.” Then after another minute of silence, “Will your professor let you start again? Do you have time?”

  Beth stiffened. “I don’t know, but even if he does, I’m not doing it again.”

  Joe pulled his head back to see her expression. “Huh? Won’t you flunk if you don’t do it?”

  Beth paused and swallowed. “Yes.”

  Joe stroked her head. “I think you’re just tired. You’ll feel better about it tomorrow. I know it will be a pain in the butt to

  do it all again, but—”

  “No, Joe,” —she pulled back to look at him squarely—“I’m not doing it again. The whole assignment—no, the whole class drove me crazy. I’m not an accountant. I will never be an accountant.” She pushed off the sofa, crossed the room, and swept the blinds aside just enough to let herself out onto the patio.

  Joe sat a minute, completely baffled at this announcement. Maybe it’s her time of the month. He really didn’t know what to say, but he knew that a woman who stalks out of a room wants to be followed. He made his way to the door and slid it open. Though wearing a sweater, she was still rubbing her arms. He stepped out and wrapped his arms around her. After a minute of looking at the nearly full moon, he was getting cold, as well. “Have you gotten cooled off? Can we go back in?” She nodded but didn’t move. He released his hold and took her hand, giving it a little pull.

  She turned to him but still didn’t follow. “Joe I need to know you’re okay with me not being an accountant.”

  Joe took in the determined lift of her chin. “Beth, it’s freezing out here. Let’s talk inside.”

  “I want you to admit what I am.”

  “What in blazes are you talking about?”

  “I’m not an accountant. What am I?”

  “I don’t—”

  “Yes, you do. You just won’t admit it, because you think what I do is worthless.”

  “Beth...” She was shivering but still wouldn’t allow him to pull her through the door. Frustrated, he closed the gap, scooped her up, and carried her in.

  He set her down, sputtering, “That is just so like you! You don’t like where I am, so you just move me to where you

  want me.”

  “Beth, it’s freezing out there.” He slid the door closed and reached for her, but she stepped back. “Look, I better go. I need to talk to Eli about the plans he’s working on.”

  She stepped in his way. “Not until you say it, Joe. What do I do?”

  Joe knew what she wanted. “Beth, if you’re in the mood to be mad at me for trying to get you gainfully employed and out of debt, then by all means, get it out of your system. What you do isn’t necessarily who or what you are. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

  Beth rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I can’t believe you won’t say it. Well, I’ll say it for you. I’m an artist. I do art.” She gestured impatiently toward her modern art paintings on the wall.

  Joe went toe to toe with her. His voice was calm and steady. “And how much money were you making as an artist, sweetheart?”

  Her lips trembled, and she squeezed them into a thin line. Joe gently pulled her to his chest and kissed her forehead. “Beth, you’ve had too long to stew about this today. Of course you’re an artist, but you don’t have to be just an artist. You can learn a skill that will make you money and still do art on the side. I never said you couldn’t do that.”

  The door opened abruptly, and in walked Beth’s red-headed roommate, Sheri, bundled up against the cold in a long black, wool coat, holding a stack of papers in her right hand. “Beth, I hope you weren’t looking for these today, because I must have scooped them up with my assignment and put them in my bag.”

  Joe smiled down at Beth, who dropped her forehead to his chin and sighed.

  ***

  Eli had been irritated enough upon returning to the house to put Mari out of his mind for awhile. A Redbull and the classic rock and roll blaring on the stereo may have helped, as well. Whatever the reason for his newfound focus, he slammed through the design revisions for the Marshall apartment complex and was actually sitting in the living room with his feet up, drinking a beer, when Joe walked in. He hung up his coat and his keys and slipped into a chair across the room, looking wrung out.

  “Hard day?”

  Joe tilted his head back. “Not till I went over to Beth’s. She was in a crazy mood.”

  “Ah, love. Well, I’m sure you straightened her out.”

  Joe raised his head and narrowed his eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Eli took a pull on his beer. “Just like it sounds. Don’t tell me you didn’t realize that you like to be in control.”

  “I need to be in control. I’m a foreman.”

  Eli knew there wasn’t any point in having this conversation. “So,” he said before draining the last of his beer, “Beth was in a crazy mood.”

  Joe relaxed a bit. “Yeah, I’m sure she just needs a good night’s sleep.” He pushed up out of his chair and dragged to the stairs. “I think I’ll head that way, too. Women can be exhausting.”

  Eli called after him. “Women can be a good kind of exhausting, Joe. Maybe you and
Beth should try that instead of whatever it was you were doing this evening.”

  Joe growled an inaudible reply, and Eli smirked. He’d bet a hundred dollars that Beth wasn’t the virgin Joe thought she was. That’s probably the reason for her “crazy mood.” Good ole waiting-for-the-wedding Joe won’t give her what she wants.

  The front door opened, and Ben walked in, whistling. Eli wished he had gone upstairs, too, so he wouldn’t have to hear about Ben’s time with Mari. She can’t really be interested in him, can she? He sat quietly, hoping Ben would go on up the stairs, but he had no such luck.

  “Hey, Eli, how are the plans going?”

  “They’re finished.”

  Ben looked surprised. “Really?”

  Eli rose out of his chair, his empty bottle in hand. “Yes, really.” He made to pass Ben, but Ben grabbed his arm.

  “I’m sorry about Mari, Eli, but it’s really for the best.”

  Eli let moments pass as he stared his brother down. “I don’t suppose you’d like to elaborate.”

  Ben sat on the arm of the recliner. “I know the type of women you usually date, Eli, and Mari’s not like them. You and she just wouldn’t get along.”

  Eli leaned a shoulder against the door frame. “Is that right? And what type of women do I usually date? And what’s so different about Mari?” He actually knew the answer to the second two questions, and hoped the answer to the first was “no.” He would like to tell Ben that the women he usually dated weren’t so much different, but he knew that wasn’t true. Their new little neighbor pulled at him in a way other women didn’t.

  Ben laughed. “What’s different? Everything’s different. She’s smart—turns out she does already have a degree—in literature. She’s pretty, but she isn’t always primping. She doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not. She has a quirky sense of humor and a beautiful laugh and—”

  Eli pushed off the door frame. “Okay, I get it. You spent the day with her. You got to learn all about her.”

  “No, that’s just it, Eli. I don’t think I learned even a fraction. I think she’s the kind of person that would take a lifetime to get to know.”