by Dora Hiers
“Not while you’re out here by yourself. If you’d like a break from all the painting, you can run it tomorrow while we’re around.” He stepped over to their workbench and studied the pieces, maybe half of them already colored. “But you guys are doing a great job keeping up.”
Bristol scoffed. “You are a machine!”
He reached out and snagged her arm, tucking her against his side and planting a kiss on the top of her head. “You sure you don’t want me to drive you home?” Part of him really wanted the chance to kiss her goodnight. A real kiss. Not just a sweet kiss standing by her car.
“Ugh. Take it outside,” Trip scolded. But a smile curved his lips.
They ignored his request.
“I’ll be fine. Besides, you’re exhausted.” She peered up at him, adoration as clear as the fatigue on her face. “And tomorrow morning will be here before you’re ready for it.”
“Not that you asked, but I think I’ll work a little longer. Good night, you two.”
“Okay. See you in the morning, son.” He grasped Bristol’s hand and laced their fingers together, took a step, but she held back.
“Good night, Trip. See you tomorrow. Thanks for all your help tonight. There’s no way we could finish this project on time without you.”
Trip smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Once they were out of earshot of the workshop, he leaned down close to her ear, nearly forgetting what he meant to say after her hair tickled his arm and a whiff of her light and fruity scent teased his nose.
This woman! Did she know what she did to him?
“That’s the first real smile I’ve seen on Trip since Kiwi’s parents banned her from hanging out with him. And even though it wasn’t directed at me, I’m still happy.”
Happy that Trip had agreed to help them. But even more excited to spend all weekend with Bristol too. Even though it would take every waking minute to finish the model by the end of the weekend, this project was a win-win.
Maybe it would win her over too. He could only hope and pray that she would see that he had changed. That he was ready for a deeper relationship. That he could commit.
A warm summer breeze drifted off the lake and washed over them as they reached Bristol’s car. She shivered.
“Cold?” He massaged her bare arms, her skin smooth under his calloused palms. Why had it taken him so long to realize that he could have the family of his dreams with this kindhearted beautiful woman?
Smiling sleepily, she wound her arms around his middle and peered up at him. “Hardly. Being around you keeps me warm.”
“Does it now? Then, let’s see if I can do a better job.” Fire raging through his veins, he kissed her. Not the chaste kiss he’d planned, but one that gave her no doubt about his feelings.
14
“Trace! What are you doing here?” Bristol blew out a hot breath, lifting some wild strands of hair that had escaped the knot on her head out of her eyes and clutching the electronic tablet to her chest. It held all her notes, where the tables were to be set, which company was assigned to each table, their contact info, etcetera. If she set it down somewhere or lost it before the tables were marked, she’d be sunk.
Tomorrow was Career Day, and at two o’clock in the afternoon, she still had a hundred things on her to-do list to make the gymnasium ready. This morning, the principal had called her into a series of meetings that lasted until lunchtime, so she’d just now made it to the gym to find that nothing had been done so far. After all the long days and late nights over at Trace’s workshop to help with the model construction, she needed sleep in a bad way. Trace, probably more so, judging by the dark smudges high on his cheeks and his slow, almost lazy, stride into the gym.
Still, he looked amazing in the short-sleeved navy polo, Tomlinson Investment Properties embroidered in white, and jeans that hugged his legs and seemed to stretch for miles. Steel toed boots clomped across the floor as he made his way to her. She counted three men with the same logos on their shirts who stopped several feet behind him, as if waiting for his direction.
Even though she’d seen him pretty much every waking minute over the last four days, she stared at him like a drowning woman who’d just been tossed a life vest. Not only had he come through for her, constructing a beautiful, intricate model on extremely short notice, but now he’d brought reinforcements?
She fanned her face with the tablet, her heart doing somersaults.
He crossed arms over his chest, highlighting his bulging biceps. His sweet smile made her pulse take off like a rocket. “Had to make sure Moondust Cove High School got to the table without a scratch.”
“And that will take—” she leaned around him, ticking off each man with her finger. “Four guys?”
“Thought you could use a few more hands.”
“You thought right.” Especially since the school’s lone custodian was due to clock out in less than an hour. She’d already put out an SOS to Debbie, who was due to arrive at any minute. But four able-bodied, well-muscled men would definitely speed things up. Maybe she would get a decent night’s sleep tonight.
“You have four of us for the rest of the afternoon. Put us to work.”
The last of the walls around her heart fissured and cracked like a massive iceberg breaking off into the sea. Was this what love in action looked like? “I don’t know what to say, Trace. Thank you seems so—”
An eyebrow hiked, and he flashed a wicked smile. “I’ll find an appropriate way for you to express your gratitude. Later. For now, let’s get to work.”
Three hours later, after she checked the last item off her to-do list and the guys were carrying in the model, Debbie came over to stand next to her. “It looks great, Bristol. Better than anything our school ever did.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” Like the strongest of magnets, Trace tugged her gaze to him. She couldn’t help but admire his wide and powerful shoulders. The strong arms. The easy way with his men. The sweet and smug smile every time he caught her ogling him.
So preoccupied, she didn’t realize Debbie was talking until her friend wiggled her arm.
“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry, Debbie. What were you saying?”
Debbie grinned. “You look like you have everything under control.”
“Trace saved the day. If he hadn’t shown up with his men, it would’ve been just you and me dragging out all those tables.”
Her friend followed her gaze. “He’s one of the good ones.”
“Yeah.” That had never been in question.
“You never asked him for help?”
She shook her head. “He just showed up. Right after I texted you.”
“And he built that amazing model?”
She nodded. “He volunteered to do it the same day that Noah canceled.”
Debbie’s grin widened.
“What?”
“You’re not wasting your time, honey, trust me. A person would have to be blind not to notice how he looks at you. George will be thrilled to share his man cave during movie nights.” Debbie chuckled and snatched her purse from the table. “Now that you’re ready for tomorrow, I’m going to take off.”
She gave her friend a one-armed hug. “Thank you for your help.”
“Good luck tomorrow. I want to hear all about it on Monday.” Debbie slashed a finger through the air, gesturing between Bristol and Trace, then waved as she exited the gym.
“Hear all about what?” The deep bass voice came from over her shoulder.
She startled and whipped around to face Trace, her pulse doing a little jig, her heart stuttering and stopping. “The fair of course. What else?”
His grin held a challenge. “Huh. Looked like she was pointing at me.”
She narrowed her eyes, trying to formulate a witty comeback without giving away the truth. That they had been discussing him. “That’s mighty—”
“We’re outta here, boss,” the shortest of the three men spoke for the crew. Although that wasn’t saying much because
he was probably a good six feet tall. With a beard that dangled to his chest.
“Thanks for your help, guys. See you tomorrow.” Trace nodded at his men.
She crossed the space and shook each of their hands. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.”
“You’re mighty welcome, ma’am. Happy to help.” The kind man with the long beard tugged a ball cap over his head, and the others followed him outside.
“That was so nice of you, Trace. And them.” She walked over to stand in front of her table, her fingers tracing the roof of the model building, admiration swelling in her chest. “It looks so real. Even down to the shingles. You are incredibly gifted.”
“I just cut the wood. You and Trip are the ones who made it look real.”
****
When she looked at him like that, her eyes all buttery soft and glittery, he was sorely tempted to get down on his knee and slide that ring he’d been carrying around in his pocket over the last few days on her finger. Now that Trip had given his blessing, Trace was more than ready to take that next step. But he wanted her to be wide awake. Not half asleep on her feet like she was tonight. And it needed to be special, something she’d remember.
He grazed her cheek with his thumb. “Is it okay if I kiss you while you’re at work?”
Her smile transformed the fatigue on her face into something hopeful, mischievous even. “Is it okay if I kiss you while you’re in uniform?”
Uniform? Oh. He glanced down at his shirt. A fine layer of dust coated the entire front of the navy polo. He took a step back. “Ugh. I didn’t realize how dirty I was, sweetheart. Sorry.”
She snatched his arm and yanked him back in place. For a little thing, she sure could pull her weight. Or maybe he’d just let her think that.
“Didn’t Gramps ever tell you a little dirt never hurt anybody?” She flashed a wicked grin and wrapped her arms around his back. “Not a chance, buddy. You can’t tease me like that and then leave me hanging.”
Heat rocketed through him, setting his limbs on fire. He rested his forehead against hers, a trace of cola from their breaths hanging in the air between them. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”
She gave her head the tiniest of shakes. Her voice came out breathy. “I need that kiss, Trace. The success of tomorrow’s career fair depends on it.”
“Does it now? On a single kiss?” His head canted to the side as he thumbed her silky cheek. He wanted to soak in every detail. From the messy knot of glorious honey colored hair on top of her head to the smooth forehead. Beautiful eyes, the color of nutmeg, and watermelon pink lips.
“Who said it would be a single kiss?” Her arms locked around his back. With her chin against his chest, she gazed up at him, her adoration clear, the love unmistakable.
This woman. She drove him crazy, unleashing such powerful longings of family and forever.
“If I don’t collect on that kiss now, I won’t get even a second of sleep tonight. Then who knows what disaster might strike tomorrow?” She wagged her head back and forth.
Framing her cheeks, he held her out so that she could see the love shining from his face. “If I kiss you, I probably won’t get a second of sleep tonight.”
“We’ll just have to test that theory, don’t you think?”
Grinning, he touched their lips together in the briefest and lightest of kisses. “There. Better?”
Her lashes fluttered up as her dark eyebrows bunched together. Her voice came out squeaky, warring with need and frustration. “Better? Not a—”
The chuckle escaped his throat, and she swatted his chest. He caught her hand and raised it to his lips for a soft kiss. Without missing a beat, he captured her lips with his, deepening the connection until he was quite sure that neither of them would sleep tonight.
15
“Wonderful turnout, Bristol. Wasn’t this your first time organizing the fair?” With arms crossed over his lean frame, Principal Anderson stood in front of her table and surveyed the packed gymnasium. With his education credentials and excellent leadership skills, the man had worked his way up the ranks from teacher to assistant principal and now principal by the age of thirty-five, unheard of in their district.
Students filled the aisles, separated by the required social distancing guidelines. Only two students at a time were allowed at each table to speak with company representatives. The rest waited patiently in groups of two or three, standing on marks spaced six feet apart. Summer school attendees got to go through first thing this morning while the rest of the students were scheduled into two-hour time slots by last name. So far, things had gone remarkably well.
Of course, Trace would attribute the success to last night’s kiss. She couldn’t exactly disagree. Especially since she’d risen this morning smiling, her lips still tingling with the memory.
Heat climbed up her neck and warmed her cheeks. “Yes.”
“Congratulations. You did an awesome job.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Please. You can call me Dr. Anderson. Or even Rand when we’re not around students.”
She only nodded, knowing she’d never call him by his first name. He was her boss!
His gaze landed on the model, and he crouched to peer at it from eye-level. “And this is the pièce de résistance. Who made this wonderful piece of art?”
“Trace and Trip Tomlinson.”
“One of our parents?”
She nodded. “Of Tomlinson Investment Properties. They build houses and manage vacation rentals. He was kind enough to volunteer when Noah came down with the virus.”
“You left your name off that list, Ms. Owens.” Trace walked up to them carrying two to-go cups. He handed her one.
“Thank you.” She took a sip, trying to hide her pleasure at his presence.
“Ms. Owens did all of the painting along with my son Trip.” Trace stuck out his arm. “Trace Tomlinson.”
“Trace, this is Principal Anderson.”
“Rand Anderson. Pleased to meet you.” Rather than shaking hands, Principal Anderson bumped elbows with Trace. “Thank you for taking on this project.”
“It was my pleasure.” Trace’s gaze met hers. His smile held hidden meaning. “So, it’s going well?”
“Most definitely. I’m very pleased with the turnout and the caliber of companies represented.” Although the principal responded, Bristol suspected that Trace meant that question for her.
When his smile widened into a grin, she found it hard to look away.
After a few beats, the silence grew awkward.
She broke the invisible tether by lowering her lashes and clearing her throat. “Trace’s company has a table here. I believe Everlee has recruited several of our students into becoming interior designers. But, Gentry—”
“Let me guess. He’s probably talked the guys into taking off on some grand adventure.” Trace rubbed at his beard, scowling. “I was worried about—”
“Actually, no. Did you see what he brought? A desk, a coffee table, and a dining room table. All pieces that he designed and built specifically for one of your vacation rentals. A few of our students have already asked me about furniture design as a possible career.”
Trace’s head twitched, surprise lifting his eyebrows. “That’s great.”
“Truly. Not all students desire to further their education. Some would prefer a job working with their hands. I’m glad you offered a diversity of options, Ms. Owens.” Principal Anderson flicked a polite nod toward Trace. “Thanks again for your support, Mr. Tomlinson. I hope we will see more of you.”
“Hopefully not in your office.”
Dr. Anderson chuckled. “That’s what they all say. I’m really not that bad.” He took off for the exit at a brisk pace, his phone to his ear, his gaze still roaming the space.
“He seems like a nice enough fella.” Trace sipped his coffee, studying her boss until the suited man disappeared, a scowl darkening his features. “Snappy dresser.”
Was he jealous?
She bumped his shoulder. “I prefer the casual look.”
“Do you now?” One of his eyebrows hiked, and a smirk took over the scowl. “So, it appears that the principal is happy with how the Career Fair is going, but I’m more concerned about you. Are you happy?”
“Overjoyed. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.” But it just got even brighter now that he’d arrived. She held up the cup. “Thank you for the coffee.”
“Figured you could use one about now.” He scanned the gymnasium.
“Looking for your brother?”
“Not really.” He glanced at his watch. “Just checking to see how much dismantling will need to be done before we can catch a bite to eat.”
“Ahh. So, you had an ulterior motive.”
“You didn’t think I’d leave you hanging on the cleanup, did you? And I’m going out on a limb here and guessing that you haven’t sat down to eat a normal meal since before your first guy cancelled with the project. Pizza and sandwiches at my place don’t count.”
Her chest swelled with love, expanding until she thought she might burst. She clamped her jaw to keep those three little words from escaping her throat. Fear of losing him again made her push them back. “You’re the best, Trace Tomlinson. Don’t let anybody ever tell you otherwise.”
Something shimmered from his eyes. Gratitude? Satisfaction? “Let me track down my brother and coerce him into staying and helping with takedown. Don’t leave without me. I have something special planned for dinner.”
“Special?” she whispered, her heart lurching.
“For a very special woman.”
Speechless, she gulped and watched him walk away, his long-legged stride taking him toward his company’s booth. The polo material hugged his wide shoulders, and his back was straight and confident.
The man didn’t play fair.
She blew out a breath and practically wilted on her feet. How could she protect her heart when he did such kind and generous things?
