Only His

by Susan Mallery

  She’d just started reading the environmental impact study when she heard footsteps on the trailer steps. Will Falk walked inside.

  “Someone’s here bright and early,” he said before taking a long drink from the coffee carryout cup he held.

  “It’s my first day. I couldn’t help it.”

  “Enthusiasm is good. It makes me feel old, but it’s still good.” He held open the door. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the guys you’ll be working with.”

  She rose and grabbed her hard hat, then followed him outside.

  While she’d been acquainting herself with the project, about a dozen guys had arrived for work. Pickups lined the small cleared area by the trailer.

  The men stood together, dressed in jeans, work boots and T-shirts. It was still summer in Fool’s Gold and, even out here, the temperatures would climb to the low eighties.

  As she and Will approached, the men grew silent, watching her. She kept her head up and her shoulders back. Project confidence, she told herself. No one had to know about the butterflies kickboxing in her stomach.

  “Morning,” Will said. “I’d like you to meet our new construction manager, Nevada Hendrix. She’s local, so if you’re having any trouble in town, she’s the one you go to. If you’re making trouble in town, she’ll be the one kicking your butts.” He glanced at her. “You good with that?”

  “I can kick butt,” she said firmly.

  The guys ranged in age from early twenties to late forties. The veterans were the ones she had to win over first, she thought. They would be less concerned about her being a woman and more interested in her skill set. The younger guys would have more ego on the line.

  Will made introductions. She shook hands with everyone and did her best to remember names. It would take a little longer to get to know personalities, but she had time.

  The surveying team would arrive within the hour. Will suggested which guys would help with that. She agreed and put the others to work clearing. For a second, she stared enviously at the big equipment, but knew there would be plenty of time to have her way with the tracked excavator.

  The morning flew by. Nevada surfaced long enough to head to the portable outhouses, only to find one had been draped in pink ribbon. She checked inside to make sure it was free of rodents and creepy-crawlies, then used it. After washing her hands at the portable sink, she went back into the office, made a sign that said Girls Only, taped it to the outhouse door, then went out to join the surveying team.

  Will came by around noon to tell them to break for lunch. Nevada had planned to join the guys, but Will pulled her aside before she could settle in.

  “Doing okay?” he asked, as they walked back to the trailer.

  “Sure.”

  “Like what you’ve done with the place.” He motioned to the porta potty as he spoke.

  “Thanks. I like the pink.”

  He chuckled. They went into the trailer and got out their lunches from the small refrigerator. Will sat on the edge of his desk.

  “What do you know about Jo Trellis?” he asked, as he removed a sandwich from a bag.

  Nevada stared at him. “You get right to the point. I take it you’re interested?”

  “Could be.”

  Nevada thought about the question. Jo had arrived in Fool’s Gold several years ago and bought the bar. She was friendly, a regular participant in girls’ night out, always there when someone had a crisis. But in all the time Nevada had known her, she’d never seen Jo on a date or heard her talk about a guy.

  “Jo’s my friend,” she began.

  “I’m not interested in getting laid and moving on,” Will told her. “I’m too old for that. I’d like to get to know her. She’s resisting the process.”

  Nevada smiled. “I’m not surprised. Jo keeps to herself. She’s a friend, but even I don’t know anything about her past. She never talks about it.”

  “Any men?”

  “No. There have been offers, but she always refuses.”

  “Know why?”

  Nevada shook her head. “There are dozens of theories. Everything from Jo being a Mafia princess on the run from her father to her escaping an abusive husband. I doubt either is true.”

  Mayor Marsha probably knew all about Jo’s past, as the good mayor seemed to know everything about everyone. Nevada had never been able to figure out how she got her information. But even if the mayor did know the truth, Nevada knew she wouldn’t share it with Will.

  “I don’t have any dating advice when it comes to Jo,” she admitted. “I guess you’re on your own. I will warn you not to hurt her. She’s one of us and we protect our own.” Will was a good guy and she liked him, but family came first.

  He nodded slowly. “I’m glad she has friends looking out for her.”

  “One of the advantages of a small town. Are you finding it enjoyable here, or are the walls closing in?”

  “I like it. I heard there’s going to be a festival soon. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Don’t worry. If you miss this one, there will be another one in the next couple of weeks. We’re known for our festivals.”

  She heard someone on the steps, then the trailer door opened. She expected one of the guys to walk in, but instead Tucker stepped through the doorway.

  Will glanced at his watch. “Nearly noon. Going for a personal best?”

  “I was filing paperwork at city hall. Fool’s Gold hasn’t embraced the digital age.” He looked at Nevada. “Sorry. I meant to be here on your first morning. Did Will get you settled?”

  “Yes. I’m doing fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  She managed to speak the words and act normal, but her gaze settled on the faint shadow of a bruise on his jaw.

  News of Ethan hitting Tucker had spread quickly. Outside of her immediate family, no one knew the reason, which left people speculating.

  Will excused himself to talk to the surveyor. For a second, Nevada thought about escaping with him, but knew she had to talk to Tucker eventually.

  “I’m sorry about what happened with my brother,” she said as soon as the door closed behind Will.

  Tucker rubbed his jaw. “He’s good. Nailed me one.”

  She did her best to remind herself that there was no reason to get embarrassed. Her brother had been looking out for her and there was nothing bad in that. It was just the idea of them fighting in public that made her squirm. And everyone knowing why.

  “He shouldn’t have hit you.”

  “If the situation had been reversed, I would have done the same.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Because you couldn’t simply have a conversation? I’m not sorry he defended me, but there were a lot better ways to do it.”

  “I don’t agree with that, but okay.” He crossed to the small refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. “Ethan did say something interesting,” he told her, before pausing to drink.

  Panic exploded, making her chest tighten. She waited, hoping it wasn’t anything hideous. Like, “Nevada never got over you,” or, “It’s kind of funny how she was so in love with you and you only had eyes for Cat.” Not that Ethan would know any of that, but still.

  Tucker lowered the bottle and looked at her. “He said it was your first time.”

  Involuntary reactions were a bitch, she thought grimly as she felt color flare on her cheeks. She ignored the sensation, grabbed her sandwich and held it up like a pitiful protective shield.

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” she hedged. “I had a boyfriend in high school.”

  Tucker studied her for a second, relief battling with concern. “You sure?”

  “It’s something I would remember.” She took a bite of her sandwich and forced herself to chew. After she swallowed, she managed a faint laugh. “Don’t sweat it. You were not my first time.”

  “Good. Because that would have made a difference.”

  “You were pretty drunk. I don’t think that kind of information would have helped.”

&nbs
p; “Probably not.” He shook his head. “So we’re done talking about this?”

  “You’re the one who brought it up. But, yes, we can be done.”

  “Friends?”

  “Of course. Always.”

  She’d never thought of herself as Tucker’s friend. She was the girl he hadn’t noticed, despite her love for him. He was the one who got away. But a friend? Maybe it was something to try. After all, they were going to be working together and she wasn’t stupid enough to fall for him a second time.

  AFTER LUNCH NEVADA went outside and checked on the surveying team. A hundred acres was a lot to deal with, so they worked on a grid. Her attention kept drifting to where the guys were using the real equipment to clear.

  A timber company had already been through to take out the biggest trees. The heaviest growth was being left intact. The walking path would weave through it.

  One of the guys—she thought his name was Brad—walked up to her, holding one hand in the other.

  “Cut myself,” he said. “Do you have any bandages in your truck?”

  “Sure, but there’s a first-aid kit in the office.”

  He shook his head. “Using that means filling out paperwork.”

  She hesitated. The last thing anyone wanted was more paperwork, so if the cut was small, she would go along with his request. Later, she would talk to Will and find out if she’d made the right call, or if the guys were trying to get her in trouble. After all, she was new to the team, not to mention female.

  She hurried to her truck and pulled open the passenger door. As she reached for the glove box, she saw something move on the bench seat.

  A snake was coiled up on the driver’s seat.

  Nevada managed to keep from jumping, more out of self-protection than bravery. She studied the dark brown color, the light stripes along the side and knew it was a garter snake. Harmless, and not too old, judging by the length.

  Several facts clicked into place. The test wasn’t about breaking the rules, it was about cojones. She would bet money Brad hadn’t been cut at all. The guys had simply wanted to get her to open her truck door and see the snake.

  The creatures weren’t her favorite, but she’d grown up with three brothers and, to borrow from the Texans, this wasn’t her first rodeo.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she reached across the seat and grabbed the snake. From what she remembered, it would bite. It wasn’t considered poisonous to humans, but she grabbed it by the back of the neck to avoid getting punctured.

  The poor thing practically whimpered as it recoiled and tried to squirm away. Its body wrapped around her arm, then let go as quickly. She straightened and stepped away from her truck. When she turned, she saw her whole team standing behind her.

  “One of you missing your girlfriend?” she asked.

  The guys exchanged glances, then started to laugh.

  She walked to the edge of the thicker growth and let the snake go.

  “How long did it take you to catch it?” she asked.

  “Nearly all morning,” Brad told her. “We thought you’d scream.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  One of the older guys grinned. “We’re not disappointed at all.”

  “Glad to hear it. Now, let’s get to work.”

  FRIDAY AFTERNOON Nevada found herself walking through Fool’s Gold with Tucker. She’d gone with him to file more paperwork and now they were heading back to his truck to return to the job site.

  “So when’s the next festival?” he asked. “I keep hearing about them.”

  “Next weekend, although there’s plenty going on tomorrow. The Fool’s Gold cheerleaders are back from camp and will be showing off everything they’ve learned. That’s always fun.”

  “The town has cheerleaders?”

  “They’re from the high school. We do like to celebrate here, so any excuse will do.”

  “I’ve heard that.”

  They turned a corner and walked toward the parking lot.

  “You enjoying yourself at work?”

  She nodded, aware of him walking close to her. The days were still warm, so she was in a T-shirt. Every now and then her bare arm brushed against his. She told herself not to notice, that the whispers of heat had nothing to do with the man and everything to do with…

  She sighed. She would have to come up with some handy excuses to trot out when she needed them.

  Working with Tucker was both easier and harder than she’d thought it would be. He was a fair boss, who trusted his team to get the work done. That was the good part. He was also a hunky guy with whom she shared relatively close office space. In the trailer, as here on the narrow sidewalks, it was difficult not to be aware of him.

  “I thought the guys might put a bigger snake in my truck, but I guess I passed the test.” She glanced at him. “Unless you told them to back off.”

  “Nope. You want the job, you have to be able to handle yourself with the guys. I figured you’d hit me harder than Ethan if you found out I was going behind your back.”

  “Good. Because that’s true.”

  He grinned. “You’d have to catch me first.”

  A group of teenage girls walked toward them. Both she and Tucker moved to the right, stepping into the doorway of a clothing boutique to let the girls pass. The space was small and she found herself crowded up against him, her butt pressing against his hip.

  She told herself to ignore the heat and the way her hand bumped his.

  “Hey, Nevada.”

  It took her a second to realize one of the girls was Melissa. “Ah, hi. What’s going on?”

  “We’re getting ice cream.” Melissa looked past her to Tucker and raised her eyebrows.

  “This is my new boss. Tucker Janack, Melissa Sutton. She’s my niece.”

  Melissa grinned. “Sort of. I guess explaining our relationship would be too complicated.” Melissa waved and hurried after her friends. “Nice to meet you.”

  “That’s one of Ethan’s girls, right?” Tucker said as they started walking again.

  “Yes.”

  “I saw her picture when Ethan and I had lunch.”

  They’d reached the truck. He held open the passenger door for her.

  “Explain that to me,” she said, not yet climbing in. “How can he punch you and then the two of you have lunch?”

  “We’d worked through everything. Why not have lunch and catch up?”

  “Men are very strange.”

  He laughed.

  She stepped into the truck, but her boot slipped on the metal by the door. She started to fall forward. Even as she put out a hand to brace herself, Tucker wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back.

  For the second time in as many minutes, she found herself pressed against him in a tight space.

  Her body enjoyed the moment, getting all tingly and aware. She knew this was potentially dangerous, not to mention foolish, so she told herself to act as if nothing had happened and everything was fine.

  “I’m good,” she said.

  “I don’t want my newest employee getting hurt on the job and suing the company,” he told her gruffly as he released her.

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  She went to climb into the truck, only to find herself shifting toward him instead. She wasn’t sure if she was the one doing the turning, or if he was helping. Either way, she was suddenly facing him, their bodies still close, his dark eyes staring into hers.

  Without wanting to, she found herself moving back through time. Instead of being in a Fool’s Gold parking lot, she was standing in the living room of a Hollywood Hills mansion.

  She’d only gone to the party because it was a chance to spend time with Tucker again. Even if Cat was the one to ask her. She’d known the evening would be miserable, but she couldn’t help herself.

  Standing in a sea of people she didn’t know, she realized she should have stayed back at the dorm. Despite all the celebrities circling around, she only had eyes for Tucker
and he could only see Cat.

  Tucker followed her around like a puppy, his tongue practically hanging out. Even with Nevada’s inexperience, she knew he was putting it all on the line. While Cat seemed to like him, her gaze lacked the desperate need Tucker had in his.

  “Do I know you?”

  Nevada looked at the tall, movie-star-handsome guy walking toward her, only to realize he was a movie star. His summer blockbuster had made millions and he’d been on the cover of People magazine.

  “I don’t think so,” she said, wishing she could get half as fluttery at the sight of him as she did when she saw Tucker.

  “You could,” he said. “Get to know me.”

  He was obviously drunk and maybe a little high, if his dilated pupils were anything to go by.

  “No, thanks.”

  “I can change your mind.”

  He’d grabbed her arm then, tugging her toward the back of the house. She pulled away and was about to use the tricks her brothers had taught her when Tucker appeared at her side.

  “Not so fast,” he’d said easily, removing the other man’s hand from her arm. “This one’s with me.”

  “Oh, sorry, man. I didn’t know.”

  The other guy took off. Tucker pulled Nevada against him.

  “I can see you’re not to be trusted on your own,” he told her. “You’ll get eaten alive in a crowd like this. Stick close, kid. I’ll get you out of here in one piece.”

  Then he’d kissed her. A light, friendly kiss that had probably meant nothing to him but had rocked her world. She’d wanted to pull him close so she could kiss him again.

  Then Cat had strolled up and it was as if Nevada didn’t exist. Tucker had physically stayed in place, but she’d seen the change come over him. In his world, there was only Cat and not Cat. There was no middle ground. No chance for anyone else to matter.

  “Nevada?”

  She jerked herself back to the present and found that she was pressing against Tucker. His expression was curious.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine,” she said as she quickly turned and climbed into the truck.

  He went around and got in on the other side. “Ready to go back?”