Because he was watching her so closely, he noticed how slowly her arm was moving. How long it took for her to stand up, then bend over again. She was exhausted, but she was still doing what she needed to do. Cleaning the apartment before she moved out, even though Jen and Walker could easily afford to pay someone to do it.
His respect for Sierra took another giant leap. “Would you sit down for a moment? Please?” he added.
She wiped off her hands with a towel from the floor, then turned to face him. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”
“I know.” She’d tried to tell him that more than once, and he finally got it. She was serious. She fully expected to raise this baby on her own. And he suspected that the money his attorney would soon begin to send her would go right into a savings account for the child. She wouldn’t spend a cent of it on herself.
He’d never really looked at Sierra. He’d just lumped her in with all the women in his life. He’d never seen her as an individual. As a real person.
That was going to change, he vowed. Starting now. “Please don’t quit your job. I want to try and make this work. Not just the job, but you and me. And the baby.”
Nothing in her expression softened. Not even a glimmer appeared, showing she might be receptive. “I’m not a fool, Nick. Can you come up with one reason why I should buy that?”
“No, I guess I can’t. Just my word.”
Her jaw tightened. “How much do you think that’s worth?”
He’d always prided himself on being a man of his word. Of keeping his promises, making good on his responsibilities. He hadn’t done any of that with Sierra. “Right now, nothing,” he said. In his dealings with her, he’d betrayed everything he thought he stood for. “But that’s going to change.”
“You were humoring me the last time you said that. You had no intention of trying.”
“You’re right, and it was wrong of me. I’m sorry. I promise I’m not trying to humor you now.”
She studied him as if he were a new species of insect. “I can’t think why you’d imagine I’d believe you.”
“I deserve everything you’re saying. I get that. I have no way to convince you I’m sincere, and no credibility with you. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
His leg began to twitch as he waited and watched her. She sank into the chair and pulled up her knees, then laid her head down on them. He read weariness in every line of her body. Who could she count on? Who would ease some of her burden?
That was supposed to be his job, as the father of her baby. Shame washed over him again. He’d been selfish. Self-centered. Unfeeling.
Not the traits of an honorable man. He’d done nothing right with Sierra.
He would fix that.
She looked so vulnerable in the chair. Fragile, as if a strong wind would blow her away. He wanted to hold her like he had after they’d returned from the ultrasound. Comfort her. Make her realize she wasn’t alone.
He didn’t have that right. One move in her direction, and she’d send him out the door.
Finally, she lifted her head. “You’re going to have to prove it this time. I’m a fool for giving you even that much, but I’ll do it for my baby.”
Her baby. She still wouldn’t acknowledge that it was his baby, too.
Why would she? he reminded himself brutally. He’d told her and told her he wanted no part of it. Didn’t want to be a father. Had no interest in becoming a family.
The whole idea still terrified him. Too many things could happen when you got attached to someone. Things that might destroy you.
But if Sierra could be this strong, he could, too. He would man up and do the right thing. Her independence, her strength, her determination made him feel small. They opened his eyes and made him actually see her.
He liked the person he saw.
“I’ll do whatever it takes. Whatever you want.”
“I’ll give you a week to convince me,” she said, as if she hadn’t heard him. “Not a day more.”
“Fine. I can accept that.” He stood and held out his hand. “Let me help you put these cleaning supplies away.”
She got up from the chair by herself, and he dropped his arm. He was going to have to earn every tiny sliver of trust. Without saying anything else, he gathered the rags and sponges and towels, picked up the two buckets and carried them into the kitchen. There was a tiny room behind it that led to a back door, and it held a laundry tub and stacked washer and dryer.
He dumped the dirty water and draped the rags over the edge of the tub, then turned to find her watching him. “You look tired,” he said. “Have you eaten anything?”
“I’m fine.” She leaned against the wall, and he suspected she needed the support. “You have to leave, Nick.”
Instead of walking out the door, he washed his hands and opened the refrigerator. He spotted some leftover pizza, put it in the toaster oven to heat up, then slid it onto a plate and set it on the table. “Eat, Sierra.”
She stood in the same place, watching him, and he couldn’t read her expression. He used to have no trouble doing that. Every emotion she felt was reflected on her face.
Not anymore.
He was part of the reason she’d changed.
He didn’t blame her for mistrusting him. After the miserable excuses for parents he’d had, he wasn’t father material. He had nothing to give a child. But he was determined to try to help her.
He couldn’t give her what she wanted. But he’d give her what he could, and hope it would be enough.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE SUN WAS JUST RISING over Lake Michigan when Sierra unlocked the construction trailer the next morning. Smears of pink and orange streaked the sky, and a sliver of yellow edged the horizon. She set her cup of tea and container of yogurt, fruit and granola on the desk, then sank into her chair.
She was insane. She should be gathering her belongings from the trailer, tying up loose ends, then driving away from Otter Tail. Instead, she’d agreed to work with Nick for a week. Longer, if he did what he’d promised.
She tried to ignore the hope that had crept to life last night. If she took him at his word—again—and convinced herself that he was really willing to see where this went, she was doomed to disappointment. She would try to keep an open mind, try to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he was going to have to prove he was sincere. She didn’t think he’d lied to her last night. At the time, he’d meant what he said. The question was whether he would mean it in the long run. Or even if he could mean it.
She suspected not.
But she’d give him the week. He was the baby’s father, after all. When her child asked about him, years from now, Sierra wanted to be certain she’d done everything possible to keep Nick in his child’s life.
She could risk seven days to do that.
Now she had to figure out how to get through it. How to guard her heart and her emotions, so that she didn’t begin to count on him. How to keep the hope under wraps and under control.
She would be cool and professional and detached. They were working together, after all. She’d worked with him for almost three years and hadn’t had a problem keeping her distance.
Except for that night.
Her hand shook as she set her tea on the desk, and a little splashed out and burned her hand.
She was sucking on the space between her thumb and index finger when the trailer door opened. She swiveled in her chair, and Nick walked in the door.
She let her hand drop when she realized he was looking at it. “Nick. I didn’t hear your car.”
“Not even my swearing as I hit those ruts?”
“Not that, either.” He was dressed in jeans and a sweater over a button-down shirt, and he carried a briefcase. When she realized she’d been looking too long, she swiveled again and stared blindly at her computer screen.
“You’re here early,” she said, knowing it was the lamest phrase in the world.
“We have a lot o
f work to do.” He glanced around the trailer, assessing it. Cataloging everything. She knew how Nick approached a job. “Which desk can I use?”
“Mark’s using that one.” She gestured at the desk facing hers. “Any of the others are fine.”
Nick stared at Mark’s desk for a moment, as if considering taking it anyway, then swung his briefcase onto the one next to hers. She rubbed at the red skin between her thumb and index finger and cleared her throat.
“I’ve gotten everyone’s schedule from Vern at the lumberyard. I’m going to eliminate people who weren’t working both times we had problems. That should narrow it down for us.”
“Right to business,” he murmured.
“You just said we have a lot of work to do. Walker needs us to stay on schedule.” Did he think she was going to get all emotional on the job? Bring their personal life into the office? She shifted so she was facing him. “Unless you want to discuss feelings. We can do that instead, if you like.”
He stared at her for a long moment, and she thought his mouth twitched. “Work is good,” he finally said. “Why didn’t I see this side of you at B and A?”
“Which side would that be?” She bent over her computer again, pretending to be working.
“The snarky sarcasm.”
“I save that for special people.” She typed a sentence of complete gibberish.
“Good to know I’m special.”
“Yeah, special like a mosquito bite.” She felt his gaze on her as she typed more meaningless words. Finally, he opened his own computer. As he booted it up, she scribbled the Wi-Fi network password on a piece of paper and handed it to him.
“Password?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks.”
She told herself to ignore what he was doing, but noticed he followed the same routine she did first thing in the morning—check his email, check his Facebook account. When she found herself studying his dark hair and wondering why it was longer than usual, she turned to stare out the window. The sun had risen, and the sky was bright blue. Mark would be here soon. Focus.
“I’ve been researching theft at construction sites,” she finally said. “It sounds as if there are usually at least two people involved—one at the supplier and another at the site.”
“I’ve had a few situations like this. I’m sure it’s why Walker wanted me here.”
No, Jen wanted to play matchmaker.
But Sierra would use his expertise to solve her problem. “How did you finally figure out who it was?”
“I started with schedules, just like you’re doing. When I narrowed it down, I confronted the people I suspected on the site. Once they broke down and confessed, they were happy to rat out their buddy at the supplier.”
“I’ve always wanted to play good cop-bad cop,” she said. “I’ll be the bad cop.”
Nick held her gaze. “That works. You intimidate the hell out of me.”
She swung around to stare blindly at her computer screen. He thought she was intimidating?
Mark walked into the trailer just as Nick leaned toward her. Pushing away from her desk, she turned and smiled at the contractor, but he’d stopped in the doorway.
She’d tried to ignore her and Nick’s personal problems and focus on the job, but Mark’s hard stare brought everything back. She edged her chair away from Nick’s, aware that he was watching her, too.
“Hey, Mark,” she said, pleased when she sounded completely normal.
He pulled the door closed with a loud snap. “Good morning, Sierra.” His pause lasted only a fraction of a second, but she noticed it. “Boone. I didn’t think you were coming back.”
“Three heads are better than two,” he answered easily. “I was just telling Sierra that I’ve dealt with this kind of thing before.”
“I have, too. And I know everyone involved.”
“Good,” Nick answered. “That’ll make it easier to figure things out.”
Mark stared at him, and Sierra had no trouble reading his expression—we don’t need you, hotshot.
Mark didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he nodded. “Great. Sierra, have you checked on the shingles?”
“I talked to the supplier a couple weeks ago, but one of us should give them another call to make sure they’re on schedule.”
“I can do that,” Mark said.
The three of them worked silently, occasionally scribbling something on a legal pad. Mark stared at her for a long time, trying to catch her attention, but she kept her gaze on her computer. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nick look from her to Mark, then back at her. Testosterone swirled in the air, ratcheting up the tension, making it hard to breathe. Finally, Mark stood up.
“Sierra, I need you to take a look at something outside.”
As she rose, Nick did, too. “If it’s work related, I’ll come along.”
Mark shook his head. “We can handle it, Boone.”
Nick remained standing and the two men stared at each other. Sierra yanked open the door. “I’ll meet you outside, Mark. I don’t want to be in here when the pissing contest starts.”
She let the door slam behind her, and Mark followed her out almost immediately. She could hear him hurrying to catch up. “Wait, Sierra.”
She whirled on him. “What, exactly, was all that about? You and Nick are acting like idiots.”
Mark ran his fingers through his hair. “I know you don’t want him here. I guess I’m upset for you.”
Her irritation faded. “That’s sweet of you, Mark, and yes, it was awkward when he showed up. But Nick and I have worked together for a long time, and he’s right. The three of us working together will figure this out more quickly.”
“Yeah. I know.” He sighed. “A month ago, I was thrilled I’d be working with Nick Boone. Now I just want him to leave.” He gave her a level look. “I don’t like the competition.”
“Competition? For what?”
He continued to watch her, and she felt the heat rise in her neck. “Mark, there’s no competition. I told you, I like you a lot—you’re a great guy. But I’m not looking for anyone right now.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Any woman I know would be falling over herself to date you. I’m just not… I can’t…” She sighed and put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for,” he said. He tried to smile. “I’m disappointed, but I’ll probably live.”
She stretched up and kissed his cheek. “If you get any nicer, I’m going to be dragging all my girlfriends here to meet you.”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass on that.” He kicked a clod of sand-caked clay toward the lake. “I’m going to take another look at that wood.”
He whirled and headed toward the deserted skeleton of the house. She watched him for a moment, then turned and headed for the trailer. It was barely eight o’clock, and she was already tired. It was going to be a long day.
AS THE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND Sierra and Mark, Nick sank into his chair to avoid the temptation to watch them out the window. It was none of his business if the two of them had something going on. But the thought burned a hole in his gut.
Hell, this was what he’d wanted—a nice guy who would make Sierra happy. Someone who would be a good father to her baby. His baby, too, a tiny voice whispered, but he ignored it.
Cameron qualified on all counts. And judging by the way the guy looked at Sierra, he was more than willing to take on the job.
Nick gave in and glanced out the window. They were standing too damn close together, and the conversation looked intense. Then Sierra put her hand on his arm and kissed his cheek.
Nick kicked the trash can hard enough to dent it, then shoved his hands into his pockets as he stared blindly at Sierra’s bulletin board.
He had no rights with her. He’d gone out of his way to make it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. But even after he’d fled to Chicago and sworn he’d have no further contact with her, he’d woken from dreams of her almost every night.
Sierra had asked nothing from him. More, she’d made it abundantly clear she wanted no part of him or his money. She’d had the strength of will to quit her job rather than be forced into contact with him. And she was fiercely protective of that baby already.
He wondered if his mother had ever felt that way about him when she was pregnant.
She hadn’t given him much thought once he was born.
And he’d judged every woman he’d dated against his mom. Expected the worst from all of them, and rarely been disappointed.
Sierra was completely out of his experience. The more he found out about her, the more she intrigued him.
The door opened, and Sierra tossed her jacket at the coat stand and threw herself into her seat. She rubbed her belly absently as she stared at the computer screen, ignoring him completely.
“Sierra,” he began, and she whirled on him, her eyes narrowed.
“What, Nick? Do you have something to say?”
“About what?” he asked cautiously.
“About all that staring and chest thumping between you and Mark.”
“What?” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Anger had brought color to her cheeks and her eyes sparked. She was breathing heavily, and he couldn’t help staring at her chest. Were her breasts bigger?
“Eyes up here, Boone,” she said.
He felt himself flush. “Sorry. What were you asking?”
“I want to know what all that pawing the ground and marking your territory was about.”
He held up his hands. “The guy was hovering. It wasn’t appropriate for a workplace, and I wanted him to know it. But if you want Cameron, that’s fine with me. I’ll mind my own business.”
She rolled her eyes. “A huge part of the Y chromosome must be devoted to the genes for idiocy.”
She whirled and faced her computer again, manipulating her mouse with jerky movements. Her face was still flushed and her shoulders tense.
“Do you?” He couldn’t stop himself from asking. “Want Cameron?”
For Baby and Me Page 13
