by Ruth Langan
“Hannah. Hi.” Danny was shouting at the top of his lungs as he and T.J. ran to her.
“Hi, yourself. I see you’re up early today.” She got down on her knees to give them both a hug.
She was just straightening when Ethan came strolling up. He may have hidden his excitement better than his sons, following at a more leisurely pace. He found himself thinking that it would have been much easier to be a little boy she’d willingly hug than a man she merely smiled at. But one look at that glorious smile of hers that started at her lips and spread to those honey eyes, and he could feel all his cool control melting away.
“Morning, Ethan. It looks like I have two eager helpers t
“They’ve been watching for you for half an hour.”
“Such a long time.” She held up the keys to the tractor. “Then we’d better not keep you waiting another minute.”
Danny and T.J. ran ahead and had already climbed to the seat of the tractor when Hannah and Ethan got there.
Hannah lifted Danny to her lap and made room for Ethan and T.J. beside her. She turned the key in the ignition and the tractor engine roared to life, causing the two little boys to clap their hands in delight.
“All right, you two.” Hannah waited until they’d curled their fingers around the wheel before engaging the gear. “Time for a tour of the yard.”
As the tractor rumbled in a slow circle, the two little boys tugged on the steering wheel while filling the air with little yelps of excitement. It never seemed to occur to them that Hannah was actually controlling the vehicle.
When they’d made a complete turn, Hannah could see that they weren’t nearly ready for it to end. “How about another tour, guys?”
Two little heads bobbed in agreement, and she winked at their father as she nudged the tractor into another slow arc.
Ethan listened to the high-pitched laughter of two little boys and thought it the greatest sound he’d ever heard. There had been a time when he’d wondered if any of them would ever again remember how to laugh. They’d lived under a dark cloud for so long now, he’d forgotten just how glorious a light heart and a little bit of happiness could feel.
When at last they came to a stop at the porch and climbed down, Ethan stood between his two sons. “How do you think we ought to thank Hannah for that ride, boys?”
Danny’s eyes lit up. “We could make her breakfast.”
“Sorry.” Hannah was laughing as she adjusted her baseball cap. “I’ve already had breakfast, Danny.”
For a minute he looked crestfallen. Then he said, “We could make you lunch.”
“That’s very generous of you, Danny. But I usually send one of my crew for lunch. We flip a coin to see who gets to take a break for that chore. If you were to feed me, you’d have to feed half a dozen hungry guys, as well.”
“What about after work?” He turned to his father. “Could we feed Hannah dinner again?”
Ethan nodded. “I don’t see why not. It’s the least we can do.”
“There’s no need for that.” Hannah was already shaking her head. “You don’t owe me dinner every time I take a few minutes to play. I had as much fun as the rest of you.”
“Even so, we’d like to make dinner.”
She thought a minute. “I’ve got a better idea. There’s a place up in the hills, not too far outside town, that makes the thickest shakes and the juiciest foot-long hot dogs in the world. I’ve had a craving for them for days now. If you’d like, you could pick me up at my place after I’ve had time to show, and that’ll save you having to cook.”
Ethan looked down at his two sons. “What do you two think?”
“I love hot dogs.” Danny gave a quick nod of his head and T.J. followed suit.
“Sounds like a plan.” Ethan grinned. “You can give me directions to your place before you leave today.”
Hannah waved her hand before turning the tractor toward the pile of rocks on the far side of the yard, where her crew had already assembled for another day of work.
“Yes, Mason.” Ethan balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder, and spoke to the gatehouse guard while loading the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. After listening to the voice at the other end of the line, he paused. “Sorry. I didn’t realize she was flying in today or I’d have given you her name in advance. Of course you have my permission to allow Ms. Crain access.”
Minutes later he stepped out onto the deck and watched as a car rolled to a stop beside Hannah’s truck. A dark-haired woman strode toward him carrying a leather attaché case.
She glanced around at the mounds of dirt and rocks that littered the yard, and had to shout over the noise of the heavy equipment. “For this you left Maine?”
He chuckled and escorted her inside, closing the door against the noise. “Hi, Selena. You know you didn’t have to make this trip. You could have sent everything via messenger.”
“I know. But I wanted to see for myself just where you’d decided to hibernate.” She wrinkled her nose. “This is even worse than I’d expected.”
“You’re seeing it at its worst. Once the landscaping is completed, this place is going to be beautiful. Look at that view of the lake. And the town of Devil’s Cove is really quite charming.”
“I drove through it on my way here.” She gave a mock shudder. “All those quaint little gift shops and tourist attractions. I can’t imagine actually living here.” She gave him a long, level look. “Please tell me this is just a summer place, and you aren’t considering anything permanent.”
He shrugged. “I’ve learned to take things one day at a time. For now the boys and I are feeling calm.”
“But are you happy?”
Again that shrug. “Right now I’ll settle for calm.”
She frowned. “Different strokes. But where does that leave our company, Ethan?”
“That hasn’t changed. We’re still partners, Selena.”
“Not if you had your way. But I’m holding firm on my decision not to buy you out.”
When he opened his mouth to interrupt, she held up a hand. “We’re still a good team, Ethan. You’re the computer whiz who can design any kind of program and I’m the one with the head for business. We’ve built a multimillion-dollar operation out of a dream. We’re going to stay together and see this throu
“My reputation is costing us clients, and you know it.”
“Some. But I’ll dig up new clients.”
“This isn’t fair to you, Selena. Name your price and I’m gone.”
“And I’ve told you before. This is just a little bump in the road. Once it’s over, we’ll move on. Right now the only thing that has changed is your location. You’re still able to design the clients’ software. I’m still able to negotiate the contracts. Speaking of which…” She opened the attaché case and held up a packet of documents. “There are going to be several changes to the Davis contract.” She glanced around. “Is there an office in this place?”
Ethan pointed to the stairway. “Upstairs. But we’d better work here on the kitchen table, so I can keep an eye on the boys.”
Selena’s gaze skimmed the two little figures standing on the deck and avidly watching the workers. “Where’s their nanny?”
Ethan grinned. “You’re looking at him.”
She grimaced. “At least tell me you have a housekeeper.”
“Not yet. But don’t worry. I know how much you love gourmet coffee. I’ll make a fresh pot and join you in a few minutes. How long can you stay?”
“Only a few hours. My plane leaves at four.” As she spread out the documents on the kitchen table she huffed out a breath. “If you have half a brain, you’ll book a flight and join me.”
“Daddy.” T.J. and Danny raced inside from the deck, where they’d been watching the workers for the past hour. “Hannah’s having lunch with the men now. Can we please go out and sit with her?”
“Hannah?” Selena glanced at Ethan.
“Hannah’s Landscaping.” He turned a
way from the documents they’d been going over for the past hour and strolled to the window to stand beside his two sons, watching the easy give and take between Hannah and her crew. “Why don’t we give her time to relax first?”
“She can relax with us, Daddy. Please. We won’t get in the way.”
Ethan looked down at the two faces staring up at him with such pleading in their eyes, and relented. They’d been so good, following orders and staying within the safe confines of the deck, even though he could see them twitching with excitement. “Go ahead. I’ll bring your lunch out in a few minutes.”
Danny and T.J. were out the door before he’d even finished speaking. He watched them sprint across the lawn.
The sight of them had him chuckling before he turned away and began rummaging in the refrigerator. “Okay, Selena. What’ll it be? Ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly?”
“You’re kidding.” The look on her face was priceless. “Isn’t there a place in this town that could deliver something civilized?”I suppose so. But I haven’t had time to check them out.” He began slathering slices of bread with peanut butter and jelly. “State your preference now or go hungry.”
She sniffed. “Sorry. I’d rather starve than eat what you’re fixing.”
“Suit yourself.” He pointed to his laptop. “If you’d like to type in those changes, I can initial the revised contracts when I come back inside.”
He left his business partner working at the table while he crossed the yard with a tray of sandwiches, sliced fruit and ice-cold juice boxes.
“Sit here, Daddy.” Danny scooted over closer to Hannah.
She was reclining in the shade of the big oak, leaning back on her elbows, her long legs extended in front of her. Her feet, crossed at the ankles, were encased in heavy work boots. Her now filthy T-shirt was plastered to her like a second skin. She’d removed her baseball cap, and her hair formed tiny wet curls the color of wheat that stuck to her forehead and neck. She was hot, sweaty and caked with mud. And she absolutely took his breath away.
Ethan greeted her crew before passing out sandwiches to his sons.
Danny took a bite. “Peanut butter and jelly.” He turned to the blond, freckled football player who was stretched out with his eyes closed. “Hey, Kevin. My dad made your favorite. Want some?”
The young man sat up, shoving damp hair out of his eyes. “If I hadn’t already eaten half a dozen I’d take you up on that. But I don’t have room for another bite, squirt.”
Danny beamed at his new nickname. “Okay. Maybe tomorrow. My daddy makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the world. Don’t you, Daddy?”
“You bet.” Ethan grinned at the crew. “And I didn’t even have to pay him to say that.”
That brought a burst of laughter from the others.
Ethan watched as Hannah tipped up her water bottle and drank. “What healthy lunch did you have?”
She grimaced. “You’re starting to sound like Bert.”
“That’s Hannah’s grandmother,” Danny said casually.
Hannah turned to him with a look of surprise. “I didn’t think you’d remember.” She shot Ethan a mock-pained expression. “Bert is always forcing healthy food on the rest of us. I think she sees it as her duty to be the family conscience.”
Danny set his sandwich aside to pick up the juice box. “What’s a conscience?”
“That nagging little voice that tells us right from wrong.”
“Is my daddy a conscience, too?”
Hannah saw the sly grins from the others. “That’s part of a daddy’s job description, Danny. He wouldn’t be doing his best if he didn’t teach you right from wrong.”
“Is that like saying we have to take care of each other? And telling us that good boys don’t whin
“Exactly. I remember getting that same lecture from my dad. And whining…” She gave a mock shiver. “That was like nails on a blackboard to my dad. All it ever got us was trouble. And a guarantee that we wouldn’t get what we wanted.”
Hannah looked up as a truck rolled to a stop in the driveway. “Here’s my crew chief, Martin Cross. I’d better see what he needs.” As she got to her feet, she paused. “Danny and T.J., would you like to walk with me?”
The two boys caught her hands and danced away, leaving Ethan with her crew.
“Better watch it, Mr. Harrison.” Kevin took a long pull on his Gatorade. “I think Hannah’s going soft on those kids of yours.”
Ethan chuckled. “I’m not surprised. They do have a way of winning hearts.”
The teenager watched as Hannah and the boys paused beside Martin’s truck. “I wouldn’t have thought it of Hannah. She’s tougher than any of us. I know guys on my football team who won’t work for her because they’re afraid she’ll embarrass them by working circles around them.”
Ethan arched a brow. “That’s their loss. Anybody can see that she loves what she’s doing.”
“That’s what I told them.” Warming to his subject, Kevin drained the last of the bottle and reached into a cooler for another. “She never asks any of us to do something she wouldn’t do herself.”
Ethan saw several heads nodding in agreement.
“And she’s fair with us.” Kevin unscrewed the top of the bottle and chugged. “The day of the prom she sent us all home at noon so we had time to pick up our tuxes and the corsages for our girls. And she paid us for a full day.”
“You sound like a walking ad for Hannah’s Landscaping.” Ethan picked up the empty tray and got to his feet. “I think when you finish school, you ought to consider a job in public relations, Kevin. Hannah would probably be the first to sign on.”
The others were still laughing when Ethan walked over to claim his sons.
Chapter 7
The day had turned into a scorcher. The temperature hovered in the nineties, and there wasn’t the faintest breeze to stir the air. The guys in Hannah’s crew had removed their shirts, and once an hour they turned the hose on themselves for some relief while they continued working on the retaining wall.
By three o’clock, when half of the boulders had been positioned, they were dragging.
“It’s looking good. But in this heat, we’d better call it a day.” Hannah climbed down from the tractor and mopped at her face with a damp towel.
“It’ll look even better when we get all the planting done.” Martin Cross pointed to the stake truck parked to one side, where a second crew was busy unloading a variof bushes and flowering plants.
“Hopefully, we’ll get at them tomorrow.” Hannah tipped up a water bottle and drained it before setting it aside. “See that they’re thoroughly watered before your crew leaves, Martin.”
He nodded and turned away, calling orders to his crew. While some finished unloading, others began misting the plants, while the remainder of the crew began securing the equipment before heading home.
Hannah removed her baseball cap and ran her fingers through her wet hair as she climbed the steps to the deck. Before she could knock, the door was yanked open, and she found herself staring in openmouthed surprise at a young woman looking cool and composed in a navy linen pantsuit. Her dark hair was perfectly styled in a smooth pageboy. Her makeup was flawless.
“Did you need something?” Selena looked her up and down with an expression of disgust. Her voice was as cool as her manner.
“Oh, hi,” Hannah laughed. “I know I’m filthy. Don’t worry. I won’t track any dirt inside. I’m looking for Danny and T.J.”
“Whatever for?”
Hannah glanced beyond her. “Are they around?”
“I believe they’re upstairs with their father. Could I take a message?”
“Sure. Tell them…” Before she could finish she heard Danny’s voice.
“Hannah.” Danny squealed with pleasure and raced down the stairs, followed by T.J.
Both were wearing shorts and matching shirts with pictures of cartoon characters. Their hair was still wet from the shower and their
feet were bare.
“Oh.” She gave a mock sigh. “You guys look so cool. I can’t wait to get into the shower.”
“Want to use ours?” Danny turned as his father walked up behind him. “Daddy, is it all right if Hannah uses our shower?”
Ethan studied the dirt that streaked her face and had to clench his hands at his sides to keep from touching a finger to the spot. “It’s fine with me, but I doubt you could persuade her.”
Hannah could feel her cheeks grow hot at the way Ethan was staring at her, and started backing away. “Sorry. This much sand would clog your drains. I’m heading home right now. I just stopped by to let you know I was through working for the day. We had to knock off early because of this heat.”
“Yay. Work’s over. Now it’s time to play.” Danny was jumping up and down, and though T.J. didn’t quite understand why, he imitated his big brother.
“What’s this about?” Selena was looking from one to the other. “Isn’t this girl part of the landscaping crew?”
Ethan nodded. “Sorry. I should have introduced you. Hannah, this is Selena Crain, my business partner. She flew here from Maine with some contracts.”
Hannah offered her hand, then seeing that it was dirty, lowered it to her side and said, “Hello, Selena. It’s nice meeting you
“Selena, this is Hannah Brennan. Hannah isn’t just part of the crew. She owns the landscaping company.”
“How…interesting.” The tone of Selena’s voice was one of pure sarcasm. “Won’t it be nice when your business is successful enough that you can pay someone to take your place in the dirt?”
Hannah merely smiled. “I hope that day never comes. I like playing in the dirt.” She turned to Ethan. “If your plans have changed, I’ll understand.”
He was already shaking his head. “Selena’s just leaving. She has a four-o’clock flight back to Maine.”
