by Deanna Chase
“Nah. I’ve got a better idea. Wait here. I’ll be right back. Brian slipped out of the cart and headed down to the river. After speaking to Clay, who’d still been standing by the bank, he returned with a self-satisfied smile on his face. He held out a hand to her. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
“What? How?” she asked as she let him help her out of the cart.
He held up a key and jerked his head toward Lin’s cart that had already been moved to dry ground. “I’ll get you home and then come back for my boys.”
Faith nearly cried with relief. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Yeah? Enough of a lifesaver that you’ll let me take you to dinner on Friday?” he asked as they climbed into Lin’s cart.
His question caught her off guard, but as she turned to him, that dimple flashed at her again and she heard herself say, “I’d love to.”
Chapter 5
Hunter walked around the large barn on Lincoln Townsend’s property. A window needed to be changed, more than a few boards had suffered rot, and the roof was leaking. He turned to Lin and said, “Sure, I can get it back into shape. No problem.”
“Good,” Lin said. “That should keep you busy for a while. After that I could use help with everything from splitting logs to fixing irrigation systems. It’s more of a jack-of-all-trades type job, nothing like the high-end work you did for Faith, but if you’re game, you’re hired.”
The luxury spa Hunter had built out for Faith was the kind of thing he really wanted to be doing. The job showed off his skills, and there was a satisfaction in turning a space into something beautiful. But because he’d left town months ago and canceled all his projects, he had to start back up somewhere. Rebuilding a barn wasn’t a sexy job, but it was a job working for Lincoln Townsend. The guy was beloved by the town, and if word got out Hunter was working for him, it would do wonders for restoring his reputation. “I’m more than game. If someone wants to hire me for side work, do you have a problem with that?”
“Not at all. Just as long as you show up here when you’re supposed to and get the work done, your time is your own,” Lin said.
“Perfect. You won’t have to worry about that. I take my commitments seriously.” Hunter held his hand out to the older man.
Lin grasped Hunter’s hand and shook, his grip much firmer than Hunter would’ve imagined from the frail-looking man. When he let go, he said, “You might need to convince the rest of the town about that last part before they decide to hire you. Miss Maple ended up having to hire someone from out of town to finish that shelving for her, and the Pelshes ended up redoing their floors themselves. People were a little put off.”
Hunter nodded, knowing that had to be the case. He’d contacted his clients to let them know he’d been called away on an emergency and apologized, but he hadn’t exactly been timely about it. He’d been in too much shock and pain to care. His lack of communication had tanked his business in Keating Hollow. But he was certain it wasn’t anything he couldn’t recover from. “I understand. They have every right to be skeptical after the way I left this summer, but I’m committed to Keating Hollow now. They’ll see.”
“And what about Faith?” Lin asked.
Hunter jerked his head up and was so surprised by the question he actually took a step back. “I’m sorry? What do you mean, ‘what about Faith?’”
He frowned. “Didn’t you agree to do the work for her outdoor space? The fire pit and a rock wall or something?”
Relief rushed through Hunter, realizing he wasn’t going to have to explain his intentions regarding Faith with her father. Not that he even knew himself. He just knew he wanted to see her, spend time with her, and somehow get her to give him another chance. “Yes, but I was under the impression it had already been taken care of.”
Lin shook his head. “No. When you left she put it on hold. At first she was waiting for you to come back, but then after she interviewed a half-dozen landscape specialists and dismissed them all, she decided to backburner the project until she had time to track down a quality contractor. But now that you’re back…” He shrugged. “You might want to make it right.”
Hunter ground his teeth together. Why had she told him the work had already been done? She had said the work was done, hadn’t she? All he could recall was her saying she didn’t have any construction projects at the moment. Damn, he thought. She’d meant she hadn’t wanted to hire him. Determination settled in his bones as he recalled the plans they’d talked about for the outdoor space. Well, she didn’t have to hire him. But that wouldn’t stop him from following through on his word. She wasn’t likely to stop him if he did the work for free, was she? Not the Faith he knew. The woman who’d put A Touch of Magic together wasn’t one to make foolish business decisions. And turning down free labor just because she was annoyed wasn’t her style.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” he said to Lin. “Consider it done. I’ll make it a priority to finish the work at her spa and anything else she needs.”
“Good.” Lincoln shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded to the barn. “I have a tab at the hardware store. I’ll call and let Harold know you’re doing work for me and to put the supplies on my account. Do you need any special tools?”
Hunter shook his head. “No, sir. My truck is fully stocked.”
“Excellent. You can start tomorrow.” Lincoln Townsend jumped into his mud-caked golf cart and waved a hand. “Get in. There’s berry pie and fresh coffee back at the house.”
Hunter’s stomach growled at the thought of pie, and he wondered when he’d last eaten. Last night? This morning? A vague memory of scarfing down a slice of toast as he rushed out the door to get Zoey registered that morning floated to the surface. They’d spent all morning at the school, and then Hunter had made a beeline for the Townsend home without stopping for lunch.
“You hungry, McCormick?” Lin asked as he carefully steered the cart around a fallen redwood tree that was blocking the path back to the house.
“Yeah, I guess I am.” He glanced back at the redwood. “You want me to clear that tomorrow? It looks like it’s been in the way for a while.”
“Ever since the storm came through a couple of months ago. They called the gust hurricane force winds. We lost four more way in the back of the orchard, but they can wait. That one,” he jerked a thumb over his shoulder, “is getting on my last nerve. If you took care of it, I wouldn’t mind.”
“Sure. I can even do it today if you want,” Hunter said. “Tomorrow I want to get a decent start on the roof before the afternoon weather kicks in, so I’ll be here early.”
Lin eyed Hunter, nodded, and said, “You’re going to work out just fine.” He parked the cart near the back door of his log cabin and climbed out. “Come on. Pie first, then we can see about that tree.”
Hunter parked his truck a few spaces down from A Touch of Magic. He killed the engine and was about to jump out when his phone buzzed with a text. Vivian… again.
Are you on your way yet? We’re waiting for you for dinner.
He sucked in a deep breath and let it out before he texted back. He’d already told her he’d be late. After pie with Lin, he’d spent the rest of the afternoon clearing the redwood tree. Then he’d gone to the hardware store, stocking up on materials so that he could hit the barn hard first thing in the morning. There was just one more thing to do before he called it a day.
The phone started to ring, and Vivian’s name flashed across the screen. Hunter closed his eyes and prayed for patience. “Hello?”
“Oh, good. You’re there. Zoey is asking when you’ll be home,” she said, her tone sounding just as annoyed as he felt.
“Probably an hour or so. I’ll be there to read to her and tuck her in.” He opened the truck door and stepped out onto Main Street.
“What’s taking you so long? I told you I was making dinner. You must be starving by now.”
He pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it for a moment. When had she decided s
he had say-so over what he did and when he did it? They weren’t involved in any way other than caring for Zoey. “Vivian, I already told you I’m busy with work. You do not need to cook for me. I’ll be home when I get there. All right?”
“But Zoey—”
“She’ll be fine. I have to go.” He ended the call, wondering if he’d made a mistake bringing Vivian to Keating Hollow. But how could it be a mistake when he considered Zoey? Vivian was acting as if they were a couple, something he was going to have to talk to her about sooner rather than later.
But at that moment, there was another woman he needed to talk to. One he hadn’t been able to get out of his mind for the last year. He paused to take in the vibrant paintings in the front window display and smiled when he realized they were animated. She’d taken his suggestion and had found someone to spell them with subtle movements. One had a woman holding a wilting rose. But as he approached, she blew on it and the petals perked up, reviving the bloom. In the other, a man held an unlit candle. With a wave of his hand, the flame sparked to life, illuminating the words that read: Treat yourself to a touch of magic.
Two women strolled out the front door, both of them glowing under the street lamps.
“That was the best massage I’ve ever had,” one of them said with a contented sigh. “The knots in my shoulders are gone, and I feel ten years younger.”
“Did you get a sugar scrub?” the other one asked. “My girl used citrus, and I smell so good I want to pour tequila on myself and do body shots.”
“I’m not sure that’s how that works,” her friend said with a laugh.
“I know, and I don’t even care!” They were giggling as they moved down the sidewalk toward Incantation Café.
Her shop was a huge success. He’d known it would be. An invisible chime went off as he walked through the door. The soft tinkling music was soothing and complimented the clean lemongrass scent in the air. The reception area was warm, and everything about it was inviting.
A petite Latina woman rose from her chair behind the desk and said, “Hello there. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to see Faith,” he said.
A small crinkle formed on her forehead as she frowned slightly. “Hmm, did you have an appointment, Mr....” she glanced up, waiting for him to supply his name.
“McCormick, and no, I do not have an appointment. If she’s busy with a client, I can wait.”
“I’m not busy,” Faith said. “But we are getting ready to close. Is it important?”
He turned and found her standing in the doorway that led to the back of the spa. The tension of the day faded away as he took her in. Her gorgeous blond hair was piled on her head in an elegant twist with a few strands framing her face. Her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes were sparking with annoyance. He knew the annoyance was directed at him, and he was looking forward to the challenge of replacing it with pleasure.
Hunter gave her an easy smile. “I think so, yes. Got a few minutes? I’ll help you lock up if you’re in a hurry.”
“Faith,” her receptionist said a little too eagerly. “Go ahead. I’ve got everything covered.”
“Lena,” Faith said, a warning in her tone. “I can handle this.” She turned her attention back to Hunter. “I can give you five minutes.” Then she spun and disappeared into the back.
Hunter didn’t hesitate. He followed her, already knowing where she’d be heading. He’d spent six months of his life with her. And even though they hadn’t had a chance to take their relationship further than a friendly flirtation, now that Craig was gone, she was the only person who he actually felt a connection to. Besides Zoey, of course.
After making his way down the hall, he turned left and pushed the door open to the small kitchen that had been stocked with a variety of healthy snacks and an espresso machine. She was already sitting at the bar, waiting for her espresso to brew. Hunter walked around the counter, reached down, grabbed the box of pastries he’d known would be there, and handed her a maple bar.
She looked at the donut for a moment and then chuckled. “I always forget you know my weaknesses.”
“We did work together for six months.” He handed her the espresso shot, grabbed a glazed donut, and sat down next to her. “The spa looks fantastic.”
“Thanks, but most of that is because of you,” she said as she stared into her cup.
“It was your vision. I just hammered the nails.”
She turned then and shook her head at him. “Stop being humble. It’s not a good look for you.”
“No? Well then, how’s this? Your outdoor space still hasn’t been done. I’m here to let you know I’m going to start work on it this week.”
Her amused expression vanished as her eyes flashed with anger. “What? I already told you we weren’t in the market for any renovations right now. You should really talk to my dad. He’s the one with projects waiting.”
“I already did.” He waved a hand at his dirt-smudged jeans. “We got a tree cleared, and I start on his barn tomorrow.” Leaning forward slightly, he caught her gaze and said, “Faith, I’m not here asking for a job. I’m here to finish the one I started.”
Her blue eyes blazed with indignation at first, but as they continued to stare at each other, the mood shifted. Suddenly instead of animosity, there was heat sparking between them, and Hunter had to hold himself back from pulling her to him and kissing her until the fire reflecting back at him blazed out of control.
She blinked, and the spell was broken. After clearing her throat, she said, “We’re still building our client base, and there just isn’t any money in the budget for the outdoor space right now. Thanks, but maybe another time. Next fall would probably be better.” She shrugged. “We’ll have to see how the spa is doing.”
“Could you afford to supply the materials?” he asked.
“Probably, but that’s beside the point.” She slid off her chair. “Thanks for coming by, but it’s been a long day, and I have an afterhours client coming in that I have to prepare for.”
She turned to go, but Hunter reached out and gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her. “I wasn’t going to bill you for my labor, Faith.”
She frowned at him. “Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I let you down and I want to make it up to you. I could also use the reference. I’m back for good now and need to rebuild my client base too. Since you’re the only one I’ve done work for in Keating Hollow, I want to make sure your experience is stellar.”
Faith just stared at him, her expression unreadable.
He wanted to press his palm to her cheek, pull her in closer, and kiss her until everything else faded away… until the only thing that mattered was being in each other’s arms.
“You can’t do the work for free,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s not how I do business.”
Her words brought him back to reality, and he rested one elbow on the bar. “You aren’t. I’m getting a reference out of it.”
She rolled her eyes. “I will give you a reference for the work you did on the spa already. It’s not like you ran out on me without finishing the work I contracted you for. You deserve it. The place is beautiful.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t finish. I told you I’d build the rock wall and fire pit. If you still want those, I’m ready and willing to get them done. It’ll only take about a week. It would be shorter, but I’ve got work for your dad to do as well.”
She let out a deep sigh. “Why don’t you just get him to provide a reference? His word is gold around here.”
“I will, but the work I’m doing for him is mostly manual labor. The work I want to do is design for upscale places. Turning a space from an empty shell into a work of art is what gets me excited. Your place fits that bill to a T.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line and glanced away. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Frustrated that she was fighting him so hard, he stood and took one of her hands in his, hold
ing it gently. “Faith, what’s really the problem? The fact that you won’t be paying me for the work? Or do you just not want me around?”
He held his breath as he waited for her to answer. He hadn’t meant to put her on the spot like that, but the words had just come out. Well, better to know one way or another, he thought.
“It’s not…” She shook her head. “I don’t feel right about not paying you.”
Relieved she hadn’t told him to scram, he relaxed his shoulders and gave her an easy smile. “How about a trade? I’ll do the work for your outdoor space, you pay for the supplies and pay me in services. Massages, scrubs, facials, whatever you think will revitalize this body after flexing my muscles all day.”
“You want to take payment in massages?” Her gaze swept over him, and something that looked a lot like desire flashed through her eyes for just a moment. But then she blinked, and it was gone.
“Why not? I’ll likely need them.”
A slow smile tugged at her lips as she let out a low chuckle. “You’re relentless you know that?”
“I am when I want something,” he said.
“And a reference is really all you want?” she asked, getting straight to the point.
That right there was one of the things he liked about her most. She was straightforward when she had something to say. He hated games and admired her directness. “I think we both know that isn’t true, Faith. Someday soon I’m going to make good on that dinner date we never got to have.”
Without saying a word, she pulled her hand out of his and walked to the door. She paused, glanced back and said, “Thank you for your offer to renovate the outdoor space. I’ll be sure to mention your commitment to finishing the job in your reference. But don’t pursue me, Hunter. From where I’m sitting, your life looks a little crowded.”
“Faith, that’s not—” he started, but she swept out of the door, letting it close gently behind her.
Dammit. He considered going after her, but what could he say? His life was a little crowded, though not in the way that she thought. And he couldn’t exactly explain it to her. Not yet anyway. They just both needed some time. After cleaning up the bar where they’d been sitting, he quietly made his way out to the back, and even though the sun had already set, he walked the perimeter and started making notes.
