Her throat constricted with the thought of her father. He inflicted unbearable pressure even from the grave, but she ruthlessly suppressed her grief. She had to be as tough as any of the men out there or risk losing their respect.
****
Justin made his way down the steps, a little out of sorts, but not entirely sure why. When he’d knocked, he could’ve sworn she said to come in. Seeing her half-clothed had surprised him, and then, even after she’d donned that modest tee shirt, he had a hard time keeping his eyes from straying down again.
Not that looking at her face took any effort. Her vibrant green eyes, framed by long lashes darker than her chestnut hair, were almost as compelling as the full lips that had glistened from a swipe of her pink tongue.
Her natural, make-up free appearance was as refreshing as it was distressing. He needed to focus on her and this job site, not get distracted by the way she looked.
But there’d been something else about her, too. She’d stood toe to toe with him after being caught in an embarrassing situation. She hadn’t flown into hysterics, yelling and screaming for him to leave. Considering the way he’d stared, she justifiably could have. Most of the women he had experience with would’ve done exactly that until they figured out how to effectively manipulate the situation to their advantage.
The only sign that the situation had affected Marley Wade had been a brief flush across her cheeks. Just as quick, she’d faced him across the desk with a cool expression, and in a slightly husky voice he realized was her natural tone, she’d proceeded to give him the third degree.
Idiot that he was, he’d almost blown it by getting cocky. That crack about him owning the company hadn’t helped. His heart had stopped for a moment as he wondered what she suspected—if she knew. Then he realized she would’ve called him on it. A straightforward woman like her, Marley Wade wasn’t the type to put up with any bullshit.
Damn it. He didn’t want to like her, let alone respect her. His step slowed as that thought revealed what really bothered him. She’d passed his first test. He’d brought the list of references because in her position, he always asked for them. He just hadn’t expected her to demand them. Based on what he’d seen, it was a sure bet the couple minutes before she came out would be spent on the phone. Good thing he’d made sure the guys who’d offer up honest reports of his past job performances wouldn’t blow his cover.
It was absurd, though, to be relieved he’d pass muster when he was the one who now signed her paycheck.
****
Marley finished tying her steel-toed work boots, adjusted her tool belt where it rested low on her hips, and exited the trailer with hardhat in hand. Apparently, Justin Blackman was more than just a pretty face and damn fine body. He was a damn fine construction worker as well. She’d called two of his references and both assured her they’d rehire him on a moment’s notice.
None of which made her feel any better about her reaction to him.
Don’t make it personal, Marley.
Her father’s voice snuck through on that admonishment, and she paused to take a deep breath. She could do this, just like he’d taught her. She’d make him proud even if he wasn’t here to see it.
For the better part of the morning, she kept her distance, watching Justin work while she reviewed work orders, verified and signed for deliveries, spoke to the electrician, called the bank, and went over the schedule with Chuck Hager for the rest of the week.
Justin appeared competent and conscientious, as his references testified. Every move he made was based on efficiency, furthering his efforts without wasting motion, alleviating any doubt that he knew his way around a construction site.
Once she realized she enjoyed watching the play of his muscles as he lifted sheets of plywood, she focused her attention elsewhere. Then she found he
rself facing him across their improvised plywood picnic table as the crew broke for lunch. Marley ate with her men to show she wasn’t above them—that she was one of them; something else her dad had drilled her on.
“Any word who’s taking over Hunter?” Tom Jones asked from across the table to her left.
Marley shook her head. “Nothing official yet.”
She took another bite of turkey on whole wheat and wondered when an announcement would be made. The uncertainty had everyone on edge, especially her, though she refused to let it show.
“Last week Bonnie said she heard the old man left it all to his grandkids.”
All attention shifted to redheaded Warren, whose wife, Bonnie, worked as a secretary at Hunter Construction headquarters in Boulder’s Industrial Park. The men began offering up guesses of what would become of the company, and Marley noticed Justin’s silence. Understandable since he was new, but no time like the present to let him know how she ran things.
“All right, come on, guys. You’ll know what’s going on as soon as I do. Until then, I don’t want to hear any more speculation—that’s how rumors start. Besides, I seriously doubt anyone has anything to worry about.”
No sooner had she spoken than Nate’s blue pickup pulled into the dusty lot. She frowned as her brother slammed the door before making his way toward where they all sat at the makeshift table.
He swiped one of Marley’s carrot sticks and straddled the bench next to her. “My lunch in the trailer?”
“Yeah.” She started packing up her things as she stood. Careful to keep her voice neutral, Marley said, “I need to talk to you.”
Nate shrugged as he turned toward Tom. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Dead silence descended upon the table. Warren discreetly rolled his eyes, Chuck looked at his watch, and Tom’s eyebrows rose. Everyone avoided her gaze except Justin Blackman, and she avoided his as her jaw clenched. She lifted her cooler from the table with deliberate calm and injected iron into her words. “Now, please.”