“There have been some developments you need to know about,” Eddie told him. Once he assured the man that all was well with the construction, he dove in. “Sierra Falls was one of the original gold rush towns. ”
He detailed the story of the letters, of Buck Larsen, but Fox soon interrupted. “It’s eight A. M. on a Monday morning,” the man said. “I appreciate your town spirit, son, but I’m busy. You need to wrap it up and tell me what the hell this has to do with me. ”
“The History Network is here, filming a story focused on how historic Sierra Falls is. ” He sat tall, staring blindly at the ranch house through the windshield, weighing his words carefully. He wasn’t a shark in a suit like Fox was, but he would get this right. “Our draw is history. Tourists have been coming for a glimpse into the past, to see where Buck Larsen slept, where he drank. If you fundamentally change the look of the old Timber Creek ranch, you’ll be changing its history. If you lose the essence—”
But Fox cut him off. “TV people, you say? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Eddie replied, a bit thrown by the man’s tone. He’d have thought these corporate types would jump at the sort of publicity that television would bring. “I met them myself. ”
“You met them,” Fox repeated in a flat voice, then grew silent. When he spoke again, his manner was exaggeratedly chummy. “You’re absolutely right, you know. ”
“I…oh. ” Eddie had been about to deploy his planned rebuttal and was thrown by Fox’s sudden agreement. “Good, then. ”
“I’m thrilled you’ve brought this to my attention,” Fox said. “If they’re filming about how historic the town is, well, we can’t have their story become how we’re changing history. Besides, I sure don’t want a bunch of TV folks going out to your job site and bothering you while you work. ”
“I guess that’s another good point. ” Eddie thought fast. He wasn’t done yet and wasn’t about to let some slick company man get the upper hand. “So you agree we need to go back to our original plans. Refurbish the ranch, pretty it up, you can get your solarium, spa, pool, all that. But we keep it to a single story. ”
A few minutes later, he clicked off his cell, amazed that Fox had agreed.
He couldn’t wait to break the news to Laura. He could just picture her, building up steam, getting worked up, and that was when he’d tell her.
Laura, all worked up.
Now there was a thing to consider. She was a passionate woman, that was for sure. All that fire, it was hard for him not to fantasize about working out their disagreements in the bedroom instead.
In fact, it was all he thought about lately.
His groin tightened as though on cue.
“What the hell…” He raked his hands through his hair and blew out a breath. He needed to focus. Get to work. Hammering something would take his mind off things, he thought. Hammer. Drill. Screw…And like that, his mind went to the dirtiest of places. He scrubbed his freshly shaved cheeks. “Get a grip. ”
Suddenly, he felt hot.
There’d been an early-morning chill in the Sierra air, and he’d thrown on a sweatshirt, but he pulled it off now and dug through his duffel for a clean T-shirt.
A knock on his window startled him. The glass had fogged, so he simply opened the door, expecting to see Jack or one of his crew.
But instead, there was Laura.
Her hair was loose at her shoulders, and she wore jeans and an old concert tee that hugged in just the right places. She was always so sophisticated and put together, but casual like this was when she was at her sexiest.
He couldn’t help the genuine smile that popped onto his face. “Morning, sunshine. I was just thinking about you. ”
Twenty
“You…why…” The sight of Eddie half-dressed robbed the words from her brain. She couldn’t help her eye
s from dipping to his chest, then back up again. He was cut with muscle in the mark of a man who took full advantage of his body, using it to work and to play, hefting lumber and operating tools and throwing balls. “Where’s your shirt?” she blurted, then felt her cheeks redden at the gaffe.
“Warm morning. And looks like it’s getting warmer. ” He smiled his trademark cocky-guy smile, but before she managed to get in a barb, he asked, “What brings you out so early, sugar?” He spoke in a husky morning voice.
Though he still sat in his truck, suddenly he felt too close, and she took a step back.
Why had she come? Why was she seeking him out this early? She should’ve known he’d be alone. Most of all, why was he half-naked?
“I have things to discuss,” she managed.
“Of course you do. ” He got out of the truck. It was high off the ground, and yet as his taut body unfolded from the cab and he stood, he still loomed so close and so tall over her. It was unsettling.