Page 28 of Love and Loathing

“I was wondering … I …” He cleared his throat. “How long do you think this project will take you?”

She blinked, surprised. “Oh, well … I can have it to you in a month at earliest, but if you give me a couple months, we can get all the fun events happening in town, including concerts and the balloon festival.”

“Let’s do that then,” he said. “We don’t want to miss the wonderful things the town has to offer.” He stepped back. “Have a good day, Jessie.”

As he walked off, Jessie couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. She’d been so sure he was about to ask her out, but he hadn’t. It shouldn’t disappoint her, but it did.

Chapter 11

He’d been about to ask her out. He had finally talked himself into it. It’d been that hug she’d given him. She’d felt so good in his arms, and the vanilla scent of her had about done him in. But when he’d accidentally placed his hand atop hers and she’d pulled her fingers away, he’d known he couldn’t do it. She’d been happy and agreeable because he’d just given her a job, not because she liked him.

Alex pulled up to the construction site. Dave spotted him approaching and waved over his head, then headed for the trailer. Alex parked in front and hopped out.

“Thanks for coming,” Dave said.

“What’s going on?”

Dave glanced toward the house. “One of our employees didn’t show up today. Called in sick. He’s done that a couple times already.”

“You think he’s lying?”

“Yeah, he’s about as useful as a steering wheel on a mule.” Dave took off his hard hat and wiped his forehead. “Pretty sure he calls in sick when he wants a day off.”

“If you want to fire him, I’m fine with that,” Alex said.

“Oh, I’m going to fire him. He’s left us shorthanded more than once, and I’m already looking for a replacement. But that’s not it.” He glanced around. “Let’s go inside.”

Alex frowned but followed him inside.

Dave shut the back window, then pulled the fan out of the front window and closed it too.

“What’s going on, Dave?”

“This fellow told me he heard you and Charlie in here talking the other day,” Dave said. “I think he must have been eavesdropping.”

Alex’s eyes went wide. “What did he say he heard?”

Dave looked down. “I’ve never been good at subtlety, so I’ll get right to it.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

Dave nodded. “Good. Are you planning on buying up all the riverfront property and adding a hundred homes to it?”

Alex closed his eyes and breathed out. “No.”

“So it’s not true, then.” Dave sighed. “That’s a relief. I should’ve known not to trust his word.”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Dave. Our investors are pushing for fifty homes.”

Dave narrowed his eyes. “Now, wait a minute. We had an agreement.”

“We’re not doing it, Dave,” Alex said. “But we need this investor. So we are in the process of negotiating.”

“Fifty homes would completely destroy this land, change the delicate ecosystem of the town. Even half that would ruin—”

“I know, Dave. Trust me, I know.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “I’m not going to let that happen.”

Dave gave a quick nod, then extended his hand. “I’ll take your word for it.”

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