Page 119 of Make Me Swoon

I almost run right into her and she shifts, smiling up at me as she tucks a stray lock of pale blonde hair back behind her ear. Her dark navy-blue eyes twinkle up at me as she raises her chin and sticks her hand out to me.

“Hi, I’m here to interview for a position with Stratton Lumber.”

The idea of this girl cutting down a tree is laughable. She’s tiny, so tiny, and I doubt that her feet would even reach the pedals if I asked her to just operate one of the machines. Still, my hand reaches out and wraps around hers, shaking once before I force myself to let her go. I open the door of the office and wave her in ahead of me, wondering what the hell I’m doing. I’m too busy for this. I should just tell her no and get back to work but there’s something about her that has me hesitating.

She has a backpack swung over one shoulder and she’s wearing blue jeans that have seen better days, a thin almost threadbare shirt under her jacket, a jacket that I notice is too thin for her to be out in this chilly weather for too long. She shifts and I see that her shoes are worn, holes forming in the thin canvas on the sides. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail and I don’t think she’s wearing makeup. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose is red and her lips are a little chapped. Even though she obviously needs help, her head is still held high and there’s a stubborn glint to her eyes.

I don't have time for this but something still has me leading her inside the office. I look over my shoulder and see a few of my guys practically salivating as they watch her walk into my office. I glare at them and they scurry away.

I shut the door after us and lead her over to my messy desk in the corner of the trailer. I cram myself into the chair behind it as she takes a seat across the desk from me. My eyes trail over her once again, taking in her small curves before I meet her eyes and take a deep breath. Her sweet honeysuckle scent fills my lungs and a shiver runs down my spine. Something tells me that this girl is going to be my undoing.

TWO

Emma

I don’t thinkthat I’ve ever seen a lumberjack in real life but the man before me most certainly fits the stereotypical version that I had in my head. He’s rugged and built like a mountain. His plaid shirt looks like it might rip at the seams if he just flexed a little bit and he’s about as tall as one of the trees that he probably cuts down every day.

I shift in my chair when my thoughts turn dirty and clear my throat. The guy hasn’t said a word to me since he ushered me into his office and I look around the cluttered space. There isn’t much to look at though and soon my eyes are back on the rugged mountain man before me.

“My name is Emma Fawn by the way,” I say when I realize that I never officially introduced myself.

“Heath,” he grunts out, his voice coming out like sandpaper. My nipples harden inside my shirt at the sound and I cross my arms over my chest to hide them.

He seems a little irritated and cranky and I wonder if that’s just him or maybe he missed lunch. I have a granola bar in my bag and I debate giving it to him but if I don’t get this job then I’m going to need to eat it.

I’ve been homeless for two weeks now and I ran out of money and options two days ago. I’ve applied to every job I could find in this little town and so far, this is the only one to call me back. Ineedthis job, or I don’t know what I’ll do. I shift in my chair again, blinking rapidly to try to stem the tears that threaten to escape when I think about the turn my life has taken in the last few weeks.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t hire you. This is no place for a little thing like you to be working.”

“That’s sexists,” I say.

He eyes me skeptically, his expression unamused.

“Pick up that axe,” he says, nodding to where one is leaning against the wall by the door.

I stand confidently but as I get closer, I realize the thing must weigh almost as much as I do right now. I’ve skipped a bunch of meals this last week and I know that I have to have lost at least ten pounds. I still have to try though.

I bend down, gripping the smooth wood of the handle and lift. It raises off the ground an inch before it drops from my grasp. I lean it back against the wall, taking a moment to compose myself. My eyes feel hot and itchy and I really don’t want to cry in front of this guy.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly and, in his defense, he does seem sad to have to tell me that, and I did know that this was a long shot since I have no experience in the field, but I’m desperate.

“Please, Mr. Stratton. I really need a job,” I say, ready to plead my case. Maybe he needs someone to clean his office or answer phones.

“I’m sorry, but you have no experience and you’re too small to do anything around here.”

His eyes cut away from me and he stands quickly, walking around the desk. I walk over and grab my backpack off the ground, hanging my head as I follow him out. He opens the door for me and I step through, turning to ask him if he knows if anyone is hiring in town before I leave.

“Thanks for taking the time to interview me. You wouldn’t by chance know of any other places hiring?” I ask, craning my neck all the way back so that I can meet his eyes.

“I’ve got a few positions for you,” I hear some guy say behind me and hope sparks to life inside me.

“Really?” I ask, spinning around to see who said it.

“No!” Heath growls behind me and his hand clamps down around my arm.

The next thing I know, I’m staring at his back as he stares down the guy who said he had a position for me.

“Don’t you have work to get to, MacCallan?” Heath growls and I peek out around him.

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