Page 14 of Call It Home

“I won’t lose.”

“You’re pretty confident.”

“No, I just know that even if I don’t win the contest, I’ll still show everyone that I’m competent. There will be people who like my work, even if the judges don’t.”

He nodded slowly.

“Look. I know there aren’t a lot of women in this business. But like my sister, I know what I like to do. Too many people think I just want to make things pretty, but I’m smart about architectural design, too. IknowI can do this, but I need a partner. And I know it’s asking a lot. I get it. And I’m sorry I put your name down without asking you first. It was presumptuous. It was rude. But if I really thought that I’d be one of the finalists, I’d have asked you first.”

“I’d have still said, ‘no.’”

I grinned. “But I would have had more time to turn your answer into a yes.”

He blinked at me, then, to my astonishment, he chuckled. “You’re something else, Cameron Allen. And I believe you’ve got what it takes to win.”

“Then you’ll help me?” I sat up straighter, using my eyes to plead because I didn’t want to actually beg, but if I had to, I would.

He held up a hand. “I still don’t want to do this.”

I slumped against the couch.

“But I will.”

I sat bolt upright again. “You will?”

“Under a few conditions.”

“Name them.”

“I don’t want to just beeligiblefor site superintendent. I want the job.”

I grinned. “That’s easy. Done. What else?”

“I get to continue to use the company truck until the time we leave for the show.”

Also easy. “Deal.”

“And you pay for any incurred expenses, right? This can’t cost me anything other than my time.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Of course. I don’t expect you to pay for anything. In fact, you’ll earn overtime because we’re going to have to make some plans together prior to going.”

He rubbed his hands along the tops of his thighs and blew out a breath. “Guess we’re going to Colorado together.”

I clapped my hands. “This is fantastic. With our combined skills, I just know we’re going to win.” I winked at him. “You know you were a shoo-in for that promotion anyway, right?”

He winked. “That’s okay. I’d already changed my mind about going.”

I laughed and shook my head.

Chapter6

Cam

The music was pumping,and the bar was crowded by the time I met my sister and friends at Ferg’s.

“Whew. Sorry I’m late,” I said, sliding onto the end of the bench where Bristol, Paige, Megan, and Teagan were already sitting. Teagan slid a full margarita in front of me. “Ah, perfect. Thanks.” I looked around. “Where’s Em?”

“The baby has a slight cold, so she stayed home tonight,” Megan answered.

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