Page 42 of Something Borrowed

“Because I promised she could get some work done while here, and I can’t take the sighing and sad eyes any longer. And, no, it won’t work for you. Back to work.”

Brigid gratefully fled to the office and immersed herself in tasks she knew. The deal was heating up, even though it was supposed to be a few weeks away, but there was something in the emails, something in the urgency of the tone and tasks that made her wonder. Not that Peterman would ever respond to her with a revision. He was sticking to his word to let her be on vacation, even though he was still reviewing her work and sending revisions. He was playing the letter of the law, not reaching out first to her except on old business. It was a game, and she felt like a chess pawn, knowing if she truly took the vacation at this critical juncture, she’d lose all chance of the promotion. So, she tried to focus and not get increasingly irritated with the picky details Peterman was harping on.

But her ears kept tuning in for the laughter and merriment she could hear from the dining room. Yet again that week, Brigid wondered if there was more to life than law books and work.

And maybe she should make time for something else, like friends or even Grady.

* * *

Grady headed for the cottage to pick up his tools, while the guys piled into Ethan’s truck and headed to the hotel to survey the layout. He pulled into the driveway and saw Janine was already there.

Instead of grabbing his stuff and leaving, he went inside to check on her progress. The painting was all done and lighting all installed. As he admired the lighting he had known would be perfect in there, Janine came to the top of the stairs.

“No one is supposed to be here.” Her voice immediately went from unwelcoming to friendly—very friendly. “Oh, hey, Grady.”

“Hey, Janine. Looks great! Thanks for all you’ve done. Sorry I haven’t been able to help too much.”

She walked down the stairs, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. “That’s okay. I’m just about done with my piece. With the storm coming, I’m going to have to focus on the other properties, inspections, and battening down the hatches for people not on the island. Hell, most people are leaving before the storm, so I’ll have to do all of them.”

He frowned. “It’s not a hurricane. Will it really be that strong?”

She shrugged. “You never know. And based on years of experience, Dad and I know which locations are at risk.”

He glanced around the cottage and at the Gulf of Mexico, roiling just outside the window. “How about the cottage?”

She sighed. “The reason this was vacant so long is the high risk of damage. The ocean comes up pretty high, and the dunes were destroyed in a hurricane a few years back, leaving this place exposed. I doubt this storm will cause significant damage, but it might cause some problems. I can board it up before I leave, if I have time.”

“Do we have boards for that?”

“Yeah, we stocked some in the garage for these situations.”

He shook his head. “I can get it. You have other houses you’re paid to manage. I’ll probably be staying here for the next few days, anyway. I’ll make sure it’s secure.”

She stepped closer, something shining in her eyes. “I could come back and hang out with you. Storms are pretty awesome at this part of the island. It could be fun.”

Her tone implied what version of fun she was thinking and it had nothing to do with storm chasing and more to do with adult activities. Ruefully, he wished he could get a certain redhead out of his mind and accept Janine’s implied offer. But his heart and other parts of his anatomy were not in it, not now. Damn, it would be so much easier if he could just get over Brigid.

“Thanks, Janine. You’re a beautiful woman, but I’m just not ready.”

She nodded, regret in her eyes. “I figured, but I had to take a shot. Call me if you change your mind. She’s a lucky girl.”

“If only she thought so,” he muttered without thinking.

Her gaze sharpened. “Is it the red-haired woman who came with you on Sunday? Brigid? I don’t know what she’s telling you, but I read her body language loud and clear and she was not happy with my presence here.”

He shook his head. “You’re mistaken. We broke up before we came here.”

“Are you sure?”

He barked a laugh. “Yeah, I’m damn sure, not that we had much of a relationship before now.”

“Well, I don’t know her or your relationship, but she is not indifferent and has not yet let go of you. Whatever the issues are, she’s still tangled up with you, in my opinion.”

Hope flared. “You think so?”

“If I didn’t like you so much, I’d lie and say no. But, yeah, that woman has feelings for you. Maybe she doesn’t know it yet, but she does.”

He grabbed her in a quick hug. “Thanks, Janine. And thanks for all your work here.”

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