Familiar Adversaries

Even though Mariah had had a week to prepare for this meeting, she was still nervous. Working in the construction business she’d become accustomed to men staring at her, making off-color remarks, but this man could make her blush with just a look. How had she let her dad talk her into this? The last thing she needed was Shane Hunter back in her life. How many rejections could a woman take anyway?

She tried not to look at him, but Shane had always been hard to resist. He was six foot three and built solid. The years of heavy work had only toned his muscles. But to her it was his deep-blue eyes and that wicked grin that could melt her on the spot. Somehow she had to find a way not to think about how sexy he was and focus on business.

“If you’d like to see my credentials and job experience…” She picked up the folder off the desk and handed it to him. “I just finished a large project in Phoenix. You can call Dad. He’ll tell you that his partners approved me for the position.” She drew a breath, trying to slow her rapid pulse. “Looks like we’ll be sharing this office.”

“Now I know your father is crazy.” He didn’t open the file. “We’ve already had enough setbacks, and having you oversee my crew isn’t going to help. How do you think the men are going to react with you trying to take over?”

Mariah’s anger flared, but she held it in check. She had worked very hard to earn a good reputation in this business. “I’m not trying to take over. I’m here to make things run a bit more smoothly. And I’ve found in the past that the men don’t like a woman on the site because of their boss. As the boss, you need to lead the way. If you make it clear that we have a good working relationship, your men will follow your example in dealing with me.”

He still didn’t look convinced. “You’re also one of the investors’ daughter.”

“Look, Shane, I know you and my father have never gotten along, but for the sake of this project, we need to come to an agreement.”

“What a concept. A Hunter and an Easton working together.”

She knew her father had held a grudge against his family for years. Was it too much to ask that they put their personal feelings aside? “Shane, if I hadn’t accepted this job, they’d just find someone else. It won’t take long for word to get around that Hunter Construction is difficult to work with, especially with the problems you’ve had recently.”

His eyes flashed. “We’re no different from any project this size. Things get stolen and kids break in and vandalize a site. There hasn’t been much damage.”

Mariah sat down on the edge of the desk. “You can’t be too cautious, even radical environmental activists have been known to vandalize and destroy property. This site does cut into a scenic view.”

Shane tossed the folder on the desk. “And that’s what will sell these high-priced homes—the view. People will be lining up to purchase them. But not if we let the crew stand around.”

“Then let’s get them back to work.” She raised a hand. “Introduce me to your crew and confirm my job description.”

He folded his arms over his massive chest. “And just what will your job be?”

“Most of my duties will be handled from here. I’ll order materials, make sure there’s no waste and see that supplies are delivered when promised. My job is to bring the project in on time and on budget.”

“I thought that was my job.”

“It is,” she confirmed. “I’m just here to help you. This is a big project, and there should have been a manager from the beginning.”

“I like to work alone.”

That hadn’t changed over the years. Shane Hunter hadn’t needed anyone, especially her. It hadn’t helped matters that her father hadn’t wanted her anywhere near a Hunter. Even now she knew Kurt Easton hoped that Shane and Hunter Construction would screw up this large and very important project.

“Then you have a problem, Shane, because I’m here…to stay.” She went to the door. “Now, shall we go outside so you can introduce me to the crew.”

He stood there a long time. She decided he needed a little nudge. “Okay, it’s your money we’re wasting while they stand around,” she said. “And it’s your butt on the line with the investors.”

“Damn, if you’re not one stubborn woman.” He started for the door; she followed. He stopped suddenly and turned back to her. “You’d better be worth it.”

Mariah fought a smile. It was hard. “Oh, I am.” That was when she caught the flicker of desire in his intense gaze.

He finally pushed open the door. “Time will tell.” He motioned for her to go ahead of him. She walked out, feeling his gaze and that of every man in the crew on her.

Shane came up beside her. “Everyone, listen up. Sorry about the delay this morning, but there’s going to be a few changes you need to know about before we start.” He glanced at Mariah. “This is Mariah Easton. She’s been hired to act as Paradise’s project manager.” There were murmurs and groans in the group. “I’m still the crew boss, and you’ll answer to me, but Mariah will take over in the office with ordering, deliveries and keeping us on schedule. So mind your manners and cooperate with her.” He glanced at her. “You have anything to add?”

Mariah had a lot to say, but she wasn’t about to fight with Shane in front of the crew. “No, not right now.”

He turned back to the men. “Okay, let’s get to work.”

She returned to the trailer, praying for strength to survive this job. A hundred times she’d asked herself why she’d agreed to take on this difficult assignment…and Shane Hunter. He’d dumped her once in high school. He broke her heart and it had taken years to get over him. Now she was leaving herself wide open for hurt and being dragged into this ridiculous, decades-old feud.

Mariah picked up the phone. First thing she needed was a desk. There was no way she was sharing Shane’s. She glanced at the stack of papers on top. Her gaze continued around the makeshift office to the drafting table, piled high with blueprints. How did they find anything?

In the empty corner she decided there was room to put a small desk. And it was far enough away from Shane’s that maybe they could stay out of each other’s way.

“Already calling Daddy to complain?”

She glanced over her shoulder to find Shane had come back inside. “Let’s be clear about something. I don’t go running to anyone.”

“No, well, he came running to you. Guess he needs you to spy on the big bad Hunter.”

Mariah ignored him as she spoke into the receiver. “Yes, I’ve taken the job, but I’ll need a desk.” She glanced around the messy room with the overflowing trash cans and stacks of empty pizza boxes and grimaced. “And a cleaning crew. This place is a pigsty.” She hung up and looked at Shane.

“As you can see, I don’t have a problem getting what I want.” She walked toward him. “So be warned, Shane. I’m not the insecure girl you remember.” It was a lie. “I worked with construction crews who chewed up female project managers and spit them out like a bad taste. I survived and did my job and did it well. Now we can work together or against each other. I’d prefer we work as a team. It will make our jobs easier.” She raised an eyebrow. “And if it looks like we’re getting along, it will drive my father crazy.”

By noon Shane wanted to get good and drunk, but he needed a clear head. So he drove into town for lunch and some down time instead. When he walked into the town’s favorite hang out, the Good Time Café, he found his brother Nate already seated at the counter.

“Hey, bro, what brings you into town on a week-day?”

Shane sat on the next stool. “The trailer is being cleaned.”

Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Say again.”

“The new project manager is having the trailer cleaned. She said it’s a pigsty.”

“Well, that part is true—whoa, you said she. As in a woman project manager?”

Shane nodded.

“Oh, boy.”

“It only gets worse,” Shane began. “The project manager is Mariah Easton.”

His brother made a whistling sound. “Are you talking about the girl you had the hots for in high school? Kurt Easton’s daughter?”

Shane nodded twice.

“Oh, man.” His eyes widened. “She still pretty?”

“I didn’t notice.”

Nate grabbed his brother’s wrist. “I’m just checking for a pulse. You must have died, because that’s the only way you wouldn’t notice a woman.”

Shane jerked away. “Stop it. Like I had time to check her out.”