Her Surprise Family

“So what are you doing for this Ms. Harris?”

“Nothing.”

Rick frowned. “She didn’t like your ugly mug?”

“I was too expensive for her. I think she overextended herself buying the place. Not enough money left over to do any restoring. I don’t think she had any idea what it would cost in time and materials.” He shook his head. “That’s one stubborn woman.”

“Ohh, so you’ve noticed she’s a woman. That’s good. Is she young? Old? Pretty?”

Rafe shrugged. “She’s about our age, and I didn’t pay any attention to what she looked like,” he lied.

“Oh, no. You are in trouble, bro, if you can’t remember whether or not she’s pretty. You’ve been too long without female companionship.”

Rafe gave him a pointed look. “When have I had time? I’ve been trying to keep the business together.”

“And doing a wonderful job, I might add.” Rick opened a package of bread sticks and gave one to Lucas. “I hope you know how much I appreciated your keeping things going while I was away all those years.”

Rafe knew the guilt his younger brother felt for joining the marines, then going to Texas to find his fortune in oil, rather than staying home to work in the family business.

“I wanted the business to keep going—for dad. We don’t have to worry about our independent mom, because she has the restaurant. But Covelli and Sons is our legacy.” It was more than that to Rafe. He remembered his father teaching him about woodworking when he was a child and talking about his sons someday joining the business. Rafe had wanted nothing more than to become an expert carpenter like his father, the man he was named after.

Rick broke into his thoughts. “Well, now it looks like you have more than enough to keep busy,” Rick said. “Charlie told me you’re about ready to rent out the storefront offices.”

Rafe nodded. “I’m putting the ad in next week for that space and also the three low-income apartments upstairs. If you hadn’t been off fixing up your own house, you could keep up with these things.” He turned to his little nephew. “Right, kid?”

Lucas nodded. “Right.”

Rick smiled. “Things have sure turned around these past few months. From the verge of bankruptcy to showing a profit in seven months. Good old cousin Tony was unbelievable coming up with the idea of purchasing the storefronts downtown and restoring them.” He gave his brother a sideways glance. “Too bad we couldn’t get Stewart Manor. Restoring a place like that would be wonderful advertising for the business.”

Rafe shook his head. “What did you want me to do? Give away our services? I doubt she can even afford materials.”

“Maybe something could be worked out. Sounds like this Ms. Harris needs to fix the place up so she can open for business.”

“Maybe she should have taken out a larger loan.”

Rick remained silent.

“So I’m the bad guy here,” Rafe said.

“Bad boy,” Lucas chimed in.

Rick laughed at his son’s antics. Lucas joined in and clapped his hands. Hearing the commotion, Jill Covelli wandered over to the bar. She smiled and her blue eyes shone as she looked up at her new husband. She and Rick exchanged a look that made Rafe almost believe in love.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, and took the time to kiss her husband and son.

“My older brother’s got woman trouble.”

Jill smiled. “Who is she?”

“The new owner of Stewart Manor,” Rick said.

“Oh, you mean Shelby Harris. I saw her at the bank the other day. Mrs. Kerrigan pointed her out to me. A pretty brunette, tall and slender.”

“With the most incredible green eyes,” Rafe said before he could stop himself.

“Looks like another one is about to bite the dust,” Rick said, grinning.

Rafe shook his head. “Oh, no. I’m not as brave as you, bro. I’m not about to mess around with the Covelli curse.”

Around six o’clock Wednesday morning Shelby awoke to the sound of men’s voices outside. She rolled over and realized she’d fallen asleep on the sofa while going over some work. She got up and went to the window. Pulling back the curtain, she looked out to find Rafe Covelli standing on her lawn along with two men. One was an older man of maybe forty-five, the other about the same size and age as Rafe.

It took a minute before Shelby remembered that Rafe Covelli was starting work on the front this morning. Her attention was drawn to how good Rafe looked in his navy T-shirt with his broad shoulders and muscular chest. Her gaze lowered to his faded jeans. His legs and rear end weren’t bad either.

Suddenly Rafe turned and saw her at the window. Their eyes connected and held for what seemed like a long time. Finally Shelby realized she was in her pajamas. She dropped the curtain and hurried to get dressed. After pulling on a pair of jeans, she grabbed a white T-shirt from her dresser and slipped her feet into a pair of beat-up tennis shoes. She finger-combed her short hair and went outside.

The sun made her squint, and she shielded her eyes from the sun as she approached Rafe.

“Morning,” he said sternly. “Sorry to wake you, but we need to get started before it gets too hot.”

“I understand. I’m usually up, but I was working late on the computer.” Shelby looked at the man standing next to Rafe.

“Hi, I’m Rick Covelli. The rude guy’s my brother. Sorry we didn’t warn you we were coming so early.”

“No problem. Like I said, I just overslept this morning.”

“Well, we’ll be as quiet as possible. I just need to check out the gables.” Rick glanced up at the huge brick structure. “I have to admit that I’m anxious to get my hands on this place. Mind if I go upstairs to have a look?”

“Sure. Go right ahead.”

Rick tipped his baseball cap. “Nice meeting you, Shelby. And welcome to Haven Springs. I hope you’re going to like it here.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“Our mother asked us to extend you an invitation to stop by the restaurant—Maria’s Ristorante. She and my nonna would like to meet you. My wife, Jill, also works there.”

Shelby’s head was spinning. She couldn’t believe these too men were brothers. One was open and friendly, the other brooding. She glanced at Rafe, who was busy writing something on his clipboard. “That would be nice, Rick. I’ve been pretty busy with moving in and trying to catch up on my work. I run a computer-graphics business from the house.”

Rick smiled again. “Interesting work. Just don’t let Rafe anywhere close to your machine. He and computers don’t get along.”

Rafe glared at his brother. “Don’t you thinks it’s about time you started working, bro?”

“All right,” Rick said cheerfully, heading for the house. “I’ll be on the third floor if you need anything.”

Rafe introduced the older man as Charlie. Then another truck pulled into the driveway. It bore the logo of Norton Construction.

Shelby ignored Rafe’s look as she walked toward the man getting out of the truck. “Hello, I’m Shelby Harris,” she said, and shook his hand. “You must be Gus.” The man appeared to be in his late thirties. He was heavyset and evidently hadn’t taken the time to shave. And although it was early morning, his clothes were already dirty.

“Howdy, ma’am,” Gus Norton said. He looked around. “I see Covelli is doing your exterior.” He shook his head. “I don’t blame you for not accepting his inflated prices. Old Gus here, I can do it for you at a lower cost I’ll fix up the old Stewart place for ya.”