Toys. Play.If this were a cartoon, steam would be coming from her ears.
“Stick to the pretty carvings and finish work and leave the heavy lifting to the men who know how to build a wall that stays up.”
Silently fuming, Nicole stilled her hands to keep them from curling into fists. She wasn’t a whiner, and she certainly didn’t need to yell to prove her competence, but the casual disregard for the safety of the animals and anyone else who might have reason to be here made her blood boil.
“Don’t you have some place better to be?” Echoing the same words the Farraday brothers had used to put him in his place, Jet repeated the phrase to George.
His gaze passing from Jet to Nicole, a sleazy grin crept across George’s lips. Clearly the man had jumped to the wrong conclusion with the same skill he’d used to build the shaky gate. Not bothering to respond; he simply turned on his heel and sauntered toward the side door.
When the door slammed shut behind George, she turned to Jet. “I can take care of myself.” She probably should have said thank you, but the way she’d noticed Jet leering at her whenever they worked within shouting distance, she didn’t feel so inclined.
He inched closer, his gaze shifting from puffery to predatory. “Any time.”
Without thinking, she took a step in retreat. “Don’t you have someplace else to be?” That line had worked before, why not now?
He crept forward again. “Don’t you think it’s time we get better acquainted?”
Just what she needed. Another macho idiot wanting to play footsies with the pretty little construction worker. “Not really. Now if you don’t mind,” she turned away, “I have more work to do.”
He grabbed her arm, intending to pull her into him. Before he could say another word, she’d stomped on his instep and twisted, elbowing him in the face.
Taking a step back, she had to work really hard not to grin like a loon at his hands on his face, hopping on one foot. “Like I said. Don’t you have someplace else to be?”
Straightening to his full height, his hands cupped his bleeding nose, his mouth opened, then slammed shut as he turned and stormed out of the place.
“Idiots. All of them.” She watched him go, the heavy silence of the livery settling back around her, then she looked back at the gate again. One more example of shoddy work that left little doubt in her mind that George had most likely rushed through who knew what else in order to meet Valerie’s filming deadline. She’d talk with Ryan, or Morgan. Tomorrow the brothers could do a full inspection of everything George had been left to work on.
Wrapping up her own tools for the day, she debated whether or not to call Ryan now or wait till she saw him. She could tell him everything during the ride to the ranch. Unless, of course, the brothers were going to stay in town to be with their parents. It hadn’t occurred to her to ask earlier in the day if she was going to need to get her own transportation home. Then again, if that were the case, surely Ryan would have said something.
Her tools all packed and her mind still rattling ideas back and forth, Nicole’s phone buzzed. A text from Ryan.Join us all for dinner?The problems of the day slipped away and asmile tugged at her lips. All set to replyof course, she looked down at her sawdust covered work clothes. Not exactly the stuff good first impressions were made of. Then again, Ryan and his brothers would be in their work clothes as well. Not to mention did she really want to intrude on the family’s first night together in who knew how long? Again, her lips curled up in a smile as she considered what it might mean that she was being included along with the other wives and fiancée. Making up her mind, she hit send on her text to Ryan, then turned for the ladies room. She could at least wash her hands and face and brush her hair. After dinner she’d tell the brothers about her concerns.
Cleaned up as much as possible, on her way to retrieve her bag, she spotted a bright red grease pencil sitting on the edge of her workbench. Picking it up, an idea rattled around in her head. A few more minutes wouldn’t be a problem. Returning to the shoddy gates, she walked to the first stall, leaned in and drew a thick, red circle around each of the inadequate screws. She moved to the second stall and did the same, the red wax leaving a vivid, undeniable mark against the pale pine.
Standing in the doorway her gaze darted up the street to the former brothel. Tonight they would have a nice dinner. Tomorrow the Farraday brothers could do what they do best and all would be well with the world. She just hoped that included his parents.
Chapter Fifteen
Boots scuffing against the newly installed boardwalk, Ryan guided his mother past the brightly painted storefront of the Mercantile. The setting sun cast long, amber shadows across Main Street, making the restored wood of the old buildings glow with a warmth that seemed to soften Mariah’s rigid posture. Beside him, Quinn and Paxton walked backward, animatedly pointing out the updates and modernizing of the Mercantile to showcase souvenirs as well as antiquities of the era, and the hotel, and the saloon turned restaurant, while Morgan and Neil flanked their father, Patrick, answering a barrage of questions about the use of reclaimed materials to give the modern work an old fashioned feel.
“It really is remarkable.” Mariah’s gaze swept over the crisp lines of the hotel, a genuine smile continuing to cling to her lips. “You boys have done more than just fix some old buildings. You’ve given this place a soul again.”
Swelling with a pride that had nothing to do with construction, Ryan caught Nicole’s eye as she stepped onto the boardwalk to join them. For dinner, she’d decided to let the ponytail loose and run a brush through her hair. The only downside; he was dying to run his fingers through the silky strands. Not a good idea at the moment. Instead, he focused on what was appropriate, and polite. “Mom, Dad, this is Nicole.”Ryan took a half-step toward her, his hand finding the small of her back to guide her forward. “She’s our new finish carpenter.” He debated saying something more, but decided now was not the time. Especially since he and Nicole hadn’t had any chance to discuss where this thing between them was going.
Immediately, his mother’s hands shot out and clamped around Nicole’s. Her observant blue eyes took Nicole in from her sensible boots to her face. “How nice to meet you. I’ve always said they need more women on the job. Someone to keep my men in line.”
Eyes momentarily wide, Nicole nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It’s an honor to work on buildings with this much history. Especially with your sons.”
“I am very proud of them.” Mariah Farraday let go of Nicole’s hands and took a smiling step in retreat.
From Morgan to Ryan, the oldest to youngest, the brothers silently cast confused gazes in each other’s direction. Who was this pleasant woman and what had she done with their mother?
Continuing down the street, everyone reached Eloise’s new restaurant. Inside, the scent of roasted garlic and savory herbs hit them like a physical welcome. The interior was a masterpiece of casual elegance—dark wood tables, soft amber lighting, and the hum of a successful evening already underway. Eloise appeared from the kitchen doorway, her chef’s whites pristine, and was immediately engulfed in a hug from her future husband.
Mariah cleared her throat and shot Quinn a tolerant glare. “You get her all the time.” Tugging Eloise into a quick hug, Mariah smiled at everyone. “I’m so glad to have another daughter joining the family. And,” her hands clapped together, “this place smells absolutely heavenly. Did you make it all?”
“With help.” Eloise smiled wide but failed to hide the blush rising to her cheeks.
Maneuvering around the large table that spread across the entire backside of the restaurant, everyone took a seat, each son seated by his appropriate significant other. Ryan happily pulled the chair out for Nicole. He truly hoped she didn’t feel awkward or forced into a more official role. He really did need to find some time alone to talk to her.
