“Yes. Until it’s not.”
“You’re saying the male/female work dynamic complicates things.”
“I am.” Conviction and determination made the Southern drawl even thicker. “You have my word that our working relationship will be just fine during regular business hours and won’t suffer at all for lack of alcoholic beverages afterward.”
The thing was, in theory he agreed with her, but in reality he really did buy a drink for his architect on the first day of a new job. Considering his strong reaction to Suellen Hart, he should have been grateful that she’d turned him down flat.
“Whatever you want.” He stood and started to walk away. “But for the record, Ellie? ‘No first-day drink’ means I am treating you differently.”
“Understood. And, Alex?”
He turned. “Yes?”
“I need to put something out there.”
“Okay.”
“I’m not being rude, just honest.” She took a deep breath. “Don’t let the short skirt and Southern accent fool you. I’m not anyone’s idea of a magnolia blossom. I don’t wilt or have the vapors. I’m smart and I can do this job as well or better than any man. And that’s what I intend to do. One bad experience can set a career back, and that’s not going to happen to me.”
Again. She didn’t say it, but the word hung in the air between them. Offhand he’d guess someone at work had hit on her, it didn’t go well and her professional reputation had suffered. Getting a good recommendation from the firm after that would be next to impossible and could account for the twelve-month gap in her work history.
“All right. Duly noted, Ellie.”
“Okay. Good.” She turned her attention back to the computer and tuned him out.
Alex returned to his corner and realized his hot female architect had finally arrived, but now his problem was worse. He needed a woman more than ever, and he made a mental note to take this itch away for a long weekend, somewhere no one knew him.
* * *
There were a lot of good-looking bachelors in Blackwater Lake, and Alex McKnight was number one on the list as far as Ellie was concerned. Her friendly-yet-professional facade had been sorely tested during these past two weeks, and she was looking forward to some fun. This wedding was shaping up to be just the thing.
Jill Beck and Adam Stone’s evening June ceremony was about to start. It was being held on the front lawn of their house, downstairs from the apartment Ellie was renting from them. She was sitting next to Liz Carpenter, the receptionist at Mercy Medical Clinic, who was pretty much the only person in town she knew other than the bride and groom.
“Is this seat taken?”
Ellie didn’t need a visual to know that voice coming from just over her right shoulder belonged to Alex McKnight. For the past two weeks the deep tone had been messing with her mind from nine to five. The rest of the time memories of it unsettled her. She looked up at him, and her breath caught.
If she’d been prone to having the vapors, this was certainly a vapors-worthy moment. In his dark suit, gray dress shirt, silver-and-black-striped tie, he could stop the world. Hers at least, darn it all.
His short, dark hair was neatly combed. Intensely brown eyes were fringed by dark lashes that made her think of hot kisses under a black velvet sky full of stars. She’d seen him at the end of a long day, several hours after five-o’clock shadow had set in, but no scruff was there now. His lean cheeks and strong jaw looked freshly shaven. She had the most absurd desire to touch his face, see if the skin was as smooth as it looked.
“Ellie?”
He was waiting for an answer to his question.
“Hi, Alex.” She forced herself to smile at him. “No, this seat is free.”
“Not anymore.” He sat beside her and his jacket sleeve brushed her bare arm. Any second she expected sparks to flash between them. He leaned close and said, “You didn’t have far to go for this shindig.”
“Just downstairs.” His breath tickled Ellie’s ear, and the spicy scent of his cologne had her willpower waving the white flag of surrender. After that first day he hadn’t treated her any differently from the rest of the crew. In fact, one of the carpenters was a woman, which had made her feel foolish for her declaration of independence. “I really think they invited me so I wouldn’t make trouble with the local law when the party gets noisy.”
He laughed, and his gaze traveled over her from the top of her head to the pink-painted toes peeking out of her silver high-heeled sandals. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks. Y’all clean up pretty nice yourself.” That was an understatement. Part of her wanted to call him on the compliment, but they weren’t at work and she needed to lighten up. “So, are you a friend of the bride or groom?”
“Both. Adam and I got to be friends when we were on the committee for the clinic expansion. He and my brother were determined to add on and upgrade equipment to better service the medical needs of the community. He’s a good guy. I know Jill because I keep my boat at her marina.”
“I’m guessing it’s not a rowboat.”
“You’d be right. It doesn’t fit on top of the car.” He grinned. “I take her to the other side of the lake on weekends when I really want to get away from it all. No cell reception.”
“So, you pitch a tent over there?” she asked.
“Nope. The boat has a cabin.”
With a bed? she wanted to ask. Fortunately the words stayed safely in her head, and he couldn’t hear the crash bang of her heart that followed the racy thought.
Just then the trio of musicians began to play a soft wedding march. Everyone turned to the aisle, which was covered by a white runner and ran between the two groups of folding chairs. Moments later the blonde flower girl and dark-haired ring bearer walked by, followed closely by matron of honor, Maggie Potter. Then Jill, wearing a strapless, cream-colored satin-and-lace gown, walked by holding the hand of her seven-year-old son, who was giving her away. She was a stunning redhead, and C.J. took after her. He looked especially cute in his tuxedo.
Ellie glanced at the groom, waiting under a rose-covered arbor with his brother and the minister. Adam’s expression said he was equal parts dazzled and in love as his bride stopped in front of him.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the reverend asked.
“I do.” C.J.’s voice was loud and clear. “Adam’s gonna be my dad for real now.”
Ellie’s throat clogged with emotion and tears filled her eyes. What was it about weddings that made her so emotional? She hardly knew these people, but the setting was beautiful and romantic. And the three of them were officially beginning their journey as a family. She felt a tear slide down her cheek. Then another. She brushed them away, hoping no one would notice, but a second later Alex was holding out a folded white handkerchief.
He leaned close and said, “I always carry one for weddings.”
She smiled when he pressed it into her hand and moments later was especially glad to have it. The vows and a spectacular kiss had her sniveling like a baby. Immediately after the ceremony, the wedding party disappeared with the photographer for pictures. Guests stood and milled around on the grass or headed to the decorated tent nearby, set up with tables for dinner.
“Thanks. I’ll return this after it’s washed.” Ellie held up the handkerchief. “For