She's Expecting

“I’m fine, Jeff.” She would not allow him to think she couldn’t manage on her own. Even if his motives were sincere, she liked her independence. Depending on others always let her down. Besides, she didn’t dare let him think she was too fragile to do the job at hand. She needed him on her side if it came to a showdown with his partner.

When Mandy stepped into the office, the first thing she saw was Jackson Witt rummaging through the stacks of papers on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat. In his casual attire, he looked rugged and all male.

Quite a contrast to Marc’s rather dapper air. He hated the times he had to inspect the early stages of buildings, especially if the weather was inclement.

Mandy had no difficulty picturing this man out in any and all types of weather, relishing the challenges of nature, defying odds to bring the project in on schedule. While only an inch or two taller than Marc, Jackson radiated a power that the other man would only envy.

“Can I help you find something?” she asked calmly. She knew enough about psychology to know that it would be best to keep any hint of worry from showing.

He turned and looked at her. For a moment Mandy felt a frisson of apprehension. He appeared angry. Or was that scowl his perpetual expression?

“Why are you still here? We’ll pay for your travel time and any inconvenience we caused. You might want to take off before it gets dark.”

“There has been no inconvenience. I’ve come to work and I’ll do my job.” She walked behind the desk and sat down defiantly, almost holding her breath as she threw out the challenge. Jeff remained by the door—in order to make a quick escape? Mandy wondered.

“Are you pregnant?” Jackson asked in disbelief, staring at her stomach.

Had he not noticed earlier?

“Almost six months. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. And it doesn’t interfere with my abilities.”

He swung around to Jeff. “You hired a pregnant woman to come out here? I don’t believe this! Have you lost what little mind you had left?”

“She’s got experience in the building industry. Her skills are great. She’ll be able to do a lot to help out without our having to teach her every step. She’ll be doing office work, not heavy construction. Besides, it wasn’t as if we had a lot of choice. People aren’t exactly champing at the bit to come to some construction site thirty miles from the nearest town—even for a couple of months. I figured any help was better than coming back empty-handed.”

Mandy looked at Jeff in dismay. She’d been sure her experience had impressed him, that he’d truly thought she was the best person for the job. The pride she’d felt in landing the position deflated.

Standing suddenly, she tilted her head pugnaciously. “Give me a week. If you aren’t totally satisfied with all I’ve done, I’ll leave and you won’t even have to pay me for the work,” she said before she could think.

Jackson looked at her, frowning.

Jeff looked at her, frowning.

“No.” Jackson’s flat-out denial was immediate; no compromise from him. His dark eyes sent a shiver coursing down her back. Mandy wanted more than anything to prove to him she could do the job—to have him change his mind and eat crow.

“That’s not fair to you, Mandy,” Jeff protested.

“I think it’s fair. Especially if you are satisfied with my work, I stay and you give me a bonus.” It was a gamble, but she was desperate. Her gaze locked with Jackson’s and endless moments ticked by. He was the one to convince.

“Today is Tuesday. You have until Friday. Then you’re gone,” Jackson said, breaking eye contact first. He turned and glared at Jeff. “And I’ll do the interviewing next time.”

“Won’t be a next time,” Mandy muttered, already delving into the stack of rolled-up blueprints.

She continued to sort and stack the various documents on her desk, almost holding her breath until the two men left. Then with a whoosh, she let it out, leaning back in her chair and gazing around her in dismay.

What had she so recklessly done? She’d be lucky to find her way around the office by Friday, much less prove to be invaluable to a man whose mind was made up that she was expendable.

She needed the money. How foolish to say they needn’t pay her. Her primary reason for accepting a job so far away from everything she knew was the added pay. She didn’t have much in savings, though she’d been scrimping to augment what she had ever since she’d discovered she was pregnant. Ever since she’d learned Marc wanted nothing further to do with her or their child.

Something about Jackson Witt got her back up and gave her a new focus. She wanted him to turn around and admit she was suitable for the job. It was personal now.

The baby kicked and Mandy idly rubbed her stomach. “Buckle up, babykins, we’re in for a bumpy ride!”

The phone rang and Mandy answered it. Her job had begun in earnest.

By the time Mandy’s stomach had growled for the third time, she was ready to call it a day. Glancing out the window, she noticed all was quiet on the job site. The noise from the heavy machinery had faded long ago. The sound of hammers ringing and the buzz of the saws had ended without her noticing.

She surveyed her desk with quiet satisfaction. She’d gone through everything and sorted it into piles. She had fielded calls, settled one problem with a vendor and been the target of curious construction workers who had found one dumb excuse after another to stop into the office during the afternoon.

Jeff had been there most of the time. She’d done her best to ignore the visitors, claiming she hadn’t a clue yet where things were when they asked, and suggesting they talk to Jackson. She’d love to know if any had followed through. She could just imagine what Jackson Witt would have said to any man who mentioned he’d talked with her!

Though she hoped none were crazy enough to ask him. She didn’t want anyone giving credence to his prediction about her being a distraction.

Mandy walked outside, locking the door behind her. The fresh air was pleasant, though cool. The sun had already moved behind the ridge, bathing the valley in deep shadows.

When she drew near her trailer, her relief was almost tangible. She was on her own until eight the next morning.

The door of the first trailer opened and Jackson stepped out. His eyes narrowed as he saw her, but he said nothing, walking on down the beaten path toward the lake as if she hadn’t been there.

She tossed her head. She didn’t care. He could be as rude as he liked when they weren’t working. It was only for two months and she could stand anything for that long.

Tonight she’d unpack, take a soothing bath and fix something light for dinner. Then it was bed for her! She’d read until she fell asleep. It had been a long day.

Dammit, it was bad enough having Mandy Parkerson work here, but Jeff had to make it convenient for her to stay on-site. The whole setup was explosive. Jackson knew trouble in the making. He only hoped he could stave it off until she left on Friday.

Jackson headed for the lake, and the quiet spot he liked to find at the end of the day.

One of the trailers had lights on inside. It wasn’t dark, but the sun had already slipped behind the high peaks to the west. Twilight fell early in the high country in late September.

He liked this time of day. He always had. He and his late wife, Sara.

As he walked to the lake’s edge, he heard the drone of television coming from a couple of trailers, ribald conversation from another. A small group of guys sat in folding chairs near one camper, swapping stories. When Jackson reached the lake, he nodded to a couple of men trying their hand at fishing.

They were building a luxury resort for the Windhaven Corporation in the middle of the Colorado wilderness. The lake was one of the major attractions. The proximity to cross-country ski resorts and hunting and fishing were other aspects the corporation planned to highlight. As well as a state - of - the - art spa to attract women.

For a place to relax, it wouldn’t be beat. Jackson knew the resort would charge guests an arm and a leg, and visitors would happily pay for the remote luxury and pristine setting.

He’d be long gone by then. To another site, another job. Another couple of years in a remote location. Getting through life one day at a time.

He walked along the edge of the lake, stopping at a tree that had fallen partially into the water. Placing a foot on the trunk, he rested his elbow against his knee and took a swig of the cold soft drink he’d carried. He was alone and liked it that way.

Sara would have loved this place, he thought for the hundredth time.

The familiar ache took hold. He always missed her, but especially at twilight. They’d made it a tradition to have a quiet drink together, just the two of them, before dinner every evening. Even after Sammy had come along, it had been their special time to talk over their respective days, and to be with each other. To shut out the rest of the world and draw their own world around them.

He gripped the can tightly. The ache would get worse as the night wore on. It had been three years, but it could have been three minutes or three decades. With his wife gone it was like a part of himself had been amputated. Which it had—the best part of him.

He could close his eyes and see her—tall and slim with dark eyes and sleek dark hair that cupped her head. She’d been almost as tall as he was when she’d worn high heels. They’d know each other since second grade. Their likes had meshed; their thoughts had run parallel. Their dreams had been the same.