Hearts Under Construction. Diann Hunt

with the Wilsons and said goodbye. She felt energized after every house deal. Of course, things didn’t always run smoothly, and the pesky modifications could drive her crazy at times, but all in all, she decided, she loved her job. Maybe she’d reward herself with a mocha.

      She heard Jax’s voice as she neared his office. Perhaps now was not a good time. But Jax had insisted that since they hadn’t met again yesterday, due to unexpected calls, he wanted to meet with her today. She peeked around the doorway. Still talking on the phone, he motioned her to enter. Ellie took her place in the chair.

      “All right, Chad, do what you need to do to keep them happy. Drop the price, throw in the appliances, whatever.”

      Jax lifted a weak smile toward Ellie and shrugged.

      Poor Jax. Business was not his forte. He wanted to teach. Who could have known his father and mother would die in an auto accident and leave him the family company? It saddled him with a profession he wouldn’t have chosen for himself.

      Jax hung up the phone. He smiled and leaned over the desk. “So what can I do for one of my favorite employees?”

      “You’d better be careful. Alex might hear you,” she teased.

      He waved off the matter and reached for his mug of coffee. “We’re not exactly engaged, you know.”

      Ellie smiled at her friend; Jax was more like a brother than a boss. They’d met six years prior when his family had joined her church.

      After a quick swallow, Jax put his cup down and looked at her. “I guess you want to know about Cole?”

      “Well, the thought had crossed my mind.” She smiled at him. “You don’t owe me an explanation, Jax, but—”

      He held up his hand to stop her. “It’s all right. You have a right to know what’s going on.”

      Jax got up and walked over to close the door. He settled back into his chair and took a deep breath. His eyes fixed on his desk. “It’s like this, Ellie.” He stopped long enough to look up at her. “I needed someone to relieve me of some responsibilities.”

      “But why—why Cole?”

      Jax gave her a sympathetic look. He got up and walked around the desk to the chair across from her. “Look, Ellie.” He grabbed her hand. “You’re an excellent worker. I know you wanted this promotion, and I’m sorry I couldn’t offer it to you, but honestly, Cole has more experience in the business realm. He’s just a better fit for the job.”

      “So you feel he is more qualified?” Her nose pointed up.

      Jax nodded. “It’s not that he’s better than you, just more experienced.”

      The words pierced her pride, exposing raw layers of pain. She said nothing.

      “Things won’t change all that much. You’ll go on doing what you’ve been doing.”

      “But you said yourself he is my supervisor, right?” She knew her question sounded childish, but right now she didn’t care.

      Jax shrugged. “I guess, technically, yes. But you don’t have anything to worry about.” He squeezed her hand like an encouraging brother. “Your work is better than good enough. You’re the main one keeping us going right now. If you weren’t writing those offers and overseeing the construction sites, I don’t know what I’d do. Chad, Morgan and Tim do their best, but they just don’t have the drive that you do.”

      She softened. “I’m sorry, Jax. I’m just a little edgy.”

      “Dieting again?”

      She winced a little before nodding.

      “Ellie, you are perfect the way you are. Why do you always diet?”

      “In case you haven’t noticed, I like food. Fat grams stick to my body like leeches on reverse.” Then in the moment of silence that stretched between them, she was struck with inspiration. “Want to go to lunch?”

      “It’s nine-thirty,” he answered dryly.

      He could be such a spoilsport.

      Jax shook his head and walked back over to his seat behind the desk.

      “So, what exactly is Cole going to be doing?”

      “He’ll be helping me some with the banks and financial side of things, but mostly, he’ll be checking out job sites, gathering information, overseeing things.”

      “Like employees?”

      Jax nodded and shrugged.

      A knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”

      “Hey, two of my favorite people.” Cole’s smile almost chased away Ellie’s bitterness.

      Almost.

      “May I come in?”

      “Yes, I was just leaving, anyway.” She stood and crossed the room. He stepped in front of her.

      “Seems we’re both always coming or going. Don’t leave on my account.” His eyes held her in place. Her breath caught in her throat. “Please.” He said the last word for her ears only.

      His scent, the depth in his voice, the intensity in his eyes, unnerved her. “I have to go,” she squeaked. Quickly, she brushed past him and darted through the door. Once outside Jax’s office, she gasped for air, realizing only then she had barely breathed from the moment their eyes met.

      After lunch Ellie gathered her things and walked toward the kitchen where she heard Jax’s voice.

      “I’ll be back later, Jax. I’m headed to the Gregory job site,” she told him.

      Cole rounded the corner. “Hey, is it okay if I tag along? I need to check on some things.”

      Ellie stopped. “Well, uh—”

      He held up his hand. “I won’t bite, I promise.”

      Ellie wished she could make the same promise. Her lunch salad had done little to improve her spirits.

      Cole looked at Jax. “I’ll check on the mechanicals and make sure we’ve got the appropriate permits. Check on the guys’ progress.”

      Ellie felt her face flame with heat. Those were her responsibilities. She glanced at Jax, but he quickly turned away. “I’ll see you later.” He waved them off and headed back toward his office.

      Her mouth opened like a baby bird’s at mealtime. She glanced up to see Cole staring at her and clamped her mouth closed. Cole and Ellie walked outside to her car and climbed inside.

      “Nice car,” he said, stroking the leather upholstery.

      “Thanks.” Once she closed her door and started the engine, Ellie clicked on the radio station, turning it up loud enough to discourage any conversation. She knew this whole mess wasn’t really Cole’s fault, but who else could she blame? Jax was her friend and trying to run a business, she couldn’t blame him. Things were what they were. She’d have to get used to it. Still, it would take a while for her wounded pride to heal.

      Cole reached over and turned the volume down. “Do you mind if I talk to you for a minute?”

      Great. Just what she wanted. “Sure, what’s up?” She tried to make her words sound cheerful, as if his presence didn’t bother her in the least. And it didn’t, really. Though his cologne was a little distracting. Made her think of a log cabin in the woods. And, of course, a log cabin made her think of maple syrup and pancakes.

      “Look, I don’t know what happened, really, but for some reason, we got off to a bad start. I’d like to change that.”

      “There’s no problem,” she said, as if voicing it made it so.

      “Come on, Ellie, we both know there’s a problem. I know I can’t fix it, but I’d like to start again.”

      “You