AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This was bad. Really bad.
Of all the days to be late—which Ryder never, ever was—it had to be today.
He’d gotten caught up. Once again. Worst of all, this time he’d let himself get distracted despite knowing the consequences. He’d known what spending time with Whitney would do to him, and he’d done it anyway, because more than knowing he’d enjoy it, he’d needed it. Needed her.
“The Hall looks great,” Davenport said. “Ready for the grand opening on Saturday?”
“All that’s left if for the paint to dry.”
“Yes.” Davenport looked out the front door. “I know you run a tight ship. Stay within budget and get work done promptly. I’ll admit, I had my doubts.” He glanced at the cabinet, which now had a perfectly fit piece of granite resting atop of it. “I want someone I can count on. Not just for the Hall, but for future contracts. I’m looking to build a business park over at the edge of Diamond County.”
That would be huge. Something like that would bring in jobs for the town and get new business into the community for years to come.
Ryder ran his hand over the rim of his Stetson. “Who do you think could handle the job?”
“I was thinking of Diamond Construction,” Davenport said, never one to miss a hint, but the long exhale that went with it made Ryder pause. “But I must say your absence this morning, tied up with a few things I’ve heard around town, makes me wonder if you’re really the man for the job.”
“This morning was not normal for me.” Ryder didn’t want to go into details. Hell, he couldn’t go into the details. Wasn’t that the point? “But I assure you that if you’re considering my crew, we’ll deliver as always.”
“So you’re not up and taking off?”
Ryder frowned. “Why would I do that? Diamond is my home.”
“Yes, but rumor is, you’ve been slipping. Seen with some out-of-towner and talking of running off with her.”
What the fuck?
When had he been seen with Whitney? Aside from the BBQ, they’d been careful not to let anyone find them doing anything that wouldn’t be seen as anything other than platonic.
Except they hadn’t, had they? That day he’d run into her at the paint shop. He’d thought they were being careful stealing a kiss in the back of the store, but all it would have taken was one passing person to see them.
And now he would pay the price for trying to satisfy his own impulses, his own desires. It was the cost of losing judgment and control.
Whatever he liked about Whitney, whatever he needed or wanted from her, couldn’t last. And it sure as hell was affecting his judgment and his lifestyle.
He’d realized last night that no matter how tightly he clung to Whitney, he couldn’t keep her within the boundaries he needed to function. He’d messed up this morning. And now, that mistake was messing with his job, his company, his future. Because showing up late to a meeting with a major hitter in town was not the best way to renew his confidence in Ryder.
He couldn’t blame Davenport for questioning his work ethic, just like he couldn’t blame anyone but himself for getting caught up and not setting a damn alarm. He had to stop kidding himself and go cold turkey on Whitney. Because having a hit of her only made the addiction grow.
I want what’s bad for me…
“I can assure you, I’m here to stay, as is my crew, and we’d seriously appreciate the opportunity to earn your business again.”
Davenport nodded once. “Good. Then I’ll seriously consider it.” Ryder didn’t miss the threat in his tone. “If all goes well on Saturday, we’ll chat more then.” He turned to leave, and Ryder glanced at the sunshine beaming down outside the doorway. “By the way, Clara mentioned you might save a dance for her at the event.”
“Of course I’ll save a dance for her,” Ryder said.
Davenport smiled, but that tension remained at the edges of his mouth. “I think that’s wonderful. It could be the first step toward what I’ve always imagined as a full partnership between our families.”
A single dance didn’t matter if it helped him maintain this contract and any future business from Davenport, but Jesus, the man was being about as subtle as an earthquake. Ryder couldn’t turn him down outright, but he was playing a very dangerous game. He’d have to do what was necessary to keep this contract, and then figure out the rest as it came.
The first step to holding this all together? He needed to get a grip. For real this time. Because Whitney would never be tied down, and Ryder couldn’t keep chasing her while his own future went up in flames from the fire she left behind.
Chapter Thirteen
“What is this for?” Whitney asked, opening the envelope Penny handed her. It was filled with cash.
“It’s a bonus,” Penny said. “Or an incentive, depending on how you look at it.”
