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She sighed. “I need help out at the barn. If you want this done, we need someone who knows what they’re doing.”
There was a brief moment when she thought she might have to repeat herself, but then the phone went quiet. “What’s the matter with Lucas Keagan? Did he not show up?”
“He showed up. He’s just… not cut out for the job.”
Her dad muttered something to someone else. Yes, he was definitely distracted. “Sweetie, I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but he’s the best chance we’ve got. You need to find a way to make it work.”
“But…” She gnawed on her lower lip. How could she tell her father that Lucas was already gone and not by his own accord—not really. She’d practically begged for him to leave.
No, she couldn’t tell her father that. To do so would only make him disappointed in her.
“Was there no one else who wanted to volunteer? I’m sure there are plenty of guys—”
“I don’t know what to tell you. The season is just starting to ramp up. I’m surprised that Lucas was willing to put in hours, especially after everything his family had been doing to turn their own property around. I’m sure we can find some additional help when it comes to the actual labor, but Lucas is going to be the foreman on the job. Of course, you will take the lead in the design and restoration, but he will need to assign the guys to do the basic stuff.”
Ella’s stomach twisted uncomfortably. Her hands grew clammy, and she wiped her free one on her leg. Lucas was goneand she doubted she’d be able to convince him to come back after what she’d thrown at him.
To get him to agree to such a thing would drastically change the dynamic between the two of them.
Great. Just great. This wasn’t how her return to Copper Creek was supposed to be. She was supposed to come in like a shining star, showing the town that she’d made something of herself. But all she’d accomplished was alienating the one cowboy whom her father had entrusted to head up this project with her.
Ella ground her teeth together and then let out a heavy breath. “You’re right. I’ll make it work.” Something told her that he wasn’t paying attention and hanging up on him wasn’t going to be noticed. But if she showed up at home this evening with nothing to show for her day, then she’d never hear the end of it.
So what now? She had to get Lucas to come back. That’s what. She just didn’t know how she was going to do that without fully humiliating herself.
She’d have to apologize. It would only be this once. And if he refused or he made a big deal about it, then she’d have to tell her father that they simply wouldn’t be a good fit. At least then she’d have the proof that Lucas was the problem.
A groan escaped her chest, and she stormed toward the door. Turning the corner, she collided with a tall, firm body. Lucas muttered a curse, his hands shooting out to grasp her upper arms as if to steady the both of them.
Her eyes widened, warmth seeping beneath her skin. They stood there for a moment, then Lucas glanced down at where he held her, and his hands released her like the metal prongs of a claw machine. He took a quick step backward, letting the surprise fade from his face.
Then his eyes hardened. “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m not going to let you get away with it.”
“Get away with…” She snorted. “I’m not getting away with anything.”
“You don’t like me.”
“No, I don’t.” That confession seemed to surprise him more than it ought to. His brows shot upward, and his mouth hung open.
“So you admit it.”
“Was there ever a question?” she shot back. “You don’t like me, so what does it matter?”
“I don’t…” His voice trailed off, then he crossed his arms and lifted his chin in defiance. “I never said any such thing.”
“You didn’t have to. The way you look at me says it all.”
“And just how do I look at you?”
Like I’m beneath you. The words clung to her tongue, but she bit them back. Folding her own arms across her chest, she frowned at him. “I don’t see why it matters. We have a problem, and we need to solve that first.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“We’re working together on this project whether we like it or not.”
“Are we now?” This time he laughed. The sound triggered some very hurtful memories, and she gritted her teeth hard to keep herself from saying something she knew she’d regret.
“Yes, we are. I don’t know why exactly, but you came back. I doubt it’s because you wanted to proclaim some unrequited love, so I can only assume it’s got something to do with why you agreed to do this in the first place. Someone’s put you up to it, or you value your reputation far more than is reasonably healthy.”
