A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch by Michelle Major Read Free Book Online

Logan said slowly, not taking his eyes off the plans. “Logistical things as far as water lines and how to position rooms for the most practical use and flow when people come in to the building.”
    She peered over his shoulder. “Great. You’re the one with the construction experience. I want to hear everything you have to say.”
    â€œJust like that?” He turned to face her as one corner of his mouth lifted. He was so close she could feel his breath against her cheek. “Aren’t you going to tell me how this is your project and you’re the boss?”
    She swallowed hard and leaned back. “This is
our
project,” she corrected. “I want it to be the best it can. We’re a team. I’m not the boss. I’ve never been in charge of anything.”
    â€œHave you ever wanted to be?”
    She glanced up and was struck by the intensity of his gaze. Somehow she didn’t think he was talking about the renovations any longer. “We’re a team,” she repeated after a moment.
    He gave a short nod and straightened. Olivia watched him walk to the window. His shoulders rose and fell as if he was having trouble catching his breath. She knew the feeling and placed a steadying hand on her own chest. Suddenly she couldn’t put together a coherent thought about plans, construction or anything that didn’t involve Logan’s hard body and Olivia as the boss.
    Fantastic. She’d become a certified cougar in a matter of hours.
    A door slammed at the front of the building and a minute later a boy slinked into the room. “I’m here,” he said, his narrowed eyes focused on Logan. “Some guys are having an airsoft gun war at the park, but instead of having fun, I’m stuck as your slave for the afternoon.”
    Olivia saw a quick smile flash across Logan’s face. “You should have thought of that before you bought the can of spray paint.”
    â€œSpray paint?” she asked softly, her mind a little fuzzy.
    The boy whipped around, obviously unaware of her presence in the room until she’d spoken. She recognized him as Jordan Dempsey. They’d even met a couple of times at town events.
    She thought of her conversation with Jeremy Dempsey in the hardware store. She knew the two of them had been just as devastated by Melissa and Craig’s betrayal as she’d been. Maybe more so. While she hadn’t expected Craig to desert her, she’d known he was a serial cheater and she’d no longer been in love with him. She wasn’t sure if she ever had. But Jeremy and Melissa had seemed happy in their marriage, at least on the surface. Although Olivia certainly understood looks could be deceiving. She wasn’t sure what had motivated Melissa to abandon her family, but that kind of rejection could hit a kid hard. Olivia knew that from personal experience, as well. She was a regular expert on rejection.
    From the daggers Jordan was shooting in her direction, she could tell exactly where he placed the blame for his parents’ breakup.
    â€œWhat’s she doing here?” His chin jutted out in defiance, but there was the tiniest tremble in his voice. It made her heart ache.
    â€œOlivia is running this project,” Logan said calmly. “You know that, Jordan. Don’t pretend otherwise.”
    The preteen boy’s bitter gaze never left her face. “I said I’d help you. Take out the garbage and whatever else you need. I never agreed to talk to the trash.”
    Before she could even register the insult, Logan had stalked forward and grabbed Jordan by the collar of his fleece jacket. The material bunched in Logan’s clenched fist.
    â€œP-put me—”
    â€œLogan.” Olivia took one small step forward. “You don’t have to—”
    â€œApologize,” Logan told the kid, giving him a sharp shake before releasing him.
    Jordan bent forward, coughing melodramatically.