Begin Again: Short stories from the heart by Mary Campisi Read Free Book Online

not a charity case, you know.” Just because he could throw money around and probably was some high-powered executive who flitted all over the country on his private jet spending more money in a week than she made in ten, did not mean he could buy himself out of his negligence.
    “I never said you were. But I really had no idea what was going on and for that I apologize. My real estate agent was supposed to handle all the repairs and maintenance, whatever the cost, until I was back in town. Rest assured, I’ll find out what happened and deal with it.”
    “ If I stay,” she hedged, putting extra emphasis on the if , “and I don’t know if I want to or not, but if I do, when can I expect these repairs to be completed?”
    Chase Danning rubbed his jaw. Natalie noticed it was a strong jaw. Just like the rest of the man, strong and hard. She shivered. My but he was handsome. Handsome and deadly—that kind always was.
    “As I said before, I just finished a major project and have about three weeks to kill before I start the next one. After sitting behind a desk for so many months, I’m anxious to work with my hands again.” He paused. “If you have no objections, I’d like to handle the repairs. We could go through the house together and make a list of what needs to be done and I could start on it tomorrow. I’d try to work when you’re not here so as not to interfere, but there might be an occasional overlap.”
    Natalie said nothing for a full minute, weighing the pros and cons of her landlord’s proposal. She was certain he was more than capable of fixing a house, probably could build one for that matter. That wasn’t why she hesitated before agreeing to his plan. The problem was the man was also extremely attractive and when she looked into those big blue eyes he threw her off balance. And that didn’t set well at all with an independent, assertive, take charge kind of woman like herself. She knew his type with his charm, good looks, and no-commitment attitude. Too many of her friends had fallen for similar types only to be left in the end—alone.
    Well, she wasn’t interested. Natalie immediately chastised herself for thinking such thoughts. The man was her landlord. Period. He’d offered to make the repairs to the house, not start a torrid affair with her. And she probably wouldn’t see much of him anyway, so what was the harm? But when she finally spoke, her eyes darted about the colorful kitchen, carefully avoiding his watchful gaze. “That would be fine,” she conceded, focusing on the clump of mud caked on the toe of her sneaker. “By the way”—she fiddled with her belt—“what line of business are you in?”
    “Real estate development.”
    ***
    The next three days proved uneventful. True to his word, Chase Danning began working on the list they’d prepared together. He’d even added a few extra things she’d overlooked. When she returned home from work on the fourth day she was surprised he was still there, minus his shirt, working in the tiny bathroom. He smiled when he saw her and greeted her easily, “Hi. Sorry I’m still here, but that leaky valve caused more damage than I initially thought and I had to replace a huge section of drywall. I should be done in about an hour. Is that okay?”
    Natalie looked at him, his huge frame overpowering in the small bathroom, sweat glistening on his bronzed back, and nodded. Dear Lord, but he was good looking, even if he was crouching in a bathroom and dripping with sweat.
    “Would you like something to drink?” she asked quickly. “Beer, tea, lemonade?”
    Chase smiled, flashing perfect white teeth at her. “Actually, a beer right about now sounds great.” Natalie disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a beer for Chase and lemonade for herself. He accepted the drink gratefully and took a healthy swallow. “Remind me to add air conditioning to this place next year. This is ridiculous.”
    Natalie laughed. “Actually, I like to