Last One Home by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page A

and her carefully manicured French nails. “You better trim those back if you expect to be of any use at the building site.”
    Cassie bristled and glared back at him. “Let me worry about my fingernails.”
    “It’s called sweat equity for a reason,” he returned, “with emphasis on the
sweat
. When you’re working with me I expect you to work, and to work hard.”
    Cassie looked at Megan. “Don’t worry, I’ll carry my share.”
    Megan frowned and glanced toward the project foreman. “Steve, is there a problem?” she asked.
    Steve met her look and then reverted his attention back to Cassie. “Not on my side. I apologize if I was rude. I simply want to make it clear exactly what I expect.”
    “I got the message,” Cassie said pointedly.
    “Good.” He held her look an extra-long moment without flinching.
    “Okay, I’m glad we’ve got that settled,” Megan said, rising to her feet. She leaned forward and rested her palms on her desktop. “Steve, I’ve gotten to know Cassie over the interview process and I believe you won’t have any worries. She’s an excellent candidate. I don’t have any doubts that she’ll prove herself.”
    He crossed his arms. “I’ll look forward to that.”
    Cassie was grateful for Megan’s support and thanked her with a smile. She wasn’t about to let Steve Brody intimidate her. Nor would she let him walk over her. It was unfortunate that they’d started off on the wrong foot, but as far as she was concerned, the problem was his and his alone.
    “I expect you at the work site tomorrow at six p.m.,” Stevesaid, directing the comment at her. “We’re working on a project for the Young family.” He handed her a sheet of paper with the address.
    Cassie mentally reviewed her schedule for Friday. Her last appointment was set for five for a wash and set, which meant she’d be cutting it close. Also there was Amiee to consider.
    “Problems already?” Steve asked.
    Cassie squared her shoulders and refused to give him the upper hand. “I’ll be there at six.” And she would do everything within her power to make it happen.
    Steve left first, and the instant he was out the door, Cassie faced Megan. “What’s his problem?”
    Megan’s look was full of apology. “I can’t say. He’s probably had a bad day. Try not to take it personally.”
    “Don’t take it personally?” Cassie repeated. “Why would he take such an instant dislike to me?”
    “My guess is that it’s because you’re pretty and petite. I think you might remind him of his wife.”
    “Someone actually married that Neanderthal?” Not a great question, seeing as she’d married Duke.
    “Alicia died three years ago.”
    That brought Cassie up short, and she was immediately apologetic. “Oh … sorry.”
    “Alicia had cancer and did a lot of volunteer work at the store when she was going through her treatments. After she died, Steve started doing volunteer work with Habitat. He’s an electrical contractor with something like fifty employees, so he’s always working, either at his own business or here. Personally, I think he uses Habitat as a means of dealing with his grief. He’s a great guy once you get to know him.”
    “Children?”
    “None. From what others told me, Alicia miscarried threepregnancies. It was later that the doctors learned she had cancer, which might have been the reason she was unable to carry a baby to full term.”
    His wife’s death might explain some of his bad attitude, but not all. “Did you ever meet his wife?” Cassie asked.
    “Once at a fund-raising event. It was clear Steve was crazy about her. He’s been angry with the world ever since, so when I say don’t take it personally, don’t.”
    Cassie would do her best to avoid clashing with Steve Brody, although she didn’t know if that was possible.
    “Kill him with kindness,” Megan suggested.
    “Can’t I just kill him?” she joked, and they both laughed.
    Megan’s idea wasn’t far off base,