Takin' The Reins by Stacey Coverstone Read Free Book Online Page A

to cross a redhead? Call one more time and you’ll learn firsthand what happens if you do.”
    The voice on the other end chuckled. “Good morning to you, too, Jordan. It’s Cole Roberts. I take it you were expecting someone else.”
    Jordan rolled her eyes, feeling stupid for her mistake. “I’m sorry, Cole. How are you?”
    “Bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I’m an early riser. Did I wake you?”
    She pictured his dimpled cheeks and flashy smile. “You did, but it’s okay. I should be up anyway.”
    “You know, sometimes I forget not everyone gets up at the crack of dawn like I do,” he said.
    She yawned and rubbed her eyes and ran a hand through disheveled hair, glad he couldn’t see through the phone. “It was a pretty hectic day yesterday. It took a while for me to get to sleep last night.” She felt no need to go into detail about the pranks pulled on her.
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called this early. I’ll call back later when you’re more awake.”
    “No. It’s fine. I’m up now. What can I do for you?” She pulled a can of coffee from the grocery bag that still sat on the kitchen counter.
    “I thought I’d come over so we can make a list of work that needs to be done to your house.”
    “Today?”
    “Yeah. If you’re up to it. Do you have any other plans?”
    Her brain was still asleep. She tried to remember what day it was. It was a weekday; that much she knew. “Don’t you have to work today?” she asked. “I don’t expect you to drop everything for me.”
    “My guys can handle one day without me.”
    Opening the silverware drawer, she searched for a manual can opener since there wasn’t an electric one on the counter. “Your boss won’t mind?”
    Cole laughed. “I am the boss. Roberts Construction. I own the company. Guess you didn’t read my business card closely.”
    “Sorry,” she said through another yawn. “In that case, you can do what you want, can’t you? I made a short list last night. I’ve decided I would like to get an estimate for some remodeling.”
    “Great! How is nine o’clock? Is that too early to meet?”
    She mentally ran through the things she’d have two hours to accomplish—drink some coffee, bathe, have breakfast, drink more coffee, make herself presentable… Surely she could manage. “Nine is good.”
    “All right. You know, Jordan, I’ve been thinking about you since we met yesterday.
    That got her attention. In what way did he mean? “You have?” She measured rich, aromatic grounds into the ancient coffee pot tucked into a corner of the counter, plugged it in, and listened for it to start percolating.
    “You sound surprised.”
    She primped her messy hair as if he could see her. “What have you been thinking about? Have you been imagining all the money you’re going to gouge me for?” she teased.
    “No. That’ll be an added bonus,” he joked back. “The truth is I couldn’t get you off my mind last night. I felt a…connection when we met. I want to get to know you better.”
    Wow. A connection? That took her aback. She figured a man with his movie star looks and muscular physique would be taken already—not that she was interested in dating him. Or anyone else. Because she wasn’t. But Cole seemed nice. If he was interested in her, it could work to her advantage. Maybe he’d give her a discount on services if they became friends, she thought, only joking.
    “I’d like to get to know you, too,” she replied with honesty. If she was going to live in Tularosa, it wouldn’t hurt to make some friends. “Nine will be perfect. See you then.”
    Dragging the sheet back to her room, she tossed it in a wad on the bed and then tied back the bedroom curtain. Noting the dirty window, she made a mental note to clean the glass. A slight breeze blew through the window as she slid it open. The morning sun made the distant mountains burn fiery orange and red. The view was just as breathtaking in the early hours as it had been in