He nodded. “Just made the deal today. It’s not final but…” He didn’t get any further because she practically jumped in his arms. He was still holding the dinners and had to make sure he didn’t drop them but laughed at her excitement.
“Congratulations,” Andrea said cheerfully.
That was when he happened to glance over and see Jules standing in the doorway to the dining hall, frowning as she took in the scene he and Andrea were making.
“Thanks,” he said, stepping back. “Talk to you later.” He quickly rushed after Jules, who had disappeared through the doors.
He caught her outside the front doors, looking up into the night sky, just… standing there.
“Hey,” he said softly. “Andrea was just congratulating me on—”
“I know,” Jules interrupted him. “You don’t have to explain anything to—”
She stopped when he set the meals down on the stone wall and took her shoulders in his hands and pulled her closer.
“I’ve kissed you. I owe you an explanation for why another woman had her arms wrapped around me,” he said softly. “Andrea is like a sister to me.”
“You two went out,” she said, her entire body stiff.
“Once. And we determined we pretty much thought of each other as brother and sister,” he explained. “She was excited when I told her I’d made the deal for the land. Back when we went out, apparently it was all I could talk about.” He smiled.
He felt Jules relax slightly. “She’s just so…” She glanced at the doors. “Pretty.”
“Yes, she is, but I only have eyes for you. Besides, you’re more than just pretty. You’re knock-out gorgeous. Sexy as hell and the only woman I currently want to kiss and be with.”
“Currently?” she teased.
He would have pulled her into his arms, but at that moment, a couple of employees were heading towards them. Instead, he grabbed their meals. “Did you get the champagne?” he asked her.
“I put it in my bag.” She showed him the huge bag that she carried with her every day. “What did you get us for dinner?” she asked as they headed down the main stairs towards the parking lot.
“Roast beef sandwiches, homemade chips, and brownies.”
“I think you are a brownie-aholic,” she joked.
“Take that back.” He stopped and looked at her. “There’s no such thing. I can eat a dozen brownies a week and quit anytime I want.”
“Oh yeah?” She started reaching for the containers, but he held them away and added.
“I’ll quit tomorrow.” He started walking again as she laughed and caught up with him.
As he drove the short distance to the land, he filled her in on the property and how long he’d been in love with the place. How he’d convinced Owen and his dad to go along today, after his unsuccessful attempts to talk to the owner.
“I don’t think my color had anything to do with it. I’ve heard the guy is all about the good old boys club. He likes making deals with men in power,” he added as he pulled into the dirt driveway.
“Wow.” Jules’s attention was on the scene in front of them. They had about an hour before sunset, but already the sky beyond the run-down trailer was filled with soft colors.
“The trailer will be the first thing to go,” he said. He turned off his truck and jumped out. He made it around to her side just as she stepped out into the tall grass. “Of course, I’ll get the yard under control.” He frowned down at her low-heeled shoes. “I should have let you change after work first.” He groaned.
“Oh.” She laughed and then jumped back up into his truck. She scrounged around in her big bag, pausing for a moment to hand him the bottle of champagne, then pulled out a pair of sneakers and replaced the heels. “There, problem solved.” She jumped back out of the truck.
“Let’s go for a walk before we eat.” He took her hand in his.
As he moved around the land, he told her all his plans. He had dreams of a massive three-car garage near the front of the lot, closer to the road. Big enough that he could work on a boat if he had to. Then there’d be the house.
“Four bedrooms and an office. Maybe a library combo type thing?” He shrugged. “A kitchen big enough that when I have people over, the entire group can stand around in it, if needed.” He chuckled. “My mother always jokes that whenever she has guests over, most of the time they stand around in the kitchen.”
Jules laughed. “It’s the same at my parents’ house.”