Burned(25)

Last time she’d gone by, it had looked like Hauk was down to the railing work and paint. He told everyone he would get it done on time, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t use an extra set of hands for a while. The man needed to learn he didn’t have to do everything himself. He didn’t have to be everyone else’s go-to man while putting his own wants aside.

She was walking past Dr. Dani’s office when a long and low whistle captured her attention. “You look almost edible this morning, Vic.”

“You looking to have your wife kick your ass?” Turning, she met Braydon’s wicked grin. “Flirting with other women.” She shook a finger at him. “For shame.”

“She knows she gets all the good stuff.” He winked, his face lighting up as he talked about Dani. He’d barely recognized their schoolmate when he’d come home for their ten-year reunion  , but that had been part of Dani’s wicked plan. Now, the man was mush where she was concerned. He would give her and the baby she carried the world if he could. “Where you going all dressed down?”

Vic glanced down at her cutoff overalls. They fit better across the hips than the top, so the bib draped low over her Women who behave rarely make history tank. Maybe she’d cut them off a little short, but she wanted to make sure Hauk was thinking about what he was missing if he decided to call an end to what she didn’t want to think of as an affair.

“I’m helping Hauk paint the stage.”

Braydon laughed the loud and rambunctious laugh she’d always loved listening to. He’d always been able to cheer people up, and had been as generous with his spirit since returning home and falling for Dani as he’d been in school. “Sure you are.”

She cocked a hip and crossed her arms. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“Nope.” He started walking, leaving her little choice but to go with or have him win the last word. “You’re just acting like a woman who’s fallen prey to Grandpa’s matchmaking.”

“No way. He hasn’t even suggested a man for me.” He’d started to, but she’d cut him off because she’d already had a taste of the man she wanted, and there was no way that Byron could’ve known how she felt. Even as she made the claim—spoken and unspoken—she began to wonder. The hair at her temple trembled like it did now when she thought about Hauk. Even apart, the man’s impact on her was undeniable.

“So how’d you get roped into helping Hauk with the stage?”

“Your granddad.”

“And who else is helping?”

“No one today. The men have moved on to other booths.”

“So Grandpa has you and Hauk working together, alone, and you don’t think you’ve been set up?”

“Please. As if Hauk and I didn’t do a lot together before the stage and entertainment.” Though the entertainment side of things was turning out to be deliciously amusing, if a little draining in the sleep department.

“You’re right.” Braydon kissed her temple at a street corner. His smile told her he understood her argument even if he didn’t agree. “Nothing about that sounds like a setup.”

“Thank you.” She kissed him on the cheek before waving her fingers toward the docks. “Have a good day on the boat.”

“I will.” He grinned. “I’m mapping the route for the boat races today.”

Nearing the stage where the sounds of hard rock and a nail gun ripped through the air, Vic wondered if Braydon had been right. Did he really think his granddad had orchestrated whatever was going on with her and Hauk? How could he have when they’d kissed before he ever called? And how could he have seen a spark between them when no one else had?

As Hauk came into view, it suddenly didn’t matter if she had been manipulated. Dressed in ass-hugging jeans and a biceps-molding T-shirt, his arms flexing as he harnessed the power of the air compressor, he oozed strength. His strength didn’t end at the physical.

With her earlier wish to give Hauk all the things he wanted slipping into her mind, Vic ran back to Braydon, catching him just as he was putting his dingy in the water to row out to his sailboat. After recovering her breath and securing the first part of her plan, she headed back to Hauk and the stage, making a few phone calls on the way.

With a smile and a new determination, she closed the distance between her and Hauk. When he set the nail gun down to place another slat of wood, she moved in to flatten her hand on his back. He jumped and spun around with fury raging in his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“I came to help you get some of the painting done. Should I have brought you another mug of coffee?” She smiled, certain that coffee wasn’t a cure for whatever had him pissed. More likely he was worried someone had seen them. Or… “Did something happen to upset Sophie?”