From Temptation to Twins(55)
“No kidding.”
“Melissa explained what happened?”
“That Jules thought I was your pawn? She told me. You do know that’s never going to happen. So, if that’s what this is about...” Noah started to rise.
“No,” Caleb quickly assured him. “It’s not.”
Noah hesitated for a second, but then settled back down.
“You want a beer?” Matt asked Noah.
“Are you going to ask Melissa out?” Caleb asked Noah.
“No.”
Caleb was curious. “Why not?”
“I’m getting the beer.” Matt rose and crossed to the wet bar.
“Because she’s a university graduate, and I’m an ex-con with a GED.”
The answer took Caleb by surprise. “You’re also a licensed carpenter.”
“Can you imagine her bringing me home to Daddy?”
Matt handed around the beers and sat back down. The wind gusted, and he settled his cap more firmly on his head.
“You’re selling yourself short,” Matt said.
“This can’t be why you asked me here,” Noah said.
It wasn’t.
Caleb had a different motive. “If I can get Jules on board, would you consider working for Neo?”
He knew Jules and Melissa respected Noah. Caleb liked him, too, and he admired Noah’s work. What he wanted was a solution that worked for everyone.
“Or for me,” Matt said. “If it turns out the Crab Shack job ends, I’ve got plenty of work here at the marina for a good finish carpenter.”
Noah looked from one man to the other. “Even if I think you’re right, that the sisters should sell, they’re never going to agree.”
“I can’t give up,” Caleb said. “Melissa admitted she’d like to work at Neo.”
“Melissa’s not Jules,” Noah said.
“I’m not through trying.”
“Then I wish you luck.” Noah came to his feet.
“Ask Melissa out,” Matt said to Noah. “I hate that you’re hesitating over your past.”
“He’s divorced, so probably not the best advisor on women. But I agree with him.” Caleb had seen the way Melissa and Noah looked at each other. They deserved a chance.
“Divorced or not—” Noah cracked a half smile “—I’d rather take his advice than yours. I’ve never seen a guy get himself into such a mess over a woman.”
Caleb wished he could disagree. “If I can’t change her mind—”
“It’s going to cost you a million dollars,” Matt finished the sentence.
“That’s not what I was going to say.”
Noah polished off his beer. “You’re not going to change her mind. And, Matt’s right, you’re the one who’s going to cave.”
Matt laughed at that.
Before Caleb could work up a counter-argument for the both of them, Noah was gone.
* * *
“Noah asked me out.” Melissa was beaming as they laid out copper light fixtures and polish on the drop cloth–covered bar. She lowered her voice, glancing surreptitiously at Noah where he was working outside on the deck. “Your plan worked. I’ve been staying aloof and playing hard to get for nearly a week.”
Jules forced out a smile for her sister. She was genuinely happy for her. “Congratulations. Where are you going?”
Jules wouldn’t use this moment to feel sorry for herself. She’d been avoiding Caleb all week. She missed him, but that was too bad. She might as well start getting over it.
“Dinner and a club. Saturday night. We’re going to drive into Olympia.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“Your black dress.” Melissa peeled a soft cloth from a stack and opened a can of polish. Her hand was finally back to normal.
“I suppose that’s only fair,” Jules said.
“I’ll try not to ruin it.”
“It’s not like I have a right to complain if you do.”
Melissa didn’t laugh, and Jules looked up.
Her sister’s eyes were round.
“Dad,” Melissa said.
Jules didn’t blame Melissa for being concerned. “Dad’s reaction is a whole other—”
“Hi, Dad,” Melissa said more loudly in a brittle, bright tone.
Jules realized Melissa was looking past her.
A prickle zigzagged its way up her spine.
She turned to see her father, Roland, frowning in the doorway. He was unshaven, which wasn’t unusual. His plaid shirt was open at the collar, tucked into a pair of work pants, and he wore his usual scuffed leather boots.
“Is something wrong?” Jules quickly asked. She couldn’t imagine why he would have shown up unannounced.
He glanced contemptuously around the restaurant.