Chapter One
Josh Abbott set his pliers down on top of the ladder when his phone vibrated. It was undoubtedly a text from his brother and closest friend, Lucas, who was currently at the Abbott and Sons Construction offices across town and unhappy to be there. And all because Josh was the lucky dog who got to go to work at Violet’s Emporium that day.
Hey. You at Violet’s yet?
He typed a quick reply. He already knew where this conversation was going. Yes. I’m trying to work.
Is she there? After his quick affirmative reply, Lucas persisted with more questions. You need any help with the chandelier?
No.
You sure? I can be there in two minutes.
I’m sure. Shouldn’t you be working?
I am. So…what’s she wearing today?
Josh prayed for patience while hiding laughter. The work Violet needed done today was a one-man job, and he’d won the coin toss. He snuck a peek at the woman they were both secretly in love with even though he’d already perused her curves and lush beauty in that dress on several occasions that day. She’s wearing that long purply blue dress you like with the sparkly things on the neckline.
Lucas’s reply took a minute to come through, and Josh knew it was going to be a long one as he kept working. Lucas didn’t disappoint.
Oh, hell yes! The one with the slits on the sides up to her knees, so you can see the curve of her calves when she walks. Can you sneak a picture of her in it to me? Is she wearing those high heels with it today? You sure you don’t need help? I can be there in two minutes.
He snorted because he could picture Lucas sitting at the offices doing paperwork, cussing because he hadn’t won the coin toss.
She’s wearing the little jeweled flat sandals today and she put her hair up so you can see her neck. And no, I’m not sneaking a picture of her because that’s a little creepy and if she catches me, it’ll be me who has to explain why I’m up a ladder taking pictures of her when I should be working. And no, I don’t need any help.
He couldn’t blame Lucas for wanting to come over because he knew the attraction went deeper than how she looked in whatever she was wearing. They’d been flirting with her, wanting her practically since they’d met her. Seeing her blonde curls bobbing as she flitted around her store, gradually making it into what he considered the jewel of downtown Divine. He’d been happy for her on her grand reopening day, and proud that he and Lucas, and his other brothers, had helped. Along the way he’d discovered what a precious jewel she was, too.
Even when she’d made it clear her heart wasn’t available when they’d asked her out the previous autumn, he and Lucas had still wanted her. As far as he could tell, she was involved in a long-distance relationship that didn’t seem to bring her much joy. She deserved more.
“Hey, Josh!” Violet called from the back of the store. “Could you help me for a second?”
He shoved his phone in his pocket and descended the ladder with all due haste. The phone buzzed but he ignored it and found her out the back door bent over and struggling with a heavy, dented box out on the loading dock. He was momentarily captivated by the way the knit fabric of the dress drew taut around her lush ass cheeks before hurrying over to her. “Hey, hey, let me do that, Violet.”
She brushed curling strands of blonde hair away from her face and smiled at him as he hefted the dusty box. “Where would you like this?” His phone buzzed in his pocket.
“In my office for now, Josh. The delivery truck guy just kicked it off the back of the truck and left. I have to make sure nothing is damaged inside.”
He did as she asked, and when he turned after setting it on her work table, he ran right into her.
Gasping, she blinked up at him as he steadied her with his hands on her upper arms. The soft scent of lavender, heated by her skin, invaded his senses and he breathed her in, enjoying the plush luxury of her body pressed against his from breast to thigh.
“Oh! I’m sorry,” she said, her cheeks turning bright pink. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. I didn’t mean to crash into you.”
I wish you’d do it again, repeatedly, baby girl. “That’s okay. It’s a tight space in here.”
She gestured to the box and giggled as they tried to scoot around each other in the narrow entry. Her breasts rubbed against his chest and he had to restrain the urge to wrap his arms around her and kiss her right there. His phone buzzed in his pocket again.
“Well, Violet, if that’s all you need me for then I’ll go finish with that light fixture.”
“Thank you, Josh,” she said, her cheeks still filled with color as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the floor. “I appreciate you coming back to do that work for me today, and for helping with the box.”