Thinking this would be a good time to take a more casual look at the resort’s progress, he made his way to the main lodge, with its combination of Native American artwork and Asian-inspired comforts, such as the silk cushions that lined the furniture and the rock gardens that led to the reception dome.
There, he found Mina going over last-minute details for the glass-and-cedar decor that would distinguish this area.
The same shock-and-rock sensation he felt whenever he saw her rattled him. She had her hair in a French braid, and she was garbed in a smart, short-sleeved cool blue suit as she took charge with the contractor. When they were done, she checked her iPad while the man she’d been talking to started barking out orders to his workers, who’d been taking a break in the corner of the plank-scattered room.
Mina seemed content, and she smiled as she perused whatever she’d brought up on her computer screen.
Chet saw the old Mina—the constant who kept him steady—and a flicker of devilment snuck up on him as he eased on over.
“Mornin’,” he said over her shoulder.
He saw some pastel blocks—the kind little kids played with in a nursery—decorating the edges of the site she’d brought up on her iPad. But she flinched and hid the screen from him before he could see much more.
Eyes wide, she got that same strange look on her face that he’d seen during their walk, as if she was guilty, or as if she’d been…
Caught?
Chet wasn’t sure what was what as she touched something on her computer and acted just a bit too casual for him not to notice.
“Morning to you, too,” she said, gesturing toward her computer. “I was just going over details for the day care center.”
There it was then. She’d been gathering decorating tips for the guests who’d be toting their children.
She frowned. “I thought we were meeting in about an hour.”
“We are. I’m just wandering around, getting a feel for the place. Where’re you off to next?”
“The pavilion. The crew is going to finish it up today, and I want a look-see.”
“Mind if I come along?”
She nodded, noncommittal, but her smile was welcoming as they walked out of the lodge and into the clear morning air. He liked how the sun played with Mina’s hair, bringing out the deep red, flirting with the gold. He only wished she didn’t have it in that confining braid.
But he had no business thinking like that. He’d danced pretty close to the fire last night, bringing up her social life, finding out about her ex-boyfriend. Maybe he’d just wanted to see if the sky would fall down around them, but it hadn’t.
They were getting back to where they’d been before and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Walking the rock-lined path, they passed what would be a gift shop with souvenir ranch items as well as sporting and spa essentials. Then they got to the barbecue area, which was coming together with picnic tables and a stage for entertainment. Nearby stood the restaurant, where Chef Arnett’s healthy gourmet food would be served, then the sports center, which would offer a full gym as well as classes like yoga, dance and fencing.
They came to the pavilion, where hikers would meet early in the morning to hit the trails in guided groups. Wood was scattered around, but the rest of the spired structure hinted of the bands that would play there, the dance floor that would sit under the sparkle of fairy lights strung down from the ceiling and through the nearby Joshua trees.
“This’ll look good by the end of the day,” Mina said, a grin on her face, as if she were imagining an innocent dance with someone.
With a blast of desire, Chet realized that he hoped it was him.
But…good Lord. He wasn’t in a position to be hoping anything. He’d already taken too much from her, and to think that she would suffer the ups and downs of his life while he straightened it out was just too much. He wouldn’t ask that of anyone.
Yet there he was, admiring how the sun slanted down and painted half her face golden. He adored how the light freckles dusting her nose and cheekbones gave her a playful air, even when she seemed so serious and professional.
Before he could even think about what he was doing, he touched her cheek, and it felt right, just like that night.
Just like he was made to be doing it.
And when Mina turned those green eyes on him, he didn’t back away.
Even if every instinct shouted that he should.
Chapter Three
Tingles shimmied down Mina’s body as she reveled in the feel of Chet’s fingers skimming her cheek.
This was how it should be between them—no questions about what was right and wrong, or about office propriety.
He was a man, she was a woman, and right now it was achingly clear that nothing should hold them back from wanting and needing each other.