Familiar Adversaries

Shane opened the door to the limited space he’d called home since his newly married brother, Nate, moved to the Hunter family ranch six months ago. Since all his funds were tied up in his business and this project, getting his own place would have to wait.

There was a living room and kitchen combination where a small rust-colored sofa and a large leather recliner faced the entertainment center that housed his one extravagance, a flat screen television and stereo. Two stools were arranged under the short counter that served as the dining area. A narrow hall led to a bath and his bedroom, where he knew his bed hadn’t been made in weeks.

His thoughts turned to Mariah. Not two full days on the job and already she was giving him problems. How was she supposed to help the project go smoothly if they couldn’t get along? Why hadn’t she come to him about the lumber delivery?

Well, he’d shown her, all right. He ignored the sour feeling in his stomach as he dropped his keys on the counter and opened the refrigerator. Inside was a six-pack of beer, a half gallon of milk with a week-old expiration date. He poured it out in the sink and placed the empty container in the trash.

“I guess I’ll have another food group.” He opened the bread drawer and smiled on finding his stash of Twinkies. He pulled out two and immediately ripped the cellophane off one and took a huge bite.

Just then there was a knock on the door and he finished off the other half of the cake as he went to greet his mother, who was holding a basket of clean laundry.

“Don’t tell me that’s your lunch.”

“Hello, Mom.” He took the basket from the slender woman. “And what’s wrong with what I’m eating?”

She flashed her piercing blue eyes at him. “Don’t get me started.” She sighed. “At least come down to the house and fix a sandwich. You work too hard to be skipping meals.”

“Mom, I appreciate your help with the laundry, but I can feed myself.”

“I didn’t do your laundry. I only took your clothes out of the dryer so I could use it.”

Betty Hunter tried to act tough, but she still worried about her three adult kids. Now that her oldest son, Nate, was happily married and living out at the ranch, and her daughter, Emily, had moved to L.A., she’d been concentrating all her attention on him.

“Sorry. It won’t happen again.” Shane took the basket and put it on the sofa.

“That’s what you said the last time.” She glanced around the apartment. “Now that you have a project manager, you should be able to have a personal life. By the way, how is Mariah?”

“What did Nate do? Rush over to the house to tell you?”

“Nate never said a word. You know news travels fast in a small town. Quit avoiding the question, how is Mariah? She was such a sweet girl.”

“Mom, you’re talking about Kurt Easton’s daughter. He only brought her here to spy on me. He’ll do anything to get me off the Paradise project.”

“If I remember correctly she used to be pretty smitten with you, and you were crazy about her, too.”

“High school was a long time ago,” he said quickly. “And we never should have been together in the first place. We were young and foolish.”

“That was a rough time for all of us, especially for you and Emily,” his mother said. “You were both too young to lose your father.”

When Ed Hunter died suddenly, life had changed for the family. They’d lost everything, including the Double H Ranch. They had to move into town. His mother went back to teaching and Nate came back from Phoenix and took a job in the sheriff’s department to help support the nearly bankrupt family.

Shane could still remember the whispers among his so-called friends at school. He hadn’t wanted anyone’s pity, especially not his girlfriend’s.

His mother smiled. “We had some lean years, but we all pulled through.”

“I’d like to think so, but it’s hard when you have Kurt Easton around to tell you that you’re no good.”

“Most people don’t listen to him. Look at what you and Nate have accomplished—your brother bought the ranch back and is making quite a name for himself with his wood carvings. You’ve started a construction business and won the bid on a huge project.” She smiled. “If I haven’t told you lately, son, I’m so proud of you. You can’t allow one person’s opinion to wear you down.”

“Easton’s hard to ignore.”

“If you’re referring to Mariah, she was always such a pretty girl with those big green eyes.”

Shane shot her a warning glance. “Mother.”

“Okay, I’ll stop. But only if you stop worrying about Kurt Easton. His partners hired Hunter Construction because you are the best. It’s true he holds a grudge against all the Hunters, but that has nothing to do with you.”

“Nothing?” Shane raised an eyebrow. “The man threatens me every opportunity he gets. What exactly did Grandpa Nathan do to set him off?” Shane had heard so many variations of the story he never knew what to believe.

“It was a long time ago and all the parties involved are gone,” His mother said. “Unfortunately Kurt continues to keep the bitterness alive.”

“Just tell me Grandpa didn’t swindle the Easton’s out of land?”

“No! Nathan Hunter was a fair and honest man. His only sin was that he fell in love. James Easton and Nathan Hunter were as close as brothers for most of their lives. When James went to serve in World War II, he asked your grandfather to look out for his sweetheart, Catherine Summer.

“Over the next two years, they spent a lot of time together and… Well…one thing lead to another. When James returned, he got angry, and said that Catherine had agreed to marry him. She denied any such promise. Terrible words were exchanged and their friendship ended. James Easton carried his bitterness until his death. It all should have ended then, but Kurt has continued on with his father’s grudge.”

“And Easton won’t quit until he destroys me.”

“Then don’t let him,” his mother stressed. “I know over the years he’s given Nate some problems. But to most people in town the Hunter-Easton feud is old news.”

Betty sighed. “The one I feel sorry for is Mariah,” she said. “Kurt has put the poor girl in a difficult position.”

Shane thought back to this morning and her refusal to give an inch. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Mariah can handle things.”

Surprisingly, his mother smiled. “Good for her.” She walked to the door.

“Whoa, whose side are you on?”

“Yours. But when it comes to women you’ve had it far too easy. It’s about time there’s someone who will make you work for what you want.”

The next morning Mariah pressed her fingers against her temples, trying to relieve the headache she’d had since getting out of bed that morning. She shook out two pain pills from the bottle, tossed them in her mouth and swallowed some coffee, hoping the caffeine would make the medication work faster. She hoped Shane wouldn’t show up for at least another hour.

She walked back to her desk just as the door swung open and the man in question walked in. Dressed in his usual work clothes—navy T-shirt and jeans—he looked too good for that early in the morning.

“Morning,” he murmured as he strolled to his desk.

“Good morning,” she returned as she watched him go through the mail.

“Is this all there is?”

“Except for the invoices, I have those,” she said.

“Why? You didn’t think I wanted to see how much money is going out?”

She had to concede he was right. “In past jobs I’ve always handled paying the invoices.”

“Go ahead and pay them, but I still want to see them to make sure we’re not being overcharged.”

“That’s my job.”

He shot her a glare. “Everything on this project is my job,” he said. “That includes yours.”

“Are you saying that you don’t trust me?”

“Why should I? Your father didn’t want me on this project. He lost that battle, but the next thing I know you show up.”

Mariah refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset. “You knew there was going to be a project manager. And I’m more than qualified.”

Shane folded his arms across his chest. “Your being Kurt Easton’s daughter makes me wonder if you’re in cahoots with him to get rid of me?”

That did it. “How dare you accuse me of trying to jeopardize a project,” she said, fighting back. “I would never do that.”

“Not even for your father?”

She felt as if he’d struck her. She marched over to his side. He was tall and broad, but she didn’t let him intimidate her or stop her. She’d faced down a lot tougher men than him.

“Let’s get something straight, Shane Hunter. If you ever accuse me of mismanagement again, you better have solid proof, because nobody tarnishes my professional reputation.”

Seeing the hurt on Mariah’s face, Shane felt like a jerk. It brought back memories of another time he had hurt her. She hadn’t deserved it then and didn’t now. She hadn’t done anything but her job. He just wasn’t crazy about her being here.

“Okay. Okay. I may have stepped over the line. But believe me, your father has been riding my case since I was awarded this job. I suppose you can understand why I’m suspicious.”

“I guess I understand, but I don’t have to like it.” She jammed her hands on her hips. “And we still have to find a way to work together, because I don’t have the energy to come in here every morning and spar with you.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Sure gets the blood going, though, doesn’t it?”

She started to grin, and quickly masked it. “Yes, but we need trust and respect between us.”

Shane wasn’t sure he was there yet. Was it because they had a past together? Was it because she was Easton’s daughter? Or was it because he realized he was still attracted to her? Okay, maybe it was a little of all of the above. “I think that will take time.”

“Time is something we don’t have. We’re behind schedule by two weeks. And that doesn’t allow for rain delays and—”

Just then the foreman walked in. “What is it, Rod?” Shane asked.

“We got trouble. There was another break-in during the night.”

“The hell you say.” Shane grabbed a hard hat and followed Rod out of the trailer with Mariah close on his heels. They made their way to the chain-link-fenced area where wood and tools were held. Graffiti had been sprayed on the plywood sheets. Vile, disgusting words had been written on the four-by-eight sheets. Several boxes of nails had been dumped around the area.

“Is anything missing?” Shane asked.

“Not as far as I can see,” Rod said. “But we haven’t had a chance to take inventory.”

“I’ll do it,” Mariah said as she looked at Rod. “Why don’t you get the crews started so there are no more delays?”

The foreman nodded, then walked away.

Shane was surprised at Mariah’s suggestion. “I can’t leave you to clean up this mess.”

“Why? You think it’s beneath me? I’ve gotten my hands dirty before. I would appreciate it if you’d send Jason and Mike to help me out. Later, you and I need to talk about better security. The drive-by patrol doesn’t seem to be doing the trick.”

“I agree with you on that one,” Shane said.

Her green eyes rounded. “Well, that’s a start. We finally agree on something.”

Around midnight Shane yawned as he slowed his truck at the turnoff to the site. He couldn’t sleep, so he decided to do something useful. Until they got the new security in place, he was going to do some checking of his own. Anything was better than lying in bed unable to sleep. Nothing he’d done could turn off his thoughts about Mariah. She just kept popping into his head. Those big green eyes, her full mouth and all that wild hair had him wound tight. She’d been pretty in high school, but she was a knockout now.

And it would be suicide to start up something with her.

This was business and if he wanted Hunter Construction to fly, he had to pay Nate back the start-up money he’d loaned him over two years ago. That meant he had to keep focused on the project. Any thoughts of Mariah had to be about how hard she’d worked on the cleanup today; how she hadn’t complained; and how she’d made a detailed list of every item by quitting time.

They both decided whoever vandalized the site wasn’t a pro. More like teenagers or someone just wanting to make trouble for Shane. His first thought was that Easton might be behind the incidents, but he couldn’t see the town councilman taking a chance on dirtying his hands with such an amateurish stunt.

The truck’s bad suspension jarred Shane in his seat. One hundred yards before he reached the trailer, he turned off his lights and parked. If anyone was trespassing, he wanted to surprise them.

That was when he saw the faint light in the trailer. Someone was inside. He got out of his truck and ran across the field. Silently he inserted his key, quietly pushed open the door and saw the person’s shadow on the wall. He reached out, grabbed the intruder and pinned him against the wall.

It didn’t take Shane long to realize that he was pressed against a soft body, a soft body with breasts.

“Let go of me,” Mariah demanded as she wiggled against him.

Desire shot through him and he fought to control his response. “Then you better tell me what the hell you’re doing here in the middle of the night.”

Chapter Three

Mariah couldn’t get air into her lungs with Shane pressed against her. His face was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. She smelled his fresh, male scent that had traces of soap and a lot of just…Shane. It brought back memories of a different time, a time when they’d shared long, slow kisses. A time when his mere touch could give her such pleasure.

She shook away the thoughts and managed to suck in needed oxygen. “Get off me.” She pushed at him, but he didn’t budge.

“I asked, what are you doing here?”

“I’m working,” she said.

He finally released her. “Why so late?”

“I came back tonight to get some things done.” She pushed past him. “You’ve been neglecting a lot of the paperwork, Shane. I’m surprised the crew ever got paid.”

“I have an accounting service do payroll.”

“But who checks the timecards to make sure they’re correct? I’ve been wading through your mess, trying to get things straightened out.” And she hadn’t wanted to sit at home and listen to her father trash Shane the entire night. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

“You don’t have any business here at this hour.”

“I have as much as you do,” she shot back.

Shane then ran a hand over his face. “Okay. Okay. Do you think we could try and get through five minutes without arguing?”

She shrugged. “Do you?”

“Ah, hell.” He marched to the other side of the trailer as if trying to calm down. Finally he looked at her. “Mariah, we have to find a way to work together. This might not matter to you, but if Paradise Estates doesn’t finish on schedule, I might as well kiss my construction business goodbye.”

“Why do you think I’m trying to destroy you? I have as much at stake as you do.” It hurt her that he distrusted her. She fought to keep the emotion out of her voice. “I have a reputation to uphold, too, Shane. You have to stop attacking me at every turn.”

“I’m trying. But when I walked in here yesterday and saw you…” He came back to her. “My God, Mariah, it’s been years. I couldn’t help think about how it was between us.” He reached out to touch her cheek.

She pulled away again. “You must have different memories from me. I only remember the kiss-off.” In all fairness to Shane, she’d known he’d had a rough time after his father’s death. All she had wanted was to be there for him, but he hadn’t wanted her. She’d been crushed when he’d told her he couldn’t see her any longer. What had devastated her was that he’d had time to spend with several other girls in school.

“So, I was a selfish bastard,” he offered. “I was a randy teenage boy. Besides, your father didn’t want us to be together, anyway.”

Mariah shrugged. “That never stopped us. We’d found ways to see each other.” She knew she was baiting him, but she liked seeing his reaction. “I would drive out to the ranch.”

“And you took foolish chances,” he reminded her.

She couldn’t stop the memories. She would park behind the barn, and he’d run out to meet her. She’d barely be out of her car before he had pulled her into his arms and kiss her.

She glanced at Shane. The look in his eyes told her he was remembering, too. “You never asked me to stop,” she accused.

Suddenly he drew her close again. “How could I? You were every teenage boy’s fantasy.”

Her pulse raced. Hearing his confession, feeling his hard body pressed to hers, she hadn’t the strength to pull away. She hated her weakness for this man.

Shane’s head lowered to hers, and she eagerly met his mouth. She whimpered as her lips parted and his tongue pushed inside. Sliding her hands up his chest, she circled his neck. All the feelings she’d buried so long ago suddenly surfaced. Every dream she’d had about being with Shane again hadn’t compared to this. Desire spiraled through her body, exploding through her senses, making her feel a hunger she’d never known.

Then, all too soon, it ended.

With a curse Shane released her and turned away. The rejection was excruciating for Mariah. Once again she’d let Shane Hunter hurt her.

His gaze met hers. “That was a mistake. The last thing we need is this kind of complication.”

She took a shaky breath, trying to slow her pulse. “I agree. I shouldn’t have baited you.”

He nodded. “How’s this going to make for a working relationship?”

“If you think I’m going to resign, you’re wrong. I don’t give up that easily.”

“Then we better set some guidelines.”

She didn’t like him being so calm and controlled over what just happened. “How about the first one is you keeping your hands to yourself? Let’s keep this a business relationship—nothing more.”

He started to speak, then nodded. “And how about you not coming out here alone in the middle of the night?”

She nodded. “And you tell me when a supplier has a problem with delivery. I’m not a tyrant. Something can be worked out. It’s important to me, too, that we use local suppliers for this project.”

“How about if you don’t run home every night and tell Daddy every detail of the day? I don’t want to give him any ammunition to use against me.”

She frowned. “I don’t discuss our business with anyone. But I do live with my parents…at least temporarily.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you looking for a place of your own?”

She wasn’t going to tell him about the run-ins with her father. “I have my own apartment in Phoenix. I haven’t lived with my parents since before college. I would like a temporary place while I’m here, but that’s impossible to find without having to sign a lease.”

“If you’re not looking for anything special, I know of a studio apartment.”

“I’m interested.”

He nodded. “Then meet me at the Good Time Café for breakfast.”

“I don’t have time for breakfast.”

“You will tomorrow.” He picked up her purse and handed it to her. “And now we’re both going home to bed.” She tensed when he placed his hand against her back and guided her to the door. “Tomorrow we’ll put our heads together and figure out how to do our jobs.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“And I mean it, Mariah, no more coming out here alone late at night. It’s too dangerous.”

“Would it help if I told you I know karate?” When he frowned, she went on, “Maybe if someone was here it would keep the vandals away.”

“Or they could come after you.” He escorted her to the door. “The only way you get to be out here is if I’m with you. We have to start working together. Agreed?”

When he looked at her with those blue eyes, she couldn’t deny him what he wanted.

“Agreed,” she said, knowing she was in big trouble.

At six-thirty the next morning, Mariah walked into the Good Time Café. She wasn’t surprised that the fifties-style diner was crowded. The place had always been a popular spot in Haven and that obviously hadn’t changed. She glanced around at the red vinyl booths that lined the windows. A young waitress was rushing through the group of tables refilling mugs as the jukebox played an old song by the Supremes, “Baby Love.”

She recognized several of the crew as she continued to search the room. Finally she found her man seated at the counter. A jolt of awareness hit her. One curious kiss did not make Shane Hunter her man. They couldn’t afford to let anything else happen between them. They needed to keep all their concentration on the project.

She started across the room toward Shane. He was engrossed in conversation with the man next to him and he suddenly threw back his head and laughed. It had been a long time since Mariah had seen Shane this relaxed. She knew that working with her wasn’t easy for him.

Shane swung around on the chrome-and-vinyl stool. The smile faded a bit as he got up and came to greet her. “Good, you made it.”

“I figured if I didn’t show, you’d come and get me.”

“You got that right.” He took her arm and guided her to the counter. “Mariah, do you remember my brother, Nate?”

With a smile she offered her hand. “I hear it’s Sheriff Hunter now.”

The tall, handsome man in his khaki uniform stood as he took her hand. “Not for much longer. I’m retiring in another a few months. Nice to see you again, Mariah. It’s been a few years.”

She was surprised that the former football star remembered her. “Yes it has. I’ve been living in the Phoenix area.”

“Shane tells me you’re doing a good job of cleaning up his act.”

“Well, what can I say? He needs it.” She sat down on the empty stool next to him.

Nate laughed, reminding her so much of his younger brother. “Good luck. The family gave up on him years ago.”

“Hey, I’m right here,” Shane called out. “Nate, don’t you have a job to do or a wife to go home to?”

“Not at the moment.” Smiling, he turned back to Mariah. “I think things are a lot more interesting right here.”

Shane hated how Nate was acting. Smiling at her and being so sickeningly sweet. The man was married. Just then a customer vacated the stool on the other side of Mariah, and Shane sat down.

“Well, we have business to discuss, so get lost,” he said, hating his sudden possessiveness over Mariah.

Mariah looked at him. “We don’t start work until seven. Since I’m here, how about some food?”

“You want breakfast, I’ll get you breakfast,” Shane said as he waved and got the attention of the waitress.

She hurried to the counter. “What can I get for you, Shane? More coffee?”

He smiled back at the teenager. “That would be nice, Lisa, and Mariah, here, would like the breakfast special.”

He glanced at Mariah and found she wasn’t happy that he’d ordered for her. She turned to the waitress. “I would like eggs scrambled hard and wheat toast.”

After Lisa left, Nate and Mariah went back to their conversation, completely ignoring him. Seeing his brother’s sappy grin, he realized this was payback for all the times he’d flirted with Tori. Nate was wasting his time, he wasn’t interested in rekindling a relationship with his high school sweetheart. All he was interested in was them working amicably together.

Shane caught Mariah’s reflection in the mirror against the wall. His gaze locked on her expressive emerald-green eyes, then lowered to her full mouth. His heart skipped as he glanced away. So what if the woman was a turn-on. That didn’t mean he had to do anything about it, did it?

Just then Nate’s radio went off. He stood up to check the message. “Well, looks like I’m needed to help keep the peace. It was nice seeing you again, Mariah. I hope I get the chance to introduce you to my wife, Tori.”

The waitress brought Mariah her breakfast. “I’d like that.”

“Well, I’m out of here. ’Bye, bro,” Nate said as he smacked Shane on the back, then walked to the door in time to hold it for the customer coming in.