Breaking Clear (Full Hearts Series Book 3) (19 page)

Harper put up a finger. “Got it. Tastefully done boobage.”

*     *     *

Late that afternoon, after shopping and a visit with her dad, Harper stopped at the deli and bought the fixings for a picnic. She had decided to surprise Evan at work, knowing he was in for a long day. She hurried home and put together some sub-style sandwiches, iced teas and donuts she had picked up. After a glance at what she’d prepared, she decided to bring along a kale salad for herself, which she knew Evan wouldn’t eat. She freshened up her makeup and replaced the dress she had worn shopping with a pair of jeans and a cute T-shirt that fit just right. Smiling to herself, she made her way over to the building site. As she pulled up, she could see Evan was alone, and she knew he must have let the crew leave.

He stopped what he was doing when he saw her pull up, a broad grin crossing his face under his hard hat.

“Hey, beautiful!” he called as she got out of her dad’s truck. “What brings you here?” He jumped down onto the dirt surrounding the now-framed house and strode over to her, taking off his hat and wiping the sweat from his brow.

“I thought you might be hungry,” she replied, holding up the bag of food. “I also assumed you’d be missing me terribly by now.”

He gave her a long kiss. “How do you know me so well after only a few weeks?”

“You’re a man. Men are not that complicated. You’re either hungry or horny.”

“And here I thought I was a man of mystery.”

“No such thing, really. Even James Bond is either looking for food or sex. The espionage just gets in his way most of the time.”

Evan laughed, taking the bag and leading her over to the house. Setting the bag down, he lifted her onto the raised floor so she wouldn’t have to use the stepladder. Pulling himself up in one quick move, he planted himself next to her. Harper gave him a lingering kiss.

When she pulled back, he said, “I’m a mess. I’m sure I smell like a locker room.”

“Not really. You somehow manage to still appeal to me. That’s the real mystery,” she teased, pulling the food and drinks out of the bag.

As they ate, Harper told him about Megan’s big news, excitedly describing the proposal and the dress they had picked out. When she had finished, she stared at him for a moment. “Hey, your eyes didn’t glaze over even once when I was telling you all of that. And now that I think of it, you probably don’t care in the slightest about chiffon versus charmeuse.”

“I was riveted, even though I don’t have the first clue what either of those words means. For reasons that I can’t explain, if you are telling me about it, I want to know every detail.”

“God, you’re perfect,” she said with a happy sigh. “All thoughtful and caring, wrapped up in that sexy package.”

“Glad you like my package,” he said, leaning in for a deep kiss.

“Mmm,” Harper moaned as their lips met. When it was over, Harper took a moment to open her eyes again, returning to reality. “I should go. I promised myself I was just going to feed you and then get out of your way so you can get home earlier.”

“But now I don’t want to get back to work. I want to go home and get you into the shower with me.”

“That sounds good. Too bad I can’t help you so you could get home sooner.”

“Maybe you can.”

“Really?”

He stood, pulling her up with him and plunking his hard hat onto her head. Grinning as the hat wobbled there, he led her over to his tool box and selected a long level from the top drawer. “Your tool, Madame. You ever used a level before?” he asked.

“Nope, but it’s long and hard so I’m sure I’ll be good at it,” she answered in a sultry voice.

Evan’s eyes grew wide and a short bark of laughter escaped him. “You should come to work more often. This is going to be fun. Alright, I was just going to check one last time that all the walls are framed straight and square.”

Giving a quick nod to show she was back to being serious, she replied. “I don’t know what any of that means, but if you’re teaching me I’m happy to learn.”

They worked until the sun had almost disappeared. Harper quickly picked up what he needed her to do, and they laughed together when she got confused. He was a patient teacher and showed appreciation for her help, repeatedly insisting that she was saving him a lot of time even though she was sure that in fact she wasn’t. In the end he would only go so far as to admit that even if things weren’t getting done faster, he had never had such a good time at work before.

*     *     *

That night as he fell asleep, Evan realized he had never been happier in his life. Harper was everything he had always wanted in a woman without even knowing it. She was his perfect match and here she was, asleep in his arms, trusting him completely and letting him in. He felt lucky to have her, even if it was just for a little while.

“I haven’t been here since I was a teenager. I forgot how pretty this lake is.” Harper inhaled the fresh scent of summer mountain air and pine before filling her arms with bags of plastic plates, cups and cutlery. She stared for a moment at the sandy beach that led into the clear blue water while she waited for Evan to unload a large cooler from the flatbed.

“I love it out here. It’s the perfect spot to host the barbecue,” Evan said as he started toward the picnic shelter. “Say, thanks again for helping me get everything ready for today. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. It’s been pretty fun, actually. I just can’t believe that you normally get all this ready for fifty people by yourself every year.”

“It’s no big deal, really. It’s my little way of saying thank you for all the long hours they’ve been putting in all summer.”

The two worked quickly for the next twenty minutes, covering picnic tables with red-and-white checkered tablecloths, stringing some balloons to the shelter and getting the food and drinks set up. Evan had brought a large bin of lawn games for the children who would be joining them and he started setting them up on the grass.

“You’ve thought of everything,” Harper said as she watched him pin croquet wickets into the ground.

“Well, it’s a lot more fun for everyone if the kids have something to do.”

“Lacey’s right. You are a horrible tyrant.”

“I thought it was awful beast?”

“Right. That.”

A little while later, the first of the guests started arriving. Evan greeted them all warmly and introduced Harper to everyone. The pair started the party by handing out Popsicles to the children and cold drinks to the adults. The heat of the day was now peaking, making the refreshments all the more welcome. The kids quickly made their way to the games, giving their parents the opportunity to relax and visit.

Next, much to the group’s delight, the start of the annual Labour Day Donovan Builders football game was announced. Never one to back down from a challenge, Harper joined in, finding herself on the opposing team to Evan. The first huddle of the game broke up and the teams faced off. Harper’s team started with the ball, which was quickly intercepted by Evan. He weaved in and out of the players, passing the ball to one of his smallest teammates, a boy of about ten. When they neared the end zone, Evan picked him up and carried him in for a touchdown. Cheers and jeers filled the air, and the boy he was holding laughed hysterically and held his hands up in victory.

“Cheap, Donovan!” Harper called to him. “You’re better than that.”

“You guys just wish you had thought of it first,” he gloated.

During the next huddle, Harper told her team to leave Evan to her. As soon as the ball was snapped back to him, Harper charged ahead, hoping to cut him off. Leaning forward, she tried to tackle him, which only made it easier for him to pick her up with his free hand, sling her over his shoulder and run the ball in for a touchdown. He put her down with a celebratory smirk. “Not a chance, Young,” he said, kissing her hard on the mouth. “Nice try, though. I have to admire your spirit.”

The game continued like this, the two of them flirting their way through each play until Evan’s team claimed victory. When the high-fives and trash talk had ended, most of the players made a beeline to the lake to cool off, while Harper and Evan returned to the picnic shelter to wash up and start dinner. As they walked, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders lazily and pulled her in for a kiss. “That was fun. Let’s get these people fed and out of here. I want you all to myself again.”

“Mmm, sounds wonderful,” Harper replied as they reluctantly parted ways to start preparing dinner.

A few minutes later, some of the other women joined Harper, helping to slice open hamburger buns and put out salads.

“So, Harper, this must be pretty serious if he asked you to help host the Labour Day picnic,” Lacey said.

“Oh, no, he just asked me to come along because I didn’t have plans today.” Harper gazed over at Evan, who was flipping burgers on the grill. He glanced at her at the same moment, his expression saying how much he wanted her.

One of the other women at the table caught their exchange. “I don’t know. He seems pretty smitten, if you ask me. You lucky bitch. There’s not a woman in town who’d kick that man out of bed for eating crackers.”

Lacey gave the woman a light swat on the arm. “Heidi’s just teasing, of course. She’s madly in love with her husband.”

Heidi nodded. “I am, but that doesn’t mean I would turn down a roll in the hay with his boss.”

Harper laughed, putting her hand over her mouth. “He is easy on the eyes, isn’t he?”

Heidi flashed her a knowing smile. “If by that you mean unbelievably hot, no one is going to disagree with you. But even better than that, he’s a really good man.”

“Agreed. So, Heidi, which one of these lucky guys is your husband?” Harper asked, changing the subject. A distinctly uncomfortable feeling had started to set in on her. Part of her felt as though she wouldn’t be deemed worthy of Evan by these women. But why should she really care what they thought of her? She pushed the thoughts and their accompanying feelings aside, telling herself it was all in her head.

*     *     *

When the meal had been served and all the guests were seated at the long row of tables, Evan made his way over to the head of the last one and addressed the group. “As you know, I’m not big on speeches, but I thought today I better make an exception. We’ve had an amazing year so far and I owe it to all of you. First, to the families—for understanding and supporting these tired guys. I know they can’t always make it to every Little League game, and that they’ve missed a lot of dinners, especially lately. And I know that’s not easy for any of you. It puts all that extra work on you wives, particularly, and I want you to know that your sacrifice means a lot to me. So, thank you.

“Second, to the crew—you guys get up at the crack of dawn every day and put in the long hours, which is the reason we aren’t running two months behind all the time. You work hard, you never cut corners and you take pride in what you do, which means that every house we build is one we can be proud of. My reputation as a contractor really comes down to what each of you does every day. It’s the reason we were awarded the Pine Crest development and it’s the reason why when we’re finished, it’s going to be the best place to live in Colorado. And I am grateful to you all. One more thing, and then I promise I’ll go sit down. Everyone gets a paid day off tomorrow.”

He paused for a moment to let the cheers die down. “So eat up! If you’re not driving, drink up. And have a wonderful extra-long long weekend. You’ve earned it and then some!” He held up his beer to toast them, receiving a round of applause. Picking up his plate, he started toward the empty spot next to Harper.

Just as Evan sat down, Lacey’s husband, Chad, stood up and cleared his throat. “Well, since it’s open mic, I thought we better say something nice to our illustrious leader.” Chad paused, giving Evan an appreciative smile, before his face shifted into a more serious expression. “I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m proud to work for someone with integrity, someone who cares—not just about the bottom line—but about doing things right, about the people who work for him and the people they love. So here’s to Evan.” He raised his cup and the others joined him.

One of the men at the far end of the table leaned over to look at Harper. “He paid Chad to say that, Harper. He told us we had to make him look good in front of you.”

“I assumed it was something like that,” Harper said, joining in the fun.

After dinner, a few of the guests helped clean up and load the leftover food into coolers, while others spread blankets on the grass to get ready for the fireworks. Lacey worked alongside Harper, chatting as they wiped down the tables. “So, you can see, we’re all pretty attached to Evan.”

“Yes, it’s very obvious you all love your boss. It’s sweet, really.”

“Speaking of sweet, you two are about as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut dipped in chocolate.”

Harper grinned. “We do have a lot of fun together.”

“It’s none of my business, but I sure hope you two’ll make it stick. I’ve known Evan for a lot of years, and I’m not kidding when I say I’ve never seen him this happy. He just lights up when you’re around.”

Harper was saved from having to respond by Evan’s approach. He gave Lacey an easy smile. “Lacey, why don’t you go relax? Chad’s got the boys all set up for the fireworks. You should get off your feet too.”

“Oh, alright, but only if you promise you’re bringing her back to the picnic next year,” she said, handing him her cleaning rag. “This one’s a keeper, boss.”

Evan took the rag. “She’ll be sick of me by then,” he teased.

Lacey pursed her lips at him. “Keeper. As in, you better keep her,” she advised before turning to go.

When she was out of earshot, Evan said, “You two seem to have hit it off.”

“I really like her.” Harper picked up the bucket and plunked the rags into it. “I’m going to go empty this in the bathroom sink. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”

Harper hurried to the bathroom, her shoulders slumped. An uncomfortable feeling had come over her, brought on by Lacey’s mention of the future. By this time next year she wouldn’t be around to be part of another such wonderful day. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at the woman looking back at her. “What are you doing?” she asked her reflection.