Flirting with Disaster (18 page)

A frown immediately creased Ellie's brow. “Maybe we should wait.”

“For what?”

“Until this whole mess with Brian is over.”

“The contest will be over by then. Unless I've completely misjudged him, he'll be gone.”

“Not if he's seen any publicity for a showing of my work,” Ellie said with certainty. “You'd have to start publicizing it at least a month ahead, right? That's what you usually do.”

“Yes,” Maggie admitted.

“It'll be like rubbing salt in a wound. Who knows what kind of reaction it would trigger? Maybe we should wait till November or even December,” she said. “Or next spring.”

Maggie studied Ellie closely, trying to figure out why she was suddenly so jittery about setting a date. “Did Josh upset you earlier?”

“What do you mean?”

“You've suddenly turned skittish about this show again.”

“No, I'm just trying to be smart. It makes sense to be considerate of Brian's feelings so he doesn't get all worked up and come after you the way he threatened to. Why ask for trouble if we don't have to? What's the rush?”

Maggie considered Ellie's view and reluctantly concluded she might be right. “Okay, you have a point,” she conceded. “But we can't have a show in December. It'll get lost in all the holiday commotion. And I don't want to wait until after the first of the year. I'll look over the schedule and think about November, though.”

“Thank you,” Ellie said fervently. “I think that's best. Besides, you have a big show coming up in a couple of weeks. I predict it's going to be such a smash and you'll be so busy, you'll be glad you don't have anything scheduled for right afterward.”

“I suppose,” Maggie said. “I just wish I wasn't afraid that when I try to pin down a date for November, you'll find some excuse then as well.”

“I won't, I promise.” Ellie brightened. “Oh, wait. I almost forgot to give you a message from Mitzi Lewis over at the Spoleto Festival. She says the contest entries are pouring in. It's more than they've ever had before.”

“Did you ask if Brian's entered?”

Ellie shook her head. “I didn't want it to look as if we were favoring any specific artist.”

“Yes, I suppose that's wise, but he is going to enter, right?”

“He told me he was. I've been trying not to act too interested, so he won't get suspicious.”

“Maybe I'll go over tomorrow to the festival offices and take a look at the entries that have come in so far,” Maggie said. “I'll see if his is there.”

Ellie suddenly looked worried. “What if he changes his mind and doesn't enter, after all? You will have made this big donation for nothing.”

“Not for nothing,” Maggie assured her. “Having a poster contest for the Spoleto Festival is still a worthwhile cause.” It just wouldn't accomplish the goal she'd set out to accomplish—protecting Ellie and taking away any leverage Brian might have had to destroy the gallery's reputation. She wasn't really worried, though. Brian's ego was too big for him to back out of the contest now.

 

Josh had his conversation with a sergeant at the police station and immediately got the man's promise to make sure the patrols in the area around Maggie's shop kept a close eye on the business and on the women working there.

“It might be best if they don't realize they're under surveillance,” he told Sergeant Rick Danville.

The officer chuckled. “Believe me, I get that. I've known Maggie forever and I know how stubborn she is. The less she knows, the better. Otherwise she'll be down here in the chief's office raising a ruckus about us wasting resources on babysitting her when there are real criminals on the street.”

Josh grinned. “You do know Maggie, no question about it.”

“You know she's in the habit of walking home, don't you?” Danville asked Josh, his expression filled with concern. “Her hours aren't real regular, so it'll be tough to be sure we're around when she sets out.”

“Do what you can,” Josh said. “I'll try to discourage her from that particular habit for the time being.”

Danville gave him a commiserating look. “Good luck with that one. The way I see it, you telling her to be careful will have her out taking walks at midnight.”

“You're probably right,” Josh conceded. “I might be able to prevent that if I threaten to post myself on her doorstep around the clock.”

“Let me know if it comes to that,” the sergeant warned. “I'd hate to have one of our guys hauling you in by mistake.”

“So would I,” Josh said. “And I wouldn't put it past Maggie to call here to make sure that's exactly what happens.”

The sergeant looked down at his notes again. “Josh Parker.” He looked up at him again. “You're the one in charge of building that house for Amanda O'Leary, aren't you?”

Josh nodded.

“It's a good thing you're doing. She's had a tough time of it.”

“Thanks. Everyone helping is happy to be doing whatever they can to make sure she gets back on her feet.”

“You have any trouble over there with anyone who doesn't feel that way, let me know,” the officer said.

Josh's gaze narrowed. Had Winslow already been here trying to make trouble? “You've heard about the problems with George Winslow?”

“The chief has. So have a couple of other folks. The news has filtered down. We're to do whatever we can to keep the peace over there and see that Amanda's house gets built without a hitch.”

That was a twist Josh hadn't expected. “Any idea who spoke to the chief?”

“I have my suspicions, but I can't say for sure.”

Josh nodded. “Thanks for the information. It's good to know we have backup.”

“All you need and then some. Maybe I'll stop by next weekend and help out if you need another volunteer.”

“We can always use another pair of hands,” Josh assured him. “And thanks for your help with Maggie.”

“No problem.”

As he left the station, Josh wondered who'd gone to the chief of police to intercede on behalf of the construction project. Maggie's folks had the clout, but would they have used it? He decided to swing back by Images to see if Maggie had any idea. There was another possibility, but given what he knew about Amanda's relationship with her father, it was a real long shot.

When he got to Images, the door was locked, but it was evident that Maggie was still inside. He could see a light burning in her office. He knocked on the door, waited, then knocked again.

She finally came into the gallery, caught a glimpse of him and stopped in her tracks. Then, as if she realized that any delay made it seem as if his arrival had too much significance, she squared her shoulders and crossed the room.

“You again!” she said when she'd opened the door.

“Just like that bad penny,” he taunted. “I'm going to keep turning up.”

“Why?”

“I thought we'd established that I'm after the annoyance factor.”

“Then it's definitely working. You are not endearing yourself to me.”

He grinned. “Probably for the best, don't you think? Otherwise who knows what sort of mischief we could get into.”

“We will not now or ever get into any mischief,” she said emphatically. “But then, I'm wasting my breath telling you that, aren't I?”

“Pretty much. Can I come in? Or, if you're ready to leave, I'll walk you home or ride with you if you want to take your car. There's something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Not Brian again,” she said. “I think you did quite enough talking about Brian when you were with Ellie earlier. She's all skittish now.”

“I'm sorry if I rattled her, but you both need to be on your guard where he's concerned,” Josh said. “That's not what I want to discuss, though.”

“Then what?”

He regarded her patiently. “Are we going or staying?”

“I haven't decided. We may be staying right here,” she said with a touch of defiance in her tone.

Josh shrugged. “Suits me.”

She scowled at that. “Oh, for heaven's sake,” she finally muttered. “I'll get my purse and lock up.”

They set out for her place a few minutes later, strolling in silence for an entire block before she said, “I thought you had something to discuss.”

“I was just enjoying the companionable silence,” he said. “It's such a rarity with you.”

“Well, we're almost to my place, so you'd better talk fast, because you are not coming inside.”

“Whatever happened to Southern hospitality?” Josh inquired sorrowfully.

“Mine died when I met you,” she retorted.

“You wound me, sugar.”

“I doubt it. Now, talk.”

“I heard something while I was out this afternoon and I was wondering if you knew anything about it. Apparently someone called the chief of police and suggested he keep an eye on our construction project.”

Maggie's expression immediately turned indignant. “Is that George's doing? I thought the worst he'd done was to speak to someone in the diocese to try to get rid of Caleb.”

“Actually I think whoever made this call is on our side. It appears someone is intent on seeing that George doesn't get away with stirring up trouble.”

Maggie seemed as perplexed by that as he had been earlier. “Really?”

Josh nodded. “I know. I was surprised, too. Think it might have been one of your parents?”

Maggie shook her head. “Not that they're above calling in a favor or two, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't them. I don't think they perceive George as a real threat.”

“Then who else might have called? It had to be someone powerful enough for the chief to sit up and take notice and pass along the word to his men to see that we don't have any problems over there.”

Maggie stopped in her tracks, her expression thoughtful. “You don't suppose…?”

“I'm thinking Big Max himself,” Josh said. “But I don't know the man. Could he have stepped in?”

“If he did, that's huge. It means George is really acting on his own, not for Big Max. That would certainly yank the rug out from under George.” Her expression brightened. “Maybe Big Max and Amanda will finally reconcile, after all.”

“Since we don't know if he was behind it, we can't say anything to her, though,” Josh cautioned. “It would be a shame to get her hopes up, only to find out he had nothing to do with it.”

Maggie gave him an odd look. “You really are very protective of her. Maybe you should think about why that is.”

“I've already told you that Amanda is a friend,” Josh said, tired of her insistence that there was anything more between him and Amanda.

“And I'm having a hard time believing that,” Maggie replied. “I guess we'll see who turns out to be right.”

Before he could reply, she opened a wrought-iron gate, stepped into a small yard filled with roses and closed the gate behind her. “Thanks for walking me home,” she said stiffly.

“Get used to it, darlin'. Until Brian packs his bags and takes off, or proves he's turned into a pussycat, consider me your shadow.”

His statement seemed to make her panic. “I don't want you underfoot every time I turn around,” she declared. “I won't have it.”

“You don't really get a say.”

“I'll have you arrested.”

“You could try,” he said complacently.

Her eyes widened. “You talked to the police this afternoon, didn't you? That's how you heard about somebody talking to the chief about Amanda's house. You were down there telling them to keep an eye on me and Ellie and Images.”

So much for his plan to keep her in the dark. Apparently he was his own worst enemy. “I was,” he confirmed.

“You had no right to do that,” she said furiously. “None.”

“Maybe not a right, but an obligation,” Josh told her. “Besides, I can't afford to lose one of my most skilled helpers, not if we expect to have Amanda's place done by Thanksgiving.”

He watched as she struggled over whether to be furious at his presumption or flattered by his praise of her carpentry skills. Her fury lost.

“You have a point. You do need me.”

“Then don't raise a ruckus about the patrols. It's just a smart precaution, okay?”

“Okay, fine. Whatever. Do you want coffee before you head home?” she inquired. “Or something to eat?”

Josh grinned at the grudging invitation. “No, thanks, sugar. I think I'll eat where the air's not quite so frosty. I'd hate to wind up a lovely day with indigestion.”

“You are so not amusing,” she shouted after him as he strolled away.

“But I'm growing on you,” he called back.

And the hell of it was, she was growing on him, too. Which meant he needed to kick his usual defenses back into high gear before he did something completely nuts and fell just a little bit in love with her and all her fascinating contradictions.

“W
hen are you going to break down and ask the woman out?” Amanda asked Josh during a break on the construction site.

Josh reminded himself of the decision he'd made a few nights ago to shore up his defenses around Maggie. He didn't need someone pushing him to do the exact opposite, least of all Amanda.

“When hell freezes over,” he told her, his tone grim and, hopefully, forbidding.

“I could make it happen,” she said, her expression thoughtful, clearly not scared in the least by his sour attitude.

“Don't you dare,” he said. “I will not thank you for it. Neither will she. We've discussed it and concluded it's a bad idea.”

“You've discussed it?” Amanda said, looking intrigued. “Really? When was that?”

“After we had lunch with her folks the other day,” he admitted, realizing even as he said it that he was opening up a whole new can of worms.

Naturally Amanda seized on the opening immediately. “The two of you had lunch with her parents? Isn't that the sort of thing that usually happens after a relationship starts to get serious? Did her father ask you if your intentions were honorable?”

“Of course not,” Josh said impatiently. “Where do you come up with this stuff? The Southern Girl's Rules of Courtship?”

Amanda laughed. “I'm not sure that precise book is on the market, but in certain circles those rules most definitely exist.”

“Well, this lunch thing wasn't even about us. It was about you, as a matter of fact.”

Now she was the one who looked disconcerted. “Me? If it had something to do with me, why wasn't I included?”

“I didn't set the guest list. Maggie's mama did. I was a surprise guest, along with Nadine.”

Amanda was beginning to look more shell-shocked than fascinated. “Your mother was there, too?”

“She showed up uninvited in search of George Winslow. I gather you had something to do with that.”

“Good God. Nadine never said she'd found him. He was there with Mrs. Forsthye?”

Josh grinned. “Yep. It was quite the little party. I suspect some people in that stuffy old dining room were taking bets on how long it would be before someone was stabbed with a sterling-silver butter knife.”

“But no one was killed?” she asked as if she honestly thought it was a possibility.

“Not even bloodied,” Josh assured her. “I'm surprised Nadine didn't mention it. She was rather proud of herself. She's convinced she almost has George won over to your side. Right now she's working on him to call the diocese and tell them he made a mistake about Caleb.”

“That'll be the day,” Amanda said, her expression grim. “Caleb's already gotten a couple of calls from his superiors asking what the heck is going on over here.”

Josh hadn't heard about that, but then, Caleb wasn't the sort of man who said much about his own troubles. “I'll have to tell Nadine about that. Maybe she can try working a little more of her magic.”

“It's going to take more than magic to make George back down,” Amanda said unhappily. “You must not have noticed the building inspector poking around here earlier.”

Josh stared at her. “What are you talking about? What building inspector?”

“He was on the roof counting the nails in the shingles,” Amanda informed him. “He said it had something to do with hurricane standards.”

Josh bit back a curse. He needed to save his anger for the inspector, assuming the man was still around. “Where is he?”

“He left, looking disappointed, I might add,” Amanda said. She grinned. “Good thing you made us use even more than the code requires, huh?”

“I do know how to do my job, Amanda.”

“Never questioned that for a second,” she said sweetly. “However, we seem to have gotten offtrack. We were talking about you and Maggie.”

“You were,” Josh said. “I was finished with that topic.”

She regarded him curiously. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

“Because avoiding trouble is what I do, and Maggie is trouble. I repeat, I will not thank you for sticking your nose into this.”

“Maybe it's not thanks I'm after,” she retorted, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Maybe it's the entertainment value of watching you squirm on the end of her hook.”

“What is it with women?” he inquired testily. “None of you are happy unless everyone's paired up.”

“That's the way of the world,” Amanda said. “Two by two ever since Adam and Eve and Noah's ark. I'm sure Caleb can fill you in, if you haven't read the Bible lately.”

He regarded Amanda curiously. “Tell me, then. After what you've gone through, are you anxious to find someone new?”

“Sure,” she said. “You seem to forget that I loved my husband. I'm a believer in marriage, despite how things turned out. I'd like to find someone I can feel that way about again, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.”

“You're crazy.”

“I prefer to think of myself as optimistic.”

Josh shook his head. “I don't get it. You and Nadine should know better than anyone that there are no happy endings, yet you both get all starry-eyed over the love thing.”

She gave him a look filled with unmistakable pity. “How can you say there are no happy endings? Just look at the way my life is turning around. Sure, I lost my husband way too soon. It wiped out every dime we had in savings and I've had to struggle some, but look around here, Josh. All these people are on the building site every weekend, working to give me a new home. I'm surrounded by people who care about me and my kids.” She nudged an elbow into his ribs. “Even you, grouchy though you are. How can I not be optimistic?”

He regarded her with admiration. “You're remarkable.”

“No. I just don't see what good it does anyone to focus on the negatives and expect the worst, in life or in love.”

He got the message. “The way I do?”

She nodded. “Exactly the way you do. Ask Maggie out, Josh. You know you want to.”

“Maggie and I see each other plenty,” he reminded her.

“A date's different.”

He grinned. “How? More kissing?”

“Stop making fun of me. I'm serious. Ask her out.”

He gazed into Amanda's lovely upturned face and wondered once again why she wasn't the one he'd developed a thing for. Maybe it was because she was so darned cheerful. He didn't want to rain on her parade.

Maggie, however, was another story. Maybe they could commiserate over a few drinks without getting all sentimental or developing any unrealistic expectations. And, to be perfectly honest, battling wits with her had brightened his days considerably. He hadn't expected to have so much fun on this ho-hum job that Cord had roped him into. Nor had he expected to take on the role of protector despite her objections.

Of course, there was that danger he'd mentioned to her—that they were two peas in a very explosive pod. He wasn't sure he wanted to risk getting burned.

“Maybe I will,” he told Amanda just to pacify her and get her off his back. “One of these days.”

She grinned at him. “You're not getting any younger, Joshua. Do it today.”

“Why are you pushing so hard for this?”

“Because I'm hoping that once you finally show the woman you're interested in her, she'll stop staring daggers at me every time you and I talk. I thought we'd gotten past it, but apparently not.”

“What?” he asked, immediately scanning the site for some sign of Maggie. Sure enough, she was watching the two of them with a sour expression on her face. There was the jealousy thing, right there in plain view, no question about it. He'd half hoped she'd gotten past that craziness, too, especially since it had never made a lick of sense in the first place. It was even more distressing to know that Amanda was aware of Maggie's reaction and that it made her uncomfortable.

Since it kept popping up, sooner or later he supposed he would have to find some way to prove once and for all to Maggie that he wasn't interested in Amanda in that way. Words obviously hadn't gotten the message across. He just didn't know if he was ready for the consequences of the actions that would convince her she'd gotten it all wrong.

Caught now, Maggie immediately looked away and slammed a hammer in the general direction of a nail. She was probably imagining his head in its place. Josh winced, guessing from the string of curse words she uttered that she'd split the wood.

“Now!” Amanda said, giving him a push. “Before we have to go and beg for more supplies from the lumber company.”

Reluctantly, Josh headed in Maggie's direction.

 

Maggie turned Josh down flat. She knew it was the smart thing to do. It also gave her a tiny shred of satisfaction to see the dull red color climb into his cheeks and the stunned expression spread across his face.

“You're saying no?” he asked, as if he couldn't quite believe his ears.

“It's not a difficult word to understand, though I'm not surprised you're having trouble with it. I doubt most women utter it in your presence,” Maggie said tartly. “I'm sure Amanda hasn't.”

“Dammit, Maggie, this is not about Amanda,” he said, his voice rising. “It's about me asking you out for a drink. Why the hell would I do that if there was anything going on between me and Amanda? Don't you think she's been through enough?”

Maggie faltered a bit under the heat of his response. “I do, but I'm surprised you recognize that.”

Josh shook his head. “What is wrong with you? If you don't want to have a drink with me, fine, but don't make it about anyone else, Maggie. At least have the guts to be honest and say it's because you're scared.”

“Scared? Me?” She feigned indignation. “You don't scare me.”

He took a step toward her. “Really? I thought we'd established this the other day, but perhaps you still need convincing.”

Maggie's heart started to race harder and faster than it had in years. And not entirely in panic, either. After their earlier kiss there was a healthy dose of anticipation mixed in. She forced herself to stand her ground. She would not let Josh get the upper hand, not even for an instant.

“Really,” she said firmly. “You don't scare me.”

The corners of Josh's mouth tilted ever so slightly. “You should be terrified.”

“Oh?” The breathless quality in her voice irked her, but she made up for it by meeting his gaze with an unwavering look.

He tucked a callused finger under her chin, then ran the pad of his thumb across her lower lip. Maggie was rooted to the spot, lost in the depths of his turbulent brown eyes. Her pulse scrambled wildly.

“Scared to death,” he said quietly, then leaned forward and settled his mouth on hers.

Even though she'd been expecting just that, anticipating it and dreading it at the same time, Maggie wasn't prepared for the jolt the touch of his lips sent ricocheting through her. Even though he wasn't doing a thing to stop her from pulling away, she made absolutely no attempt to budge. She couldn't, in part because pride wouldn't let her, in part because she wanted the kiss to last forever, the same as she had last time. It was terrifying just how badly she wanted that, wanted him.

She was trembling like a leaf when he finally stepped back. She risked a glance into his eyes and saw that he was every bit as shaken as she was. Good, she thought. If the man was determined to rattle her, she liked knowing she could return the favor.

“Be ready at six,” he said mildly.

“I haven't changed my mind,” she said, though it was a halfhearted protest.

He grinned. “Then I'll pick someplace to take you that doesn't mind a little sawdust. Six o'clock, Maggie.”

A part of her wished she were still five years old so she could stomp her foot and tell him he wasn't the boss of her. Another part of her—the grown-up woman part that had tromped right over too many men—admired the kind of gall it took not to take her at her word.

Round one had clearly gone to Josh, who was walking away whistling, happy as the dickens with himself.

Trying to see who could get the upper hand and hold on to it tonight was going to make for an interesting evening.

 

Nadine was sitting with Amanda watching Josh kiss the stuffing out of Maggie when a shadow fell across the two of them. She looked up into George Winslow's eyes, which were filled with surprising uncertainty.

“Now, you're the last person I expected to see around here,” she said brightly, surveying his even more unexpected jeans and T-shirt. They looked well worn and were a far cry from the conservative suits he usually wore. “Did you come to help?”

“No, I'm sure he came to gloat,” Amanda said.

Nadine studied him with a narrowed gaze. He suddenly looked awfully guilty. “Gloat?” she asked Amanda. “What would he have to gloat about?”

“He's got Caleb tap-dancing to calm down his bosses, and he's had a building inspector crawling all over the roof today trying to find some code infraction,” Amanda said. “Isn't that right, Mr. Winslow? You're still determined to cause trouble for us, aren't you?”

“I—”

Nadine cut him off. “Don't even try to come up with some excuse,” she said, latching on to his arm. “You and I obviously need to have another talk.”

She dragged him halfway across the site until they had some privacy. “I think you'd better start talking, George. I thought we had an understanding.”

He regarded her uneasily. “I'd already set some things in motion,” he admitted. “It's not so easy to stop them.”

“Sure it is,” she said. “You pick up the phone and you explain you made a terrible mistake. If you have to, you grovel just the way you expected Amanda to.” Her gaze clashed with his. “You have a cell phone with you?”