Nailed (4 page)

She got out, went around to her trunk, and fetched her tool belt. She’d worn khaki shorts and a white tee shirt today figuring she’d spring her tanning attire on the crew once she knew them better.

After she secured her belt, she jogged onto the site. One of the workers, an older man with gray hair and black glasses, smiled at her. She waved. There was no need to feel butterflies. These guys all knew who she was, but the butterflies were there, stuck in her stomach anyway. She just hoped she wouldn’t have to jump any hurdles like she had on her first job.

Two young guys in jeans and ratty tee shirts passed her as they hauled a load of two-by-fours closer to the cement floor. Both spared her a quick glance. One nodded his head in greeting at her.

Mandy nodded back with a smile.

Another guy, his bald head gleaming in the morning sun, frowned at her as he dropped a box of supplies on the ground near the foundation. Mandy just smiled at him.

The gray-haired man was shouting instructions to the lumber truck driver, now backing out the truck. When the last lumber was moved and the truck went on its way, he crossed to her.

“You must be Mandy.” He stuck out his hand and they shook. “I’m Ben.”

“Nice to meet you, Ben.” Mandy eyed the growing lumber pile and took a deep breath.

“You like this, don’t you?” Ben asked with a fatherly grin. “Never have worked with a woman framer before, this’ll be a first. I was told you were a pro, and that we’re lucky to have you on our team.”

Mandy’s eyes widened. “You were?”

“Yup.”

But her dad would never brag like that, knowing how she prided herself on not using nepotism. And Marc giving her any kind of public compliment was out of the question. “Well, I can’t imagine who told you that, but I’ll try to live up to it,” she said.

“And I was told not to give you any special allowances, that you could carry your weight and then some.”

“Sure, yes. I can.”

“All the same,” Ben leaned close. The smell of his sweat tickled Mandy’s nose. “If the guys give you any trouble, you come to me. Understand?”

What a difference between Ben and Marc, Mandy mused, smiling. “Sure. Thanks, Ben. But I’m sure I can handle the guys.” The pressure was on, but she relished proving herself. She set her hands on her tool belt, ready to work.

“Where do you want me?” she asked.

“How about right over here?” The friendly, low tone rolled through her body and awakened her senses. She whirled around.

A.J. stood behind her. His green eyes twinkled over a grin. “Hey, baby doll.”

Mandy’s heart started to thump. She smiled. “Hey.

Good to see you, A.J.”

A.J. had on shorts and a blue tee shirt. A red bandana was wrapped around his head. He reached out and tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “You too. How’s it going?”

“Great.” Mandy’s thumping heart started to slow.

“How’s the house? Homeownership agreeing with you?”

They started in the direction of the cement foundation. “It’s agreeing with me just fine. So, you’re working on this crew.”

She nodded, then gestured with a tilt of her head to the other workers. “Think they’ll give me a fight?”

“Nah.” A.J. dug out his nail gun. “Come on, baby doll. Show ‘em what you can do.”

About the

author

Jennifer Laurens writes novels for young adults from the office of her Pleasant Grove, Utah home. She has six children, one of whom has autism.

Other Titles:

Falling for Romeo

Magic Hands

An Open Vein

A Season of Eden

Heavenly
(Book 1)

Penitence
(Book 2)

Absolution
(Book 3)

Overprotected

www.jenniferlaurens.com