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She stopped abruptly. “That’s right, you don’t.” She closed her eyes. “Look, it was a long time ago. My father is gone, and I’ll never know why he never came to see me. And now, why in heaven’s name does he want me to run his company?”
“I can’t answer that, either.”
“I’ve dealt with it. So now I move on and start my new life with Gina and Zack. I want them to have a fresh start here, in a new place, a new house and especially a new bedroom for my seven-year-old nephew.”
Jace frowned. “I take it Zack is without his father.”
Lori straightened. “His parents are divorced.” She glanced around. “I should be going.”
“I need to get back, too.”
They started walking toward the door. “If there’s anything you need,” she offered, “just give me a call. You have my cell phone number. I’ll be at the bank most of today.”
He walked her out. “I can handle things here.” Then he felt bad. “Maybe in a few days if you’re available we could go over some samples of tiles and flooring.”
She looked surprised at his request. “I’d like that. I want to be a part of this project.”
Her steps slowed as she made her way over the uneven boards. He took Lori’s arm, helping her along the path.
“What about the bank?”
“I doubt Mr. Neal will enjoy having me around.” She stopped suddenly and nearly lost her balance. “Oh,” she gasped.
“I got you.” He caught her in his arms. Suddenly her trim body was plastered up against him. Even with her coat he wasn’t immune to her soft curves. And he liked it. Too much. He finally got her back on her feet. “You need practical boots if you come to a construction site. Go to Travers’s Outfitters and get some that are waterproof. You don’t want to be caught in bad weather without protection.”
She stopped next to her compact car. “I need a lot of things since I’ll be living here awhile.”
“Like a car that will get through the snow. This thing will put you in a ditch on the first bad day. Get something with bulk to it. You’ll be driving your family around.”
She nodded. “I guess I need to head down to Durango and visit a dealership next week when my sister flies in.”
Before he could stop himself, he offered, “If you need any help, let me know.”
She gave him a surprised look, mirroring his own feelings.
Two hours later, Lori glanced across the conference table at the Destiny Community Bank’s loan officers, Gary Neal, Harold Brownlee and Larry McClain. The gentlemen’s club. “I disagree. In this day and age, we need to work with people and help adjust their loans.”
“In my experience,” Neal said, “if we start giving handouts, people will take advantage. And no one will pay us.”
She tried to remain calm, but she was so far out of her element it wasn’t funny.
“I never said this is a handout, more like a hand up. All I suggested is we lower the interest rates on these loans.” She pointed to the eight mortgages. “Two points. Waive the late fees and penalties. Just give these families a fighting chance to keep their homes. We’ll get the money we loaned back.” She paused to see their stunned looks and wondered if she were crazy, too.
She hurried on to say, “Mac Burleson has a job now, but he can’t catch up on his mortgage if we don’t help him.”
“We’ve always done things this way,” Larry McClain said. “Your father would never—”
Lori stiffened. “Well, I’m not my father, but he did put me in charge. In fact, I’m going to become more involved in day-to-day working here at the bank. I can see that there aren’t any women in management positions. That needs to change, too.”
The threesome gave each other panicked looks. “That’s not true. Mary O’Brien manages the tellers.”
Were these men from the Dark Ages? “I mean women in decision-making positions. It’s a changing world out there and we need to keep up. I’ve seen the profit sheet for this bank. Over the years, it’s done very well.”
Neal spoke up again. “You can’t come in here and just change everything. You’re a schoolteacher.”
Lori held her temper. “I became an expert when my father put me in charge of his company. Just so you know, not only am I a good teacher, but I also minored in business. So, gentlemen, whether you like it or not, I’m here.”
She was feeling a little shaky. What if she was making a mistake? She glanced at her watch. “I think we’ve said about everything that needs to be said for now. Good morning.” She took her purse and walked out.
She needed someone here on her side. She walked to Erin’s desk.
The girl smiled when she approached. “Hello, Ms. Hutchinson. How was your meeting?”
“Not as productive as I would have liked.” She sat down in the chair next to the desk. “Erin, could you help me?”
The girl nodded. “If I can.”
“I’m looking for someone, a woman who is qualified for a managerial position. Could you give me some candidates?”
The pretty brunette looked surprised, but then answered. “That would be Mary O’Brien and Lisa Kramer. They’ve both worked for the bank for over five years. I know Lisa has a college degree. I’m not sure Mary does, but she practically runs this bank.”
“That’s good to know, because I need someone to help me.” She was going to need a lot of help. Since her father had never promoted a woman that was one of the things she needed to change. Immediately.
“Could you call a meeting with all the employees?” She looked at her watch. “And call the Silver Spoon and have them send over sandwiches and drinks.”
Erin smiled. “This is going to be fun.”
“We’re going to need our strength to get this bank into the twenty-first century.”
Two mornings later, Lori had been awakened by a call from a sick Claire Keenan, asking her for a favor. Would Lori like to take her place as a volunteer in the second grade classroom this afternoon?
There might have been several other things to do, but Lori found she wanted to check out the school. After her trip to the paint store and picking her colors for the bedroom, she had her purchase sent to the house.
She grabbed a quick lunch at the Silver Spoon, and after a friendly chat with Helen, she arrived at Destiny Elementary with time to spare. She went through the office then was taken down the hall to the second grade classroom.
Outside, she was greeted by the teacher. “It’s good to meet you, I’m Julie Miller.”
“Lori Hutchinson. I’m substituting for Claire Keenan. She’s sick.”
The young strawberry blonde smiled eagerly. “I’m glad you could make it. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Well, I guess Lyle’s long-lost daughter would be news in a small town.”
Julie smiled. “No, I heard it all from Cassie Yeager. Seems you live in a castle and have a princess bedroom like hers.”
That brought a smile to Lori’s lips, too. “If only.”
“I also heard you teach second grade.”
“I did. I was laid off this year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but you’re welcome to come and help out in my class anytime. But it sounds like you’ve been pretty busy with other projects around town.”
Lori blinked. “You must have a good source.”
“My sister, Erin, works at the bank. You’ve really impressed her.”
“Oh, Erin. She’s been a big help showing me around. There do need to be some changes.”
Julie smiled brightly. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you came to Destiny and I hope you stay.”
“I’ll be here for this year anyway. In fact, my sister and her son will be coming in next week. Zack will be in second grade.”
“That’s wonderful. Then you’ll want to see how I run my class.”
Julie Miller opened the door to a room that was buzzing with about twenty-five seven-year-olds. The room was divided in sections, half with desks, the other half with tables and a circle of chairs for reading time.
Suddenly two little blonde girls came up to her—Ellie Larkin and Cassie Yeager.
“Miss Lori, what are you doing here?” Cassie asked.
“Hi, girls. Ellie, your grandmother isn’t feeling well today.”
Both girls looked worried. “Really?” Ellie said.
“It’s nothing serious, don’t worry. But she asked if I’d come in her place.”
They got excited again. “We’re going to try out for our Christmas program today.”
“That’s wonderful,” Lori said. This was what she missed about teaching, the children’s enthusiasm.
“It’s called Destiny’s First Christmas,” Cassie said as she clasped her hands together. “And everyone gets to be in it.”
“But we want to be the angels,” Ellie added.
Just then Mrs. Miller got their attention. “Okay, class, you need to return to your desks. We have a special guest today and we need to show her how well-behaved we are so she’ll want to come back.” A bright smile. “Maybe Miss Hutchinson will help us with our Christmas play.”
CHAPTER SIX
LATER that evening, Jace finally headed home. He was beat to say the least. A twelve-hour day was usually nothing for him, but he’d been off for three weeks. He needed to oversee everything today to make sure that the schedule for tomorrow went off without a hitch. The one thing he knew, he didn’t like to be away from Cassie that long. Luckily, he had good childcare.
He came up the road and the welcoming two-story clapboard house came into view. Although the sun had set an hour ago, he had installed plenty of lighting to illuminate the grounds, including the small barn. He had a lot of work yet to do on the place, but a new roof and paint job made the house livable for now.
The barn had been redone, plus he’d added stalls for his two horses, Rocky and Dixie. Maybe it was a luxury he couldn’t afford right now, but it was something that had helped Cassie adjust to her move. Luckily he’d been able to hire the neighbor’s teenage son to do the feeding and cleaning.
Jace frowned at the sight of a new SUV parked by the back door. Had Heather, the babysitter, gotten a new car? Then dread washed over him. Was it his ex-wife?
Panic surged through him as he got out of his truck and hurried up the back steps into the mudroom. After shucking his boots, he walked into the kitchen. He froze, then almost with relief, he sagged against the counter when he saw his daughter at the kitchen table with Lori Hutchinson.
He took a moment and watched the interaction of the two. Their blond heads together, working on the math paper. Then Lori reached out and stroked Cassie’s hair and it looked as natural as if they were mother and daughter. His throat suddenly went dry. His business partner had a whole new side to her, a very appealing side.
Too appealing. Lorelei Hutchinson was beginning to be more than a business partner and a pretty face. She had him thinking about the things he’d always wanted in his life. In his daughter’s life.
Cassie finally turned to him. “Daddy.” She got up and rushed over to him. “You’re home.”
He hugged her, but his gaze was on Lori. “Yes, sorry I’m so late.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “Miss Lori drove me home.” His daughter gave him a bright smile. “She’s helping me with my homework.”
“I thought Mrs. Keenan was going to do that.” He’d made the arrangements with her yesterday.
Lori stood. “Claire would have, but she got sick. I took over for her this afternoon in Cassie’s classroom, and I offered to bring her home. I knew you would be busy at the site.”
Jace tensed. “My daughter is a priority. I’m never too busy to be here for her. At the very least I should have been called.” He glanced around for the teenager who he depended on. “Where’s Heather?”
“She had a ‘mergency at her house,” Cassie told him.
He turned to the jean-clad Lori. She didn’t look much older than the high school babysitter.
“We tried to call you but I got your voice mail,” Lori said. “It wasn’t a problem for me to stay with Cassie until you got home.”
Jace felt the air go out of him, remembering he hadn’t had his phone on him. He wasn’t sure where it was at the site. He looked at Lori. “Thank you. I guess I got wrapped up in getting things back on target at the job site.”
“It’s okay, Daddy.” His daughter looked up at him. “‘Cause we made supper.”
Great. All he needed was for this woman to get involved in his personal life. “You didn’t need to do that.”
Lori caught on pretty quickly that Jace didn’t want her here. She’d gotten rejection before, so why had his bothered her so much?
“Look, it’s just some potato soup and corn bread.” She checked her watch. “Oh, my, it’s late, I should go.”
“No!” Cassie said. “You have to stay. You said you’d help me practice my part in the play.” She turned back to her father. “Daddy, Miss Lori has to stay.”
Lori hated to put Jace on the spot. Whatever the issues he had about women, she didn’t want to know. She had enough to deal with. “It’s okay, Cassie, we’ll work on it another time.”
“But Miss Lori, you wanted to show Daddy your new car, too.”
Lori picked up her coat and was slipping it on when Jace came after her.
“Cassie’s right, Lori. Please stay.”
His husky voice stopped her, but those blue eyes convinced her to change her mind about leaving.
His voice lowered when he continued. “I was rude. I should thank you for spending time with my daughter.” He smiled. “Please, stay for supper and let me make it up to you.”
Lori glanced away, knowing this man was trouble. She wasn’t his type. Men like Jace Yeager didn’t give her much notice. Keep it light. “We’re getting an early start on the Christmas pageant. How are you at playing the part of an angel?”
Cassie giggled.
He smiled, too. “Maybe I’d do better playing a devil.”
She had no doubt. “I guess I could write in that part.”
She knew coming here would be crossing the line. They worked together, but it needed to stay business. Instead she was in Jace Yeager’s home. And even with all the unfinished projects he had going on, it already felt like a real home. It set off a different kind of yearning inside her. That elusive traditional family she’d always wanted. Something all the money from her inheritance couldn’t buy her.
Two hours later, Jace finished up the supper dishes, recalling the laughter he heard from his daughter and their guest.
It let him know how much Cassie missed having another female around. A mother. He tensed. Shelly Yeager—soon-to-be Layfield—had never been the typical mother. She’d only cared about money and her social status and her daughter ranked a poor second. More than anything he wanted to give Cassie a home and a life where she’d grow up happy and well-adjusted. He could only do that if she was with him. He’d do whatever it took to keep it that way.
In the past, money, mostly his, had pacified Shelly. Now, she’d landed another prospective husband, a rich one. So she had even more power to keep turning the screws on him, threatening to take Cassie back.
He climbed the steps to his daughter’s bedroom and found her already dressed in pajamas. Lori was sitting with her on the canopy bed reading her a story.
His chest tightened at the domestic scene. They looked so much alike they could be mother and daughter. He quickly shook away the thought and walked in.
“The end,” Lori said as she closed the book and Cassie yawned.
“I see a very sleepy little girl.”
“No, Daddy.” She yawned again. “I want another story.”
He shook his head and looked at Lori. “The rule is only one bedtime story on a school night.” He checked his watch. “Besides, we’ve taken up enough of Lori’s time tonight.”
Cassie looked at her. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry, Cassie.” She hugged the girl. “I enjoyed every minute. I told you I read to my nephew.”
Cassie’s eyes brightened. “Daddy, Lori’s nephew, Zack, is coming here to live. He’s going to be in my class.”
“That’ll be nice. How about we talk about it tomorrow? Now, you go to sleep.”
Jace watched Lori and his daughter exchange another hug, then she got up and left the room. After he kissed his daughter, he turned off the light and headed downstairs. He found Lori putting on her coat and heading for the back door.
“Trying to make your escape?”
She turned around. “I’m sure you’re tired, too.”
He walked to her. “I think you might win that contest. Spending four hours with my daughter, not counting the time at school, had to be exhausting.”
She smiled. “Remember, I’m a trained professional.”
His gut tightened at the teasing glint in her incredible eyes. “And I know my daughter. She can try anyone’s patience, but she’s the love of my life.”
He saw Lori’s expression turn a little sad. “She’s a lucky little girl.” She turned away. “I should get home.”
Something made him go after her. Before she could make it to the back door, he reached for her and turned her around. “I wish things could have been different for you, Lori. I’m sorry that you had to suffer as a child.”
She shook her head. “It was a long time ago and I’ve dealt with it.”
“Hey, you can’t fool a foster kid. I was in the system most of my life. We’re experts on rejection.”
Her gaze went to his, those brown eyes compelling. “What happened to your family?”
“My parents were in a car accident when I was eight. What relatives I had didn’t want me, so I went into foster care.”
“Oh, Jace,” she whispered.
Her little breathless gasp caused a different kind of reaction from him. Then he saw the tears in her eyes.
His chest tightened. “Hey, don’t. I survived. Look at me. A success story.”
Jace reached out and touched her cheek. The next thing he knew he pulled her toward him, then wrapped her in his arms. He silenced a groan as he felt her sweet body tucked against his. It had been so long since he’d held a woman. So long since he’d felt the warmth, the glorious softness.
He pulled back trying to put some space between them, but couldn’t seem to let her go. His gaze went to her face; her dark eyes mirrored the same desire. He was in big trouble.
He lowered his head and whispered, “This is probably a really bad idea.” His mouth brushed over hers, once, then again. Each time she made a little breathy sound that ripped at his gut until he couldn’t resist any longer and he captured her tempting mouth.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him as her fingers played with the hair at his nape. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and found heaven. She was the sweetest woman he’d ever tasted, and the last thing he ever wanted to do was stop. He wanted so much more, but also knew he couldn’t have it.
He tore his mouth away and took a step back. “Damn, woman. You pack a punch. I just can’t …”
“It’s okay.” She pulled her coat tighter. “It would be crazy to start something.”
He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted to. “Right. Bad idea. We’re business partners. Besides, I have room for only one female in my life. Cassie.”
Her gaze wouldn’t meet his. “I should go.”
“Let me walk you out.”
“No, you don’t need to do that. It’s too cold.”
He tried to make light of the situation. “Right now, I could use a blast of cold air.” He followed her out. Grabbing his coat off the hook, he slipped it on as they went through the mudroom. The frigid air hit him hard as they hurried out to the well-lit driveway and around to her side of the car.
“Nice ride.” He glanced over the four-wheel-drive SUV. “You’re ready for the snow.” He held on to the door so she couldn’t rush off. “Are you coming by the site tomorrow?”
“No.” She paused. “Unless you need me for something.”
He found he wanted to see her again. “I guess not.”
“Okay then, good night, Jace.”
“Thank you, Lori. Thank you for being there for Cassie.”
“You’re welcome. Goodbye.” She shut her door and started the engine and was backing out of the drive before Jace could stop her. That was the last thing he needed to do. He didn’t need to be involved with this woman.
Any woman.
It would be a long time before he could trust again. But if he let her, Lori Hutchinson could come close to melting his cold, cold heart.
Lori had spent the past two days at the bank where she’d been trying to familiarize herself with her father’s business dealings. How many people expected her to fail at this?
She’d stayed far away from Jace Yeager, although that didn’t change the fact that she’d been thinking about him.
Had he been thinking about her? No. If he had been, wouldn’t he have called? Or maybe he’d resisted, knowing getting involved could create more problems.
Lori looked up from the desk as Erin walked into the office. The receptionist had been such a big help to her, going through files and being the liaison between Lori and Dennis Bradley’s office.
Erin sat down in the chair across from the desk. “I found this in an old personnel file, and it’s kind of interesting. Kaley Sims did used to work for Mr. Hutchinson. It states that she managed his properties up until two years ago.”
Lori had found this woman’s notes on several contracts. “Why isn’t she working for him now?”
Erin gave her a funny look and glanced away.
“You know something?”
“It’s just some bank gossip, but there might have been something between Kaley and Mr. Hutchinson, beyond professional.”
So her father had someone after his divorce. “I take it they were discreet.”
“They went to business and social functions together, but no one saw any signs of affection between them.”
Lori shrugged. “Maybe that’s the reason Kaley left here. She wanted more from Lyle.”
“If you want to talk to her, I could call her mother and see if she’s available to come back to work here.”
Lori needed the help. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to call. I sure could use the help, especially someone who already knows the business. I don’t want to put in twelve-hour days.”
Had Lyle Hutchinson become that much of a recluse that all he did was work? She was curious. Had her father driven off Kaley?
“Okay, I’ll make the call tomorrow,” Erin said as she stood. “Is there anything more you need today?”
Lori checked her watch. It was after five o’clock. “I’m sorry. You need to get home.”
“Normally I’d stay, but I have a date tonight.”
Lori smiled, feeling a little twinge of envy, and immediately thought about Jace. Since the kiss she hadn’t heard a word from him in two days. Stop. She couldn’t let one kiss affect her. She wasn’t a teenager. “Well, you’re great, Erin. I’m grateful to have all your help.” She paused. “How would you like to be my assistant?”
“Really?”
“Really. But you have to promise to stay in college. We can schedule hours around your classes, and you’ll get a pay raise.”
“Oh, wow. Thank you. I’d love to be your assistant.” Erin reached out and shook her hand. “And everyone thought you coming to town would be a bad thing.”
“Oh, they did, huh?”
This time, Erin hesitated. “I think they thought that a lot of jobs might be lost.” The pretty brunette beamed. “Instead, you’ve come here and come up with ideas so people can save their homes, and you’re helping women advance, too.”
Lori was happy she could do something. “So it’s a good thing?”
“Very good.” The girl turned and left the office.
Lori sank back into her father’s overstuffed leather chair. “Lyle Hutchinson, you must have really been some kind of tyrant. What made you so unhappy?”
She thought about the sizable amount of money Lyle had acquired over the years. When the waiting period was over next year, she’d never be able to spend it all. She could give the money away. Right now, she received a large income just from his properties.
Sadness hit her hard. Seeing how her father lived, she realized he’d died a lonely man. Outside his few male friends, he didn’t go out with anyone. “I was always there, Dad. Just a call away. Your daughter. I would have loved to spend time with you.”