Free Find My Way Home (Harmony Homecomings) by Michele Summers Page B

through.
    Bertie released a huge breath. “I’ve got three months to get this place looking beautiful, and there’s not a minute to waste.”
    Keith pushed his fingers through his own unkempt hair. “Christ. So, you’re taking the money.” Like he didn’t know. A yard full of construction workers was a pretty good sign.
    The color pink infused her cheeks. “It’s a lot of money,” she mumbled, fiddling with the ties to her top.
    The coffeemaker spit and sputtered as it finished brewing. Keith poured the steaming morning elixir in the mugs, wishing for an extra strong cafecito from his favorite Cuban coffee stand instead. “Cream and sugar?”
    “Cream, please.”
    He strained to hear her soft voice as he stirred cream into both coffees.
    Their fingers brushed as he handed her the mug. Shock widened her eyes as she felt the jolt of electric current their touch created.
    Keith settled back against the kitchen cabinets and lifted the mug to his lips. Bertie blew on her hot coffee, sneaking a wary look in his direction. Yep. They’d both have to deal with this insane physical attraction, one way or another. How? He had no fucking idea, especially now that she’d be all over his house 24/7, hanging pictures and fluffing stupid, useless pillows everywhere.
    “You gonna let me do my job?” she asked with visible unease.
    He tipped his mug in her direction in a mock salute. “Game on.”
    ***
    Bertie barely even tasted the strong coffee sliding down her throat. She needed to think, but her mind drew a blank, so distracted by his big, bare chest and his tousled, slept-on hair. When she heard him whistle, before Sweet Tea took off like a rocket, she couldn’t believe it. She didn’t think he could look any better than he had the other day in nothing but a towel, but she was wrong. Way wrong. His pajama pants hung low on his hips and yet he wore them as if they were custom-made formal wear.
    “So, what’s the plan?” Keith splashed more coffee in his mug. The irritation she sensed earlier had vanished from his features. Maybe he would jump on board and not make this a living hell for her. Maybe.
    “As you can see, we need to shore up the outside with new paint and shutters, and replace all the bad boards. I thought we’d stick with the dove-gray color and the teal blue for the shutters.” Bertie sipped her coffee. “I’m using the historical colors original to the house. Aunt Fran—” Keith’s eyebrows rose. “Francesca thought that would be best.”
    Keith yanked the chair around and straddled it. With a trembling hand, Bertie lowered the mug to the table, aware of his intense scrutiny. He was another client, putting his pants on one leg at a time like everybody else. It’s the taking them off that must be spectacular… Stop it!
    “Here’s how it’s going to work,” he said in a brisk tone. “You run everything by me from now on. My aunt is not to be involved. Understood?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “It’s my way or the highway. I’m the client, and you answer to me if you want to finish on time and get your bonus.” He made “bonus” sound like “crack pipe.”
    What did he know? Bertie had her reasons for staying and taking the money and Mr. Surly Athlete with the big, broad chest and sexy, dark stubble didn’t intimidate her. Okay, maybe a teensy-weensy bit, but she’d be damned if she let him see it. She lifted her chin a little.
    “How do you feel about the color red?”
    “I hate it.” He scowled down at her.
    “Good. I hate it too.” Bertie stood and chunks of mulch dropped to the floor from beneath her skirt. “We need to tackle the kitchen, floors, and bedrooms. I have samples and boards to show you, along with my design proposal.” She smoothed her denim skirt with her palm. “In the meantime, I’m short an electrician…” Keith tilted his head up and a smirk played around his sculpted lips. “…you need to remove the sconces on the exterior so the painters can finish,”