Jackson needed his own space, away from those flashing eyes, those bewitching blond curls. Mandy could have him forgetting his own name if she half tried.

Maybe she was too good to be true. She had done nothing except do the work for which she’d been hired. No tricks, no flirting, no promising anything she hadn’t delivered.

He had to come to terms with his growing awareness of Mandy Parkerson before he could do anything else.

She was an employee only. Nothing more.

But the memory of her sparkling eyes seemed to tease him, the curiosity about how her hair would feel continued to plague him until he could hardly keep his hands to himself.

He wasn’t ready to deal with this. Maybe never would be. It was time to focus on the job and keep his distance from Mandy Parkerson and the disturbing thoughts that haunted him whenever he looked at her.

Dear Reader,

Step into warm and wonderful July with six emotional stories from Silhouette Special Edition. This month is full of heart-thumping drama, healing love and plenty of babies!

I’m thrilled to feature our READERS’ RING selection, Balancing Act (SE#1552), by veteran Mills & Boon and Silhouette Romance author Lilian Darcy. This talented Australian writer delights us with a complex tale of a couple marrying for the sake of their twin daughters, who were separated at birth. The twins and parents are newly reunited in this tender and thought-provoking read. Don’t miss it!

Sherryl Woods hooks readers with this next romance from her miniseries, THE DEVANEYS. In Patrick’s Destiny (SE#1549), an embittered hero falls in love with a gentle woman who helps him heal a rift with his family. Return to the latest branch of popular miniseries, MONTANA MAVERICKS: THE KINGSLEYS, with Moon Over Montana (SE#1550) by Jackie Merritt. Here, an art teacher can’t help but moon over a rugged carpenter who renovates her apartment—and happens to be good with his hands!

We are happy to introduce a multiple-baby-focused series, MANHATTAN MULTIPLES, launched by Marie Ferrarella with And Babies Make Four (SE#1551), which relates how a hardheaded businessman and a sweet-natured assistant, who loved each other in high school, reunite many years later and dive into parenthood. His Brother’s Baby (SE#1553) by Laurie Campbell is the dramatic tale of a woman determined to take care of herself and her baby girl, but what happens when her baby’s handsome uncle falls onto her path? In She’s Expecting (SE#1554) by Barbara McMahon, an ambitious hero is wildly attracted to his new secretary—his new pregnant secretary—but steels himself from mixing business with pleasure.

As you can see, we have a lively batch of stories, delivering the very best in page-turning romance. Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Karen Taylor Richman

Senior Editor

She’s Expecting
Barbara McMahon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Renee and Patti, best friends forever!

Many thanks for always being there.

BARBARA McMAHON

has made California her home since she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, way back when! She’s convinced she now has the perfect life, living on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains sipping lattes on her front porch while she watches the deer graze nearby and playing “what if” with different story ideas. Even though she has sold over three dozen books, she says she still has another hundred tales to tell. Barbara also writes for Harlequin Romance. Readers can write Barbara at P.O. Box 977, Pioneer, CA 95666-0777.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

“I know he said the place was located in a pristine wilderness, but this is ridiculous!” Mandy Parkerson mumbled aloud as her car continued to barrel along the gravel road. She hadn’t seen another vehicle heading in either direction since she’d left the small town of Julian, Colorado, forty minutes ago.

“If they don’t do some serious improvement to this road, they’ll never have repeat guests. And those who come for the first time might turn around halfway. Especially in winter.”

The car bumped and skidded, gravel spewing. The road had obviously been graded at some point, and gravel laid down. But it was already showing ruts from heavy traffic. She didn’t even want to speculate what it would be like in rain or a snowstorm. Thank heaven for good weather.

She gripped the steering wheel tighter, easing up on the accelerator. “Hang on, babykins, it can’t be that much farther. He said thirty miles from town, and we’ve gone at least that.”

Six months pregnant, Mandy constantly talked to her baby. She’d read somewhere that children recognized their mother’s voice from their time in the womb. So she talked frequently, wanting her infant to know her from the first moment. To know she loved it completely no matter what happened. That she was a mother to be counted on, and she would never desert her child—not as her father had. Or her mother. Or her baby’s father.

“At least I think it can’t be much farther,” she murmured, peering into the distance. It wasn’t an easy feat with soaring lodgepole pines lining both sides of the road. The long-range view was where the road cut a swath through the tall timber as it crested a hill. Beyond was the endless blue of a clear autumn sky.

She felt a hint of trepidation as she surveyed the wilderness, but pushed it away. She needed this job. It had sounded perfect when she’d heard about it in the employment agency in Denver—a temporary secretary’s position for two months. One that paid almost twice what she’d been earning in the city, with accommodations included. It would tap into her expertise in the building industry, as well. It was the perfect job, even if it was clear across the state from where she lived.

The remote construction site would be in operation only another six to eight weeks before winter closed in and made further work impossible until next spring.

The timing had been perfect. Getting away from Denver had seemed perfect. But now reality began to seep in. Julian was a quaint little mountain town, with one main street and two secondary streets lined with small shops and businesses—and the county’s hospital. Mandy didn’t want to forget about medical facilities, not that she expected to need them. She had plenty of time to decide on and settle into a new place before the baby was due. But it didn’t hurt to know where the nearest medical assistance was—just in case.

“I sure hope it’s not much farther, because if I don’t find that construction site soon, I’ll have to find a convenient tree!”

One of the definite downsides to pregnancy was the frequent need for rest-room facilities—which weren’t available along the side of this excuse for a road.

Cresting the hill a few moments later, Mandy slowed, a smile lighting her features. “Hallelujah! Bathroom here we come.”

Spread before her was the construction site she’d traveled two hundred miles to reach. Making her way down the sweep of gravel road, she tried to take in everything, from the tall crane swinging a long piling, to the heavy earthmovers parked on the far side of the mammoth clearing, to the sparkling water of the high Alpine lake, part of the spectacular view beyond.

To the left, a hodgepodge of trailers and campers lined the perimeter of the cleared area, with cars and trucks interspersed. Trees surrounded the site, dark green and soaring taller than any she’d seen before. But the jewel was the deep blue Alpine lake, pristine and clear, and stretching as far as the eye could see.

Mandy took a deep breath as she eased her car down the hill. Once the road was paved, the thirty-mile trip from Julian could be made in half the time it had taken her. And it would be a lot smoother.

“We’re almost there,” she murmured, searching for the office. She’d check in, find out which trailer had been allocated to her, and move in her few things. It wouldn’t take long to get settled. She especially wanted to refrigerate the groceries she’d bought in Julian before they spoiled.

And she wanted a bathroom!

She spotted a trailer apart from the others, nearer the work site, and headed for it. It had to be the office. All around her men worked in precision as they toiled to create a luxury resort in the Colorado wilderness. Hard hats gleamed in the sun. The drone of the crane as it swung the piling into place was background noise to the bang of hammers, the whine of a drill and the buzz of saws.

Mandy pulled to a stop by the office. She hastened out of her car and walked up the two steps into the trailer, excitement bubbling inside her.

“Mandy Parkerson! You made it!” Jeff Henshaw rose from behind one of three battered desks. A tall man with a shock of gray hair, he held out his hand. He’d been the one to interview her and offer her the job back in Denver.

Grateful for the friendly welcome, she felt some of her worry fade. Mandy smiled and took his hand. “Your directions were excellent.”

“You made good time. I didn’t expect you before dark.”

“I didn’t want to risk driving after sundown on an unfamiliar road. Especially one that isn’t paved. Julian looks like a darling town. I stocked up on groceries before I left.” She planned to visit on her days off—explore the small shops, eat at the local café, surround herself with some civilization, quiet though it might be.

“It’s the closest place for R and R we have when not working. Of course, it’s not up to Denver’s standards. Come on over and have a seat.”

“Uh, maybe I could freshen up first?”

“Go right down that short hall. Take your time. When you’re ready, I’ll show you around. Get you settled.”

“Thanks.”

Mandy almost flew down the hall, her long, flowing dress snapping around her legs. She was most comfortable these days in loose-fitting cotton dresses. The pink one she wore now gathered beneath her breasts, the full skirt hitting her midcalf. It swayed when she walked, billowing out behind her as she hurried. It also camouflaged most signs of pregnancy, not that she could be called svelte by any means. But the major growth of her baby was yet to come.

She suddenly wondered how suitable dresses would be on a construction site. It hadn’t been a problem in the offices in Denver, but this was definitely not Denver. Still, it wasn’t as if she’d be climbing girders or hammering nails.

Mandy was washing her hands when she felt the trailer move slightly, felt a vibration of the floor. Someone had joined Jeff. Was it his partner?

She knew from her interview that Jeff and a man named Jackson Witt had been business partners for several years. And that this was their biggest project to date—and in danger of falling behind because of paperwork snafus.

Not to mention that their previous secretary had quit abruptly, leaving everything in chaos. Mandy hadn’t figured out why the secretary had left. Jeff had been quite vague about that, and Mandy hadn’t felt it was her place to ask. Now that she was here, and a part of the team, maybe she’d be clued in.

She checked her appearance in the mirror. There wasn’t much she could do about the wild mop of blond curls. They were as tamed as they got. Touching up her pink lipstick, she smiled. Hoping to make as good an impression on Jackson Witt as she had with Jeff, she opened the door and headed back down the short hall. She heard voices and took a deep breath, ready to meet whoever had arrived.

“I saw the car, wanted to meet the new man. There’s no emergency on the site.” A strong voice carried to her ears.

“I can get the new secretary settled in.” That was Jeff’s voice. Did it sound a bit hesitant? Mandy wondered.

“Hey, he made good time. There are a few hours left until quitting time. Maybe he can make some headway in that stack of permits today. If we don’t get caught up soon, the entire project’s going to fall behind schedule, and that’s something I don’t plan to allow!”

Mandy stepped into the doorway. The man who stood casually beside Jeff’s desk, leafing through a stack of mail, was tall, dark, and seemed to seethe with impatience. Mandy blinked. She was five feet two herself, so most men seemed to tower above her. This one had to be six feet tall, with shoulders a yard wide. His T-shirt had the sleeves ripped out, and the rippling muscles covered by taut, tanned skin had her admiring superb musculature. Undoubtedly from hard physical labor. No gym could produce such bronzed skin, defined muscles and the air of command emanating from him even as he glanced through a handful of envelopes.

He caught her movement and looked up. His eyes were dark and unfathomable, but a hint of shock showed. Then they narrowed as he studied her. He looked at Jeff, raising an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

The older man shrugged. “I didn’t get around to telling you—our new secretary is a she.”

“The hell you say! You didn’t get around to telling me? You hired her last week! You’ve been back here four days. Dammit! Jeff, have you gone crazy? The last thing we need around here is a woman. We have fifty-three men working flat out and we need everyone to concentrate on their job, not slack off trying to make time with some blonde! Who knows how much longer we have before the weather turns? Get rid of her!” He tossed the papers on the desk and strode out of the office without looking at Mandy again. The door slammed, the sound reverberating in the narrow confines of the trailer.

“Gee, that went well,” Mandy said. She looked at Jeff. “Who was that?” A niggling worry had her guessing exactly who he was.

“That’s my partner, Jackson Witt.” Jeff smiled wryly. “His bark is worse than his bite. He’ll come around.”

“I gave up my job, my apartment, and put almost everything I own into storage to come to this job,” Mandy said, that hint of trepidation she’d felt earlier expanding, engulfing her. She’d been thrilled to get the position, especially because it was so far from Denver. So thrilled, she’d lost no time in rearranging her life and burning her bridges behind her. If she lost the position before she began, what would she do?

She needed this job!

Jeff rose. “Don’t worry about a thing. Jackson’ll come around. You’re staying. This’ll be your desk.” He indicated the one near the window—piled with stacks of folders, unopened mail and rolled-up blueprints. Some of the clutter spilled over onto the chair, the wide windowsill behind it and the floor. Had anything been done since the former secretary left? Exactly how long had she—no, undoubtedly he—been gone?

“Jackson was right about one thing, though, we need to get going with this paper mess to make sure we stay on target. Pete left us in the lurch when he took off unexpectedly like he did.” Jeff looked at her sharply. “I know we discussed timing—two months minimum—but we need to make sure you plan to stay until we shut down for the winter. We need all the paperwork caught up.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Mandy said, walking over to the desk to look at the different stacks. She was curious about Jackson Witt, longed to ask some questions about the other partner. How much weight did he carry? Would he try to run her off? Was Jeff able to guarantee she could stay?

Was there more to Jackson Witt’s dislike of her than the fact that she was female? Surely Jeff would have taken that into consideration before offering her the job.

And get real—who was going to try to make time with a woman six months pregnant? His workers’ concentration was safe!

She wasn’t scheduled to start work until tomorrow. Not that she would let that stop her. But first…

“I’d like to put away my groceries. I have some things that need to go into the refrigerator,” Mandy said, turning away from the desk. “Then I can begin.”

“Tomorrow’s soon enough,” Jeff said easily.

Mandy studied him a moment. The contrast between the two men was extensive. But she’d better err on the side of caution. “I think it best if I get going today. Sort things out if nothing else.” And dig in, hoping to make a place for herself so Mr. Get-Rid-of-Her had to eat his words!

He nodded. “Don’t take Jackson’s comment to heart. He’s a hard man. But as long as you do the job, he’ll come around. Come on, I’ll show you the trailer. It’s the third one in line, next to mine.”

When they reached Mandy’s car, Jeff nodded toward the row of trailers and campers. “Most of the men stay on-site. A few drive back and forth to town each night. You can park on the far side of the silver trailer.”

He crossed the road while she started her car and drove slowly to the trailer indicated. She looked down the long row, wondering how much the command Jackson Witt had issued should concern her. While she couldn’t help anyone else’s behavior, Jackson Witt had nothing to worry about from her end. She would not encourage flirting. The last thing she wanted was any involvement with another man. Or anyone else, for that matter. She had few friends, but that was by choice. If she didn’t let people get close, then she wouldn’t be hurt when they deserted her.

She’d been such a fool to trust Marc. Getting involved with him had broken one of her staunchest rules—never date co-workers. But she’d learned that lesson well. Never again!

“One would think,” she said aloud, “that after twenty-seven years of being abandoned, let down and disappointed, one would learn. But oh, no, I had to fall for Marc’s blue eyes and fancy compliments. Let that be a lesson to you, babykins.”

The baby kicked and Mandy smiled, rubbing her stomach gently, her heart swelling with love. “It’s you and me, kid. But we’ll do great!”

Mandy looked on the new job as a positive sign. She’d been miserable the last four months at her job in Denver, in the building department where Marc worked as an inspector. Running into each other from time to time was unavoidable. He had totally ignored her since she’d refused to get an abortion. In fact, he seemed to make more of a point to flirt with other women when she was around.

She hadn’t been able to turn off her feelings as easily as he had, though by the end of the third week of his rejection, she had grown contemptuous and then angry. Had he had any genuine feelings for her to begin with? She’d once thought he hung the moon. How quickly that illusion had been shattered.

She tried to shake off the feelings of inadequacy that plagued her whenever she thought of that last scene with Marc. He hadn’t wanted anything to do with her or their baby. A wife and child had no place in his plans for life.

Had that been how her own father had felt? Was it a man’s instinctive reaction to being tied down, to being responsible for another life? Her parents had never been married. Once her father discovered a baby was on the way, he’d taken off fast enough. Mandy could still vaguely remember her mother complaining, before she herself dumped Mandy with social services one day and took off. Mandy had been about five, but still remembered how lost she felt, and how scared.

Yet she saw families all the time—happy families. Fathers who seemed to love their wives and children. Who laughed and smiled during shopping trips to the mall or outings in the park. Even at the building department, some men kept pictures of their families on their desks, had love shining on their faces as they joked about babies teething or waking them in the night.

But the happy family scene seemed to escape Mandy. She’d never mastered it when she was a child, nor found it as an adult. Now she planned a new direction.

The prospect of a good, well-paying job on a site two hundred miles from Denver had given her new hope for the future—a future she planned to build for herself and her child. No more ventures into romance; no more trying to fit in with other people’s plans and goals. She would depend on no one but herself! Would make her own decisions and be independent.

The salary offered proved to be much higher than what she’d been earning—higher than usual to attract and hold good workers, the employment agency had told her.

There weren’t a lot of amenities. The nearest town was thirty miles away. Nonetheless, the job had seemed heaven-sent, to Mandy. She would mind her own business, keep to herself and save her money like crazy.

As she parked her car, she vowed she’d prove herself to Jeff—and Jackson Witt. They didn’t have to worry about their fifty-three other employees. She was here to work and get on with her life, not be a distraction.

Jackson glared at Moose Higgins. The man was one talented crane operator—except when he stopped paying attention. “That’s the fourth time I’ve told you to watch the edge of the cleared space. You just missed whacking those trees. I can’t afford to have that crane go out of commission. We’re already almost a week behind.”

“Hey, boss, lighten up. I didn’t hit anything. Came close, but close only counts in horseshoes.”

Jackson wasn’t appeased. “Don’t do it again.”

Moose shrugged and set the heavy crane into slow motion. He was as big as his name implied, but handled the heavy equipment with the delicate skill of a surgeon.

It wasn’t Moose’s fault, Jackson reluctantly admitted as he watched the skillful man maneuver the huge machine, beginning the intricate process of moving a twenty-five-foot beam into place.

The fault was his. He was angry at Jeff and taking it out on Moose. Dammit, what had his partner been thinking? They were behind on the site work, behind on the paperwork, and already out several thousand dollars, thanks to Pete’s embezzlement. To top things off, Jeff had to go hire a petite, feminine woman!

It was already September. Before long, the winter snow would start falling, forcing them into a hiatus until spring.

He needed someone who could unjam the logjam, seriously kick some butt and get the local officials off their collective duffs to grant their building approvals. Not some blonde who looked as if a strong wind would knock her over.

This was a hard-core construction site. Men responded to men. Not to some petite blonde with wide blue eyes, dressed in gauzy pink dresses.

Leave it to Jeff to be attracted to a pretty face, hear a sob story and offer her a job, her performance of which would undoubtably set them back even more.

Jackson didn’t have time to interview a bunch of people himself. He was needed on-site. Jeff knew that. It was the reason he’d been charged with hiring someone while on the buying trip to Denver. Had he gone crazy, or just been bowled over by bright blue eyes?

Jackson scowled. Blue eyes were blue eyes. He was lucky he’d even noticed the color. She was too young, too small, too feminine to work on a construction site.

He tried to ignore the face that seemed to dance before him as he watched Moose swing the beam. Her sunny smile had dimmed when he’d told Jeff to get rid of her. Her shoulders had slumped slightly for a moment, then straightened up as if she were ready for battle.

Jackson gave a cursory glance around and headed back to the office. There wasn’t going to be a battle. He’d told Jeff to send her packing. End of discussion. Now it’d be at least another week before he could interview anyone. He’d better go through the pile on the secretary’s desk himself and see what he could handle. Paperwork was not a part of the job he liked, but he’d do it if he had to. And Jeff could do more himself.

It wasn’t that his partner didn’t pull his weight, but lately Jeff…

Opening the door, Jackson frowned when he saw that the trailer was empty, the phone ringing off the hook. Where was Jeff? Jackson snatched up the phone and looked out the window.

“Witt,” he said curtly. He saw the woman’s car parked beside the third trailer. What was she doing here? And by the empty trailer?

An uneasy thought sprang to mind. No! Jeff wouldn’t—

“Witt, Barton here. We’ve run into a snafu with your latest lumber order,” the voice on the other end said.

Jackson switched gears. He’d deal with the secretary situation after he settled with Miles Barton about the latest problem.

“This’ll do fine.” Mandy looked around the small trailer. It was like a tiny apartment. The living room segued into a dining nook and galley kitchen. The hall-way mimicked the one in the office, leading to a bed and bath.

From one window, she saw the trailer next door. From the back, however, she had a stunning view of the mountains rising majestically around her. And caught a glimmer of the lake.

Best of all, it was free—part of the compensation package. And she still got a healthy salary—how lucky could she be? Jeff’s partner was not driving her away from this job!

“I know it’s far from the city and all. In your condition, you sure you’ll be okay here? The trailers don’t have phones, but I’m right next door. And we agreed we’ll be shutting down operations for the winter long before you’d start your maternity leave,” Jeff said, sounding worried.

Mandy nodded, wanting to pat Jeff’s arm and reassure him she was fine. She wasn’t used to people taking such an interest and showing so much concern in her life. She’d been on her own since she turned eighteen—nine years ago. It was sweet, but not something she’d grow to expect, or trust.

He was her boss. One of her bosses. And she knew enough not to step over that line.

“This will suit me perfectly.”

“I’ll bring in your things.”

She swiftly put away the perishables, while Jeff helped her put away canned goods and packages. He carried her suitcases and two cardboard boxes into her bedroom.

“I’ll unpack later,” Mandy told him. She didn’t want help unpacking. Or in anything else. The less she depended upon others, the less likely she was to be disappointed when they walked away. “I’m anxious to get started on the job.”

“Don’t you want to rest up after your trip?” he asked.

“Not necessary. I did nothing but drive, which meant sitting the entire way. Now I’d like to get to work. That’s what you’re paying me for.” And she didn’t want to provide any reason for his partner to fire her. Despite what Jackson Witt said, she’d come to this job in good faith. He couldn’t fire her merely for being a woman. Only if she messed up. Which she didn’t plan to do.

Jeff handed her a key as they left the trailer. He watched as Mandy carefully locked her door.

“It’s not that we have a lot of crime here,” he said when they began walking toward the office, “but with all the men around, you’ll need to be a bit careful. Some of these guys are mavericks.”

“I’ll keep to myself,” she said. Her door would not be opened to anyone coming to visit. She wanted time alone and expected to get it.

“Up to walking?” he asked.

“Sure.” She smiled, wondering how to set Jeff straight. It couldn’t be more than a hundred yards to the office. “I’m pregnant, not sick. Walking is good exercise. I usually do a couple of miles a day.”

“Not many places to walk around here.”

“Are you kidding? There are hundreds of acres of pristine forest land. Not to mention the shore of the lake. I can’t wait to explore that. And if I want a longer ramble, I can always walk back up the road a piece.”

“Not in your condition.” He looked appalled.

“I’m fine, Jeff.” She would not allow him to think she couldn’t manage on her own. Even if his motives were sincere, she liked her independence. Depending on others always let her down. Besides, she didn’t dare let him think she was too fragile to do the job at hand. She needed him on her side if it came to a showdown with his partner.

When Mandy stepped into the office, the first thing she saw was Jackson Witt rummaging through the stacks of papers on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat. In his casual attire, he looked rugged and all male.

Quite a contrast to Marc’s rather dapper air. He hated the times he had to inspect the early stages of buildings, especially if the weather was inclement.

Mandy had no difficulty picturing this man out in any and all types of weather, relishing the challenges of nature, defying odds to bring the project in on schedule. While only an inch or two taller than Marc, Jackson radiated a power that the other man would only envy.

“Can I help you find something?” she asked calmly. She knew enough about psychology to know that it would be best to keep any hint of worry from showing.

He turned and looked at her. For a moment Mandy felt a frisson of apprehension. He appeared angry. Or was that scowl his perpetual expression?

“Why are you still here? We’ll pay for your travel time and any inconvenience we caused. You might want to take off before it gets dark.”

“There has been no inconvenience. I’ve come to work and I’ll do my job.” She walked behind the desk and sat down defiantly, almost holding her breath as she threw out the challenge. Jeff remained by the door—in order to make a quick escape? Mandy wondered.

“Are you pregnant?” Jackson asked in disbelief, staring at her stomach.

Had he not noticed earlier?

“Almost six months. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. And it doesn’t interfere with my abilities.”

He swung around to Jeff. “You hired a pregnant woman to come out here? I don’t believe this! Have you lost what little mind you had left?”

“She’s got experience in the building industry. Her skills are great. She’ll be able to do a lot to help out without our having to teach her every step. She’ll be doing office work, not heavy construction. Besides, it wasn’t as if we had a lot of choice. People aren’t exactly champing at the bit to come to some construction site thirty miles from the nearest town—even for a couple of months. I figured any help was better than coming back empty-handed.”

Mandy looked at Jeff in dismay. She’d been sure her experience had impressed him, that he’d truly thought she was the best person for the job. The pride she’d felt in landing the position deflated.

Standing suddenly, she tilted her head pugnaciously. “Give me a week. If you aren’t totally satisfied with all I’ve done, I’ll leave and you won’t even have to pay me for the work,” she said before she could think.

Jackson looked at her, frowning.

Jeff looked at her, frowning.

“No.” Jackson’s flat-out denial was immediate; no compromise from him. His dark eyes sent a shiver coursing down her back. Mandy wanted more than anything to prove to him she could do the job—to have him change his mind and eat crow.

“That’s not fair to you, Mandy,” Jeff protested.

“I think it’s fair. Especially if you are satisfied with my work, I stay and you give me a bonus.” It was a gamble, but she was desperate. Her gaze locked with Jackson’s and endless moments ticked by. He was the one to convince.

“Today is Tuesday. You have until Friday. Then you’re gone,” Jackson said, breaking eye contact first. He turned and glared at Jeff. “And I’ll do the interviewing next time.”

“Won’t be a next time,” Mandy muttered, already delving into the stack of rolled-up blueprints.

She continued to sort and stack the various documents on her desk, almost holding her breath until the two men left. Then with a whoosh, she let it out, leaning back in her chair and gazing around her in dismay.

What had she so recklessly done? She’d be lucky to find her way around the office by Friday, much less prove to be invaluable to a man whose mind was made up that she was expendable.

She needed the money. How foolish to say they needn’t pay her. Her primary reason for accepting a job so far away from everything she knew was the added pay. She didn’t have much in savings, though she’d been scrimping to augment what she had ever since she’d discovered she was pregnant. Ever since she’d learned Marc wanted nothing further to do with her or their child.

Something about Jackson Witt got her back up and gave her a new focus. She wanted him to turn around and admit she was suitable for the job. It was personal now.

The baby kicked and Mandy idly rubbed her stomach. “Buckle up, babykins, we’re in for a bumpy ride!”

The phone rang and Mandy answered it. Her job had begun in earnest.

By the time Mandy’s stomach had growled for the third time, she was ready to call it a day. Glancing out the window, she noticed all was quiet on the job site. The noise from the heavy machinery had faded long ago. The sound of hammers ringing and the buzz of the saws had ended without her noticing.

She surveyed her desk with quiet satisfaction. She’d gone through everything and sorted it into piles. She had fielded calls, settled one problem with a vendor and been the target of curious construction workers who had found one dumb excuse after another to stop into the office during the afternoon.

Jeff had been there most of the time. She’d done her best to ignore the visitors, claiming she hadn’t a clue yet where things were when they asked, and suggesting they talk to Jackson. She’d love to know if any had followed through. She could just imagine what Jackson Witt would have said to any man who mentioned he’d talked with her!

Though she hoped none were crazy enough to ask him. She didn’t want anyone giving credence to his prediction about her being a distraction.

Mandy walked outside, locking the door behind her. The fresh air was pleasant, though cool. The sun had already moved behind the ridge, bathing the valley in deep shadows.

When she drew near her trailer, her relief was almost tangible. She was on her own until eight the next morning.

The door of the first trailer opened and Jackson stepped out. His eyes narrowed as he saw her, but he said nothing, walking on down the beaten path toward the lake as if she hadn’t been there.

She tossed her head. She didn’t care. He could be as rude as he liked when they weren’t working. It was only for two months and she could stand anything for that long.

Tonight she’d unpack, take a soothing bath and fix something light for dinner. Then it was bed for her! She’d read until she fell asleep. It had been a long day.

Dammit, it was bad enough having Mandy Parkerson work here, but Jeff had to make it convenient for her to stay on-site. The whole setup was explosive. Jackson knew trouble in the making. He only hoped he could stave it off until she left on Friday.

Jackson headed for the lake, and the quiet spot he liked to find at the end of the day.

One of the trailers had lights on inside. It wasn’t dark, but the sun had already slipped behind the high peaks to the west. Twilight fell early in the high country in late September.

He liked this time of day. He always had. He and his late wife, Sara.

As he walked to the lake’s edge, he heard the drone of television coming from a couple of trailers, ribald conversation from another. A small group of guys sat in folding chairs near one camper, swapping stories. When Jackson reached the lake, he nodded to a couple of men trying their hand at fishing.

They were building a luxury resort for the Windhaven Corporation in the middle of the Colorado wilderness. The lake was one of the major attractions. The proximity to cross-country ski resorts and hunting and fishing were other aspects the corporation planned to highlight. As well as a state - of - the - art spa to attract women.

For a place to relax, it wouldn’t be beat. Jackson knew the resort would charge guests an arm and a leg, and visitors would happily pay for the remote luxury and pristine setting.

He’d be long gone by then. To another site, another job. Another couple of years in a remote location. Getting through life one day at a time.

He walked along the edge of the lake, stopping at a tree that had fallen partially into the water. Placing a foot on the trunk, he rested his elbow against his knee and took a swig of the cold soft drink he’d carried. He was alone and liked it that way.

Sara would have loved this place, he thought for the hundredth time.

The familiar ache took hold. He always missed her, but especially at twilight. They’d made it a tradition to have a quiet drink together, just the two of them, before dinner every evening. Even after Sammy had come along, it had been their special time to talk over their respective days, and to be with each other. To shut out the rest of the world and draw their own world around them.

He gripped the can tightly. The ache would get worse as the night wore on. It had been three years, but it could have been three minutes or three decades. With his wife gone it was like a part of himself had been amputated. Which it had—the best part of him.

He could close his eyes and see her—tall and slim with dark eyes and sleek dark hair that cupped her head. She’d been almost as tall as he was when she’d worn high heels. They’d know each other since second grade. Their likes had meshed; their thoughts had run parallel. Their dreams had been the same.

God, the ache was impossible. Some days he thought he couldn’t make it without her. Her and Sammy.

If he closed his eyes, he could see her walking toward him. Hear her sweet voice—

“Mr. Witt, there’s a problem with my water. I can’t find Jeff. Can you fix it?”

Jackson opened his eyes and turned. Instead of Sara’s dark beauty, he confronted the petite blonde Jeff had hired. The petite, pregnant blonde who barely came up to his shoulder.

Irritation rose. What did she want now? If she thought he planned to baby-sit her until Friday, she had another thought coming. He still didn’t know why he’d given her until Friday. She should have headed back to Julian already.

Chapter Two

“What do you want?”

“Someone to fix the water in my trailer. I knocked on Jeff’s door. He said he has the trailer next door to mine, but he’s not there. And I don’t know anyone else to ask. I certainly don’t want you to think I was flirting with someone if I asked for assistance,” Mandy said.

Jackson took another swallow of the soda, his cherished quiet shattered. He scanned her from head to toe, irritated anew at the sight of her. The asperity in her voice was noticeable. He straightened. She was right; if there was a problem, he or Jeff should fix it. No sense opening a crack in a door for any of the men to think it was an invitation.

“What’s wrong with the water?”

“I can’t get any hot. It comes out cold from both faucets. There’s a hot-water heater, but I don’t know a thing about it and don’t know if it’s working properly.”

“Probably needs a new propane tank hooked up.”

She stared at him. Her eyes were darker in the twilight—not deep brown as Sara’s had been, but navy blue.

Navy blue eyes? It had to be lack of light, or altitude sickness. What was wrong with him? She had plain old blue eyes, period.

He sighed over the inevitable and turned to begin to walk back along the shore, then up the slight incline, heading toward the trailers. Despite not wanting her around, he would fix the blasted hot-water heater. A pregnant woman needed warm water.

A shaft of pain pierced him. He remembered how much Sara had liked soaking in hot baths when she’d been pregnant with Sammy. Sometimes he’d joined her, the two of them sloshing water everywhere.

Quickening his pace, he tried to put distance between him and the memories. It took a couple of minutes to realize Mandy Parkerson was almost running to keep up with him.

Jackson stopped abruptly. She skidded to a halt and looked at him, her breasts rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. The higher elevation took some getting used to. Exertion wasn’t recommended until a person had become acclimated.

“You needn’t run,” he said.

“I want to see how you fix the hot-water heater. If there’s a problem in the future, I can take care of it myself if I know how.”

“There won’t be another problem before Friday.”

She tilted her chin, meeting his gaze. “I meant beyond Friday—when I’m still here and a valuable member of the team!”

Jackson felt a twitch of amusement. He’d give her credit for being tenacious, if nothing else. But the proof would be in the work and the way she handled herself. He didn’t have time for dilettantes. Tomorrow he’d make sure she realized fully what all was involved. He’d bet she’d be gone by sundown.

He turned back toward her trailer, moving more slowly, conscious of the woman beside him. He’d never had to shorten his stride with Sara.

As they walked along, Jackson’s senses were teased by the floral scent that seemed to float around Mandy Parkerson. It was light and delicate—like she was. It brought home how much he’d missed a woman’s presence in the last three years. And how long the years stretched out, empty and lonely, ahead of him.

Unable to bear the reality of Sara’s and Sammy’s deaths, he’d thrown himself into his work, taking on more and more. Joining Jeff in partnership, he had pushed to build their newly formed J&J Construction to the size it was today. He didn’t have time for friendships beyond the job site, and had no plans to ever get involved with another woman. One heartache in this lifetime was more than he could handle.

Yet for the first time in three years, he was actually looking at a woman. Smelling her scent. Speculating about the true color of her eyes. And wishing she were a hundred miles away.

Innocently walking beside him, Mandy obviously hadn’t a clue about the turmoil he felt. The sooner he got her hot-water heater fixed, the sooner she’d be closed up in her trailer and out of sight—and scent. He didn’t need her to remind him of all he’d lost.

It took five minutes to locate a new propane tank, hook it to the hot-water heater and ignite the pilot light. Once he heard the whoosh that indicated the heater was working, he turned and almost crashed into her. Mandy had been at his elbow every step of the way, watching closely as he worked, asking intelligent questions.

She stepped back quickly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

“It’ll take a while for the water to heat,” he said, wanting to step back, to put distance between them. But the close confines of the trailer didn’t allow that luxury. Why didn’t she move?

“I know. I’ll eat dinner first. Then take a quick shower.” She sighed softly. “I had been hoping for a nice hot bath, but a shower is all this place has.” She smiled politely and stepped back into the living area of the trailer.

Jackson followed, intent on leaving before he did something else stupid. He had a tub in his trailer—the only one in camp, if he remembered correctly. For an instant he almost offered her the use of it. Then sanity took hold. He didn’t want her here, and didn’t plan to do anything to encourage her staying. By Friday, she’d have to admit defeat, and depart.

And if life wasn’t as comfortable as she’d hoped, maybe she’d leave even earlier.

“We start work at eight,” he said gruffly, feeling a hint of guilt for denying her such a minor bit of comfort. But he was determined to have her gone in three days.

“I’ll be there. Thank you for fixing the heater.”

She ushered him to the door and practically shut it in his face.

He stood on the step for a moment, surprised by her move. What did you expect? he asked himself as he walked away. He had done nothing since they’d met to encourage any friendly feelings. Still, he admitted he had expected her to try to change his mind—with a smile, or soft words, or an invitation for a drink. The fact that she hadn’t surprised him.

Mandy stood beneath the hot shower some time later and reveled in the warmth. She wished she could have had a nice soak, but the water felt almost as good cascading down as it would sitting in it. Tilting back her head, she wet her hair, relishing the feeling. She wished the lake was warm enough to swim in—not that late September was the time to go swimming in Colorado’s high country. The lake was probably icy cold even in summer. But it had looked inviting.

When the water began to turn cool, she shut it off and stepped out into the minuscule bathroom. It didn’t take long to dry off and don the flannel nightie she’d brought. Nights were cool in Denver, and she’d known they would be cold in the mountains. Combing her hair, she debated using a dryer. Her hair would curl in any case, so she might as well let it dry naturally.

Slipping beneath the covers a little while later, she turned off the light without reading. She wanted to get a good night’s sleep. She had a feeling she’d need all her wits about her tomorrow to prove to at least one critical partner that she was the perfect secretary.

Curiously, she had no doubt that if she proved her worth, Jackson would let her stay until they closed down for the winter. She suspected he was an honorable man, a man of his word.

She grinned in the darkness. He hadn’t wanted to help her tonight. But he had. Without a word of complaint. Another man might have said that was one hardship of working on a remote site—that they all dealt with cold showers—as a way to discourage her. But he hadn’t.

He’d been patient in answering her questions, too, though he was convinced she would never need a working knowledge of the heater or propane tank.

Would he graciously accept defeat when she showed him she could stay the course? Or would he always be looking for fault, searching for any excuse to fire her and get rid of the woman secretary? He’d agreed to the outrageous terms she’d flung out. If she passed, she’d stay. Something about the man told her that. But he was the one who’d decide if she passed, and she knew the deck was stacked against her.

Mandy was already on the phone to the county building department when Jackson entered the trailer the next morning. She’d seen him up on the framework of the main building when she’d crossed to the office, but he hadn’t seen her. He’d been deep in conversation with two other men, comfortably at home on the high skeleton of the new resort. How long had he worked in construction? Probably since he was a teenager, to be so comfortable on precarious structures.

He looked at her with surprise when he entered.

“It’s only a few minutes past eight o’clock. If he could be here by one, that would work,” she said to the woman on the other end of the line.

Mandy tried to focus on the conversation at hand, ignoring Jackson’s presence to the best of her abilities. But something about him sparked an awareness she wasn’t used to. It was as if the air shimmered with static electricity in his presence.

She almost grinned at her frivolous thoughts. If there were electricity present, he’d use it to zap her away.

Mandy smiled in triumph, but let none of her jubilation show in her voice when the woman on the other end acquiesced. “Thank you, I’ll let them know he’ll be here by one.”

She hung up the phone.

“That was?” Jackson asked, leaning against the edge of his desk, his concentration on her. His dark eyes were narrowed, offering no clue to his feelings, yet the intensity was disconcerting. Mandy felt almost as if he touched her. A tangible awareness seemed to grow. Shivering slightly, she tried to ignore her reactions, and smiled in delight.

“The county building department. You’ll have an inspector here by one.” She wanted to jump up and dance around in triumph, but contained her excitement. Jeff had told her how frustrated they’d been with inspection delays. Let Jackson think it was all in a day’s work for someone with her expertise. A few more triumphs like that and he’d have to admit she was more than suitable—she was indispensable!

“And just how did you manage that feat?” His eyes never left hers as he awaited her answer.

“Knowing who to contact and how to apply the right pressure.” And a lot of luck, but he didn’t have to know that part.

He stared at her for a long moment. Mandy caught her breath, held it as her heart rate sped up exponentially. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t break contact, could only gaze into those dark eyes that gave nothing away. What was he thinking? Did he feel any of the shimmering tension that seemed to fill the office trailer?

Abruptly, he nodded once and moved to sit behind his desk. The phone rang and he snatched it up.

She glanced away, slowly letting her breath out and taking another. What had just happened?

She drew a line through that item on her to-do list, trying to focus on all she had to accomplish and not on the other occupant of the office. Getting the inspector out on such short notice was a small victory in the greater scheme of things, but it definitely didn’t hurt that Mr. Doubting Thomas over there had witnessed it. Chalk one up for her side.

Now if she could only ignore him and the strange reactions she experienced, maybe she could get something else crossed off her lengthy list.

Despite the edge of tension that seemed to permeate the office during the morning, Mandy was able to accomplish a great deal. But even as she diligently worked through the backed-up paperwork, she was conscious of Jackson Witt more than she should have been.

The way he ran his fingers through that thick hair had nothing to do with anything, and she had no business noting the gesture each time he made it. His hair was almost black, and thick. When he ran his fingers through it, it looked mussed. Sexy.

She blinked and stared back at her notes. Don’t go there!

The sound of his deep voice when speaking on the phone did not send shivers down her back. That was the draft from the door, she tried to convince herself. But the words before her blurred as she imagined him holding her close and speaking softly in her ear.

When he frowned at something, she was glad that glare was not directed at her, but her heart rate picked up, anyway. And she wondered what he’d look like if he smiled, or laughed.

Jeff joined them at ten, after reviewing plans with one of the masons on the far side of the site. His presence eased the tension a notch or two. Maybe with a third person there, her wild imagination would ease up and she could get something accomplished.

But Mandy couldn’t completely relax. She was too aware on a sensual level of the man at the adjacent desk. Did Jackson normally stay in the office all day? Wasn’t he needed on the construction site to oversee something? Had he only stayed in the office today to keep an eye on her—hoping to find fault and get rid of her even earlier than Friday?

She’d go crazy if he spent eight hours a day, every day, in such close proximity.

“It’s after twelve. When do you plan to eat lunch?” Jackson said unexpectedly.

Mandy looked up from the stack of invoices she was trying to put in order. She glanced at her watch. The morning had flown by.

“Is this the normal lunch hour?”

He nodded.

Silence outside indicated the men had stopped work.

She rose, smoothing her dark blue dress and taking her purse. “I’ll be back at one, then.”

“If I’m not here, follow up on these calls, will you?” he asked, holding out a small stack of pink telephone messages.

“Certainly.”

Jeff smiled, keeping his face down as if studying the blueprints spread across his desk.

Jackson glanced at him. “Something funny?”

His partner looked up and shook his head. “Thought you didn’t want Mandy here. You delegating work to her now?”

“If she were staying, she’d need to be able to handle the office when you and I aren’t here. Might as well see how she shapes up while we are still around.”

A hint of exhilaration swept through Mandy as she walked back to her trailer. Was Jackson thawing, as Jeff had predicted? One gesture wasn’t enough to judge. A cordial word or two would help. Was he as gruff with all his employees? Maybe he wasn’t used to being around a woman.

Not that she wanted special consideration.

After she prepared her lunch, she sat down on the sofa and put her feet up on a chair. Leaning back, she enjoyed being able to totally relax. She was tired—not that she’d admit that to her boss. She’d give anything if she could take a short nap.

Instead, she nibbled on her tuna sandwich, idly speculating about the taciturn Jackson Witt.

He seemed a hard man, with definite opinions and not much give in him. How had he and easygoing Jeff ever hooked up? He was years younger than Jeff, in his early thirties, she’d guess, while Jeff had to be in his mid-to late fifties. Did Jackson ever smile? She hadn’t seen him do so yet. Not that they’d spent that much time together. And, truth to tell, she didn’t mind if they didn’t spend any more time together. Until she could convince him she was the best person for the job, he was the enemy.

Ordinarily, she’d be pleased with what she’d accomplished with little direction on her first day. Still, she knew it might not be enough to suit him. He had the final say. But she’d go down fighting every inch of the way!

Jackson glanced up when, promptly at one o’clock, Mandy reentered the office. He nodded briefly and returned to scheduling the rotation for next week’s workload, trying to ignore her. Not an easy task.

Jackson was growing intrigued with the new secretary. He’d expected her to flounce around, ask a ton of questions, flirt with anything in jeans and play at office work.

So far the delicate-looking blonde had succeeded in getting an inspector out on a couple of hours’ notice, had organized the mess of her desk and not flirted once. She ignored the men who stopped by with one excuse or another. Was she playing some game, or was she for real?

He stared at her as she glanced through the phone messages he’d handed her earlier. After brushing back her blond mane, she picked up the phone and dialed the first number. She deliberately put a smile on her face, staring at the note in hand. He frowned. What was she doing? Following up on problems was nothing to smile about.

And were those curls and waves natural? Must be. With the impatient way she brushed them out of her way, it was unlikely they were a perm gone wrong.

Blond covered a variety of hues. Her hair was a mixture of gold, wheat-white and honey tumbling across her shoulders. Maybe she should have cut it like Sara’s, short and sleek. Or would those curls persist? Did they feel as soft and silky as they looked? Would they wrap around a man’s fingers if he threaded his hands through them?

He glanced away. What the hell was he doing, speculating about a woman’s hair? He rose and slammed out of the office, disgust warring with frustration. He’d told Jeff that having a woman secretary was a bad idea.

Before he could decide whether to head for home to grab a bite to eat, check out what Jeff was up to, or make sure Moose wasn’t hotdogging with the crane, Jackson spotted the county car descending the sweep of road leading to the site.

Taking a deep breath, he forced his mind on the upcoming inspection. He refused to think about Mandy Parkerson and her wild mop of curls. Or her blue eyes. Or her damned sunny smile. She’d be gone by Friday.

Jackson didn’t return to the office during the afternoon. Mandy took advantage of the opportunity to question Jeff. Getting a better picture of the operation would go a long way in bringing her up to speed. The atmosphere was much more relaxed, for which she was grateful.

There were phone calls to field, files to search for, and other routine tasks, in addition to trying to catch up with the work that had piled up since the former secretary had left. But Mandy still asked questions, tried to make sense of where they stood and how much they were trying to complete before winter.

By five she was glad to call it a day. It had been hectic, but exhilarating work. And she was making progress. Now she would change into something comfortable and take a short walk before dinner. Another early night was on the schedule. She suspected it’d take a couple of days to get used to the hectic pace, in addition to the catch-up she needed to do.

Her doctor had told her to expect to grow tired more easily. How right she’d been.

Calling good-night to Jeff, Mandy headed for her trailer.

Two men lounged by the office steps when she descended.

“Evening, ma’am,” one said.

She smiled and nodded, but kept walking.

They fell into step with her.

“Welcome to Windhaven’s future newest resort,” one said. “Or it will be when we’re finished here. I’m Bill Frates. This here’s Tim Harris.”

“How do you do? I’m Mandy Parkerson.” She kept her pace brisk. It was nice of them to introduce themselves, but she wasn’t planning to become a good buddy to anyone. She’d do her job and keep to herself.

“It gets lonely eating dinner by yourself,” Bill said. “Want to join us tonight?”

Mandy increased her pace just a bit. “Thanks for the offer, but I have plans.” Only a few more yards to her trailer and safety. She resisted looking around to see if Jackson was watching her. He would surely consider this distracting his men.

“Tomorrow night then?”

“I’ll have to see.” She reached for her key and unlocked her door.

“It was nice meeting you both,” she said politely. Stepping inside, she closed the door and leaned against it for a moment. That was not distracting the men, as Jackson had direly foretold. But it might come close. Too bad they didn’t know she had no plans to get involved with anyone—even on a superficial level!

Marc’s cruel defection had cured her of romantic notions. Some people were destined for happy ever after. She wasn’t one of them.

She’d finally learned that lesson. She knew she had nothing to offer a man. Her own father had run out on her mother before she’d been born. Marc had turned away once he heard about the baby. He’d found her fun to date for a while, but commitment hadn’t been in his plans. Not to the baby, and especially not to her.

She patted her tummy. “Whoever you are, sweetie, I’ll love you forever,” she whispered, an overwhelming glow of love swelling. She would cherish her child and never abandon it, no matter what the hardships.

Not as her parents had abandoned her.

As the baby grew and developed, so did her love for her unborn child. Mandy wondered how her mother could have carelessly left her own daughter in foster care. Had she ever regretted forsaking her only child? Mandy had been five when her mother had dumped her with social services, claiming she was unable to manage anymore.

Mandy had made up tales when she was younger—about how her mother really adored her, but because she had no money, had had to reluctantly give her up to foster care, temporarily.

Then, in true melodramatic fashion, she had died, leaving Mandy to languish in the system until she turned eighteen.

Of course, once she was older, Mandy had figured out it was more likely her mother just hadn’t wanted to be bothered. That she had found it easier to deal with life unencumbered by an unwanted child.

The old sorrows surfaced again and Mandy pushed them away. It was all ancient history.

Her child would have all the love and devotion from its mother she could give it. And she had enough for two—to make up for Marc’s defection. She would not let history repeat itself!

Soon she would no longer be alone—she’d have her precious baby. They’d be a happy, close family of two.

Less than ten minutes later, Mandy peeked out her door. She’d put on loose shorts, a cotton top and a light sweatshirt. It was growing cooler by the minute, with the sun already behind the western peaks. But once she began walking she’d warm up.

No one appeared to be paying any attention to her. She locked her door and glanced around. Down by the lake a group of men were laughing and talking. Closer to her trailer, she saw four or five men near one of the campers, leaning back in camp chairs, shooting the breeze.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out briskly. She waved when they called greetings, but didn’t stop as she passed the group near the camper. Walking briskly, she headed for the lake. If she skirted the group there, she could head to the right and walk along the shore for a while.

If felt great to be outside after a day cooped up in the office. The air was scented with pine and a hint of fresh lake water. The dirt beneath her feet was so dry it puffed in little clouds as she walked. Her shoes would be covered in red dust by the time she got back.

The group by the lake grew quieter as she drew near. Circling around them, she once again smiled and waved. One man looked as if he planned to join her, but hesitated. She refused to make eye contact, and hoped it would indicate she was not interested in companionship.

Small waves rippled quietly against the narrow beach. In spring, she suspected, the water rose to the tree line. But by late summer, the level had dropped, so there was plenty of room to walk on the compacted soil.

Striding quickly along, Mandy smiled with delight. It was the perfect ending to the day. She would make a habit of this. The water lapped gently at the shore. Wind rustled softly in the pines. By walking briskly, she kept warm, though she did slip on her sweatshirt. Maybe jeans would have been more suitable.

Before she’d gone too far, however, she was breathing hard. She couldn’t be that out of shape—she’d been walking a couple of miles after work every day in Denver. And the elevation here wasn’t that much higher, was it?

By the time Mandy decided to turn back, she was feeling decidedly queasy. Spots danced before her eyes and she was gasping for breath. A sharp pain pierced her head. She slowed her pace, anxious now only to return to the trailer and lie down.

Eyeing a fallen log near the lake, she considered sitting to rest for a moment, but pushed on. The light was fading fast. She needed to return to the trailer.

Once again she saw the men gathered near the water when she rounded the bend. Several were fishing. The others were drinking and laughing, unwinding after a tough day.

She stumbled, reached out to catch herself before she could fall. Then everything went black.

Chapter Three

“Hey, boss, come quick. We’ve got a problem!” Bill Frates stopped running as soon as he spotted Jackson.

Jackson frowned and rose from where he’d been sitting beside the lake. This had better be good. The men knew the unwritten rule: don’t bother the boss at twilight.

“What’s wrong?” He quickly covered the distance between himself and Bill.

“It’s the new secretary. She fell and is unconscious.”

Jackson picked up his pace. “How did she fall?” he asked. A sudden stab of fear struck him. She was all right, wasn’t she? There was nothing wrong with her baby, was there? They were a half hour or more from Julian. Did the town have a helicopter for emergency airlifts?

Bill turned and hurriedly led the way back along the lake.

“She was just walking. A bunch of us were by the lake—you know how Tim and Sonny love fishing. We were all hanging out. So when she came into view, we watched her. Then she just dropped like a rock.”

“Damn!” Jackson saw the crowd of men. He began to run.

The men parted so Jackson could get to the center of the group. Tim knelt beside her, gently shaking her shoulder and calling her name.

There on the ground lay Jackson’s new secretary. Her blond hair spread around her like a nimbus, highlighting the rusty-brown color of the ground. Her legs were bent, her arms outstretched. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell quickly.

Jackson swallowed hard and stooped down.

“Mandy?” He shook her gently. He glanced around. “Did she trip on something? Who saw her fall?”

“A lot of us, boss,” Tom Harmon said. “We were all watching her walk along, speculating if she’d speak to us on her way back, when she seemed to stumble, then just crumpled up. She didn’t hit hard. We didn’t see any rocks around.” The ground was strewn with a thick carpet of pine needles, which would have softened the hard-packed earth.

Jackson gently patted her cheek. “Mandy, wake up.”

Her breathing was rapid and her color pale. He didn’t know what was wrong, but whatever it was, it was worse because she was pregnant.

Slipping his arms beneath her shoulders and knees, he rose, holding her against her chest.

“Someone find Jeff and have him call for an ambulance,” Jackson said, heading toward the trailers. She didn’t weigh a thing. Was she too thin? Against one arm, he could feel the softness of the skin beneath her knees. Her head was nestled on his shoulder, her fragrance swirling around him.

Ignoring the tingling tendrils of awareness, Jackson pushed through the group and began the ascent to the trailers.

She stirred and opened her eyes, blinking a couple of times as she tried to get oriented.

“What happened?” She looked up into Jackson’s face.

“You took a tumble. Knocked yourself out, I think,” he replied.

She rubbed her forehead with one hand and struggled. “Put me down. I can walk.”

“We’ll wait for the paramedics to determine that.”

“I don’t need paramedics. I’m fine. Put me down.”

“Jeff’s calling an ambulance. You’ll be in Julian in no time.”

“I’m not going to Julian. I’m fine!” She pushed against his shoulder. “Really, Jackson, this is embarrassing. Please, put me down.”

He stopped. The group of men trailing behind him stopped. Slowly he set her on her feet, keeping his arm around her shoulders, watching for any sign of weakness.

Mandy drew a deep breath and clutched his free arm. “I do feel a bit wobbly, but that’s all. If I can just sit down, I’ll be fine. Really, no paramedics.”

He glanced at one of the men and nodded toward the office. “Catch Jeff, tell him to hold off on the ambulance for the time being.”

“Forever,” Mandy muttered, glancing around. Color rose in her face. “Good grief,” she murmured softly, “is the entire crew here?”

“I don’t know who’s here and who’s not. It doesn’t matter. Let’s get you to your trailer. Then I want some answers.”

They walked slowly, silently, to her trailer. She clung to his arm, but walked without other assistance. Behind them, the men began to disperse, until only Jackson and Mandy walked up to her steps. She dug her key from her pocket and inserted it. She opened the door, and he followed her in before she could protest.

Twice now she’d interrupted his evening routine. Did she plan to make a habit of it? He scowled. He knew she’d be trouble.

“I’m fine. Thanks for the rescue,” she said, sinking down on her sofa. She leaned back and closed her eyes, her hands resting protectively on her stomach. How was it he seemed to take all the air from the room? He towered over her and she kept her eyes closed to establish a modicum of control over the situation.

“What happened?” His voice was grim.

“I don’t know. I was taking a walk. Then the next thing I knew, you were carrying me up the hill.” She opened her eyes and looked at him. “No small feat these days.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You didn’t trip on anything?”

“No, but I have a piercing headache. I had it before I blacked out. I don’t think I hit my head on anything.”

“Altitude sickness, maybe?”

“Shouldn’t be. I walk all the time in Denver.”

“Which is several thousand feet lower in elevation. It takes a while to get acclimated to the high country.”

“Noted.”

“You’re a liability here, Mandy Parkerson. Not only to the job, but to yourself. What if you’d been injured? How long would it take an ambulance to get here?

You’re risking your own safety and that of your baby. You’ll have to leave. We’ll pay you for the week.”

She flew to her feet and glared at him, her hands clenching into fists on her hips. “Now just a minute here, Jackson Witt. You can’t fire me for falling on my own time. I’m not hurt. Thank you for your concern, but I was hired to work for your company, and if you fire me for some trumped-up, bogus reason I’ll sue you up one side and down the other!”

“A cheap price to pay—at least I’ll know you and your baby are safe. It’s too dangerous here for someone in your condition. I don’t want anyone hurt. If you won’t think about yourself, at least consider your child!” He glared at her for a long moment, then spun around and left.

Mandy slowly sank back onto the sofa, her knees weak as wet spaghetti. What had that been about? It almost sounded as if he cared about her safety. Or was it only to minimize any liability to his precious construction site?

“Jackson, what’s going on? Is she all right?” Jeff hurried over from the office, his face creased with worry.

Jackson nodded. “She fell. I think she fainted. It’s not uncommon in pregnant women. And we’re at a higher elevation from Denver. I think she overextended herself. She claims she’s fine, but she’s history. Get rid of her, Jeff. You hired her, you fire her. She’s a danger to herself and that baby.” He strode off, angry with the woman for taking risks. Angry that he even cared.

The ache that took hold wouldn’t let go. Sara had never taken risks. She’d been careful her entire life—especially so when pregnant with Sammy.

And in the end, it hadn’t mattered. It hadn’t been enough.

But to deliberately take a risk when a child was involved was unacceptable. He wouldn’t be a party to it!

Jeff knocked on the trailer door. Mandy answered immediately.

“Hi, Jeff, come in.” Stepping back, she smiled wryly. “I guess you heard.”

“I came to see if you’re all right.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened. One minute I’m walking along, the next…” The next she knew she’d been swept into the strongest pair of arms she’d ever felt. Jackson had carried her up the incline from the lake as if she’d weighed nothing.

She could still feel the strength of his arms, the muscles of his chest. She couldn’t ever remember anyone so strong, anyone who handled her so gently.

The special male scent that radiated from his skin seemed to linger and cause all sorts of reactions, just as it had in the office earlier. The heat that had enveloped her when she realized he was carrying her made her act silly. Once in the safety of her trailer, she had lashed out in retaliation—and made an idiot of herself in the process. He’d only been watching out for her safety. There was nothing personal in his concern; he probably felt that way with all his employees.

She swallowed and sat down again, knees definitely wobbly. Should she listen to his advice? Leave when she’d just arrived—without even proving how competent she was? She couldn’t do that. She had too much riding on this job.

“Guess I tried too much. Jackson suggested I’m suffering from altitude sickness. Can I use the phone in the office to call my doctor? Just to check in?”

“I can take you to the hospital in Julian,” Jeff said instantly.

“Maybe, but first I’ll check in with my regular obstetrician. I’ve heard of pregnant women fainting—although it’s never happened to me before. Maybe Jackson is right and it’s just a reaction to the higher altitude. Which means I’ll have to take it easy until I get used to being at this elevation. But I need to get some exercise. I can’t just sit at a desk all day.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to run you into town to be checked by a doctor?”

“Let me check in with mine first.”

Jeff escorted her to the office, which was miraculously empty. Thankfully, Mandy sat behind her desk, glad she didn’t have to face Jackson again so soon. She dialed the phone and spoke to the answering service, leaving her number. Hanging up, she looked at Jeff.

“They’ll track the doctor down for me. I’ll just wait here until she calls back. Don’t let me keep you from anything. I’m feeling fine, truly. I’m not going to keel over. Even my headache is fading.”

“I’ll sit with you. Maybe Jackson was right. Maybe this is too much to expect of a pregnant woman,” Jeff said thoughtfully.

“Don’t you start! We’ll find out what happened and see it doesn’t happen again. I need this job, Jeff. Please don’t fire me.” She hated having to plead to keep her job, but she could understand how, after this, they were uncertain she could last.

He looked uneasy. “I don’t know if this will work, Mandy.”

“It will.” She wished she felt as confident as she had the day before. Had she placed the doubt in Jeff’s mind? She needed his support!

He settled in behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, his feet on the desk as they waited for the doctor’s call. “Are you going back to Denver when the baby comes, or are you originally from somewhere else?” he asked.

“I have no family and no ties to Denver.” Especially after Marc’s final rejection. “I might check out Julian over the next few weeks and see if I like it. I can settle anywhere. And won’t you need secretarial help again in the spring?”

She kept in touch with only one of her foster parents, but they weren’t close. She had two friends from the building department and one longtime friend from high school. They all had busy lives and wouldn’t miss her as much as she’d miss them. Maybe she could start over in Julian. Find a niche for herself and her baby.

She’d long been used to knowing she was alone in the world. Having a job to look forward to in the spring would help pass the long winter months.

Jeff smiled. “You thinking about coming back when we start up again?”

“Maybe.”

“And the baby?”

She looked around the office. “I think a playpen would fit in here by my desk. How long will you take to finish the project?”

“End of next summer should do it, if we keep on schedule and the winter doesn’t last forever. Sorry, Mandy, girl, Jackson would never allow a baby on the site. It’s too dangerous.”

“Not in the office.”

“It’ll never happen, Mandy. I’d back him on that decision. In fact, I need to know you’ll be safe now, or I’ll change my position on your staying.”

“I’m fine.” Frustration was building. She wished she’d never gone on that blasted walk!

The phone rang.

Ten minutes later Mandy hung up, feeling hugely relieved.

“The doctor said it sounds like altitude sickness. I’m to take things easy and drink a lot of fluids. If anything else happens, then I’m to see a local doctor immediately. I was planning to set up an appointment anyway, so I’ll do that first thing in the morning.”

“You’re sure?” Jeff asked. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

She nodded, warmed by his concern.

Hadn’t Jackson also been concerned?

The warmth she felt around Jackson had nothing to do with concern.

“I was so excited to have someone competent come out, I guess I didn’t think things through all the way,” Jeff said slowly.

“Don’t even start thinking that way. I’m competent and capable. I’m not sick. Today was an anomaly. I can do the work, Jeff. I’ve burned my bridges behind me. If you fire me, where would I go?” She prayed this tactic might work with softhearted Jeff. It never would with hard-as-nails Jackson Witt.

“Anyway, I think Jackson overreacted,” she said.

“Understandable.”

“Why?” Did Jeff hold insight into his partner, something that, if shared, would enable her to better understand the man? To better deal with him? Could Jeff help her find a way to work around Jackson’s antagonism and be allowed to remain?

“His wife and child were killed a few years ago. It eats at him that he wasn’t there to save them. He probably feels he can at least make sure your baby is properly taken care of. And face it, Mandy, a construction site isn’t the safest place in the world. I should have thought through the situation more before hiring you. But we need help as much as you need the job!”

She was stunned by the information about Jackson’s family. How tragic! She tried to imagine a loss of that magnitude. Protectively, her hands covered her stomach. The worst fear of any parent was to lose a child. And he’d lost both wife and child?

“How were they killed?”

“Random shooting at an elementary school. Sara was a teacher there, and Sammy had just started kindergarten.” Jeff’s voice was heavy with grief.

“Oh, Lord.” Mandy swallowed, unexpected compassion and sympathy for Jackson suddenly blooming. No wonder he was such a hard man—he’d have to be to survive such a devastating loss. “How awful!”

She wanted to weep—for the loss, for the man who must have been so devastated, so angry at fate to lose his family in such a senseless manner.

Jeff looked out the window, toward the skeleton of the lodge. “He’s never been the same. He and Sara grew up together. Don’t think he ever dated anyone else. And they doted on their little boy.” Jeff shook his head sadly. “Tragic time.”

He turned and looked at Mandy. “That’s one reason he drives himself now—to forget, I think. If work is all-consuming, there’s no time for memories.”

“How long ago did it happen?” Her throat ached with unshed tears. Her heart went out to the man. His attitude could be excused, explained. Maybe he felt genuine concern for her and her pregnancy.

“Three years ago this month. It happened over in Fort Collins. That’s where I had my company. Jackson was my foreman at the time. Afterward, he had us push for bigger jobs, remote sites, shorter time schedules. He became my partner. His ideas are great, and we’re doing better than ever—but I miss that town. I don’t reckon Jackson will ever go back. He hasn’t seen his folks since the funeral. Or Sara’s parents. We all lived in Fort Collins.”

“I am so sorry,” Mandy said. “What happened to the gunman?”

“He turned the gun on himself before the cops could stop him. Which makes it even harder, I think—no one around to blame. Come on, I’ll walk you back to your trailer. You feeling up to it?”

“Yes.”

But there was something she needed to get straight.

“But this fainting doesn’t matter to my position here. I’m not traipsing around the construction site, so I’m not in danger. Please, talk to Jackson. I’ll promise to do whatever you ask.”

Jeff studied her for a moment, then nodded. “We’ll see what he says come Friday. We’re partners, Mandy. And I set a lot of store by his thinking. If we can’t bring him around by Friday, then I think I’ll have to go along with his decision.”

She nodded, her optimism slipping. She had hoped to count on Jeff to argue on her behalf. “I understand.” And she did. If the shoe had been on the other foot, would she want an employee who proved to be a liability?

“If you want to go for a walk tomorrow, tell me. I’ll go with you,” Jeff said as he stopped by her door.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“But just a gentle ramble, no trying out for the Olympics.”

Mandy laughed. “I wasn’t!”

He nodded and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. Mandy let herself out of the office, relieved that her doctor had not seemed concerned. But fainting wasn’t something she wanted to repeat.

Was there a certain wisdom in Jackson’s wanting her to leave?

After a hot shower and a quick meal, Mandy sat on the sofa in her living area for a long time, her mind wandering to the revelations Jeff had made, trying to assimilate the horror of the tragedy with Jackson and his family. No wonder the man was as hard as nails, she thought again. He’d have to be to survive such a loss.

It gave her a different view of her boss, maybe one she could figure out how to tap into. She not only had to prove she would be a valuable member of the team, but also that she was in no danger. Today’s fainting spell had not helped. Maybe she should have him talk directly to her doctor. Would that reassure him?

Wasn’t anything ever easy? she wondered with a sigh as she rose to wash her plate and utensils. It sure hadn’t been so far.

The primrose-yellow dress Mandy donned the next morning was soft and feminine. She stared at herself in the mirror, suddenly struck by her image. Maybe she was her own worst enemy. No wonder Jackson doubted her abilities, her suitability at the construction site and her safety. She looked as if she were heading out for a tea party or something. Her own style in clothes was working against her.

Quickly she changed into a dark, hunter-green dress that seemed more businesslike, and tied her hair back, trying to look as competent as she could. There was only so much she could do with her hair. She frowned at her reflection, deciding she still looked too soft for a construction site.

She needed to go into town and get some jeans and flannel shirts. Her own jeans were in storage in Denver. Not that they’d fit, anyway, these days. Maybe she’d even get some boots. If she dressed like everyone else on the site, then maybe Jackson wouldn’t even notice she was different.

Saturday she’d make the trip to Julian to see about expanding her wardrobe. Until then, she had only her skill and experience on the job going for her. It would have to hold her.

Neither Jackson nor Jeff were in the office when Mandy entered. She gave a sigh of relief. She had plenty to do. They’d undoubtedly have more tasks when they returned.

She liked working alone. Otherwise, she was self-conscious with Jackson staring at her, listening to her phone conversations, judging her with his critical attitude. Or distracting her by just sitting in his chair!

She had completed the calls Jackson had requested she handle, and was once again plunged into matching invoices and purchase orders. There was a discrepancy with one vendor—Andrews Tool and Die. Curious, she pulled out the folder on the company. It was thick, showing years of a business relationship with the firm.

Further research turned up other discrepancies. The cost overruns and extra billings added up to a tidy sum over a period of several months.

Did Jeff and Jackson know this? She noted scrawled initials in the corners of the invoices. Obviously Pete had obtained approvals to pay. From whom?

When Jackson entered the office some time later, Mandy forgot about business, seeing only the man who had lost his family so tragically. She immediately wanted to extend her sympathies, but one glance at his dark expression, and she wisely kept her mouth shut.

In fact, she suddenly wondered how he’d react if he discovered Jeff had been talking about him. Today was Thursday, not an auspicious time to take a chance. She had only today and tomorrow to prove herself. Making him angry wouldn’t be a smart move.

She reached for the phone when it rang. It was her doctor, checking on her again. She spoke briefly, and when she hung up, Jackson was studying her.

“My doctor. I talked with her last night and she wanted to see how I was doing today. I’m fine. She said to just take it slow adjusting to the higher altitude. Which won’t be a problem. I know what to look for now, and it won’t happen again!”

He gave nothing away in those dark eyes, just nodded once and returned to the site drawing he was marking.

When the phone rang again, Mandy snatched it up, grateful for the interruption. Would anything change his mind?

“Mr. Norris calling for Mr. Witt,” a smooth voice on the other end said.

Mandy held up the phone. “A Mr. Norris for you.”

Jackson took the call.

Mandy half listened to the one-sided conversation. It was hard to get the gist from his yes and no and that-would-be-fine comments. When he hung up, he glanced over at her.

“Norris is the liaison between our firm and Windhaven’s board. He’ll be out next week to check on our progress.”

She nodded, a small bud of hope blossoming. Was Jackson telling her because she’d be here next week and needed to know? He must be, otherwise why bother clarifying the situation?

He turned back to the clipboard he had brought into the office, and jotted some notes on a sheet of paper. Mandy watched him, wondering how he had felt when first informed of his son’s death. Of the wanton killing of his wife—especially when he’d loved her since they were kids.

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