“Don’t screw this up.” Dylan shoved her brother into the bathroom. “You promised me you wouldn’t drink last night.” She pushed harder, but her brother’s big form didn’t budge.

“Aww, come on. It was three beers.” Brent finally moved.

“Shower, dress. And hurry, we’re going to be late.” When her brother didn’t move, she pinched his side until he howled.

“Damn it, Dylan!” He turned on her. She raised her eyebrows in challenge. “Don’t do that.”

“Go, now.” She pointed to the shower. “I will not let you mess up our last chance at decent jobs in this town.”

“Man, you’re bossy all of a sudden.” Brent turned and pulled off his shirt.

When he started to step out of his shorts, she retreated to the bedroom and slammed the bathroom door between them. “Five minutes,” she called out to the door. “Or I’m leaving without you.”

Fifteen minutes later, they walked into the old brick building downtown that housed McGowan Enterprises.

She had on her best outfit, while her brother wore a pair of worn jeans and a clean polo. Still, at least he’d shaved and showered.

When they walked in, she was surprised to find the front desk empty.

“Last time there was a pregnant woman behind the desk,” Brent added as he took a seat.

Dylan stood at the desk and checked her watch. They were five minutes late. She groaned and glared at her brother as he started flipping through a magazine.

“Hello?” she called out down the long hallway. When the phone started ringing, she jumped slightly and glanced around. Biting her lip, she waited until the phone stopped ringing before she started down the hallway. When the phone started up again, she sighed and rushed to pick it up.

“McGowan Enterprises, this is Dylan, can I help you?” she answered while her brother watched her.

“Dylan?” The voice on the other end instantly sounded familiar. “You’re hired. I’m the last door on the left. Please send Brent back my way.” The line went dead, and she blinked at the receiver for a full minute before she realized what had happened.

“You’re supposed to go on back. Last door on the left,” she told her brother.

“Who was that?” he asked, moving towards her.

“Trey McGowan, I think. He told me I’m hired and said to send you back.” She leaned closer. “Don’t screw this up.” She motioned towards the hallway as she sat behind the desk.

For the next half hour, she waited patiently, answering the phone when it rang. She took messages, gave help where she could, or simply told the caller that she didn’t have access to the computer yet, which was locked with a password. She took notes and told them she would return their call once she was in the system, which she hoped would be after Trey was done with her brother, since it appeared neither of the other brothers were in the office at the moment.

When the mailman arrived, he leaned on her desk and chatted, asking her when she had been hired and if Rea was every going to return.

She found out from Gary, the postman, that Kristen McGowan had had her baby two days ago, a boy by the name of Timothy Jack. The man gossiped a lot and in the ten minutes she spent chatting with him, she found out more about the brothers than she had in the month they’d lived in Haven.

Trey was the youngest of the three boys. Tyler, the oldest, was married to Kristen. Trent, the middle boy, was married to Addy.

By the time her brother walked out of Trey’s office, she was feeling a little more comfortable with the situation. It seemed that Rea had officially retired a few months back, and Kristen had taken over temporarily until they could find someone full time, which it appeared they had.

“He wants to see you.” Brent nodded towards the back. “I start a week from today. I have to have a physical and some paperwork done first.” He held up a piece of paper. “I’m heading over to the clinic now to get the blood work.” Her brother smiled and for the first time in years, he looked happy. “I’ll pick you up around five.”

She smiled and hugged him. “We did it,” she whispered to him.

“You did it.” He leaned down and placed a brotherly kiss on her cheek.

When she heard someone clear his throat, she glanced over and smiled seeing Trey at the end of the hallway. He was dressed in a dark grey suit and leaning against the door frame. He looked even sexier in the suit than he had in the worn jeans and black sweater the night before. It was funny, but he looked like he was comfortable in both.

“Coming,” she called out and quickly gathered the stack of messages before waving to Brent as he walked out. “I have some messages—”

“I expect that won’t happen too often in the work place.” Trey motioned for her to enter his office.

She stopped and frowned. “What won’t?”

“The PDA.” He motioned for her to sit across from him as he took the spot behind the massive glass and wood desk. There were large windows behind him that looked out over a small creek. She wondered why his desk didn’t face the view instead of the doorway. If it was up to her, she’d turn the desk around and… probably not get a thing done all day long. His words registered finally.

“PD…” She almost laughed, but then she nodded quickly. “Of course.” She straightened her shoulders. “I have some messages here.” She handed them over. “If I can get access to the computer, I can start to learn your system better.”

He pulled out a piece of paper. “Rea’s notes are here. Everything you need to know about the job.” He handed it over. “I’ll need you to fill out some standard paperwork for your paychecks, health benefits, retirement.” He pulled out a file and handed it to her. “Take some time and get these back to me before you leave today.”

“Sure.” She leaned across and took the folder. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for Brent and me.”

Trey nodded. “I’m expecting a few other meetings today, since my brothers are out. Tyler won’t be in for a full month. His wife—”

“Just had a baby,” she filled in. His eyebrows rose. “Gary, the mailman, filled me in. Trent is on the job site, filling in for Tyler.” She nodded.

“Right.” Trey sighed. “Which leaves me stuck in the office for the next month.” He practically groaned it.

“I’ll show them back when they arrive. I assume there is a calendar of these meetings?”

“Yes, it’s all there.” He nodded to Rea’s notes. “Lunch is from noon to one. You can take it in the break room or feel free to go off site.”

She frowned. “Brent won’t be back until five. I… didn’t pack a lunch.”

“I can drive you somewhere if you need. I was planning on hitting the Dancing Moose. You’re welcome to tag along.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “That would be fine.” She stood up and smiled when Trey stood up quickly.

“No, thank you. You came at the right time. Without you, I’d be stuck out front trying to do my job while I answered phones.”

She smiled. “I’ll…” She heard the phone ring and he nodded. “Thanks,” she said and quickly rushed to answer it.

Over the next two hours, she familiarized herself with their system. It wasn’t hard and by the time noon rolled around, she was confident with most of it.

She answered the phone with assurance and when the folks showed up for Trey’s meetings, she showed them to the back and happily got coffee and drinks for everyone.

She had to admit, it felt wonderful being off her feet most of the day and working a real job. She filled out the personnel paperwork and, just before noon, knocked on Trey’s door to turn it in.

“Come in,” he called out.

“I have my paperwork all ready.” She handed him the folder.

He motioned for her to sit as he glanced through it. “You and Brent have the same last name?” He glanced up with a frown. His eye zeroed in on the many rings on her fingers. “Married?” he asked.

She laughed quickly. “God no, Brent is my brother.”

She noticed the change in him right away. It was as if Trey totally relaxed around her and, for the first time, she realized why he’d been a little icy with her.

“You thought…” She took a deep breath trying to hide the humor she felt about the entire situation. “Our parents died a few years back. Since then, we’re all we have. We’ve stuck together through thick and…” She sighed. “And thin.”

Trey nodded slowly. “Our dad died almost two years back. My brothers and I had to step up our game to save this place.” He leaned back, glancing around. “Course, we were lucky we had this.”

“Yes.” She smiled as she looked around. “Our father was a banker. You would have thought he would have learned to put some money away himself, but when they died, we were strapped and, less than a year later, lost everything.”

“I’m sorry.” Trey leaned forward.

“Don’t be. This is the first time something has gone right for us.” She smiled. “We can’t thank you enough for giving us a chance. Especially after the other night.”

Trey’s blue eyes turned down slightly. “I kind of egged your brother on in the bathroom.” He stood and leaned on the edge of the desk in front of her.

“You don’t have to lie,” she broke in. “Brent can be a jerk when he drinks. One of the reasons he’ll be staying sober from here on out.”

“Your brother doesn’t have to turn into a saint. Half the men in the hold with us the other night work for us.” He chuckled. “Hell, what else is there to do around here but drink, fight and…” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

She smiled. “What? Fuck?” She laughed. “For most of the last four years, I’ve been around my brother twenty-four seven. Nothing you can say will shock me.”

“I doubt that,” he said softly.

She stood up suddenly and then realized too late how close the move put them.

“The only reason I gave your brother another chance was the need to see you again.” He moved closer. His hand reached out to touch her elbow.

* * *

Dylan’s eyes darkened. For the first time, he was seeing them clearly and up close. He’d imagined they were a dark mocha color, but there was a light ring of hazel along the inside iris that turned slightly green when he touched her. He watched as her cheeks flushed and wondered how her skin would feel next to his.

Suddenly, he broke contact and stepped back as he realized they were standing in the middle of his office and he’d just officially hired her.

“How about lunch?” He turned and flipped his computer off. “I’m starving,” he said, trying to hide what being so close to her had done to him.

“Sure, let me grab my coat.” She rushed from the room and he took his time pulling on his own jacket and gloves. The weather called for more snow today and he knew better than to ignore the predictions.

He had been pleasantly surprised that she was wearing nice black slacks with a cream top and a thick sweater jacket over it. The outfit was business-like but warm enough for winter in Montana. She’d pulled her jet-black hair up into two small clips above her ears, and he had found himself wishing she’d left the short tresses down.

When he figured he’d waited long enough, he headed down the hallway. She was standing at the desk, a large black bag in her arms, watching him.

Suddenly, he felt like he was on a runway, being assessed by the best fashion critics.

He’d worn a standard suit he and his brothers had purchased together. Since all of them hated shopping, they had made a trip into Helena and gotten the deed done at the same time.

Since they no longer lived under one roof together, they had purchased identical items and quickly gotten out of the shops.

Still, he had enough sense to add his own style to each outfit. He hated ties but left one balled up in the top drawer of his desk, in case he ever absolutely needed one.

As it was, her eyes were soaking him up and he felt his body instantly react to the heat coming off her gaze.

“Ready?” he asked, trying to swallow the desire that had built up.

She nodded quickly and turned away from him.

He walked over to his car and opened the passenger door for her.

“This is yours?” she asked, standing on the curb beside his BMW.

“Yeah, I usually don’t drive it in the winter, but…” He waited until she slid into the seat. “My truck’s in the shop getting new brakes.” He shut the door gently behind her, then crossed over to climb behind the wheel.

He hated driving his baby in the snow, but the truck hadn’t come back from Ed’s, the local auto repair shop, yet. The truck was for snow and work, the Beemer was for fun. It was the first item he’d purchased on his own and the most expensive by far. But it made his occasional trip to the city more than an hour away pleasurable.

He pulled into a parking spot at the Dancing Moose and was about to climb out, when she spoke.

“Why is it called the Dancing Moose?” She leaned forward, looking up at the sign.

He smiled. “I’ll tell you over lunch.” He climbed out but before he could race around and open her door like he’d been taught, she was already shutting the car door and standing on the sidewalk.

When they entered the diner, he inwardly groaned when he recognized every single person in the place. He knew by the end of the day they would be the hottest subject in Haven. He could just imagine the conversations.

“Did you see who Trey took to lunch?”

“Who was the woman Trey McGowan was having lunch with down at the Dancing Moose?”

“Is this Trey’s latest catch?”

Thankfully, the list of possibilities were interrupted when Rumi, the owner of the diner greeted them.

“Hey, Trey.” She smiled up at him. “If you can find an empty spot, grab it,” she said as she rushed past them. “The lunch rush is in full swing.”

He leaned over to Dylan. “Don’t let Rumi’s small stature fool you. She’s an ex-marine and can probably kick the ass of everyone in here.” He chuckled as he took Dylan’s arm and guided her towards the back where a table was just being cleared. “She and her husband Neal bought this place a few years back from her parents. The Dancing Moose has been in her family for almost four generations.” He pulled out the chair for Dylan.

Once she was seated, he sat across from her. He could feel every eye on them but chose to ignore the stares.

Kristy, one of his favorite waitresses, came over and set two menus on the table. “I’ll be just a moment,” she said before making her way across the room quickly.

“Have you eaten here before?” Trey asked, pushing his menu away, since he knew it by heart.

Dylan picked up the large menu and scanned it.

“Not yet.” She bit her bottom lip as she looked over the items.

He leaned in. “Don’t worry, McGowan Enterprises is picking up the tab today,” he said in a low voice so everyone sitting next to them wouldn’t overhear. “My father always said, when two employees got together, it’s a meeting.”

He’d meant his words to be lighthearted, but he noticed that her slight frown grew.

“I’m not looking for a handout,” she said in a clear voice as she laid down her menu.

Now he was the one frowning.

“You aren’t getting a handout. After saving my butt today, it’s the least I can do to pay you back.” He leaned back in his chair and ran his eyes over her. “Why don’t we consider this an official interview, that way there won’t be any… questions.”

“But, I’ve still got the job?” she asked.

He let out a quick breath of relief. “Yes.” He leaned forward. “I don’t know if you know this, but the pool of professionals in Haven is very…” He thought for a second. “Limited.”

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Fine.”

He watched with amusement as she straightened her shoulders and prepared herself for the interview.

“So, it’s just you and your brother?” He knew the personal question threw her off balance.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Since?” he asked. “You said your folks died?”

“Yes, in a boating accident in Mexico a few years back.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. Her eyes turned sad. Reaching across the table, he brushed the back of her hand, then tucked his hands under the table. “It’s hard, losing one, I can’t imagine losing both at the same time.”

“Your mother is still alive?” she asked.

“Yes.” He glanced around the room. “I’m surprised she’s not having lunch here today. I thought…” His eyes zoned in on the far corner and nodded. “There she is. She and Tony have been seeing one another for a few months now.”

Dylan glanced over to where his mother and the police officer, who’d busted him more times than he remembered, were quietly eating lunch together. He leaned across the table. “If we don’t bother them, they won’t bother us.” He smiled. “As I mentioned, my brothers are usually in here too, but Tyler and his wife just had a kid.”

“Yes, I heard. Congratulations.” She smiled, and he watched as she transformed. She had been beautiful before but seeing the first real smile on her was like seeing light for the first time.

“Thanks. So, why move to Haven? Your brother mentioned you’d been in Seattle before.”

“It really wasn’t my choice.” She relaxed slightly. “When Brent gets something in his mind…” She took a deep breath, then opened her mouth to speak again, but Kristy was back.

“Have you decided yet?” she asked.

He motioned for Dylan to go ahead. She ordered a small side salad and a cup of soup. He thought about telling her to order some real food, but instead told Kristy to bring a basket of fries before their meal.

Kristy smiled at him. “Will do.” After she walked away, he decided to continue with his questioning.

“Where are you living?” he asked, “I didn’t have a chance to look at your paperwork.”

“We’ve got a room at the hotel just down the street.” She motioned towards the front of the place and he winced.

“You’re staying there?” He shook his head and thought about it.

“It was the only place we could afford.” She sighed. “Besides, now that we both have jobs, we’ll be looking for something more permanent.”

“I know of a few places that are for rent.” He thought about the small house in town he’d rented then purchased along with his mother the first year he’d returned home. Since he was living on his own land now in a double-wide his brother Trent had finished with, the place on Main Street was sitting empty.

Trent had finished building his own house a few months back and since his two brothers were now on McGowan land, he felt it was only fitting he move out to his plot of land as well. So, instead of his brother hauling the doublewide away, he’d parked it on the plot of land his father had willed to him.

It was, in Trey’s opinion, the best plot of land out of the three brothers. Tyler’s new home was on the hill side, overlooking the valley. Trent’s was halfway up a small hill, overlooking the stream that ran through the flatlands. Trey had tucked the two-thousand-square-foot trailer back in the trees right along the brook. He figured when he got around to building his own home, he’d do it right there, hidden away from the rest of the world.

The hot fries were delivered, and he nudged the basket her way and smiled when she nibbled on a few.

“Any more personal questions for me or are we going to keep pretending this is a job interview?” she asked.