Chapter 11
“These look great, Ryan! Thanks for getting it done so fast.” Ash could barely contain her excitement, as she sat beside him on the couch, scanning the architectural plans. The new home would be perfect for housing lots of children. “I can’t believe you squeezed in six good-sized bedrooms, plus a nice master.”
Ash had no doubt she made the right decision. The house had done its job for her—it had brought her to her family. Now the stately home needed to go back to the one man who would use it for good—Adam Walker.
Stalling for time as she contracted Ryan Cooper to draw up new designs for the Scott house, Ash pretended she was going ahead with the restaurant. In order to explain why she hadn’t painted the exterior, she continued to argue with Adam about the paint color, enjoying his flabbergasted expression at each new outrageous color scheme she suggested.
Ash planned to have the exterior painted as a surprise for him, and this weekend would be the perfect time to do it, while Adam was away for a friend’s wedding.
She hummed a tune, imagining the look on Adam’s face Monday morning when he saw his Grammy’s house, painted in a traditional Queen Anne color scheme Ryan had recommended. And then, when she gave Adam the new house plans and presented the key, he would be so overcome with joy, he might struggle to fight back tears. Aunt Donna would cry for certain, because Ash planned to invite the whole family. It would be epic.
“What about your dream of having your own restaurant?” Maggie had asked after informing Ash she’d lost her mind.
“I’m only twenty-six years old. I have the rest of my life to start a restaurant. Adam deserves to have this house.”
“Doesn’t he need to be married before he can adopt kids?”
“Yes, but that won’t take long to happen. Erin said every woman in town wants to marry him, and I can certainly understand why. Once he realizes his dream can come true, he’ll find a wife in no time.” Ash told herself the sick feeling in her stomach had nothing to do with jealousy, but instead pertained to how much she would miss her new family when she moved back to New York.
Ash knew she had no choice but to move away. As much as she wanted to stay near her family, she needed a job. She was fortunate her old restaurant had told her she was welcome back any time if things didn’t work out. Maggie hadn’t found a new roommate, either, so obviously, it was meant to be.
“I’m glad you like the plans.”
Ash jumped when Ryan’s voice came from so close to her ear.
“I should let you get back to work.” She tried to stand, but his hand gripped her shoulder. He sat so close, her attempt to glare at him only resulted in her eyes crossing.
“I’m in no hurry. I was hoping to learn more about you.” He whispered into her ear. “I find you absolutely… fascinating.”
Loud knocks sounded from the front door, and Ash extricated herself from his grasp. “I need to answer that.”
With a sigh of relief, she hurried to the door, wondering how she could rid herself of the cocky architect. She flung the door open and sucked in an involuntary breath. Adam stood on the porch, his scowl even darker than normal.
“Ash, can I speak to you for a moment.”
With her mind spinning in search of a way out, she fumbled for words. She couldn’t let Adam discover the architectural plans Ryan had drawn for her. It would totally spoil the surprise on Monday.
“As a matter of fact, I’m busy right now. Give me a call later.”
She swung the door closed, but it thudded to a stop. Though she pushed harder, it wouldn’t budge. At last she found the obstruction… Adam’s foot.
Glaring through the opening, she prepared to lambast him with her best how-dare-you-do-such-a-thing. Before she could speak a word, Kujo squeezed his way past her, bounding inside with his leash dangling behind, his deafening barks accompanied by Lucky’s terrorized screeches.
“Who’s at the door?” Ryan came up behind her and peered over her shoulder. “Hey, Walker. What’s up?”
“What’s he doing here?” With his face red and blood vessels bulging on his temples as if he were holding his breath, Adam directed the question to Ash.
Ryan’s hand fell on her shoulder. “I’m working on some plans for—”
“Some plans for dinner.” Ash interrupted, twisting to slide her arm around Ryan’s waist. “Ryan’s taking me out tonight.”
“I am?” His smile gave her the shivers, as did his hand, which moved up to caress her arm.
“Yes, I decided I don’t feel like eating in after all.”
“You’re not going out with him,” Adam growled.
Ash hissed, clenching her fingers into tight balls, “I’ll go out with whomever I please.”
“That’s right,” Ryan began. “She—”
“Shut up, Cooper.” Adam pushed his way into the house. “Why would you want to go out with a jerk-wad like Ryan Cooper? He’s only interested in one thing.”
“You can’t come in here and insult me.” Ryan yelled, though he made no move to follow Adam across the room.
“What do you mean by that remark?” Ash demanded, stomping behind Adam as he corralled Kujo and grabbed his leash.
Adam spun around. “You know exactly what I mean. Ryan Cooper is just trying to get you into bed.” He pointed an accusatory finger at Ryan, who turned beet-red.
“Back off, Walker!” Ryan objected. “Where do you get off saying something like that?”
Ash marched up to Adam, trembling with anger, her hands flying about as she spoke. “So you think that little of me? You think Ryan couldn’t possibly want anything from me but sex? You assume he wouldn’t want to engage in an intelligent conversation, since I don’t have a college degree?”
“Yeah, Baby. You tell him!” Ryan moved behind her, wrapping his arms over hers.
“Ash, you’re putting words in my mouth.” Adam still frowned, but he shifted from foot to foot, as if the floor might fall out from under him at any moment. “Ryan’s sleaziness has nothing to do with your intelligence. He’s an equal-opportunity dirt-bag.”
Ash’s heart threatened to bang its way through her ribs. “First of all, just because Ryan’s a sleaze bag doesn’t mean I would sleep with him.”
Ryan protested, “Hey! You called me a—”
“And secondly…” Ash threw Ryan’s arms off and stomped forward to pound an accusing finger on Adam’s chest, marking every syllable. “You. Can’t. Tell. Me. What. To. Do.”
Adam backed up with each poke, as if she used a stick pin. Then his wide eyes narrowed, and his mouth tightened, his lips blanching.
“Fine. You’re a big girl. Make your own choices. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He pushed past her and grabbed Ryan by the collar, practically dragging him to the door. Ash heard Adam’s coarse whisper, but couldn’t distinguish his words. He marched out the door and slammed it shut, leaving a white-faced Ryan behind.
“What did he say?” As Ash’s tension leaked out, she collapsed on the couch like piece of soggy bread.
“Nothing nice.” His forehead beaded with sweat, Ryan tugged at his collar.
Some ridiculous part of her still wished Adam had been acting out of jealousy instead of big-brother defensiveness. But she comforted herself knowing she’d salvaged Monday morning’s big surprise.
“I’m sorry about that, Ryan. Adam’s my cousin, and he’s a little protective.”
“He acts like that for a cousin?” Ryan blew out a low whistle. “If that man had had a sister, she would die an old maid.”