know this isn’t about the money. The community center will help the town in so many different ways. Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment this way.”
He gave her a once over. “Since when did you become the town champion?”
“I’m learning to be my own champion. Marshall put me in charge of the project.” That stretched the truth, but Olivia had to prove she could do this.
“Not good enough,” he told her. “Your husband is a two-timing, lousy—”
“Ex-husband,” she corrected. “Soon to be, anyway. Trust me, I know every one of Craig’s shortcomings and I’m sorry for what he did. What both he and your wife did. But I shouldn’t be punished for his sins. This town needs the community center. I want to make things right.”
“You could have made things right by keeping Craig’s wandering eye on you.” His eyes blazed as he spat out the words. “Maybe if he’d been happy at home, none of this would have happened.”
Olivia took a step back as if he’d slapped her. She knew Jeremy had a son who was now without his mother. Olivia wasn’t the only one who’d been wronged, nor was hers the biggest loss. She’d been trying to convince herself that it wasn’t her fault. Jeremy’s angry words echoed in her head. If Craig had been more interested in her, maybe none of this would have happened.
She sucked in a breath at the thought.
This was hopeless. What had made her think she could extricate herself from the shadow of Craig’s deception and make a home in this town? She didn’t belong in Crimson.
Emotions flooded her and she turned to flee, only to run into someone. Someone tall and extremely solid. She glanced up to find Logan Travers staring down at her. She saw a look of understanding pass through his eyes and nearly groaned. Of course he would have heard the accusation Jeremy had thrown at her. She wondered briefly if it was possible to actually die of embarrassment.
His hands felt warm on her arms as he set her back a few steps. “You’re not running,” he whispered, then raised his head to greet Jeremy. “It’s been a while, Jeremy. How are things?”
The other man’s gaze swung between her and Logan, clearly trying to come up with a connection. “I’m getting by,” Jeremy answered. “I’m surprised to see you back in town, Travers. With the way things were going, I figured you’d have ended up in jail by now.”
Olivia’s breath caught at the blatant rudeness of the words.
Logan didn’t seem to mind. One corner of his mouth lifted. “I turned things around. It happens.”
“Construction attracts all types. Lots of guys just hanging on to the edges of the business to stay afloat.” Jeremy gave a jerky nod. “I hear you’re building houses in Telluride.”
“Things are good down there. I’ve been lucky with the people I’ve gotten to know. Some builders care about doing things right. Others cut corners wherever they can.” His blue eyes met Olivia’s gaze. “I stopped by the community center building the other day. There are some problems with the wiring and insulation you’re going to want fixed before you continue.”
Jeremy took a step forward. “Are you hinting that those problems are my fault?”
Logan shrugged. “I’m saying it’s important to get the right people working on the project.”
“You’ve got some nerve, Travers.” Jeremy Dempsey’s temper was back in full force. “I remember when you were a scrawny kid running wild around this town. You and your sister raising holy hell all over the place.”
“A lot has changed since then,” Logan answered casually but Olivia saw a muscle tick in his jaw.
Jeremy must have realized he’d stepped over some invisible line because his attention turned to Olivia. “I don’t want anything to do with your project and I’ll make sure no other contractor in Crimson will, either.”
“It’s a community center for Crimson,” she said, trying not to sound as desperate as she felt. “I’m doing this to help the town.”
“You could help by leaving,” Jeremy said. “No one here needs the reminder of anyone or anything associated with Craig Wilder.”
He turned on his heel and stomped off toward the front of the store.
She would have gone after him but Logan’s hand clamped around her wrist. “You’re better off without his help.”
She shook off his grasp. “Easy for you to say. I need a contractor. I can’t exactly renovate the building on my own.”
An older man walked into their aisle, took something from the shelf and turned away without making eye contact. Great. She wondered how many people had overheard her argument with Jeremy. She’d never liked the guy but knew he was well-connected in the community.
She’d been running on adrenaline since her meeting at the mayor’s office earlier in the week, but now her shoulders slumped under the weight of the task before her. She felt Logan’s searching gaze and bit down on her lower lip. “I’m not going to lose it,” she assured him.
He didn’t look convinced. “Let me buy you a cup of coffee while we talk.”
“I think you’ve done plenty of talking this morning.” She walked past him up the aisle and out of the store, ignoring the stares from the men at the front counter.
To her surprise, Logan followed her down the street. Although it was sunny and clear, the air was still frigid and a layer of packed snow covered the streets.
“I’m sorry, Olivia,” he said when she stopped at her Mercedes SUV. He turned her to look at him. His broad shoulders blocked the sun, but its reflection shone in his blond hair and highlighted his strong features and jaw line.
He was so handsome in broad daylight. It was a little difficult for Olivia to meet his gaze. She’d never been comfortable around really masculine men. The alpha type was far too intimidating. And everything about Logan screamed alpha male to her.
“It’s fine,” she mumbled, dropping her gaze to the sidewalk.
“I did go to the building site,” he told her.
“Why?” she asked. “What does the community center matter to you?”
“I have an interest in design. I like to work on renovations rather than new construction, especially historic buildings. I have a few more days in town and it made me curious.”
“And you found problems?”
“Nothing huge or structural.” He shrugged. “I don’t think Jeremy was doing his best work. You can find someone better. This is the slow season in construction. Lots of guys should have the time to fit this in.”
She kicked her boot against a pile of dingy snow at the curb. “Not likely now.” She paused as an idea struck her. “Unless you take over the construction.”
So much for avoiding alpha males.
“No way,” he answered quickly.
“Why
