nicer guy,” Riley drawled.
Ashton grinned and cocked his head toward the interior windows. “Looks really good out there.”
“I can’t believe we’re finally up and running.”
“I knew you’d do it.”
“I haven’t done it yet.” Riley rose to gaze out at the factory himself. Machines were running. People were working. But it was a long, long road to any kind of profitability. He sure hoped he could make it.
Ashton stood beside him. “Yeah, you have. Before long, you’ll have more contracts than you’ll know what to do with.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about Dalton.”
“Seriously?”
“I was thinking, he had to have started out like this, same risks, same fears, same hopes.”
It took Ashton a second to respond. When he did, his tone was thoughtful. “You’re more like him than Shane is, you know.”
“That’s not my ambition. Riley had no admiration or respect for his biological father. He hated the man.”
“Shane had it handed to him on a silver platter. You had to fight for every inch to get where you are.”
“Where I am is deep in debt and tip-toeing along a cliff of complete disaster.”
“That’s what makes it exciting,” said Ashton. “No risk, no reward.”
“Is that why you fly the way you do? The adrenaline rush?”
Ashton was a helicopter pilot, and he volunteered for search and rescue on his days off. He had a reputation for saying yes to the riskiest of flights.
“Sure,” Ashton said with a shrug. “That and it impresses the girls.”
“Like you’ve ever had trouble getting girls.” For some reason, Riley took another look at the picture of Shane and his bride.
“Her name is Darci Rivers,” said Ashton.
There was something compelling in the woman’s emerald eyes, a secret in her lush smile. Riley suddenly pictured her shiny hair splayed across a white pillowcase.
He shifted and quickly banished the image.
“You think he made a mistake?” he asked Ashton.
“Oh, he made a mistake all right. That creature’s got claws.”
“Well, I hope she distracts him,” said Riley.
He and Shane would be going after the same airline contracts from here on in. If Shane was newly married to a handful of a wife, it might give Riley an advantage.
* * *
Through the glass of the restaurant window, a good looking, neatly dressed man caught Kalissa’s eye for a second time. He was staring openly now as she wheeled a trio of azalea plants across the lighted patio garden.
It would be nice to think he was interested in her. He was extremely attractive, with dark eyes, a straight nose, and the kind of square chin that made a man seem powerful. But she was dressed in dirt streaked blue jeans, a faded green T-shirt and a pair of scuffed, serviceable work boots.
Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. At least it had started the day that way. By now, it likely resembled a rat’s nest. And the morning’s fifteen second application of mascara would have long since rubbed off.
No. The thoughts running through his head were not about getting her phone number. Judging by his growing frown, he was probably offended by her dirty, disheveled state as he tried to enjoy a refined meal.
She kept right on walking, focusing on the uneven cobblestones in front of the wheelbarrow tire, finally stopping at the raised garden bed between two magnolia trees.
“Two foot intervals look right to me,” said Megan, straightening from where she’d dug a trio of holes.
Kalissa focused her attention on the garden bed that stretched along the wrought iron fence. “As long as the evergreens stay properly trimmed, this is going to be stunning.”
Someday, her budget permitting, Kalissa wouldn’t mind dining out here, or even inside. Her gaze darted back to the bank of windows that revealed the elegance of the main dining room.
The man was still staring at her, and she quickly looked away. He was probably just curious about what they were doing—though it had to be obvious. It was also possible he was bored with his dining companion and seeking a distraction.
Despite herself, she covertly shifted her glance to take a look at his date. She was surprised to find he was sitting across from a man. The man looked serious, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. It could be a dull business meeting, she supposed. They were both wearing suits.
“Let’s do it,” said Megan, releasing the rope on the burlap sheet that surrounded the azalea’s root ball.
Kalissa quickly took the other side of the plant, lifting it and then adjusting it to position it in the hole.
Suddenly, a male voice surprised her. “What are you doing out here?”
Megan looked up, and Kalissa turned her head.
It was the man from inside the restaurant, and he was obviously angry. Her first thought was that they had somehow disturbed his dinner. But they weren’t making any noise. Surely planting azaleas wasn’t that objectionable.
She straightened to face him.
“Are you spying on me?” he demanded.
The question took her completely by surprise. “Am I what?”
“You’ve been watching me.”
“Only because you were watching me.”
He gestured to the wheelbarrow and the plants. “What is all this?”
“Azaleas,” said Megan from behind her.
“We’re planting azaleas,” said Kalissa, squaring her shoulders and folding her arms across her chest.
He scoffed a sound of disbelief. “Outside my window.”
“You own the restaurant?” Her question was sarcastic. If he had anything to do with the management of the restaurant, he’d have known Mosaic Landscaping was working here all week.
“I meant the window next to my table.”
“I have no idea who you are,” said Kalissa. “What’s more, I don’t care who you are. If you’ll excuse us, we have work to finish.”
“You have no idea who I am?” There was a note of disbelief in his voice. He jammed his thumb over his shoulder. “And I’ll bet you have no idea I’m having dinner with Pierre Charron?”
Kalissa
