Right from the Start (9 page)

Lou appeared with a sleeve of foam cups for the coffee.
“Centerpiece is a nice touch, don’t you think?”

“As always, you get everything right down to the finest
detail.”

“Which is why you pay me the big bucks.”

That made them both laugh. One day, maybe. Until then Kenzie
made sure Lou always knew how much she was appreciated. “Hopefully no one will
regret giving me a hand today.”

“Might have been cheaper to hire movers.”

Kenzie shook her head. “But not close to being so much fun.
Perfect excuse to throw a party and celebrate my good fortune with everyone I
care about.”

With an exaggerated sigh, Lou sank onto one of the sofas. “If I
pass out, wake me when it’s time to leave.”

Lou could easily sleep as the well-appointed leather piece was
comfortable in addition to being sturdy enough to weather constant traffic.
Kenzie knew firsthand as she had spent more than her fair share of time dozing
between her workdays and conducting the night classes when her schedule got
hairy.

“Nathanial told us lunch made it.” Her dad and mom emerged with
several others in tow. “Need fuel to unpack those boxes.”

“Please, help yourselves.” Kenzie motioned to the table then
glanced at Lou. “Want earplugs? Otherwise I don’t think you’ll be falling asleep
anytime soon.”

Lou pushed herself up again with a grunt. “Forget it. I can
sleep on my time. I want to drink beer on yours. Before there’s none left. And
you get over to that table right now and grab something. Otherwise you’ll get
too distracted to eat—I know you. I ordered the maple-glazed turkey especially
for you.”

“You’re the best.” Kenzie blew her a kiss, intending to grab a
plate and sit with her parents, but when she saw the cooler filled to
overflowing with bottled beer, she had a sudden inspiration.

Grabbing a dark beer and a pale ale, she headed to the door
with a quick, “Be right back.”

Then she stepped outside into the sunny afternoon and circled
her new building. She’d noticed the familiar truck at the opposite end of the
parking lot as they’d been unloading furniture. Kenzie knew Will had likely been
working for hours already as seemed to be his practice.

Filled with excitement and goodwill, she plunged into the dim
interior of the recital hall, bracing herself to find Madame Estelle’s stage in
pieces and the tiered seating torn up. But Will apparently hadn’t started work
in here yet.

She didn’t give herself any opportunity to think better of what
she was doing. She only thought about the floral arrangement that had welcomed
her into the building and knew she could do no less than return the gesture. A
cool beverage to say a simple, “Thanks.”

And maybe, just maybe, she’d make some headway at turning a
stupid awareness of a man she didn’t want to be aware of into a casual rapport.
Nothing she’d done so far was doing the trick.

“Will,” she called out into the quiet interior. “Will, are you
in here? I saw your truck outside.”

The dusty quiet was her only reply.

What to do? What to do?

She had an office filled with people and couldn’t be gone long.
But the awareness of all the work he’d done to allow her to move in and all that
still remained to turn this big empty hall into a bunch of classrooms propelled
her forward.

This was one of those moments when she needed to practice what
she preached. Regardless of any questions she may have about Will’s
motives—questions that were not hers to ask—the fact was he had put forth a
great deal of effort on her behalf. She could put forth a little of her own to
thank him.

Circling the small orchestra pit that had never seen much use
save for when Madame Estelle would invite students from the local universities
to perform at the request of various music directors, Kenzie climbed the steps
to the door that led backstage. She had no idea where Will could be working, and
there was a lot of dark ground to cover.

“Will,” she called out again, her voice echoing on the empty
stage. “Oh, Will. Where are you?”

No response. Emerging into the hallway behind the stage that
led to the various dressing rooms, Kenzie caught sight of light spilling out of
a room toward the end of the hall. With relief, she headed in that
direction.

Will stood on a ladder, reaching up to where exposed wires
dangled from the ceiling. The sight of him wearing low-slung jeans and work
boots, the casual Henley shirt detailing the shape of his chest caught her off
guard.

She’d met him when he’d worn a business suit, and for some
reason his councilman image loomed large in her brain.

He twisted wires together then separated and twisted some more
without seeming to notice her. With the beer bottles starting to sweat, she
stood there, observing everything about him from the way the muscles in his
forearms flexed with every flick of his wrist to the earphones dangling from his
ears.

Will hadn’t heard her, which turned out to be a good thing
since the sight of him robbed every bit of
casual
from her thank-you. Suddenly, her heart pounded hard. She was too aware of this
man and the fact that she’d come to bridge the distance between professional and
personal by inviting him to lunch.

She was
such
an idiot.

“Who are these people?” Will growled, disrupting the quiet as
he gave another few sharp twists of his fingers. “Since when do we give in to
economic bullying? This is America, Land of the Free. Or at least it used to be.
Jerks.”

Kenzie stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to interrupt or
retreat before being witness to more commentary in that
grumbling-beneath-his-breath tone that made her feel as if she’d intruded on his
privacy.

But another throbbing heartbeat and the choice was no longer
hers because Will jerked an earbud free with a harsh, “What jerks!” He plucked
wire clippers from the ladder tray, turned toward the wires and almost stumbled
off the ladder when he saw her.

CHAPTER FIVE

W
ILL
BLINKED
TO
clear his vision, unsure
whether or not he imagined the woman who had materialized unexpectedly.

Kenzie. But as he’d never seen her before. Dressed in jeans and
a clingy, short-sleeved shirt that revealed curves he hadn’t paid attention to
before. Not that he hadn’t seen them. But her professional skirts and jackets
only hinted at the goods beneath.

She was feminine in a graceful sort of way, slender, lanky
almost, with curves he hadn’t truly appreciated. Now, like this, he could
suddenly see her as a dancer with casual elegance, not the overt sexuality of a
pole dancer.

Will wasn’t sure why he was thinking about pole dancers around
this woman. Wasn’t sure he wanted to know. That part of his life was a distant
memory, the part where he was a man and not a dad in demand 24/7.

Kenzie was the problem, he decided. She was noticeable. He
noticed her freckles, the hair, the green-gold eyes...the curves. The gentle
slope of her hips, the trim waist, the roundness of breasts molded by that
clingy, soft fabric that left nothing to the imagination.

She was real. Every lean inch of her.

“Hey, Kenzie.” There was no mistaking that red hair anyway,
even pulled back in a ponytail. That vantage was a new one, too. Her jaw
delicately angled, and the neckline of her shirt brought his attention to a lot
of creamy skin between her slim neck and the hint of cleavage. No missing
that.

“Sorry to disturb you.” She gave a tentative half laugh. “Here
you are working peacefully and enjoying your music.”

He plucked the remaining earbud out of his ear. “I wouldn’t go
straight to enjoying. I’m listening to the audio of the last council
meeting.”

“Oh.”

She didn’t seem to have a reply for that, so he felt obligated
to further explain. “I can’t seem to sit still long enough to review the
minutes, so I listen to them.”

Nowadays when he sat still, he usually passed out with
exhaustion, but he didn’t admit that. Didn’t want a vote of no confidence from
this woman who still had work for him to do.

Not that she’d voted for him. She’d readily admitted that.

Holding up two cold beers, she seemed to rally. “It’s moving
day on my side of the building. Everyone’s taking a break for lunch. I thought
you might be hungry.”

That was not what he expected. When Will thought of Kenzie, he
heard questions.

“Would it be possible...”

“How difficult would it be...”

Or maybe that was the Kenzie who wore feminine skirts and
jackets that downplayed the sleek terrain of her dancer’s body.

Will’s thoughts had taken an unexpected turn, so he bought
himself some time by climbing down the ladder, sacrificing the superior view of
her neckline in the process.

“Lunch, huh? That’s better than hearing something’s broken and
needs to be fixed. Nothing needs my attention yet, does it?”

Shaking her head and sending the ponytail flying, she held up
the beers. “Wasn’t sure what you liked to drink.”

He stepped off the ladder and onto level playing field. He was
taller than she by a good bit, but not staring down at her in a way that he’d be
distracted by the vision she presented in her casual clothes. She really was a
lovely woman. Fresh-faced and creamy-skinned and ultra feminine with that silky
voice and fiery hair.

He took the dark beer and said, “Thanks. Perfect picker-upper.
Getting hot as hell in here.”

“You mentioned replacing the air-conditioning units. For some
reason I thought you meant you’d replaced both sides.”

She clearly listened when he spoke. He would have to remember
that. “I did. There’s a lot more ductwork on this side though. Got guys coming
in Monday.”

“Hmm.” Her lips pursed as she paused, then said slowly, “Maybe
you should come by then and get another beer before they’re gone. Or you’re
welcome to this one.”

He eyed the bottle she held, too. Would he look like a drunk if
he took both? “What about you?”

“It’s a little early for me. I’ve got to get everything
unpacked and set up this weekend so I’m ready for work on Monday.”

Well, that answer was yes. He would look like a drunk. “I’m
good, thanks. Sounds like you have a crowd next door.”

“A thirsty crowd apparently. Guess I’m working them hard.”

That much he didn’t doubt. Little Ms. Tyrant whether in a skirt
or jeans. “Glad you’re getting settled.”

“Want to grab some lunch? My administrative assistant ordered
from the deli down the street. And the flowers are gorgeous, by the way. That
was really thoughtful of you.”

He tilted the bottle toward her. “Welcome.”

She smiled, and silence fell between them. Will wasn’t sure why
this conversation felt disjointed and strange. Awkward even. Then he realized
she must be waiting for an answer about lunch.

“Thanks for the invite, Kenzie, but I’ve got a lot to do here
today myself.” And he couldn’t be sure when his cell phone would ring and drag
him away. Melinda had wanted to see Sam for Mother’s Day and intended to spend
quality time with him all weekend, so she was at the house. But Will knew from
experience that the length of time she stayed depended purely on the kind of day
Sam was having.

Of course, the kind of day Sam would have depended purely on
Melinda’s ability to deal with him.

The chicken and the egg again.

“Have you eaten yet?” Kenzie surprised him by her
persistence.

He shook his head.

“Then let me put together a plate for you and bring it over. I
know you’ve been working nonstop, Will, and I really appreciate all you’ve done.
The very least I can do is feed you.”

There really wasn’t any nice way to turn her down. Especially
when the mention of food had reminded him he hadn’t eaten since the banana he’d
grabbed on the way out the door before dawn. Guadalupe had told him to start
packing lunches. A good idea that would probably make his life easier if he
could only remember to do it.

“Thanks. I’ll come over and grab something.” After all, that
would be quicker than closing up this place and heading to the deli for
to-go.

“Great.” She liked getting her way. He could tell because a
smile played around her mouth—a soft, full mouth that made him think of
kissing.

Kenzie with the kissing mouth.

That
thought made him groan
inwardly. Sleep deprivation truly might be the death of him.

Twisting off the top of the bottle, he took an appreciative
swig of cold beer as they walked to the entrance that would soon become the
drop-off point for the kids at Angel House.

“So how’s the work coming over here?” she asked, obviously more
comfortable with chatter than the quiet.

As far as Will was concerned, this was a leap for Kenzie, a big
one. To his way of thinking they weren’t at the chatting stage of their
relationship. To date, they’d discussed the building. Period. Kenzie kept
distance around her like an invisible wall and surprised him today by breaching
it. Because she appreciated the work he’d done. He appreciated her making the
move as quickly as she had, so they were even.

But he was glad she liked the flowers.

They headed outside and around the building.

“Look at all these cars,” Will said. “You weren’t kidding about
everyone helping you move. Anyone notice the windowsills yet?”

That got another smile. He was on a roll today. “If they did,
they haven’t mentioned it to me.”

“Then we’re good. We’ll get there.”

“I know,” she said earnestly. “I also know how much work there
is before school begins. I have to get settled in, so we’ll get to the
windowsills when we get to the windowsills. Sound good?”

Will appreciated her flexibility. And his first glimpse of
Kenzie the not-always-distant-professional. Maybe she was simply the type of
person who took some time warming up.

But he had to reevaluate that opinion once he stepped inside
her agency’s newly renovated reception area, where a party was clearly in full
swing. There were people everywhere. A full spread of food was laid out on a
table. Another table was loaded with drinks and cups. Coolers and buckets of ice
sat on the floor close by. There was a half keg perched on the reception
counter. And here he’d been worried she’d think
he
was a drunk.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Kenzie said then repeated in a loud
voice that didn’t do much to lower the volume of the chatter.

Only a whistle finally pierced the noise. A blond man from the
other end of the room yelled in a dull roar, “Yo, pay attention to the
lady.”

Kenzie inclined her head in appreciation of the man’s
intervention as the volume dropped. When she had everyone’s attention, she said,
“Everyone, I want you to meet Will, the man responsible for bringing Madame
Estelle’s place back to life. He and his company have done all the work.”

There was a polite round of applause, and Will raised the beer
bottle to acknowledge everyone, wondering how many of these folks recognized him
as a councilman, but hadn’t voted for him. Or hadn’t voted at all. In Will’s new
line of work, one never stopped campaigning. Constituents were everywhere he
went. He forgot that sometimes. He’d made a good call not going for that second
beer.

Then Kenzie ushered him toward the food, introducing him as
they worked their way through the crowd.

He met some cousins and some friends, buddies from the dance
studio who approved the way he and the city council were utilizing this beloved
building.

“Our tax dollars visibly at work,” Kenzie pointed out and her
friends agreed.

He hadn’t expected her support, but appreciated it. If he
hadn’t been convinced she was pleased with the renovations, he was convinced
now. For a woman who hadn’t voted for him...

He met her parents who, at first glance, he’d pegged as her
grandparents. Thank God he hadn’t opened his mouth. But Kenzie had been quick to
make introductions, so quick, in fact that he suspected she might have
encountered that problem before.

“These are my parents, Will. Carl and Mary James. Dad, Mom,
this is Will Russell, not only the renovation contractor but also one of our
city councilmen.”

Kenzie had obviously inherited her red hair from her father,
whose faded hair still held a tinge of red with the gray. His skin was more
weathered than his wife’s healthy tan, but both appeared to enjoy the outdoors.
Retired, if Will guessed right.

“We voted for you,” Carl said over a genial handshake. “Know
about your work with the Historic Preservation Commission from a friend who sits
on the advisory committee. He owns a sporting goods place on Main Street and has
been pushing the city to do something with downtown for a long time.”

This appeared to be news to Kenzie, who simply fixed a smile on
her face and didn’t say a word.

“That’d be Steve Berry, right?” Will said.

“That’s him. Good guy. Great golfer.”

Definitely retired. Probably playing golf every day and loving
every minute. “That’s what I’ve heard. Family Foundations has me working closely
with the council member who serves as liaison and nonvoting member to the
committee. Steve’s member-at-large this term if memory serves.”

Mary leaned into her husband and gave Will a sweet smile that
looked a lot like the one currently plastered on her daughter’s face. “Memory
does serve. His wife, Marianna, coordinates my bridge club. She says he’s not
around to help her anymore, and she’s filling five tables every week.”

“Good thing they have term appointments then.”

“I believe Marianna would agree.”

“Will’s working on the other side of the building today,”
Kenzie explained. “I wanted him to grab something to eat before everything’s
gone.”

“I think he’ll be okay, honeybunch.” Carl winked. “If you get
him over to that table fast.”

“And don’t you forget to grab something, too, Kenzie,” Mary
added.

“Will do.” Then Kenzie urged him forward again, but before he
reached the table, Will encountered someone he recognized.

“Judge Parrish.” He extended his hand.

She did not look as formidable in her jeans as she did in her
robes, but he still would have recognized her anywhere. He’d run into her often
enough coming and going through the revolving door that was the mayor’s
office.

“Good to see you, Will. You’ve done an amazing job on this
place. I can see why Kenzie’s so pleased.”

“Glad to hear she is.”

Will supposed he shouldn’t be surprised Kenzie knew the judge
when he considered that Judge Parrish was originally the one to mention this
agency to Deanne.

They finally reached the food, and he noticed how the flowers
he’d sent presided over the table. She seemed genuinely pleased he’d sent them,
and Will was glad he’d gotten that right. Anything to keep in her good graces so
he could fit in the rest of her work around Angel House’s schedule.

Kenzie grabbed two plates, handed him one and instructed him to
help himself. Since she hadn’t eaten yet, either, his plan to grab some food and
run was out the window. But Will didn’t mind. He should mind, of course, with
everything he needed to accomplish before he sent in the guys to install the new
ductwork on Monday. Yet he didn’t feel frantic or stressed. Instead, he felt
welcomed at this working party, even though he’d met only a few people.

“I can’t believe you’re getting anything done in here with all
these people,” he said when she directed him behind the reception counter, the
only place left to sit.

She set down her plate and glanced fondly at the group.
“They’re a handful, all right, but so generous to give up their Saturday. We
packed up my old office, loaded the truck and got over here by noon.”

“That’s why everyone is thirsty.” A woman peered over the
counter as she filled a disposable cup from the keg.