Shes sweet. Do you have her full-time or do you split custody with her mom?
Jackson stopped abruptly. Since youll be living here temporarily, you should know Megans history. Her mom and I were never married. Unfortunately, Janis fell in with a bad crowd. Shes doing time. If she phones, shes not to talk with Megan. In fact, its better if no one discusses her mother.
As you wish. Noelani put some distance between herself and Jackson. Shed been feeling more comfortable with him, but what now ran through her mind was like father, like son. Spawning illegitimate children seemed no big deal to the Fontaine men. No wonder Megan looked lost. Well, Noelani figured, she and the little girl had a lot in common. StillJackson tucked his daughter into bed at night and cared enough to read her stories. Perhaps he was a cut above his father, after all.
She hung back as he took the stairs two at a time. Turning left, she shoved open the door that led to the kitchen. As she stepped inside, she stumbled over Adam Ross. She dropped her folder and splashed coffee on Adam and a second man, who leaped away, but not fast enough.
Did I burn you? she gasped. Putting down her mug and hopping across a tape measure the men had stretched in front of the door, Noelani left her papers strewn everywhere and found a tissue in her shorts pocket. She dabbed at coffee splotches on Adams neck and arm. Hold still.
Stop, youre rubbing too hard.
Oh, sorry. She stepped back, only to bump squarely into the fair-haired stranger.
Hi. Im Murray Dewalt. I live next door at the Woodlands plantation. If youre one of Adams subcontractors, Im seriously going to consider a new occupation.
UhIm Noelani Hana.
Ah. The thorn in Caseys side. Blue eyes assessed her quite thoroughly.
Excuse me? Noelani said coolly.
Murray, after that comment I think its time for you to go.
Ahgotcha. See you later, Adam. And you, too, sweet thing.
Now youve really done it, Adam murmured just as Noelani took a deep breath. Run, Murray, and if you value your life, dont ever call her that again.
Their neighbor left, but instead of running he sauntered out, chuckling all the while.
Adam stopped to scrape together some of the papers decorating the floor. The Fontaine letterhead at the top of one sheet gave him pause. Whats this? Are you making off with important family documents? Have I foiled your attempt?
Very funny. Ha, ha! Give me those. You and your friend are both too funny for words.
Murrays Jackson and Caseys friend. Well, maybe not Caseys, he muttered. And definitely not Nicks. Murray wanted to be more than friends with Casey. She didnt want that, and then he proposed and it got messy.
Oh? Oh, I see. She paused. Jackson put me in charge of arranging a cochon de lait. This file is my guideline. Darn, I hope these pages werent in any kind of order.
She ripped a stack of papers out of his hand and stuffed them back into the collapsed accordion file.
In the act of rising from his knees, Adam was left staring at Noelanis bare legs.
He did what any red-blooded man whose tongue had just about dropped on the floor would do. He mustered enough spit to peal off a wolf whistle.
Oh, grow up. Noelani leaned down to collect her mug from where shed set it on the floor.
He slapped a hand over his heart. May God strike me dead if I ever get too old to appreciate a womans legs.
And well He may. Hmm. I see you have stuff all over the desk. Jackson said I could use the phone here to make some calls. She began backing toward the door. He said if Id be in your way theres also a desk upstairs in the family room.
Hey, you wont be in my way. Adam hurriedly gathered up blueprints from the desk. Ill throw these on one of the counters.
Whats that racket? Noelani tipped her head back to stare at the smoky ceiling. It sounded as if a herd of elephants had landed above and were tromping about.
Roofers. Theyre tearing up burned shingles today. With luck, theyll have time to lay plywood, too. Then tomorrow, they can spend the day putting on a new roof.
She set her mug on the desk, wrapped both arms around the bulky file and plastered her nose against the window. If those scattered bundles are new shingles, I cant tell them from the old onesexcept for the charred spots.
Thats the idea, sugar pie. When I finish, this place will look exactly like it was before the fire.
She released a dark strand of hair caught on her lips. Is my name too much for you to manage, Adam? No-eh-lon-ee. Four simple syllables.
He grinned rakishly. Its a wonderful name, too. Straight out of James Micheners Hawaii. What a book.
Actually, I was named after a Maui resort. Its where Duke Fontaine stayed when he and my mother met. Quite frankly, Id rather be named for Micheners character.
Did you ever pick up a phone to tell your father how mad he made you?
Dont be ridiculous. She stalked to the desk and slammed down the file.
Ill bet it would have eased the load youre lugging around. And we both know Im not talking about the folder you just took out your aggressions on.
Thank you, Mr. Ross, for that two-bit psychoanalysis. But it hardly falls under the heading of historical restoration. Im sure you have something important youre being paid to do.
Ouch! I scored a direct hit on a sore subject, I see.
You see nothing. You know nothing about me, and you have no idea what it was like growing up in my shoes.
Adam held up his hands, palms out. Thats right. We can rectify that over dinner. Im talking about a meal in town. You ever had fried alligator? Theres this cool Cajun place near the river. Alligator is their signature dish.
I dont eat meat.
They do a mean crab salad. Wait, wait, I see you crossing your eyes. Arent crabs technically crustaceans and not mammals?
Did it never occur to you that I dont want to go out with you?
He raised a shoulder. Thats plain enough. Tell me, did I say something last night to annoy you? I enjoyed our walk. I thought wed hit it off.
Noelani shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger. Without uttering another word, she snatched up her file and mug, and left the same way shed entered.
Adam watched the door swing forward and back on its hinges. Damn, but hed never met such a prickly woman. Hed assumed, after last nights uncomfortable meal, that shed jump at the chance not to repeat that experience. Somehow, he really doubted breakfast had gone better. Adam had been leaving the garçonnière and chanced to overhear Casey ranting to Nick about Jackson going soft on their fathers little indiscretion. Adam thought if anyone could use a friend, it was Noelani Hana.
But if he offered an olive branch and all she wanted to do was wrap it around his neck, that was A-okay with him. He didnt need the distraction from his work. He had precious little free time as it was. Why waste it in the company of a bad-tempered, hotheaded woman who wasnt planning to stick around? Adam had heard Casey say to Nick that if theyd had the means, Noelani would take her money and run. With an estate of this size, surely it wouldnt be long before they had funds to send her packing.