One Real Man (Entangled Bliss) ) by Kwan Coleen

Author:Kwan, Coleen [Kwan, Coleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: revenge, Australia, enemies to lovers, small town romance, clean romance, across the tracks, Category Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2015-02-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Jim McCarthy plowed across the field, his sturdy work boots crunching on the dirt. As he stopped near the creek, Owen caught up to him.

“So that’s where the bike trail will go? Alongside the creek?”

Owen nodded. “It’ll join up with the existing path running beside the country club and lead all the way into Burronga.”

“Good.” His business partner grunted his approval before peering past Owen’s shoulder. “Where’s that daughter of mine?”

“Right here, Dad.” Heidi McCarthy laughed good-naturedly as she brought up the rear. “I didn’t realize the site would be so rough.”

Her jeans were spattered with dirt, Owen saw, and her shirt was covered in blackjack needles. “You should have told me to wait up,” he said with a sudden rush of guilt.

“I’m fine.” Laughing again, she brushed at her shirt. “I can handle it.”

Her cheerfulness made his gut cramp. Why couldn’t she fuss a little? Another surge of guilt attacked him. Heidi was a trouper. Whenever she accompanied him to work sites, she never complained about the dirt, the heat, or the potty-mouthed construction workers. She was practical and intelligent. On top of that, with her soft brown hair and sweet smile, she was pretty but never flaunted her looks. She worked hard at McCarthy Construction and never asked for any special favors.

Heidi was his perfect match on paper. She just wasn’t in reality.

“Uh, may I have some water?” she asked him a little shyly.

“Sure.” He handed her a bottle of water from his backpack, conscious of the awkwardness still lingering between them. They used to be such pals. They’d hang out together watching TV or bike riding. But all that had changed a few months ago at that blasted New Year’s Eve party his friend had organized. Heidi had asked if she could tag along, and he’d agreed, thinking nothing of it.

But when midnight had struck, and with a few of drinks in him, he’d found himself in a corner with Heidi, and he’d done the only acceptable thing in that situation. He’d kissed her. It was just a quick peck, but she’d flung her arms around him and given him a mushy, openmouthed kiss.

As the shock receded, the awful truth became apparent—Heidi had more than friendly feelings for him, and he couldn’t find it in him to return them. When she’d kissed him, not the smallest part of him had been aroused. He hadn’t been able to hide his complete lack of attraction, which made it even more humiliating for her.

Eager for a diversion, Owen turned back to Jim. “Let me show you where the gray water will be recycled.”

Jim inspected every aspect of the site with keen interest. “It’ll be great if you can pull this one off,” he said as they all headed back to Owen’s car.

“I’ll do my best.” If he could deliver Bandicoot Creek for Jim, then it would go some way to make up for what he’d done—or rather, didn’t do—with Heidi.

As they drove off, Jim gave Owen a meaningful look. “I’ve got some important news to tell you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.