Familiar Adversaries. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ said. “You were both too young to lose your father.”

      When Ed Hunter died suddenly, life had changed for the family. They’d lost everything, including the Double H Ranch. They had to move into town. His mother went back to teaching and Nate came back from Phoenix and took a job in the sheriff’s department to help support the nearly bankrupt family.

      Shane could still remember the whispers among his so-called friends at school. He hadn’t wanted anyone’s pity, especially not his girlfriend’s.

      His mother smiled. “We had some lean years, but we all pulled through.”

      “I’d like to think so, but it’s hard when you have Kurt Easton around to tell you that you’re no good.”

      “Most people don’t listen to him. Look at what you and Nate have accomplished—your brother bought the ranch back and is making quite a name for himself with his wood carvings. You’ve started a construction business and won the bid on a huge project.” She smiled. “If I haven’t told you lately, son, I’m so proud of you. You can’t allow one person’s opinion to wear you down.”

      “Easton’s hard to ignore.”

      “If you’re referring to Mariah, she was always such a pretty girl with those big green eyes.”

      Shane shot her a warning glance. “Mother.”

      “Okay, I’ll stop. But only if you stop worrying about Kurt Easton. His partners hired Hunter Construction because you are the best. It’s true he holds a grudge against all the Hunters, but that has nothing to do with you.”

      “Nothing?” Shane raised an eyebrow. “The man threatens me every opportunity he gets. What exactly did Grandpa Nathan do to set him off?” Shane had heard so many variations of the story he never knew what to believe.

      “It was a long time ago and all the parties involved are gone,” His mother said. “Unfortunately Kurt continues to keep the bitterness alive.”

      “Just tell me Grandpa didn’t swindle the Easton’s out of land?”

      “No! Nathan Hunter was a fair and honest man. His only sin was that he fell in love. James Easton and Nathan Hunter were as close as brothers for most of their lives. When James went to serve in World War II, he asked your grandfather to look out for his sweetheart, Catherine Summer.

      “Over the next two years, they spent a lot of time together and… Well…one thing lead to another. When James returned, he got angry, and said that Catherine had agreed to marry him. She denied any such promise. Terrible words were exchanged and their friendship ended. James Easton carried his bitterness until his death. It all should have ended then, but Kurt has continued on with his father’s grudge.”

      “And Easton won’t quit until he destroys me.”

      “Then don’t let him,” his mother stressed. “I know over the years he’s given Nate some problems. But to most people in town the Hunter-Easton feud is old news.”

      Betty sighed. “The one I feel sorry for is Mariah,” she said. “Kurt has put the poor girl in a difficult position.”

      Shane thought back to this morning and her refusal to give an inch. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Mariah can handle things.”

      Surprisingly, his mother smiled. “Good for her.” She walked to the door.

      “Whoa, whose side are you on?”

      “Yours. But when it comes to women you’ve had it far too easy. It’s about time there’s someone who will make you work for what you want.”

      The next morning Mariah pressed her fingers against her temples, trying to relieve the headache she’d had since getting out of bed that morning. She shook out two pain pills from the bottle, tossed them in her mouth and swallowed some coffee, hoping the caffeine would make the medication work faster. She hoped Shane wouldn’t show up for at least another hour.

      She walked back to her desk just as the door swung open and the man in question walked in. Dressed in his usual work clothes—navy T-shirt and jeans—he looked too good for that early in the morning.

      “Morning,” he murmured as he strolled to his desk.

      “Good morning,” she returned as she watched him go through the mail.

      “Is this all there is?”

      “Except for the invoices, I have those,” she said.

      “Why? You didn’t think I wanted to see how much money is going out?”

      She had to concede he was right. “In past jobs I’ve always handled paying the invoices.”

      “Go ahead and pay them, but I still want to see them to make sure we’re not being overcharged.”

      “That’s my job.”

      He shot her a glare. “Everything on this project is my job,” he said. “That includes yours.”

      “Are you saying that you don’t trust me?”

      “Why should I? Your father didn’t want me on this project. He lost that battle, but the next thing I know you show up.”

      Mariah refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset. “You knew there was going to be a project manager. And I’m more than qualified.”

      Shane folded his arms across his chest. “Your being Kurt Easton’s daughter makes me wonder if you’re in cahoots with him to get rid of me?”

      That did it. “How dare you accuse me of trying to jeopardize a project,” she said, fighting back. “I would never do that.”

      “Not even for your father?”

      She felt as if he’d struck her. She marched over to his side. He was tall and broad, but she didn’t let him intimidate her or stop her. She’d faced down a lot tougher men than him.

      “Let’s get something straight, Shane Hunter. If you ever accuse me of mismanagement again, you better have solid proof, because nobody tarnishes my professional reputation.”

      Seeing the hurt on Mariah’s face, Shane felt like a jerk. It brought back memories of another time he had hurt her. She hadn’t deserved it then and didn’t now. She hadn’t done anything but her job. He just wasn’t crazy about her being here.

      “Okay. Okay. I may have stepped over the line. But believe me, your father has been riding my case since I was awarded this job. I suppose you can understand why I’m suspicious.”

      “I guess I understand, but I don’t have to like it.” She jammed her hands on her hips. “And we still have to find a way to work together, because I don’t have the energy to come in here every morning and spar with you.”

      He couldn’t help but smile. “Sure gets the blood going, though, doesn’t it?”

      She started to grin, and quickly masked it. “Yes, but we need trust and respect between us.”

      Shane СКАЧАТЬ