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Authors: Jillian Hart
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the lot.
The happiness of the evening trailed him, along with the memory of Mariah’s smile. Mariah was a light that kept shining. A brightness that lingered as he navigated back to the hotel he called home, handed his keys to the valet and headed for the penthouse elevator. He wished he had more heart to give her, because he really wanted to see her again.
Chapter Six
She’d gotten closer to Wyatt than she’d meant to. He kept creeping into her thoughts as the work week passed. Not even organizing the hoop fest or the demands of getting the paperwork together to close the property deal and start construction seemed to be able to stop it. Every time she remembered that near kiss, her stomach swooped against her will.
“Mariah?” A voice cut into her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Kalinda. Too much on my mind.” She focused on the architect awaiting her answer. It was Friday afternoon and she still couldn’t get enough distance. “I’ll take this to the board. I’m sure they’ll be pleased. I can’t thank you enough. You charged us less than a quarter of any other firm.”
“Happy to help.” Kalinda rolled up the blueprints and popped them into a canister. “My boss’s mother was killed by his father. It’s important work your shelter does.”
Kalinda’s words stuck with Mariah as she said her goodbyes and rode down in the elevator. Spring sunshine lit her path as she crossed at the intersection and set off down the busy sidewalk. She had been one of the lucky ones, who’d left before her husband’s self-hatred and lack of self-control had spiraled even lower. The fact was that many abusers became the most dangerous when they lost control—when women left. It was Mariah’s deepest prayer that every woman being hurt and oppressed by the man she loved would reach out for the help she deserved.
One day soon, she thought, studying the property that would belong to the shelter in just a short time. She imagined the tall building with gleaming windows. Inside there would be comfy rooms, more office space and more classrooms for learning everything from English as a second language to money management. They would expand their youth programs and community outreach, and offer more aftercare support. This would be a place for women to start finding better futures. Just like Nellie’s had helped her to do.
A sleek black Mercedes pulled up to the curb. One that looked quite familiar, as did the dark-haired man emerging from it, keys and cell phone in hand.
“Wyatt?” She walked toward him in the glaring spring sunshine. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d take one last look at my property.” He circled his car, stepping onto the sidewalk, tucking the phone into his pocket as he approached. “What about you?”
“Back from the architect’s.” She tucked the canister of drawings under one arm. “Lots to do before we can break ground.”
“I know all about it.” He stalked closer, looking good. Very good. “I signed the papers this morning. That means this land is almost yours.”
“I know. I’m on my way to the closing office to sign.”
“Then this is a big day. When I pulled up, it looked like you were doing a little daydreaming.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“I know what it’s like to have a dream and build it. It’s what I do for a living. Granted, I usually stand and envision an office building and not something as worthwhile as your shelter, but it’s still a big moment.”
“It is. Now if I can just get everything in line for the construction phase.”
“I take it from reading Ella Jean’s emails that you landed a construction grant.”
“It covers only part of the cost. We’re getting a loan for the other half. It’s already approved. The construction company is planning to start next week, fingers crossed.”
“That’s great news.”
“It’s finally real. Thanks to you. I sent you an invitation to our ground-breaking ceremony. It should come in
The happiness of the evening trailed him, along with the memory of Mariah’s smile. Mariah was a light that kept shining. A brightness that lingered as he navigated back to the hotel he called home, handed his keys to the valet and headed for the penthouse elevator. He wished he had more heart to give her, because he really wanted to see her again.
Chapter Six
She’d gotten closer to Wyatt than she’d meant to. He kept creeping into her thoughts as the work week passed. Not even organizing the hoop fest or the demands of getting the paperwork together to close the property deal and start construction seemed to be able to stop it. Every time she remembered that near kiss, her stomach swooped against her will.
“Mariah?” A voice cut into her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Kalinda. Too much on my mind.” She focused on the architect awaiting her answer. It was Friday afternoon and she still couldn’t get enough distance. “I’ll take this to the board. I’m sure they’ll be pleased. I can’t thank you enough. You charged us less than a quarter of any other firm.”
“Happy to help.” Kalinda rolled up the blueprints and popped them into a canister. “My boss’s mother was killed by his father. It’s important work your shelter does.”
Kalinda’s words stuck with Mariah as she said her goodbyes and rode down in the elevator. Spring sunshine lit her path as she crossed at the intersection and set off down the busy sidewalk. She had been one of the lucky ones, who’d left before her husband’s self-hatred and lack of self-control had spiraled even lower. The fact was that many abusers became the most dangerous when they lost control—when women left. It was Mariah’s deepest prayer that every woman being hurt and oppressed by the man she loved would reach out for the help she deserved.
One day soon, she thought, studying the property that would belong to the shelter in just a short time. She imagined the tall building with gleaming windows. Inside there would be comfy rooms, more office space and more classrooms for learning everything from English as a second language to money management. They would expand their youth programs and community outreach, and offer more aftercare support. This would be a place for women to start finding better futures. Just like Nellie’s had helped her to do.
A sleek black Mercedes pulled up to the curb. One that looked quite familiar, as did the dark-haired man emerging from it, keys and cell phone in hand.
“Wyatt?” She walked toward him in the glaring spring sunshine. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d take one last look at my property.” He circled his car, stepping onto the sidewalk, tucking the phone into his pocket as he approached. “What about you?”
“Back from the architect’s.” She tucked the canister of drawings under one arm. “Lots to do before we can break ground.”
“I know all about it.” He stalked closer, looking good. Very good. “I signed the papers this morning. That means this land is almost yours.”
“I know. I’m on my way to the closing office to sign.”
“Then this is a big day. When I pulled up, it looked like you were doing a little daydreaming.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“I know what it’s like to have a dream and build it. It’s what I do for a living. Granted, I usually stand and envision an office building and not something as worthwhile as your shelter, but it’s still a big moment.”
“It is. Now if I can just get everything in line for the construction phase.”
“I take it from reading Ella Jean’s emails that you landed a construction grant.”
“It covers only part of the cost. We’re getting a loan for the other half. It’s already approved. The construction company is planning to start next week, fingers crossed.”
“That’s great news.”
“It’s finally real. Thanks to you. I sent you an invitation to our ground-breaking ceremony. It should come in
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