Read Online Strictly Business by Aubrianna Hunter - Free Book Online Page A

designs, so I’ll show
you the designs.” Her tone was very cool, very polite.
    He hated it. “Just eat the damn food. You missed breakfast
and apparently, you were very…active last night.” He saw rage flare through her
eyes. Evidently she didn’t like Cody talking. “Dancin’ right?”
    “I said I’ll eat later. And don’t cuss at me. I’m not one of
your ranch hands that you get to order about with bad attitude and foul
language! Now, you asked to see the designs, so sit down!”
    She was yelling at him again.
    He thought about screaming right back at her. For a whole
minute he sat quietly trying to get control of his temper. When he finally
spoke, what he said was, “I’ll tell you what. How about I look at the designs
and you eat.” His voice was a little raspier than he would have liked, but he
wasn’t yelling.
    He watched her shoulders tighten briefly, before her chest
expanded on a deep intake of air. “Fine. I have three different options that I
think would work for your surroundings. If you don’t like any of them, we can
try again. I have some home magazines that you can flip through and see if
there’s anything that stands out. All of these are roughly the same interior
plans, it’s exterior style we’re looking at right now. The first is a Cape Cod,
dormer windows, probably done in a yellow, with white trim. Color is optional,
that’s just my personal favorite for Cape Cods. The second is a different look.
It’s a log cabin. But before you rule it out completely, keep in mind that
architecture has come a long way. You can have every modern convenience inside
a log cabin, including standard plaster walls. Or, you can leave the walls of
the main rooms wood and only plaster the bedrooms. Your choice. The third is a
modern twist on what you have here, an old fashioned farmhouse, with all the
modern features. It would be the one that would be most like this home. If your
family is comfortable with this house, then it may be the best option. You can
change the colors, add some flare, or simply modify the trim if you choose this
one. Make it your own, while still keeping with tradition.”
    She’d been showing him the sketches as she spoke. Now she
sat down and grabbed the plate he’d brought in.
    He slowly flipped through the sketches, although they were
all done in color and great detail, so the word 'sketch' was not truly
appropriate. He moved slowly, allowing her time to eat. He thought he knew
which one she liked best, but he knew as soon as he saw it which one he wanted.
So, why did it matter that he didn’t agree with her? This was his house. So why
should her opinion matter at all? It didn't... or at least it shouldn't.
    “I think I know which one you prefer, but I like the log
cabin. I think it’ll be just about perfect.”
    She set her sandwich down, wiped her mouth. “And which one
did you think was my favorite?”
    “Well, the farm house. Why, was it the Cape Cod?” Why did he
care?
    “No, my favorite isn’t important anyway, I was just curious.
So, you want the log cabin? And for the interior, you don’t need to decide now,
but when I bring the blueprints we’ll need to figure out which rooms, if any,
you want left with log walls.”
    He’d been watching her reactions, and he thought he saw a
hint of a smile. He ran his hand over his chin. He waited a second longer. “It
was the cabin, wasn’t it? Your favorite?”
    She looked right into his eyes and asked, “If I say yes, are
you going to change your mind?”
    “No.” He actually smiled a little at her. “But, I wouldn’t
have thought you’d like that one. So, why? Why is it your favorite?”
    There was a long pause before she finally answered. “Because
it suits the land, the surrounding trees, but mostly, because it suits you.”
    “And you got all that from my bedroom furniture and this
office?” He waited for her to nod. “So, I owe you an apology. I’ve apparently
underestimated you.”
    He'd clearly