“Morning.”
LuAnn whirled around and stared at him as he emerged from the stand of trees, a large rock in his hand. He set it down ceremoniously in the middle of the staked-out area.
“Your stone chimney,” he proclaimed, grinning.
“What are you doing?” LuAnn asked in an amazed tone.
“You always run around outside in that? You’re going to catch pneumonia.” He stared at her and then discreetly looked away as the emerging sun’s rays cleared the tops of the trees and made the thin robe virtually transparent; she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. “Not to mention what it’s doing to me,” he muttered to himself.
“I don’t usually see someone on my property at the crack of dawn putting stakes into the ground.”
“Just following orders.”
“What?”
“You wanted a studio, I’m building you a studio.”
“You said there wasn’t enough time before winter set in. And you needed plans and permits.”
“Well, you admired mine so much, I had the brilliant idea of using those diagrams for this one. That’ll save a lot of time. And I’ve got contacts at the inspector’s office so we can expedite the approval process.” He paused and looked at her as she stood there shivering. “Now don’t rush to thank me,” he said.
She crossed her arms. “It’s not that, I—” She shuddered again as a brisk wind sailed down the tree line. Riggs took off his heavy coat and draped it around her shoulders.
“You know you really shouldn’t be outside in your bare feet.”
“You don’t have to do this, Matthew. I think I’ve intruded on your time and patience enough.”
He shrugged and looked down at the ground, tapping one of the stakes lightly with his foot. “I don’t really mind, Catherine.” He coughed in an embarrassed fashion and looked up at the tree line. “There are a lot worse things than hanging out with a woman like you.” He shot her a quick glance and then looked away.
LuAnn blushed, biting nervously at her bottom lip while Riggs shoved his hands in his pockets and stared off at nothing. The pair unconsciously emulated two teens nervously feeling each other out for that vital first date.
She looked over at the staked-out area. “So, it’ll be just like yours?”
Riggs nodded. “I had the time since you fired me on the fence job.”
“I told you I’d pay you and I meant it.”
“I’m sure you meant it, but I have a policy of not accepting payment for a job I didn’t do. I’m kind of funny that way. Don’t worry, I’ll charge you plenty for this one.”
Riggs once again looked at the surrounding country. “It doesn’t get much prettier than this, I can tell you that. Once I build this thing, you probably won’t want to leave it.”
“That sounds very nice, but hardly realistic.”
He glanced over at her. “I guess you travel a lot. A person in your position.”
“It’s not that. But I do travel a lot.” She added wearily, “Too much.”
Riggs looked around again. “It’s good to see the world. But it’s nice to come home too.”
“You sound like you speak from experience.” She looked at him curiously.
He grinned sheepishly. “Me? I haven’t really been anywhere.”
“But you still like to come home. For some peace?” she said quietly, her big eyes locked on his.
His grin disappeared and he looked at her with renewed respect. “Yes,” he finally said.
“How about some breakfast?”
“I already ate, but thanks.”
“Coffee?” She was balancing on one bare foot and then the other as the cold ate at her skin.
Riggs watched her movements and then said, “I’ll take you up on that one.” Riggs tugged off his work gloves and stuffed them in his pants pocket. He turned around and bent down. “Climb on.”
“Excuse me?”
“Climb on.” He patted his back. “I know I’m not as bulky as your horse but just pretend.”
LuAnn didn’t budge. “I don’t think so.”
Riggs turned and looked at her. “Will you come on? I’m not kidding about the pneumonia. Besides, I do this with billionaires all the time, I’m telling you.”
LuAnn laughed, pulled his coat on all the way, and hoisted herself up piggyback style, wrapping her arms around his neck. He locked his arms around her bare thighs. “Are you sure you’re up to it? It’s a pretty long way and I’m not exactly petite.”