Trusting Jake (Blueprint To Love Book 1) (4 page)

"Fair enough." Dazed, Jenna nodded, wondering how she was still there– discussing a position she'd practically blown for herself.

Jake continued as though she hadn't interrupted. "I need to know I can trust you implicitly. Many of the projects we'll work on require discretion. You'll see private financial information about the company– and me. I expect complete confidentiality from this person. And I insist on honesty."   

He hesitated a few steps from the door. "This is your opportunity, Jenna. The chance to prove yourself. No more training the new kids. It would be a real challenge." The smile returned to his eyes as he drew closer. "Or maybe you're not up for it after all?" 

***

Damn him. Jake had known his challenge would push Jenna's buttons. Using her comments about the lack of opportunity for women in construction, he'd turned them against her. The chance to prove herself– was intoxicating. The opportunity to use her engineering background. Making more money than she'd planned on. At a great company. It was a win-win from any vantage point.

Drumming nervous fingers, she traced the knotted surface of her grandfather's desk. It was time to make the call. He'd even been agreeable about giving her a day to think it over. But she'd be crazy not to accept. Scooping up her cell, she dialed his private line. It rang only twice.

"Traynor."

Even his greeting was spoken like a command. Releasing a pent-up breath, Jen said hello. There was a long pause. She pictured him behind his desk, pencil tapping as he crossed her off his list of things to do. Instinctively, she knew he was smiling. "I'd love to work for Specialty. Is Monday okay to start?"

"Monday will be fine. See you then." 

Jake leaned back in his scarred, leather chair, ignoring the squealing protest from the ancient springs. Tucking his drafting pencil behind his ear, he savored the moment. Rifling through the blueprints spread across his desk, he sought the yellow legal pad that was never far from his fingers. Flipping through several wrinkled pages, he finally found the item he was searching for.

"One Jenna Stone. Check."

Chapter 4

It had been easier than she thought. After a sleepless night wrapped in her grandmother's quilt, Jenna had been bleary-eyed and anxious to get the first day over with. The morning had vaporized, busy with orientation and trying to remember names for all the people she'd been introduced to. By noon, she hadn't laid eyes on her new boss.

It was just as well, she thought as she methodically set up her desk. Her small office was within shouting distance of Jake's. Office gossip seemed to indicate her boss was a notorious workaholic. Apparently, she would be pretty busy once he arrived on the scene.

"Hi, Jenna. Do you have plans for lunch yet?"

Startled, she raised her gaze to acknowledge the sandy head poking around the doorframe. The voice was strangely familiar, but the face wasn't. "I'm sorry. . . I've met so many people today. I don't remember your name."

"That's because we haven't officially met yet," he confessed with a grin.  

A large, burly body appeared in her doorway attached to the friendly face. Everything about him said easygoing, from his careless hair, to his casual clothes. Still, there was something about him- 

"I'm Jefferson- Jeff Traynor . . . Jake's brother? I manage the estimating department." Advancing another step into the office, he settled into the chair opposite her desk. "Have you met everyone?"

"I thought there was something familiar about you," Jen acknowledged. "You look related."

"Yeah . . . we keep it in the family around here. Have you met Harrison yet? Our cousin heads up accounting and our sister Andrea works in marketing." Running his fingers through his hair, Jeff seemed surprised to discover a pencil tucked behind his ear. "She's only part-time though. Our father and Harry's dad started Specialty forty years ago. Uncle Buck passed away about ten years ago and Dad retired last year. He turned the business over to Jake and Harry and me."

"I don't believe I've met Harrison yet. Does he look like you and Jake?"

Jeff didn't miss a beat. "Well, he's not as good-looking of course, but he bears a definite resemblance to the Traynor side of the family."

"Well, I'll look forward to meeting him and it's nice to meet you, Jeff." She extended her hand over the piles on her new desk and he shook it vigorously. Jen knew instantly she was going to like him. He reminded her of a big kid, not unlike her own brothers, accustomed to having a good time and not taking life very seriously. He was definitely younger than Jake, but his face was so boyish, it was hard to tell how many years separated them.

"So, can I interest you in lunch? I'm heading out in a few minutes."

"That's very kind. But I think I should get this desk set up and ready to go." Jen waved at the mess awaiting organizing. "And I haven't seen your brother yet today. It probably wouldn't look good to disappear on my very first day."

"You're absolutely right. It wouldn't look good at all."

She startled at the sound of the familiar masculine voice. Turning, she discovered Jake leaning against the door frame. How long had he been standing there? "Jake– Mr. Traynor."

"Jake is fine. That's what everyone calls me. Do you prefer Jenna?" He paused to acknowledge his brother. "Or would you prefer Mrs. Stone?"

His emphasis on her marital status was clearly directed at his brother, she realized when she caught Jeff's startled glance. "Jenna . . . or Jen will be fine, thanks." 

"Well, I'll let you get back to work,
Jen
. If you need anything, you let me know." Jeff rose unhurriedly from the chair and moved into the hallway. "And the lunch offer still stands. Don't let my brother work you too hard."

Jen bit her lip to keep from smiling, aware of the older Traynor still watching her. What an interesting pair they made. As brothers, they couldn't have been more different and as partners– Suddenly, she couldn't wait to meet Harrison. If he was anything like Jeff, then Jake certainly had his hands full.

"I need the numbers on Baltimore by tomorrow morning," Jake called after his brother.

Though she couldn't hear Jeff's muffled reply, it must have been flippant, because she caught her new boss shaking his head in resignation. He turned abruptly, focusing his attention on her. His gaze was piercing, with a directness that probably made people squirm. That moment, Jen made a vow she would always be prepared for him, not wanting to contemplate what it would feel like to be pinned by that stare.

"When you're ready, come on in and we'll get to work."

Something in his tone made her bristle. Squaring her shoulders, she unearthed a legal pad from the pile on her desk. Might as well lay the ground rules now, she thought. "I've been ready," she announced. "I'm just waiting on you." One eyebrow lifted at her remark, but the surge of satisfaction she received told her it had been worth it.

***

The days quickly developed a pattern that became their working relationship. Jen discovered Jackson Traynor wasn't terribly difficult to work for– so long as she was always prepared. Jake was a tough task master who, she soon learned, expected nothing less than her best. That was only fair, she conceded, as he seemed to demand perfection from everyone, including himself.

Once she knew what to expect, it became relatively easy to anticipate his needs. Secretly enjoying staying one step ahead of him, it became a challenge every day to predict and deliver on whatever he required, before he asked. The best part was that it drove him absolutely nuts.

While he appreciated her organization, it annoyed him, too. Jake wasn't the type to rely on anyone. She sensed it bothered him that he was increasingly forced to depend on her. Which only made Jen's game more fun to play. Most days she wasn't at her desk more than a minute before he was buzzing her phone with questions. Today was no exception.

"Jen? You there?"

"Good morning, Jake. What do you need?"

"The Tower file. It's not on your desk. I already looked this morning. And it's not in the file drawer either."

Removing her scarf, she tucked it into the sleeve of her coat. Though it was only November, a gusting, winter wind had arrived early and with a vengeance. "I left it on
your
desk last night before I left," she said, trying to keep the smile from her voice. "I knew you needed it this morning." 

As he shifted a mountain of papers on his credenza, she heard a squeal when he spun around. Any day now, the ancient chair would simply collapse under his weight. She'd tried to order a new one, but Jake had adamantly refused. "Did you find it yet?"

"Yeah," he muttered. "Where are the change orders?"

Making a face at the phone, she hung up her coat. "Look in the red file. Remember the system? Red file, change orders; Yellow file, contracts."

"Okay, got it. Thanks."

She stepped into the hallway and tapped on his door. After waiting a moment, she stuck her head in. He was at the drafting table, looking over plans. "I'm getting coffee. You want some?"

Scowling in her general direction, he threw his pencil down and rubbed the back of his neck. "That sounds good."

Someone had left a sack of bagels in the kitchen, so she snagged one for him, ignoring the urge to take one herself. In her first few months on the job, Jen had already gained three pounds. She set his coffee, bagel on top, on the drafting table. "I figured you skipped breakfast."

"Thanks. I came in early so I could knock out this estimate. Jeff's got too much going on down in estimating. Three bids this week alone, and he's still buying out all the contracts on the Shipley Building." He took a healthy bite before continuing. "I've got meetings all day today, right?"

She took a careful sip of steaming coffee. "Yup. That school out in Rockbridge bids tomorrow. Don't forget you're meeting Doug Willoughby at the airport at five-thirty."

"Make sure Marketing has my proposal ready," he reminded. "I want to impress Willoughby. We've been bidding work in Maryland for a year now and all we've managed to land is that warehouse job near the airport." He reached for the mug she'd set before him. "This is our first solid lead. I'm leaving at two and I won't have time to come back."

"I spoke with Andrea yesterday. Your proposal will be ready at ten-thirty, and you're leaving at noon, not two."

Jake paused mid-bite. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" she asked innocently, bringing the mug to her lips to hide her smile.

He chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "Where am I going at noon?"

"Lunch with your father. He left a message with reception yesterday, but I didn't find out until after you left. I can reschedule if that's a problem."

"No. That's fine. I should probably buzz Jeff and let him know."

"I emailed him last night. What about Harrison?"

Shaking his head, he brushed crumbs from his fingers. "I get the distinct feeling you're enjoying this."

She heard admiration in his voice. "If I hadn't done something you needed, you'd be annoyed." Hands on her hips, she feigned a stern expression. "Make up your mind." 

His grin made her smile. "Don't change a thing, Jen. Keep up the good work."

Nodding, she turned to leave. "And Harry?"

"Don't bother him. It's just lunch."

***

The next several hours flew by. Staying two steps ahead of Jake made each day disappear quickly. It was time for lunch. "As soon as I get him squared away," Jen muttered. Tilting back in her chair, she could see his door was still closed.

Phone in hand to remind him about his lunch date, she sensed a presence in the doorway. The silver-haired gentleman standing there was a curious mix of both Jake and his brother. He had Jeff's easy smile and relaxed air, yet carried himself with a purposeful energy that fairly crackled.  

"You must be Mr. Traynor. I was about to remind Jake you were coming." Replacing the receiver, she moved from behind her desk.

"I'm Linc," he announced. "Mr. Traynor sounds too stuffy. You must be Jenna." 

His hand was huge and callused, his handshake as vigorous as the rest of the Traynors she'd met thus far. Jen was left with the impression of a gentleman linebacker. Charming and confident, yet he'd probably thrown a few punches in his day. "It's nice to meet you."

"I hear you've taken charge of my son. It's about time." He winked conspiratorially. "He's been runnin' the show for a while now. Takes himself too seriously."

"I'm trying," she admitted. "It's tough staying ahead of him, though." She lowered her voice. "But don't tell him. It would only make him more difficult."

Linc Traynor's laugh was a deep, rich baritone, the kind that made you want to join in, even if you hadn't heard the joke. In his day, he must have been a charismatic leader, approachable and down-to-earth. It occurred to her that Jake had rather large shoes to fill. She wondered if he ever felt daunted by the task.

"Jake tells me you're smart as a whip. And you're even prettier than Jefferson described."

"It's always nice to be appreciated.” Catching the twinkle of amusement in his eyes, she couldn't help smiling. Only a few years earlier, Linc's remark would've set her nerves jangling with warning. The harassment she'd endured in Baltimore had taught her a hard lesson about perception.

At the bleakest point in her life, Jen had realized success would continue to elude her until she leveled the playing field. She'd discovered the "Mrs." before her name added credibility. The plain, gold band offered a layer of insulation. She could banter with male co-workers without worrying her intentions could be misconstrued. Keeping Rick alive in-name-only was working like a charm.

"I thought I heard you." Jake clapped his father on the shoulder. "Have you met Jen?"

"We've been getting to know each other." Linc tossed her a wink as he stepped into the hallway. "Looks like she's runnin' circles around you."  

Jake's gaze met hers. "If she's so great, where's my marketing proposal? I'll need it before I leave," he reminded.

The Traynor men would stampede over her if she allowed it. Counting the steps back to his desk, Jenna envisioned him dropping into the worn, leather chair and putting his feet up on the desk. Lifting the phone, she grinned as she punched in his extension.

"The original is in your briefcase." She heard Linc chuckle. "Your copy is on the corner of your desk." Sticking her tongue out, she hung up with a click.

***

"Jackson, have you talked to your mother lately? She says you don't return her calls."

Jake glanced up from his coffee. "I'm a little busy, Dad."

"She's your mother. You need to make time."

"I saw her last night," Jeff volunteered as he finished a slab of pie. His brother had never met a dessert he could say 'no' to. "She's been pretty depressed since George passed away. I'm going over for dinner Sunday. Why don't you come too, Jake?"

"No, thanks. I have plans." Likely involving several hours behind his desk.

"George was a good man. At least they had a few happy years together." Linc tossed his napkin on the table. "She's still your mother, Jackson. If I'm not angry about the divorce, why are you?"