Chapter Sixteen

Bill Baker’s gray-flecked eyebrows were drawn together as he tapped his thick, blunt fingers on his desk.

“I had to call the clients at the last minute and tell them the house wouldn’t be ready for a couple of days. They had to rearrange their flights because of the delay.”

Caleb rubbed a speck of paint off his hand and shifted his booted feet. “Once again, I’m really sorry, Mr. Baker. I let you down.”

Caleb hadn’t slept much in the past forty-eight hours, having arrived back from San Francisco on Sunday afternoon and gone straight to the house where he’d labored all night. Come Monday morning the house wasn’t ready for the clients, and he’d had to break the unwelcome news to Bill, who was clearly still unimpressed.

“At least the Munroes are more than happy with the finished product,” Bill continued, still frowning. “But I thought I knew you, Caleb. I don’t understand why you dropped the ball when this project meant so much to you. What happened? I thought you were on track. Why the delay?”

Caleb scratched his unshaven jaw as he debated how much to tell Bill Baker. How would the older man react if Caleb gave in to his urges and suddenly burst into song? Because that was how he felt since Saturday night. He was walking on air and breathing in sunshine, despite the all-nighters, because of Lily. Sweet, beautiful Lily; quirky, courageous, and lusciously sexy. At times he still couldn’t believe that she was prepared to give him a second chance. What had started between them felt rare and precious and as delicate as gossamer. He sensed he and Lily should nurture it in private before exposing themselves to the scrutiny of others. Especially Bill, who had warned him off his daughter.

“I was, uh, side-tracked,” Caleb said. In fact, his life would never be the same again.

“Side-tracked, hmm?” The frown remained on Bill’s face. Tap,tap, tap, his fingers went.

Caleb had no doubt he’d have an uphill battle winning the old man’s approval about him dating Lily. But he’d get there eventually.

“I realize I won’t be getting that partnership,” Caleb said.

“You do?”

“Yeah. You were quite clear when you laid out the terms, and I failed to deliver.” Caleb pressed his lips together. He’d have to take that job in Sacramento. He wouldn’t be helping his dad with Little League. And he’d only see Lily on the weekends. That was the worst part. He was missing her already.

“All true.” Bill massaged his chin. “But it shows you’ve got your priorities straight. Making Lily happy is far more important than any partnership I could offer you. So I’m glad you chose my daughter’s happiness.”

Caleb gaped at him. “You mean you…”

“Yes, I know you sprinted off to San Francisco when you should’ve been working on the house. Lily told me this morning. Sounds like it was quite an eventful weekend.” He paused to fix Caleb with a hard stare. “I admit I was taken aback when I heard you and she are now…a couple.”

A lump formed in Caleb’s throat. “Sir, I want you to know that Lily means everything to me, and—”

“It’s okay, son. I think you’ve already demonstrated how much she means to you. And for that reason I’m willing to give you another chance. I’ve got a lot of projects in the pipeline, all of them urgent, of course. Plenty of opportunity to make up for letting me down.”

Caleb blinked in astonishment. “That’s—that’s very generous of you.”

“And you get a chance to show me you’re ready for that partnership. If that’s what you want.”

Caleb was barely able to speak. “I do. Very much,” he murmured huskily. “Thank you.”

He shook Bill’s gnarled hand, wondering at his luck.

“Okay.” Bill walked him to the door. “We’ll discuss the details later.”

Caleb left the offices of Baker Construction in a daze. Lily straightened up from her little green car she’d been leaning against and beamed at him, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Ah, he’d never get used to this feeling. He strode across the sidewalk and swept her into his arms. He was hers, and everything was right with the world.