He didn’t say anything for what seemed like hours. Finally he reached across the table and ran his index finger over her clenched fist. “I’m a jackass.”
“Yes.” She snatched her hand away. “So, don’t do it anymore.”
Dwayne blew out a breath and chuckled. “That’ll be easier said than done.”
Her eyes met his. Was that remorse hovering in the gaze behind his smile? “Why? It’s a bad habit and bad manners. Can’t you manage to restrain yourself between eight and four?”
He leaned back and crossed his arms over his broad chest. The leather jacket made a slight chirp when he shifted. “There’s a big problem.”
“What? You’re unable to control your mouth?”
“No. It’s a problem because it’s true.”
“I think I’ve lost track of this conversation. What’s true?”
“You are beautiful and gorgeous.”
“Oh, come on, Dempsey.” Marla tilted her head in the direction of her sister and Cluny McPherson. “Charlene is the definition of ‘beautiful and gorgeous.’”
“Hey, I’m not blind. I can see that, but women with her looks are a dime a dozen, Red. She can’t hold a candle to you.”
Marla knocked her fists on the table. “Oh, for…”
Dwayne raised his big hands. “Okay, okay. We’re not getting anywhere. Let’s order dinner and pretend we like each other. I have to retreat at eight sharp so I can pick up my kid.” He held up the menu and raised his eyebrows.
His kid? Marla opened her menu. His kid? Her shock at his comment was profound. She didn’t know anything about this man. Their families had been close all her life. How was it possible she didn’t know he had a child? She didn’t know much about his two brothers either.
John Dempsey, Dwayne’s father, and her dad had been boyhood friends, and as far back as she could remember John came and went like a family member. Even though the two men remained friends to this day, Silvia had taken such a dislike to John’s second wife that she refused to accept them as a couple. John’s infidelity had soured her on him. As a result, Marla had seen little of John’s three sons after the messy Dempsey divorce. The oldest and youngest of John’s boys chose to stay with their dad, but Dwayne had moved to Wyoming with his mother and remained there until he’d joined the Marines. Marla thought Dwayne’s younger brother was in the military but wasn’t sure. His elder brother owned the only furniture manufacturing business in Spring Grove.
She cleared her throat. “I’ll order for myself, if you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind? Are you ready?” When she nodded, he signaled the waiter.
A few minutes of awkward silence followed after the waiter departed. She was aware of his gaze as she glanced around the room to avoid meeting his eyes.
A sudden burst of laughter she recognized as Charlene’s drew her attention. “They seem to be enjoying themselves.”
Dwayne’s gaze followed hers across the room. “Cluny’s a funny guy. Your sister’s enjoying him.”
Marla’s eyes searched the room for either of her brothers. As if sensing her thoughts, Dwayne said, “I saw those two blonde guys when they ushered the men into the dining room. They’ve been on the jobsite a couple of times visiting Miss Emmaline. Do you know who they are?”
“Yes, they’re my twin brothers, Harry and Barry. They met Miss Emmaline during Christmas break. She took a shine to them, and it was mutual. How is it you know her? She was living in the building when I bought it. She must be what? Eighty?”
Dwayne’s grin caused a fluttering sensation in Marla’s chest. He chuckled.
“I think she’s at least that. When I was about ten I asked her how old she was, and she wagged her finger in my face and said, ‘A lady who tells her age will tell anything.’ She used to be our nanny.”
Marla’s chin bobbed with surprise. “Your nanny?”
“Yep. Our mom hired Miss Emmaline when she decided to manage Dad’s office in his construction company. I think I was five at the time. Dylan must have been seven and Donovan about three.”
“I never knew that. I suspected there had to be a good reason why you wouldn’t agree to relocating her during the condo conversion.”
Dwayne grinned and leaned forward on his elbows. “Yes, the old gal moved out during our adolescent years. She’s like a grandmother to us.”
Marla’s heart flopped in reaction to his grin. Down girl!
Obviously, she could have asked Dwayne about the elderly woman when they worked out the contract for the renovation project. Why hadn’t she? Well, because she got so fluttery when they were in close contact her brain went mushy, that’s why. She’d been determined to keep their relationship strictly business.
Without realizing it, she’d come to adore Miss Emmaline herself.
Dwayne gazed at Marla and speculated on how she processed the information he’d just given her. He enjoyed the rare intimacy of their conversation. Her face relaxed, the double tension lines between her eyebrows nearly invisible.
He knew from the way she studied every construction detail and examined every invoice with a fine-tooth comb that she worried about financing for the project. She worked like a son-of-a-gun selling real estate every time she left the jobsite.
They’d finish on time and under budget. His small crew of former Marines were sober, hard-working men and excellent craftsmen. Dwayne ran a tight ship and took pride in the quality and reputation of his company.
Dinner arrived and they continued their relaxed conversation, keeping mostly to the subject of the renovation. Her frequent smiles and animated features contrasted with her usual all-business demeanor. She knew every aspect of the job down to smallest details.
Forcing himself to turn his eyes from her beautiful face, he glanced at his watch. “It’s almost eight. I gotta go.” He extended his hand. “I had a good time.”
Marla grasped his hand. “Me too. I’m sorry
