A Match Made in Heaven (4 page)

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

The phone clicked in his ear, and he hung it up slowly. Maybe her plans would fit with his as seamlessly as a plug into a light socket. He could only hope and pray that was the case.

He pushed the spread-out papers away and went to the coffeepot. He would need all the caffeine he could get to make it through the day. His eyes burned, and the thought of bed was inviting. The last thing he needed this morning was a run-in with Callie.

By the time the coffee aroma filled his office, he heard a light tap on the office door. He tucked his shirt back into the waistband of his jeans and went to the door. When the door swung open, he wanted to shut it again.

Callie looked as fresh and alert as if she’d slept twelve hours last night. Her brown eyes were alight with enthusiasm. She’d changed into crisp cotton slacks with a gold top that matched the golden glints in her eyes. Her freshness made Nick feel like used coffee grounds.

“Want some java?” he asked sourly, stepping aside to allow her to enter.

“I brought my own,” she said, holding up an iced mocha. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, or I would have brought you one.”

“I like the homegrown, pure caffeine variety of regular coffee,” he said. He went to the coffeepot and poured himself a mug of black coffee.

“These the Miller plans?” she asked, heading toward the drawing board.

“Yep.” Nick couldn’t help the note of pride in his voice.

He watched Callie as she studied the drawings. Her facial expression betrayed none of her feelings, though she pursed her lips and nodded several times. His heart hammered against his ribs, though he didn’t know why her opinion should matter so much to him.

“These are good, really good,” she said finally. “I can see why the Millers hired you. But I was hoping for something warmer. This feels cold with the ultra modern design. I had my heart set on a Sante Fe design with peeled logs as supports inside and at the porches.”

“Barbara wanted something different,” he reminded her. He could feel his temper teetering on the edge of explosion. “Santa Fe style is not uncommon out here.”

“What I have in mind will be different,” she said. “The Millers do a lot of entertaining, so I was thinking of a huge great room—and I do mean huge. The kitchen would be state-of-the-art and part of the room. Granite counters, cabinet fronts on the appliances, a brick hood over the stove for warmth and accent. The great room would have built-ins, but instead of being stuccoed they would be in wood tones that match the kitchen cabinets.”

“Maybe I could merge some rooms in this house and give you a great room,” he said grudgingly. He had to admit her idea sounded appealing. He cast a longing look over his drawings. This would be so dramatic. “And Barbara struck me as the kind who wants this as a showplace and would need formal areas. It’s hard to have formal areas with just a great room.”

“Barbara has a lost-soul quality about her—can’t you sense it? She needs a real home, a haven, and doesn’t even realize it.” Callie took a sip of her mocha. “And just giving me a great room wouldn’t give me the peeled logs and the feel I’m looking for,” she said.

He let out a huff. “I told you it was a mistake to get involved now. Why don’t you wait until the house is built and see what ideas you can come up with then? I know you’re a good designer. You could make this house sparkle.”

“I know Barbara would love my ideas,” Callie said. Her gaze was unflinching. “Can’t you come up with a different plan that would incorporate my ideas?”

“I’ve spent three months on this plan, and you’re asking me to scrap the whole thing. I’m not going to do it. If I scrap it now, they can find another architect. And you won’t find another architect any more willing to kowtow to the interior designer than I am!”

They glared at one another; then Callie dropped her eyes. “Maybe you’re right,” she said. “Is there a compromise? May I have a copy of your drawings? I’ll leave my ideas here with you, and I’ll look yours over. There has to be a way to work together.”

If there was, Nick didn’t see it. They were poles apart on the vision for the structure itself. “Why don’t we talk to the Millers?” he suggested.

Callie bit her lip, and her gaze faltered. “Can’t we work it out between us?”

“What’s wrong? You afraid to let your design stand or fall on its own merits?” he asked.

“I’m only concerned about our witness,” she said. “In case you didn’t notice, the Millers may have gone to church in New York, but it’s pretty plain they aren’t Christians. If we bicker and fight like the rest of the business world, what will that say to them?”

A shaft of guilt skewered Nick. Maybe Callie wasn’t just a hard-nosed businesswoman. At least she had a heart for what was right. And she was right about Barbara’s needy attitude.

“Okay,” he said slowly. He sat heavily in the leather chair behind his desk. “Let’s get to know one another better and find out what our respective visions are for a home,” he said.

Callie hesitated then nodded slowly. “I suppose you’re right.” She sat in the chair in front of his desk. “What do you want to know?”

“Not like this.” He waved his hand around the office. “This is too intimidating of a setting. Let’s get out of here and do something fun. Hey, how about touring some model homes?”

Callie made a face. “I do that all the time. I don’t like other designers’ ideas to clutter my own when I’m working on a new project.”

“Well, what do you want to do then?”

She shrugged. “If we’re going to get to know one another, we should do something normal and everyday. What’s your favorite thing to do?”

“You’ll be sorry you asked,” he said. Wouldn’t she feel out of place at a shoot? He hid a grin. But maybe if she was out of her element, she wouldn’t be so set on her own way. He had a desire to rattle her a bit.

“I’m game for anything,” she said.

She thought she was game. He hadn’t planned on going today, but this was too good an opportunity to miss. “You’ll need to change. You own any jeans?”

“Of course,” she said loftily. “I live in Arizona, don’t I?”

“Change into a comfortable pair, and I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

“But where are we going?” She followed him to the door.

“You’ll find out. Bring a hat if you have one, too.” Amusement bubbled inside him. He couldn’t wait to see how she reacted to the day.

She paused at the door. “You realize it will be my turn to choose what we do next Saturday?”

“I can handle anything you throw my way,” he told her.

“That’s what you think.” And with an impudent grin she shut the door behind her.

As Nick went to shower and change his clothes, he wondered what he’d let himself in for.

§

Nick was going to be surprised. Callie grinned at her reflection in the full-size mirror. Her favorite jeans were almost white with washing. She wore a cowboy-style shirt with fringe Gram had bought her for Christmas last year in an attempt to get her to “lighten up.” She’d pulled her curls into a ponytail and crammed it all into a misshapen cowboy hat she’d had since tenth grade. Her cowboy boots were battered and worn but oh so comfortable.

She hadn’t dressed like this in ages. It felt good to be out of her polished and put-together persona. Maybe Nick had the right idea. It would be nice to be who she was and not be so concerned with selling her image. But old habits were hard to change.

She figured they were going horseback riding. That seemed in keeping with Nick’s cowboy image. Callie hadn’t been on a horse in years, but it was like riding a bicycle—you never forget how. At least she hoped that was the case.

The phone rang when she got to the living room. She grabbed it as she sank onto the sofa. “Hi, Gram.”

“Hello, yourself, but it’s not Gram.” Her cousin Mattie’s cheery voice came over the receiver.

“Sorry. I figured Gram was calling to see how the date she set up for me went last night.”

Mattie groaned. “You didn’t go along with her matchmaking! We had a pact to refuse any more meddling. I suppose I’m in for it next.” Her voice sounded gloomy.

“I had no choice. It was a done deal by the time she called me.”

“So how did it go? Did he pick his teeth and belch when he was finished with dinner?”

Callie smiled. “Actually he was very nice. No, nice is too tame a word. Interesting. He’s an architect. We had dinner with his clients, and I got a terrific offer to decorate the house out of it. I’m pretty excited about the whole thing. The only fly in the ointment is that Nick is being stubborn about changing his house plans to match my decor design. And you know—a home without a woman’s touch is, well, just cold.”

Mattie burst into laughter. “Callie, only you would ask someone to do that! It’s supposed to be the other way around. You’re supposed to come up with a design that’s in keeping with the architectural style. I can imagine his reaction. Did he throw you out on your ear?”

“No, we’re going to try to come up with a compromise.”

“A man who compromises. Will wonders never cease? Better grab him while you can, Girlfriend. Better you than me, though. I’d better make sure my schedule is full. Gram will be calling any time now with some new specimen of manhood she’s dragged out of the bushes for me.”

“Maybe when she sees she’s failed with me and Nick, she’ll drop her meddling ways,” Callie said. She knew better, though.

“Don’t count on it. Gram lives to meddle.” Mattie’s voice was indulgent in spite of her words. “When are you seeing this guy again?”

“Any minute. He suggested we should spend some time together to get an idea for the other’s vision.” Callie rose and walked to the window. No sign of Nick yet. She walked back to the couch.

“Sounds promising. Maybe Gram is going to score another winner with you and this Nick.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” Callie said. She heard a car door and whirled to the window again. “He’s here. I gotta run. Say a prayer for me.”

“Oh, I will. You need all the help you can get. Talk to you soon.” Mattie hung up, and Callie flung the portable phone onto the couch.

The doorbell rang, and she took a deep breath. She had to appear calm though her nerves were strung tighter than a piano wire. She forced herself to walk sedately to the door and open it.

Nick looked even better than she remembered. He was in a stylish cowboy outfit. Snakeskin boots matched the hatband on his Stetson and the belt around his waist. He wore a voluminous red shirt that looked old-fashioned, and Callie couldn’t put her finger on why. Then she realized the styling was like in old cowboy movies.

“You look—nice,” she said lamely.

His firm lips turned up. “You clean up pretty nice yourself,” he said. “You look comfortable instead of starchy.”

“Starchy?” Callie didn’t like the word. She wanted to look anything but starchy. “I’m supposed to look competent.” She peered past him. “Aha, I was right,” she said when she spied his horse trailer. “We’re going riding.” Then her satisfied smile faltered. One horse nickered to her from the trailer. Surely he didn’t intend her to ride behind him?

Nick smiled mysteriously. “Not exactly.”

She frowned. “There’s only one horse.” She pulled the door shut behind her and walked to the trailer. “Hi, there, Sweetie,” she crooned. “He’s beautiful. You had him long?”

“He’s about six. I’ve had him since he was a colt. His name is Ranger.”

Callie turned to face him. “Okay, spill it. What are we doing today? You have the horse and the get-up. I’m in jeans. We’re going riding—admit it.”

Nick took her arm and guided her to the truck cab. “All in good time, Callie. I bet you’ve never seen anything like you’re going to see today.”

Callie climbed into the cab. She propped her booted feet on the dash. It felt good to leave behind the designer and let her real personality come out. It had been hidden too long.

She turned a smile on Nick as he climbed in beside her. “How long do I have to wait? Did I ever mention how much I hate being kept in the dark?”

“You have the nicest smile,” he said abruptly. “It’s no wonder Barbara threw the whole project in your lap.”

Callie blinked. She knew her smile had turned idiotic, but the compliment pleased her immensely. “Thank you,” she said.

The truck pulled slowly away from the curb as Nick watched the trailer to make sure it was tracking properly. Callie felt more content than she had in a long time. There was something special about Nick. They rode in companionable silence a few minutes; then Nick glanced at her.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said.

“What do you want to know?” She hated to talk about herself.

“Your family, what made you take up designing, anything you want to talk about.”

“Let’s see. I have a younger sister, Lindsey. She’s away at college right now. My childhood was pretty normal. I’ve lived in Heaven all my life except for my stint in college at Arizona State. As far as designing, I’ve never wanted to do anything else. When I was a little girl, Dad built a dollhouse for me. I repapered, repainted, and redecorated that place countless times. My mother loved to rearrange furniture. She was a painter, too—a house painter. She taught me how to do special paint techniques when I was only eight.”

Nick nodded. “I need to know how you tick if we’re going to work out this problem.”

Callie couldn’t help the stab of hurt. Was that the only reason he was interested in her? She had to be honest with herself and admit it wasn’t just the Miller project that intrigued her about Nick.

They continued to chat, and she found out Nick had a younger sister, that his parents lived in Phoenix, and that he’d designed his first house out of Legos at age three. The desert landscape zipped by until the truck slowed nearly an hour later.

Nick turned the steering wheel and pulled into a track strewn with potholes. “We’re here,” he said.

Callie stared as they passed horses and people. The men wore Western wear similar to Nick’s, and many of the women were dressed in calico skirts that reached to their ankles. It looked like the set of a John Wayne Western.

“What is this?” she asked. “A movie set? I hadn’t heard about any movies being made in Heaven.”