Their Heats Desire

Chapter 3

What a way to start the morning, Andrew thought with a smile. First off, his new landlady, who didn’t know he’d be moving in, held him at knifepoint. Then, he found himself fighting off an attraction to Ms. Harding. What is up with that?

She’s very feisty, a fighter and very pregnant. How did he know? There’s no real answer, he just did. Andrew had a sense about things of that nature, especially pregnant women and he’d bet his company on it. What he’s trying to figure out though, was why Sandy and James didn’t tell him about Sonia’s pregnancy.

Andrew liked them, but felt they’re looking for a babysitter for their friend. How could he turn them down and the place, it’s exceptional and so are the people.

When he first saw the house, he could tell they’d been work done on it recently. From the pictures he’s seen at Sandy’s it was once one very big beach house. Why the reconstruction, he wondered.

Andrew wants to settle there for a while, so all he has to do is win Ms. Harding over and he’s set. What’s her problem with men though, he wondered, maybe she and the father of her baby aren’t together? Anyway that’s not his problem. Construction’s his business and right now he has a major project on his plate.

His company’s small, but once this job is done the offers will pour in. The office space he has acquired is located 30 minutes from his new place. The building sight was in the heart of Belmont, a very good location. The crew’s first months of work were very productive. They got the groundwork started, put up the outside structure and scaffolding. This projects a big one for the guys that work with him, but it's Andrew’s first being on his own. There were other little jobs, but none this big. It was hard for him to start his own firm back in Connecticut, getting his own clients, but now that he's moved, things are looking up.

In Connecticut everyone was connected with his brother more than he.

Andrew was more the hands-on type when it came to building. William was the one bringing in the business so when Andrew wanted to start his own company things didn’t work out. Besides the relationship between the two brothers was not what you would call great and Andrew decided to sell William his half of the business.

Just as he was about to get some coffee Sammi (Samantha) came bouncing into the office. “Hey boss what’s up?” She can’t wait to hear all about this place he’s found. “How’s the room for rent?”

Andrew laughed because he knows she’s being funny. “It’s not really a room, it’s a house. I’m renting a house.”

“I thought you wanted to build your own?” She asked, surprised.

“Well it’s this or continues to stay at a motel until I find a space, start the ground work and have time to build it.”

“So, what’s it like? I mean is it something that you would have built, does it fit your need for right now?”

“I guess, I mean, right now it's good. Anyway, I met the people who placed the ad and we hit it off right away. Everything went smoothly, they did a background check and I got it.”

“How long ago did you answer this ad?”

“Umm about six and a half weeks ago, I was surprised when they called to tell me I checked out. The thing with the house is, it belongs to their friend.”

“So you answered an ad, meet two people and now you’re renting a house from a third party.”

“Yes, don’t sound so skeptical, they didn’t tell me at first about the house not being there’s, and they didn’t tell their friend either. I moved in last night.” He began to laugh and Sammi raised an eyebrow. “Oh don’t mind me I’m just remembering the scene this morning between the two friends.”

“What happened?” She was intrigued now.

“Well it seems that the people who interviewed me, James and Sandy, didn’t tell their friend about me moving in: actually Sandy helped me move in, but the scene was intense.”

“Really did they fight?” Sammi asked.

“Sort a, I really like the place and the people, and I don’t want to mess things up.” Andrew didn’t know how to truly describe what happened.

“So when can the guy’s and I see this wonderful place of yours?” Sammi asked.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Andrew replied.

“Why not, are you hiding something? Don’t tell me this person is on the old side.” Sammi saw something in his face that caused her to wonder.

Andrew shook his head no.

“Then what’s the problem, oh he’s a brother with a wife and kids right.” Sammi was going to push until he spilled his dirty little secret and he did have one, she can tell.

“Nope . . .” Andrew answered.

“A single brother, if so hooks me up.” Sammi kept trying.

“Sammi really . . .” Andrew looked at her; he wondered how to explain the situation to her without sending up red flags. They go back a ways, Andrew and Sammi, they have been friends for years and she would help him out of a jam in a minute. Ah might as well tell her, she’d find out sooner or later. “Look it’s not an old man or a man with a family, it’s a woman.”

“Okay--- so--- what’s the problem, she’s married right, a single mother with kids. What, she’s a busted sister.” Sammi began to worry. She didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“No she’s nice looking keeps to herself and she’s----.” Andrew replied.

“She’s what Andrew, out with it.” Sammi said smiling.

“She’s pregnant….” He said and there was a pause. He knows Sammi too well. “Sammi don’t go ballistic on me okay.”

“I knew it. Something had to be wrong, because you were hemming too much.” All those warning bells went off in her head, she knew all too well about Andrew and his problem. The way he felt about pregnant women. Sammi gave him that look. Don’t go there! “How far along is she?”

“I don’t know, didn’t ask, she didn’t say. Besides she doesn’t know I know.”

He can tell by the look on Sammi’s face that she’s upset. Andrew wonders if he should tell her the rest of it, why not. “Guess what?” She looked at him, “what!”

“She has the same last name as the man we’re working for.” Andrew added.

“You’re kidding me right. Do you think they’re related in any way?” She’s more worried about the woman being pregnant than her last name.

“I don’t know and I’m not going to ask. She doesn’t like me in any case. I think it’s a man issue.” He could tell that Sammi was about to question him.

“Why aren’t you going to ask, knowing could come in handy?” Andrew said.

“Why should I invade her privacy any more than I have? Look I know what’s really going on in that head of yours don’t worry.”

He’s determined not to go there with this woman.

“Okay, but you need to put your feelings in check.” She can remember the late nights with him, his problems and his ex-girlfriend, not to mention his brother. She can’t deal with it anymore; she needs a life of her own.

Andrew knew what she meant. He decided to let her know things are cool. “Sammi I’m cool about it, everything’s cool.”

“Yea right,” she mumbled to herself, and a couple of weeks down the road I’ll be sitting up late at night trying to help him work through his love life; nah not this time.

Andrew can see the wheels turning in her mind and decides it’s time to bring this conversation to a close. “Listen how are the floors coming along?”

“Good, we can finish this job in about half the time if everything goes according to plan.”

“Great, let’s look over the specks and plans they sent over.” Proceeding with cautions is in their best interest. Mr. Harding’s known as an impossible man. He likes to make last minute changes. They left the office to go see what progress was being made.

Projects like this one can make or break a company, but Andrew was looking for it to put his company on the map so to speak.

Andrew Terrance Hastings (ATH) Construction will be a household name. Sammi being a silent partner would help ensure the company’s success. They viewed the plans in great detail then Andrew went out to check out the work being done.

Andrew’s day was long and grueling. His mind is on the job at hand. He’s worked on buildings before, but this man JA Harding was tuff and expects a lot in a short time. Andrew made up in his mind not to let that stop his progress. While he was going over some blueprints his cell phone rang. It was Sandy calling to ask if he changed his mind about dinner. Andrew feels like an intruder and does not want to break any traditions they have and declines. Besides Ms. Harding made it perfectly clear she’s not happy with his presents. Yet there is something about her that draws him and he only met her this morning. Yeah but he’s seen her pictures at James and Sandy’s and every time he looks at that picture the more he wants to get to know the woman.

Sonia Harding seemed to have a problem trusting men, he wondered why? Could it be that the father of her child was not in the picture, could he have hurt her so badly that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with a man again? Andrew wondered if he could change her mind in some small way. He’d love to see her smile, to hear her laugh, and watch her grow in her pregnancy.

Oh yes he’s drawn to her, but can’t act on it until he knows for sure if she will ever return those feelings. He’s not about to put himself out there to be hurt as he was before. Not this time he’s going all the way, marriage, a family and a life of his own. Andrew has his dreams and he would hold on to them until the time was right and the right person comes along, which he feels in his heart that he’s found her. Enough of that; he puts those thoughts out of his mind and begins to think about his work.

The beginning stages of a building are intricate and busy. Going through all the plans, making sure everyone is pleased with the look. Andrew’s main concern was making sure he has a reputable company that supplies materials among other things to businesses. Yah know like tools, machinery and good help. This business is a supply on demand kind of business.

Sitting down at his draft table Andrew went over the changes Bill Springfield, Mr. Harding’s second in command faxed over to him. Andrew became upset he couldn’t believe what this man wants done now. The cost alone will be great, not to mention the hours they have to put in to make the changes. Mr. Harding wants to change the face of the building and the inside structure again. Nah, this was not what they agreed to do. He was going to put his foot down, this was too much, either he’s going to build this building his way, or they’re going to find someone else to do it.

Andrew compared his plans with the new ones and found a great deal of change from the original. He pulls out his phone and calls Bill.

“Hello, Bill here, how can I help you?”

“Bill? It’s Andrew I received your fax. Look this was not what we agreed on. I won’t make all these changes.”

“What do you mean; these are the plans Mr. Harding wants you to go with.”

“Good, then tell him to find someone else. I will do this the way we agreed upon or not at all.”

“Andrew, Andrew let’s think about this, look let me call Mr. Harding. I’ll let him know the position you’ve taken on this matter and get back to you with his decision. Where can I reach you later?”

“Use the cell phone. I’ll be waiting.”

“Good, talk to you soon.” Bill had a feeling this was not going to sit well with Mr. Harding.

Andrew hung up. He hopes that Mr. Harding will be reasonable, but if not he’d better start looking for more business. He likes living in Belmont and would hate to have to move so soon.

Sitting down at his draft table he starts to see images and structures, a modern yet sophisticated look. Andrew started putting to paper what he saw in his mind, he feels that this will make everyone happy.

As evening became night he was still in the same position. He looked at the time and saw how late it was. Sitting up, he rubbed his neck, stretched his back and thought about going to his new place. Andrew’s mind wandered to their dinner plans and considered how that went and if he was the topic of the evening. He knew Sandy was disappointed that he could not make it, but possibly some other time.

Looking at the time he realized that Bill has not returned his call yet, so he decides to stick around and wait. Sammi came through the door and asked. “You’re not finished yet. It’s time to go home.” Andrew grunted something she understood. Sammi left and so did the others. He worked until he saw his idea come together on paper. Exhaustion set in and Andrew finally went home. Upon his arrival he took a shower and was settling in when his cell rang.

“Look Andrew Mr. Harding’s willing to compromise so if you have anything in mind he’ll take a look at it.”

“I do have something in mind, can I fax it over to you.”

“Sure I’ll make sure he checks it out and we’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Fare enough, goodnight Bill.”

“Goodnight Andrew.”

Andrew hopes that these plans go over well with Mr. Harding because if he has to make any more changes he’ll quit. At the thought of the name Harding, Andrew pictured the very pregnant Sonia Harding. He wondered about her, why she’s hiding her pregnancy. Where’s her family and the father of her baby. Someone should be here with her helping her.

He has to admit that she is beautiful, not too tall and slim even though she’s pregnant.Short hair, light brown eyes and a nice smile when she smiles. Andrew realizes that from the time he saw her he was in trouble. His heart never beat that fast when meeting a woman for the first time and this was not a date. He could not stop staring at her lips; they're so kissable. This was what Sammi was warning him about; his feelings could get him in trouble. He has to put the brakes on right away.

From where he stands Sonia Harding does not want anything to do with men and that might be the only thing that keeps him in check.

Laying down he looked up at the ceiling of his new place and thought about how to make things work for him in Belmont. Turning over he decides to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day for him at his office and the site.