“You’re a literal genius,” Mason continued, “with more than a decade of experience in construction, including as a foreman. You know your shit, and if you come across something you don’t know, I know you. You’ll research the life out of it. If you need or want any kind of classes or certifications along the way, we’ll cover it. We give our employees the tools they need to better themselves. It benefits them and it benefits the company. Cole, everyone in the family knows you’d be damn good for the company. Everyone but you. So if you can work through all the stuff from your past, you can do pretty much do whatever you want to at North Brothers.”

The bit about his past put Cole on the defensive, and he reined in his reaction, knowing on some level it was irrational. “You done?”

Mason sized him up. “No. I have one more thing to say. Dad loved you and he would want you to be a part of his company. That’s not why I’m offering. I’m offering because, frankly, we need you.”

“How soon?” Cole asked, ignoring the part about their dad. Maybe he would pick that apart later, when he was alone.

“I need you in Florida on Monday.”

“This coming Monday?”

“I know you can’t screw Sierra over. I’m willing to share you for as long as you need to give notice, but we have meetings set up with the architect and two potential contractors.”

Cole blew out a breath as he imagined giving notice at Dunn & Lowell. Imagined not working with Sierra anymore. More emotion than he would cop to rolled through him, and he worked to keep his face neutral. “It’s a lot to think about. How long can you give me?”

“How long do you need?” Mason asked, and Cole sensed it was causing his brother physical pain to put the ball in Cole’s court.

“I’ll let you know something tomorrow.”

For the first time in ever, he needed to talk through a major life decision with someone. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be Sierra, since the outcome would affect her directly. He hated the thought of that. He couldn’t talk to his brothers, because they had their own agendas.

Winona it was then. He hoped she was in the mood to advise.

And he sure as shit wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The day after the Eldridge Mansion exploration, at 6:22 a.m., Sierra’s mind was already back on overdrive, spinning with ideas for the proposal for the competition, when Cole had texted.

He’d asked if she was planning to hit the office this morning before heading to the worksite, and when she’d said no, he’d asked if he could stop by her apartment before work to talk.

To talk.

Crap.