Fixed Up Read Free Page B

one shot and she sure as hell wasn’t going to stuff it up.
    She looked at her watch for the millionth time. Crap. She had to let someone know she’d arrived or her bacon would be fried. She was officially late now. Her fingers fiddled with her watch and her eyes flicked between the double doors leading back to the store and a subtle smoked-glass door just beyond the reception area.
    The door that led to Mr King and her hopes for the future.
    She blew out a couple of quick breaths. Someone would be here soon, surely? To distract herself she pulled a large folder from her bag and flicked through, stroking her hands across the glossy printed sheets. Looking at her new brochures, business cards and marketing materials helped restore her confidence. DIY Divas was a great business. She knew what she was doing and why she was doing it. Mr King would see this and he would jump at the chance to have her teach her women-only DIY classes in store.
    And the classes would lead to her business expanding; more clients, better premises and a means to repay her business start-up loan.
    Hell, she could probably take over the world—if the friggin’ receptionist ever came back.
    It was getting ridiculous. Harper stood up and stalked over to the glass door. She glared at it and then pushed through into the inner sanctum of the Castle. Okay, so maybe inner sanctum wasn’t quite the right description for the rather ordinary-looking office beyond the fancy reception, but at least there were people present.
    â€˜Excuse me,’ she said to the person in the closest workstation. An older woman looked up from her keyboard and smiled.
    â€˜I have an appointment with Mr King. There isn’t anyone in reception,’ said Harper. ‘Would you please let him know I’m here?’
    â€˜Oh.’ The woman looked confused. ‘I can’t do that. Mr King isn’t in.’
    â€˜He must be. I have an appointment.’ Harper could feel the sweat breaking out under her arms. She ordered herself to hold it together. ‘There must be a mistake. I definitely had a meeting scheduled with Mr King, only it was meant to be ten minutes ago.’ Her words came out a bit gurgly, like too much saliva filled her mouth. She swallowed hard. How could this be happening? She’d scheduled this meeting two weeks ago. She’d done nothing but plan for it since.
    To say all her eggs teetered in one basket was an absolute understatement.
    She had to see Cliff King. Everything depended on it.
    But the woman stood up and led Harper back to the smoked-glass door. ‘I’m so sorry, dear, you’ll have to reschedule. Mr King left the office already; he’s down at the polo club. There’s an international match on and then a polo club dinner. He won’t be back today.’
    â€˜You’re kidding me.’ Harper stood stock still. ‘He’s at a polo match?’
    â€˜Yes, lucky man. He’s in a private marquee swilling champagne. Something we’d all rather be doing, I’m sure. Call back tomorrow and reschedule.’
    And with a firm but polite smile, she nudged Harper through the door and back out to the empty reception area.
    ***
    Luke grabbed some tie-downs from the cab of his ute and fiddled with the ratchets. The box containing his new outdoor grill had been loaded onto the back of his truck and as soon as he had his new baby safely fixed to the vehicle he planned to drive to the butcher and purchase the biggest, juiciest steaks he could get.
    He tested the hooks were fastened properly and ratcheted the ties another couple of cranks tighter. Satisfied the box wouldn’t budge, he was about to pull out of his parking spot when he saw Her. Again. Stomping out of King of the Castle.
    His heart beat a little faster. He hadn’t met a woman who piqued his interest for a long time and this one had him firing on all cylinders.
    But he’d wasted enough precious time already and