Destiny by Design

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An Excerpt From: DESTINY BY DESIGN

Copyright © WYLIE KINSON, 2007

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

"Beautiful, isn´t it?" Ellis sighed, running her hand along the smooth grain. "Just wait until they affix the cherry accents and apply the finish coat. It´ll positively glow!"

Ellis and Remi were inspecting the wood and pre-made supports for the built-ins at the Callon & Son workshop. It´s not that she didn´t trust Marco, but she really needed to see and feel the material they were going to use for the piece that would become the focus of the room.

"Yes, this will do nicely," Ellis agreed, responding to Remi´s wolf whistle.

"Yeah, but that´s not what I´m admiring," Remi replied.

Ellis followed his gaze past the open double doors to see Marco´s insolent workman striding toward them from the other side of the yard.

"Who, him?" Ellis asked.

"Yes, girl! Just look at the way his tool belt hangs all low on his hips, like he´s Gary Cooper going to fight the bad dudes at high noon. You´ve got to admit he´s hot."

"Okay, I´ll give you hot, but Remi you know me. I don´t go for muscle heads and this guy is practically dripping testosterone." Ellis had two good eyes. She could see and appreciate the guy´s finely honed physique, but men like that weren´t her type. She preferred someone like her father, a worldly intellectual who could carry on a conversation. Some of her earliest teenage crushes landed squarely on her father´s young protégés and other professors from the university at which he taught music.

Ellis admired men who had a well-developed mind, who could discuss a good book, enjoy an art show and know which fork to use for salad. Men who were in touch with their emotional and sensitive sides. She suspected the he-man bearing toward them exhibited none of these qualities, as demonstrated by his language and attitude. His idea of fine dining was likely the big value meal at Burger Heaven. Ellis was sure this dude could build a nice brick wall, but could he hold a conversation over dinner? Probably not.

"Oh yeah, Simon is all Mister Man...mmm, mmmm!"

"His name is Simon? Remi, let me tell you a little secret. Despite appearances, he´s a bad guy. The Simon character in books and movies always turns out to be the villain."

"For example?"

"For example, Simon Legree in Uncle Tom´s Cabin. Hello? Evil slave master! And in the romance novel I just finished, Simon kidnapped the winsome bride of the Duke of Carberry and raped her. On her wedding night! E-V-I-L! It´s a really good read, by the way. I´ll lend it to you if you want. And don´t forget Simon Cowell from Idol. He´s rude and nasty."

"I counterpoint with Simon Templar, aka, `The Saint´."

"Then there´s Simon Says, who´s really bossy, and Simple Simon who´s just plain stupid."

"You´re stretching."

"Yeah, but this Simon is a rude pig. Do you know how he spoke to me?" Ellis said in an undertone as Simon strutted to within hearing range.

"Well, I guess he can speak to you anyway he likes ´cause he´s-"

"Shhhh," Ellis hissed as Simon came within earshot, sure that Remi was going to say something inappropriate about his extraordinary physique. As she watched his approach, Ellis had to admit that he had a natural air about him that shouted confidence. He really was a fine specimen, with his tousled black hair and shoulders an acre wide. His jeans, faded to a soft grayish blue, hugged his hips and muscular thighs. She wished she could get a view from the rear.

"May I help you, Miss Strathmore?" Simon asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"We´ve come to see your boss. Is he around?"

"My what? My boss?"

"Yes, Marco. Is he here?"

"I´m afraid he´s not," Simon smirked, looking down as if something on the ground caught his attention. He managed to compose himself before meeting her eye. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I don´t think so Mister, um... I´m sorry. I don´t believe I got your name."

"Callon, ma´am. Simon Callon."