Chapter 1

He picked up the local phone book, flipped to the Yellow Pages and found what he was looking for. Punching in the numbers on the keypad, he listened as it rang. Just after the second ring, a soft female voice answered.

"Ingrid's Designs, how may I help you?"

"Good Morning. My name is Steve Inhalt, and I was given your firm's name by Roger Anthony. I understand you did some work for him and he was very complimentary with the results."

"I'm pleased that he's pleased," she said, again in a soft, very feminine voice.

"I didn't catch your name, miss."

"I'm Ingrid Solberg, the proprietor and sole employee, Mr. Inhalt."

"Miss Solberg, I recently purchased a home in West Vancouver and it badly needs modernizing. Mr. Anthony is a client of mine and I trust his judgment. He says you can do the job, and that I will be satisfied. I'd like to arrange an appointment to meet with you and show you the property. We can go from there."

"Thank you for calling me Mr. Inhalt. I can't make it today, but how about tomorrow afternoon, say about three?"

"Three will be fine. I'll look forward to seeing you then. Bye."

"Goodbye," again with that soft, smooth-as-silk voice.

He hung up the phone and wondered what sort of woman was the possessor of that provocative voice. He couldn't remember being turned on by just a voice on the phone before, but she had come close. He walked back to the spare bedroom in his apartment and resumed his work.

At three the next afternoon he was standing in the empty shell that was to become his residence. He looked out the curtainless picture windows to English Bay below and Vancouver Island in the distance. The entrance was just to his left. Anyone approaching the front door would have to come past the big windows.

When Ingrid Solberg walked by the windows at a minute after three, he was stunned. She was the most spectacular woman he had ever seen. In the two or three seconds that she was in view, he absorbed all the information he could from what he had seen. She was tall, medium length dark red hair, voluptuously proportioned, and had an almost imperial posture. She didn't just walk, she strode to the front door.

He waited a couple of seconds after her knock to compose himself before walking to the door. He opened it and looked straight into her clear blue eyes. She wore a lovely smile as she held out her hand.

"Mr. Inhalt?"

"Yes, yes, uh Miss... ?"

"Solberg."

"Yes, Solberg. Please come in." He realized he was stammering, and must have looked as awkward as he felt.

"You're right on time," he said, searching for something to say.

She was wearing a pale blue sleeveless blouse, navy blue slacks with a bright yellow belt and shoes. Despite her physical appearance, she was all business.

"Actually, I was a couple of minutes early. I wanted to look around the property and see what's what. No good doing up the inside if the place isn't going to make it on the outside."

She said it in a matter-of-fact manner, but with a light smile on her face. That smile seemed to be a consistent feature.

"Well, actually, I do have plans for the exterior. The siding is to be stained. The carport floor will be lowered eighteen inches and the space made into a proper garage. The little galley will be expanded into the back to permit a full size, fully equipped kitchen. Why don't we walk around and I can show you what I'm planning."

"Great, let's go."

"Why don't you lead and I'll follow and tell you what I'm thinking," he suggested.

"Fine." Again, that smile.

As he walked behind her he looked at her more openly. Regardless of how he tried, he couldn't help being distracted by this woman. Her skin was a soft white; she was certainly not a sun worshiper. Her lovely, bare shoulders and arms were sprinkled with tan freckles. He had never thought of freckles as sexy, but this woman changed all that.

She would walk a few feet, make a couple of verbal observations, and write a few notes. She took pictures with a small, pocket flash camera. When she turned to face him, he saw the freckles on her forehead and cheeks. Very sexy, he thought. He began to wonder where else those freckles appeared. Her question caught him in mid-daydream.

"Pardon, I'm sorry I didn't hear your question," he stammered again. She had him completely off balance.

Once again that enigmatic smile and silky voice.

"Who have you chosen to do the construction work?"

"Tony Blanton. He also came recommended by a client. Talking to him, he was thinking a lot like me, so he was an easy choice."

He had recovered some of his composure.

"You're very lucky to have clients who can steer you to the right people," she said, looking over her clipboard at him.

"I certainly am." He was looking directly at her. She smiled slightly and turned back to the house.

"Tony's a good choice. He does solid, quality workmanship, not flashy, and is usually on time if his clients don't mess him up with changes."

That sounded like a hint. He made a mental note not to frustrate Tony with last-minute decisions or delays.

"That's a good point and one of the reasons I've called you. I want to get a head start on the detail decisions and make sure we don't get behind or miss something."

He was beginning to regain his usually orderly thinking.

"I'd like you to assess the space and give me some renderings on what you think will work."

"Pardon me for being nosy, but is there a Mrs. Inhalt to share in these decisions?" she asked with a serious look.

"No, no Mrs. Inhalt," he said quietly.

He thought he saw a hint of a smile, but maybe it was just wishful thinking.

"Just me for now, but to clarify, I don't want a 'Macho Batchelor Pad' or some all-male domain. I want it to be a home that I will want to live in for a long time. This location is very special and there aren't many like it on the market."

"You're not kidding. It's spectacular. How did you find it?" she asked.

He laughed. "A client in the real estate business of course."

She laughed and yet wondered aloud at the continuing connections he had established.

"Have you lived in West Van long?"

"No ... just a couple of years. But I did live nearby when I was young, before my parents moved us to California."

"What brought you back?" Once more the curious look.

"Oh, it's a long story, but this is where I belong" he said quietly.

She moved to quickly change the subject.

"If you decide to hire me for this project, I will submit a complete list of materials and work to be done, fully costed. I will work with you on design and colours. I can provide a turn-key project where there is nothing for you to do but pick the items and choose colors. Am I correct in thinking that's what you want?"

"Yes, a turn-key is just the ticket. And yes, you are hired. Just give me the estimates and I'll sign the contract. I'd like to get started right away if that's possible."

"Yes, I can start right away. However, I don't usually have a contract, just a letter of understanding. Will that be OK?" Again, the curious concerned look.

"Of course, whatever you feel comfortable with. Your credentials are ... impeccable."

He said it with an arched eyebrow and crooked grin. His reward was a big, open smile from her in return. She had the most beautiful smile, and perfect brilliant white teeth with a lovely dark shade of lipstick to show it all off.

She could have told him she wanted him to pay double, and he'd have agreed. She had the job when she walked past the front window almost an hour earlier.

"Face it boy, you're hooked!" he thought.

"Do you always make decisions as quickly as this?" she asked.

"Yes, when I'm confident it's the right decision," he said, back in control but only just.

She continued to roam the house, making notes and snapping pictures. He sat on a stool at the kitchen pass-through and watched her. He realized how big she was, likely six feet and looking at her legs and torso, he guessed 160 lbs. She was big, but there was no sign of excess weight.

He caught himself watching her backside as she moved around the house. It was beautifully rounded and perched tantalizingly atop a pair of perfectly tapered, long legs. Her slacks weren't skin tight, but they revealed enough to know she was in proper proportion from head to toe.

Everything about her seemed to be extraordinary. This was a real-live Viking princess. The red hair and freckles were all the evidence anyone needed. With a name like Ingrid Solberg, what else could she be but Norse?

She finished her survey and walked back to the kitchen.

"There's a lot to do, but it shouldn't break the bank to get it done. Do you want me to have a look at the outside too?"

"Yes please, Ingrid. As I said, I want to refinish the unstained cedar exterior, and I'd like to use rustic brick around the entrance to the new garage."

Ingrid nodded her agreement.

"I'll just be a few minutes. I want to walk around the outside and get a sense of what it might look like in a new colour." She opened the front door and stepped onto the patio.

He watched her every move. "No rush," he thought. "I'm enjoying the view."

She returned fifteen minutes later, clipboard in hand, and that captivating smile on her face. "I think the big challenge will be to select the right stain colour for the cedar. What kinds of colours to you favour?"

"I'm not sure if it's the right term, but I like muted tones ... like earth tones," he said.

"Well then, we're in agreement," she grinned. "That's exactly what I think is required. We want the house to blend into these remarkable surroundings. I'm trying to decide how to use the colours in that massive rock in the front. I need to give it some thought, and try some test patches on rough cedar."

"That sounds great," he enthused. "I've obviously chosen well, Ingrid. You've caught my feeling for this property right away. I think this project is going to turn out better than I had hoped."

His smile was broad and genuine. He wasn't just flattering her, she really had read his mind. Or maybe she really did think like he did. He would find out soon enough.

"It's almost five Ingrid. Can I buy you a drink at Maurice's in the Village? Maybe we can chat about the house or whatever."

"Uh, well ... sure, that sounds fine. I'll meet you there in twenty minutes. I just have to drop my stuff off at the office."

She flashed him another of her killer smiles, turned, strode out the door, past the windows to the driveway.

He waited until she had driven off before locking up and heading to his apartment. He had just enough time to wash and change into his non-construction duds. As he walked to his car, he noticed the tightness in his stomach. This woman had really gotten to him.

He tilted back the driver's seat and thought about the day. He couldn't get her out of his mind. She was the most incredible woman he had ever met. He was sure she would intimidate many men, but he was beginning to feel slight less anxiety around her. She had him off balance and discomforted in the beginning, but as he recovered, he began to regain his confidence and take back some control.

She was a powerful woman in more ways than one. She had self confidence without arrogance. She was bright and witty. The more they talked, the more they seemed to have in common. He found he was opening up to her rather than keeping his carefully constructed shell secure.

For the first time since Diana had been killed, he was attracted to a woman His friends had tried to set him up with a variety of dates over the past year or so. He had no enthusiasm for any of these women, despite the attractiveness of several of them. He was beginning to think he would never recover from her death. His only escape from this depressing thought was work and his hobbies.

Suddenly, there was Ingrid. He was looking forward to seeing her often as the renovation of his home progressed. Naturally, they would have to have many meetings, and he would want to accompany her to pick out materials and finishes.

When he arrived at Maurice's, Ingrid was already there, seated at a quiet booth away from anyone else. He was pleased with her willingness to spend a little social time with him.

She had changed clothes too. She wore a v-neck cotton t-shirt with a silkscreen print of bright colours in a swirling, random design. She had changed from slacks into a knee-length summer skirt in an azure blue. White sandals and a simple slim gold watch were her only accessories. He thought she would look fabulous in almost anything she wore.

He had changed into a short sleeve, button down sport shirt in muted tones of tan and blue, tan khaki slacks, and polished brown topsiders. He was casual but very neat. His clothes defined him. Always neat and tidy, it was his signature.

"Hi," he said with a big smile. "You've changed. You look lovely ... I mean ... very bright and summery."

He was back to stammering again. She had that smile on her face which told him she knew perfectly well that she was the cause of his awkwardness. "Rats!" he thought, "stumbled again."

"Thank you. I was ready for something a little lighter and cooler as well as an after-work drink."

She smiled that smile at him again and instantly he felt better. That voice! It was like velvet. What would it sound like when she whispered in your ear? Instant orgasm maybe?

"You changed too. You look very ... professional," she said brightly.

"Thanks. I guess that's my epitaph, neat and tidy ... professional." He said it before he realized it sounded like a caustic comment.

"I only meant... , " she started to protest.

"I'm sorry Ingrid. I didn't mean it to sound like that. I guess my mouth gets in motion before my brain engages. How about we start again?"

"OK ... you look very handsome Mr. Inhalt." She sounded a bit girlish, but it was clearly in fun.

"Thank you Miss Solberg. You look very fetching yourself".

He tried to sound light but wasn't sure he had succeeded.

"I thought we progressed to Steve and Ingrid?" she teased.

He wrinkled his forehead but there was a small smile on his lips.

"We have." He relaxed a bit more, quickly changing the subject.

"Which wine did you order, Ingrid?"

"It's an Italian white, a Pino something I think the waiter said. It's very nice. I normally drink red wine, but it seemed like a white wine day." She had sipped only a small amount from the glass.

He motioned to the waiter and signaled that he wanted a glass of the same for himself. Jean, a long serving professional at Maurice's, nodded his head in acknowledgement and slipped off to the bar.

His wine arrived in no more than a minute. Steve barely had time to comment on the early warm weather before it arrived. He held his glass up in salute.

"Well, here's to our project and its success."

Ingrid lifted her glass and lightly touched it against his and replied, "Yes, our success."

She smiled that quiet, sexy smile and she looked directly into Steve's eyes.