Page 34 of Holding the Line
Chapter Eight
Marsh crossed the gravel, the wind tugging at his jacket as he made his way toward the therapy building site.From a distance, the buzz of activity felt almost comforting—organized, purposeful.He paused a moment, just shy of the perimeter, watching Eli animatedly talking to two men in hard hats.One was tall and rangy with sharp features and sun-darkened skin.The other had broader shoulders, slightly shorter, with a show of dark stubble across his jaw and sharp, calculating eyes.
Eli was practically bouncing as he pointed to something on a set of blueprints spread out on the hood of a truck.The way he lit up when talking about his work—it was magnetic.
Marsh took a few more steps, quietly, letting himself enjoy the moment.This was the man he’d fallen for—alive with passion, in his element, with sawdust on his jeans and sunlight glinting off his hair.
He didn’t miss how the two men—clearly professionals used to managing big projects—kept sneaking looks at each other and were now flicking their eyes toward Dale, who was striding across the site with that easy confidence of his.His dark hair curled just at his collar, and he wore his signature aviators and a grin that could disarm the most cynical bastard in uniform.
As Dale neared, the men straightened instinctively.Ty and Oren.Marsh remembered now.The architect and the engineer.Dale offered a lopsided grin and a wink.“Well, well, if it isn’t the brains of the operation.You two gonna be around for a while?Or do we only get the pleasure for a few days?”
Ty chuckled.“We’re here for the entire build.Hands-on kind of guys.”
Dale looked between them, clearly amused.“Lucky us.”He offered them a little mock salute and turned, walking over toward Marsh.“You’re needed in the conference room.Bateman’s assembling the team.”
Marsh nodded but didn’t move yet.He glanced at Ty and Oren, who both had their eyes on Dale as he walked away, looking more than a little intrigued—and confused.
Eli jogged over to him, clearly riding the high of good progress.“You heading in?”
“Yeah.Dale said Bateman wants a word.”
“Come meet the guys first.”
Marsh let Eli tug him over, leaning in to whisper in his ear.“You mean the guys watching Dale like he’s steak and they’re starving?”
Eli snorted.“You noticed that too, huh?Yeah.Them.”He turned a little awkward.“So, uh—this is Marsh Clarkson.And Marsh ...this is Ty Monroe, our architect, and Oren Callahan, our engineer.”
Ty offered a hand.“Heard a lot about you.Mostly from a very enthusiastic therapist.”
“All lies,” Marsh said, shaking his hand.
Oren gave a respectful nod.“He talks about you a lot.”
Eli flushed.“I don’t talk that much.”
“You do,” Marsh said flatly.“Especially when you’re nervous.”
Eli opened his mouth, then faltered.“He’s my ...uh, boyfrie—um, no.Not quite.I mean, more than that.My—”
Marsh stepped in, slid an arm around Eli’s waist.“I’m his.He’s mine.We don’t need titles.”
Eli leaned into him, smiling softly.
Ty grinned.“That is the first time I’ve seen Eli flustered.You’ve got skills, man.”
“Superpower,” Marsh said dryly.“Drives him crazy.”
They chuckled and drifted back to the plans, talking a little more shop.Eli was glowing again, in his element.
Eli leaned in, speaking softly in what he now knew to be Maori.“He ataahua koe i tenei ra.Kei te titiro whakamua au ki te noho tahi ano i a koe i muri mai.”
Marsh blinked as the comms device behind his ear translated automatically.You look beautiful today.I’m looking forward to being alone with you later.
He smirked.“Thanks for the compliment.I’m looking forward to it, too.”