Hell, didn’t he love a challenge?
He started toward the registration desk and thought about the hundreds of people who had walked through this lobby. He’d heard rumors of politicians, presidents, even movie stars who had come to Haven Springs for the magical mineral springs.
Behind the desk were rows of boxes that had once held the keys to the nearly one hundred rooms. His excitement escalated. The place needed work, but the basic quality was already here.
Suddenly the front door opened and two men walked in. He saw the family resemblance right away. They had to be the Covelli brothers.
“Mr. Rossi, good morning, I’m Rafe Covelli,” one brother announced as he held out his hand.
John shook it. “Good morning to you,” he said, then turned to the other brother.
He stepped forward. “And I’m Rick,” he said and they shook hands, too.
“Nice to meet you,” John said, but his attention was riveted on Angelina, who had also stepped inside, followed by two other men. His chest tightened as she came toward him.
“Good morning, Angelina,” he said.
She nodded. “Mr. Rossi.”
Today she was dressed more sensibly in a pair of trim black slacks, a white sweater and a deep red blazer. John found he was somewhat disappointed that her dark hair was pulled back in a long braid. Then her clear blue eyes met his, and his pulse began to pound. It wasn’t until Rafe spoke that he realized that he was staring.
“Excuse me, what did you say?” he asked.
“I was just apologizing for being late,” Rafe said.
“No. You were on time. I arrived early.” He had to get back to business. “I was taking some notes trying to get a picture in my head.” He glanced around. “As you already know, the hotel has been neglected for a long time. Think you can handle a job this large?”
Rafe smiled. “Positive. Five been waiting to get my hands on this place.” He waved the rolled-up plans in his hand. “I’ve been working on this project for the past few months. Ever since we heard the Grand Haven had been sold.”
John nodded. He was impressed. Then his gaze fell on Angelina again and he couldn’t seem to focus. He shook his head. She was definitely a distraction. He forced himself to look away. “I guess we...uh, should get started.”
Rafe stepped up. “First I’d like to introduce our cousin, Tony Covelli. He’s our partner and financial advisor. And this is Charlie, our foreman. He has worked several years for us and is one of the best carpenters around. But I want to assure you that Rick and I will be on the job and do the majority of the renovation. We believe that if it has the Covelli name on it, then Covellis do the work.”
“That’s nice to know,” John said and turned his attention to Angelina. She was like the Tuscany sunrise coming over the hills. Hard to ignore. “What’s your job with the company?” he asked.
“I’ve run the office the past two years. On this job, if we get it, I’ll be the project manager.” Her eyes flashed a challenge. “Do you have a problem working with women?”
So she planned on being around. “Not at all,” he assured her and smiled to himself as he thought about his indispensable secretary, Donna, and other highlevel employees at his workplace. “There are several woman executives at Rossi International. I look at it this way. As long as the job is done and done well, it doesn’t matter if it’s handled by a man or a woman.”
“That’s nice to know,” she said.
Angelina wanted desperately to believe him. She needed John Rossi to recognize her abilities. That had been the reason she fought with her brothers so hard to be named project manager on this job. And just maybe by the time the Grand Haven was ready to reopen, she would have impressed John Rossi enough with her qualifications that he would consider her as management material for the hotel.
“Well, how about we tour the hotel and you can tell me your ideas?” John suggested.
Angelina smiled as his deep voice sent warm shivers along her skin. “We’re ready,” she said. “Just lead the way, Mr. Rossi.”
“Please, can’t we be a little less formal and go by first names?”
She nodded, feeling nervous with his coffee-colored eyes fixed on her.
John then glanced at Rafe and Rick. “I want the lobby restored to exactly as it was in its glory days. It’s perfect without any modernization.”
Rafe nodded. “We only need to make room for the computers behind the registration desk. Rick and I worked out a way to hide them.” They walked to the counter and unrolled Rafe’s plans.
Angelina kept her distance and watched the exchange, remembering that yesterday this man was just a stranger in town who had flirted with her. Now he held the future of Covelli and Sons—and her future in his hands.
“Don’t you think that you should be up there with them?” Tony asked as he came up behind her. “I mean, Rossi seems to have precise ideas on what he wants.”
Angelina wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize winning this bid. “Of course.” She hurried to the desk and listened, then began to write down instructions.
Ten minutes later they walked up the stairs to check out the second floor where there were two ballrooms. The largest one had sustained weather damage, and the window frames needed to be replaced, the floors required refinishing and the woodwork would have to be torn out and redone. Angelina took down the details as the men discussed them.
For the next two hours, Angelina followed the men into several of the rooms. She listened intently as John told his ideas on the modifications. He wanted to convert some of the larger rooms to business suites, complete with fax and computer facilities to attract the area businessmen. But he was adamant that the top floor remain as large suites for guests who would be willing to spend the money for the luxury that the Grand Haven Hotel had once offered—and would again.
Finally they returned to the lobby. Angelina was about to head back to the office when Rick invited everyone to lunch at the family restaurant.
John checked his watch, then looked at Angelina. “I guess we’ve been at this a while. Thanks, I could use a break. Angelina, will you be joining us? I’d love to hear more of the ideas you started telling me about yesterday.”
Angelina felt heat rush through her. “Sure. I’ll bring my notes.” She managed a smile, but refused to acknowledge Rafe’s curious look. No way did she want to explain to her overprotective brother what she was doing in a hotel alone with a man.
John read the sign, Maria’s Ristorante. Authentic Italian Food. The converted downtown storefront was homey with its hardwood-and-brick floor. The murals on the walls added atmosphere and color and each table was adorned with white tablecloths and candles.
Lunch turned out to be a family affair—they all took seats at the large table near the bar reserved for Covellis only. Maria Covelli, a petite woman with warm brown eyes, came out from the kitchen and greeted her children and their guest. Rick’s wife, Jill, a young attractive blonde who worked as a waitress, also joined them until the other customers demanded her attention.
Soon the table was filled with baskets of fresh-baked bread and generous helpings of Maria’s lasagna along with a bottle of chianti. While they ate, John, Rick and Rafe discussed the finer details of the project, but John’s thoughts weren’t totally on business, not while Angelina was seated across from him.
At first Angelina let her brothers do the talking, but it wasn’t long before John asked for her input. She felt shy, but knew this was her chance to show her stuff. She pushed ahead with her ideas. “I like your plan for focusing on the business trade, but don’t forget that the hotel made a name by catering to the rich. And if you’re going to make the top floor all