Best Woman for the Job by Sharon C. Cooper

If Craig Logan was surprised to see a female plumber standing at his door, he didn’t show it. Instead he leaned against the doorjamb, arms folded, wearing a police uniform – gun and all, looking sexier than any man had a right to look.

“And who did you say you were again?” His voice rang with authority but was as smooth as silk.

“I’m Toni Jenkins from Jenkins & Sons Construction.” She handed him her business card. “You called regarding some plumbing issues.”

Used to men checking her out, she didn’t take offense when he did a slow perusal of her from head to toe, before his eyes returned to her face. His lips curled into a cocky smile and Toni drew in a breath. In her line of work, she was around men all the time, but none that looked as good as this one. With smooth skin the color of sandalwood, intense eyes that seemed to see into her soul, and a body that made you want to rake your hands over every muscular inch of it, she had no doubt that he made women’s heads turn wherever he went. The brother was fine.

His hazel eyes crinkled around the edges as he released a hardy laugh, and she was awed by the rich bass sound of it. Hold up. Is he laughing at me? She didn’t care how gorgeous he was, she wasn’t about to stand there and be some Robocop’s form of amusement.

With her clip board in one hand, she shifted her weight and her other hand flew to her hip. “I must’ve missed the joke. What’s so funny?”

His smile faded and he straightened before stepping out onto the concrete stoop, towering over her by at least a foot. “What’s so funny?” He moved close enough to entice her with the scent of his woodsy cologne. “You’re kidding right? I can’t believe you’re the person they sent to take care of my plumbing. Can you even lift a pipe wrench?”

Not another one. Why was it so hard for people to believe that she was a plumber, especially men? Not only had she completed a five-year apprenticeship just like every other journeyman plumber, but she was a master plumber with advanced skills. Yet, on almost every service call, she had to take crap from some idiot who didn’t have a clue that this was the twenty-first century where women could do anything a man could – except pee standing up.

“As a matter of fact, I can lift a pipe wrench, as well as a toilet auger, kitchen sink and a bathtub if I have to. But I’m not going to stand here and argue with you about what I can or can’t do. I was under the impression you wanted the best person for the job. Well, I’m her, but if I’m too much of a woman for you, then I suggest you call someone else.”