Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“Night.” He turns to the entrance, nods at Inez as he walks past, and disappears into the dark.
I sigh, reminding myself that I’m not dating anyway and can’t do anything about the buzz beneath my skin every time this man comes around.
“You ready?” I ask Inez, slipping the bookmark into the pocket of my dress. “I’m exhausted.”
“Who was that?” There’s more than curiosity in her voice. There’s suspicion. “Wasn’t he one of the people we delivered baskets to last week?”
So she had been close enough to see him. I have to be honest with her. Hopefully she’ll be reasonable.
I slip my shoes on but leave the back straps undone. “That’s Judah Cross.”
For a second she just stares at me, then she shakes her head. “You’re being nice to the man who got Daddy arrested?”
“How many times do I have to tell you?” I struggle to keep the frustration out of my words. “Your father broke the law. It was Judah’s job to tell their employer. That’s all he was doing. His job.”
“And was it his job to come here tonight? Daddy said Judah liked you. Do you like him too?”
“Your father was paranoid because he knew he’d done things that were wrong and he was afraid of being exposed. He pinned all that to Judah, when really he was to blame for everything that happened.”
“But none of it would have been exposed had it not been for him.” She tips her head toward the pavilion door Judah just passed through. “And, of course, all the information you turned over to them.”
“What would you have had me do, Inez? Ignore what he did? Help him so I would get arrested too? Leave the three of you to end up God knows where with two parents in jail?”
“I didn’t expect you to flirt with the man who sent Daddy to prison.”
The words explode in my face like a grenade, but I don’t flinch. I hold her accusing stare.
“There is nothing going on between Judah Cross and me,” I reply, so glad I can say that with honesty. “He has been concerned about us, believe it or not. He never wanted us caught in the crosshairs of your father’s lies. He helped us before and wanted to make sure we are okay.”
After a final searching glance, she nods. “I just remember Daddy saying that guy was after him, and it was true. And saying he had a thing for you at the Christmas party.”
“Your father was mistaken.” I grab my bag and walk toward the exit. “Now can we drop this?”
I want to shift from this dangerous topic where I’m barely able to tell the truth. Something is going on with Judah and me, but it’s subterranean. I’ll keep it that way as long as possible.
“All right,” she finally says.
“You did good today, kid,” I say, linking my arm with hers and taking slow steps across the field of grass wet with evening dew.
“You did good too.” She puts her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I came at you like that. I know nothing’s going on with Judah Cross.”
I smile and touch the smooth coolness of the bookmark in my pocket.
Nope. Nothing at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
JUDAH
They never learn,” Perri tsks, setting a stack of reports on the edge of my desk. “Glad I don’t have to eat it.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask absently, glancing up to see if the reports are the ones I requested. I know I’m killing trees, but there’s something about seeing the numbers in print. “Who never learns?”
“Them Callahans.” My assistant takes the seat across from my desk—uninvited—and crosses her legs.
“Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” I lean back and hook an elbow on the back of my office chair.
“Oh, I am.” Perri studies her white-tipped nails. “I heard they’re using their cousin Eileen again to cater the executive Christmas party.”
“It was pretty bland last year.”
“Bland?” Perri sucks her teeth. “Everybody talks so bad about her food. They say she makes ‘mediocre and cheese.’”
I have to laugh at that. “I don’t remember macaroni and cheese at the party last year.”
“No, she saves that for the company picnic.” Perri shudders. “You know I already don’t eat just anybody’s food. Everybody don’t keep a clean house. You know what I mean?”
“You sound like my mama.” I chuckle. “She never ate at the office potlucks.”
“Smart woman. Seems like the Callahans would want to pull out all the stops for their executives, but no.”
“The sweet taste of nepotism,” I say, recalling Soledad’s assessment of the food at last year’s party. Was it only a year ago? I knew I didn’t imagine the pull between us as soon as we met, but I also knew she would never do anything about it. She’s not that kind of woman.
Hell, I’m not that kind of man, but when I’m around her, the lines blur and I forget the boundaries that have always been a hallmark of my life.