Round the Clock

by Dara Girard

  “We have appointments with a personal shopper in three of the finest stores in town,” Sonia told her as she drove to their destination. “You are going to be very busy today.”

  “Okay,” Anna Marie said, unsure what a personal shopper did. She soon found out. In each store, a personal shopper took her measurements, looked her over, asked her a few questions and then went out on the floor, selected and brought back items to her dressing room they felt suited her. If something didn’t fit, or needed to be in a different color, they went looking—all she had to do was stay in the dressing room and try them on.

  By the time they got back to the hotel that evening, both of them were exhausted and hungry, but Anna Marie found herself unable to eat. She was so excited about all the things she had bought that day, she decided to try on several select pieces again before going out to dinner.

  The day of her appointment with the lawyer, Anna Marie stared at her image in the mirror. She wasn’t sultry Malika. But she wasn’t plain old Anna Marie, either. Sonia had helped her select what to wear and they both decided on a formfitting, square-necked, empire-waisted cream linen dress, a three-quarter-sleeve cashmere cardigan and a provocative pair of two-inch black satin pumps. And of course, her first pair of stockings—thigh-high black fishnets. She was someone new and she liked what she saw and she was ready for a performance….

  Sonia looked at her with joy. “My work here is done.”

  “You mean you’re leaving?”

  “You’re ready to handle the rest on your own. Good luck.”

  “Thanks. I’ll need it.”

  She hadn’t called him.

  Desmond hit the tennis ball with extra force. Finding her had proven to be harder than he’d thought. It was like she was a ghost. He had to forget her. He wanted to, but he couldn’t.

  He finished his volleying then headed for the locker room and showered. He’d just changed when his cell phone rang.

  “You’ve got to help me, Rockwell,” his colleague Glenn said. “If I cancel again, she’ll kill me.”

  “Who?”

  “The Williams woman. We’re the trustees of her estate, but I overbooked. I know you don’t usually do this kind of stuff, but—”

  “I hate doing that. You know I only work with Advent.”

  “I know and I’ll make this up to you. Please. It’s real simple.” Thornberg briefly gave him the logistics. “I’ve left the folder in your office on your desk. It should be easy.”

  “When is your appointment?”

  “This afternoon.”

  “When?”

  “At two.”

  Desmond glanced at his watch and swore. “It’s 1:45 p.m.”

  “You can make it. I know how you drive. Thanks, Rockwell.” He hung up.

  Desmond swore again then threw his things into his bag. He wished someone would fire Glenn, but knew they wouldn’t. He was a nephew of one of the partners. Everyone knew that Desmond’s job was working directly with Advent, and keeping abreast of his real-estate holdings, businesses and other investments was enough. He’d paid his dues handling wills, estate holdings and other trivial things like that. One more stunt like this and he didn’t care who the kid was related to.

  He swore. This was supposed to be his day off. All he had were a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. He could stop by his home to change his clothes, but he didn’t have enough time. He hated keeping clients waiting. Desmond sighed, hoping this client wasn’t a pain.

  Chapter 7

  Anna Marie sat in the waiting room, amazed by its ostentatious setting. She never knew civil attorneys could make this kind of money. She picked up a glossy women’s magazine and started to read an article when the front door suddenly opened and a man burst through and headed for the receptionist. Anna Marie instantly recognized him and leaped to her feet. She watched him bend over the front desk.

  The receptionist, an older woman with her hair pulled back in a crooked bun, stared at him, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

  “Cleaning up one of Glenn’s messes, what do you think?”

  “Well—”

  “When Anna Marie Williams arrives, please send her to my office.”

  “She’s already here.” The woman gestured behind him to Anna Marie, who stood paralyzed in place.

  He turned and looked at her. He hadn’t noticed her before, but he certainly did now. His manner was professional, although his initial gaze at her dress and legs hadn’t been. He walked over to her and held out his hand. “I’m Desmond Rockwell. I’ll be handling your case today. Sorry,” he said when he caught her looking at his jeans. “I know I look like I make a poor replacement, but I was called in at the last minute. You can rest assured that I’m good at what I do.”

  “I can believe that,” Anna Marie said in a choked voice, her heart racing.

  He narrowed his gaze. “Have we met before? I feel as though I know you from someplace.”

  Behind him the receptionist snickered and he groaned, then playfully said, “Be quiet,” before he turned back to Anna Marie. “I know that sounded like a really bad come-on. I didn’t mean it like that.” He turned. “Anyway, please follow me.” He held open a heavy glass door.

  She’d follow him, jump him, strip him or whatever he wanted. Anna Marie couldn’t believe her luck. She begged her legs to keep her upright and thankfully fell into a chair once she reached his office. He closed the door then smiled at her. She swallowed. He looked even better in daylight—he had gorgeous dark brown eyes and she already knew what his soft lips felt like on hers.

  She had to focus. His intense first look had been dangerous. She couldn’t let him connect her to that night.

  Desmond sat on the edge of the desk and folded his arms. “So where do I know you from?” He adjusted and balanced his weight. Anna Marie tried not to stare at how his jeans revealed his well-defined thighs.

  “Why are you sure that you know me?”

  “Because I never forget a pretty woman and somehow your name means something to me. I also get the feeling that you know me.”

  “Why?”

  “When I shook your hand, you looked at me as though you’d seen a ghost.” He folded his arms. “Refresh my memory.”

  Anna Marie licked her lips. “We have met. A long time ago.”

  “How long?”

  “Very long.”

  He leaned forward. “Now I’m intrigued. Why are you so hesitant to tell me when and where we met?”

  Anna Marie crossed her legs, pleased that he noticed the movement. “It may change your opinion of me.”

  “You don’t know my opinion. Right now, you’re a mystery. Come on, tell me. I have an interesting history. Did we meet in juvie or something?”

  Anna Marie lowered her gaze and her voice. “Or something.” She raised her gaze. “Remember Hallon House?”

  Desmond jumped away from her as if she’d grown spikes. She knew he didn’t want to remember the halfway house and the two weeks of hell he’d spent there. She certainly didn’t, but couldn’t help it. Nearly sixteen years ago, it had changed everything for her….

  “What do you think you’re doing?” the security guard said, standing next to her.

  “Just looking,” Anna Marie said, determined to make her voice sound casual, although the nightdress she’d stuffed under her coat had made a small bulge. She hoped he didn’t notice.

  “I think you’re doing more than that. Come with me.”

  The moment he reached for her arm, she ran.

  “Stop her!”

  Another security guard blocked her path but she managed to dodge him and escape out of the store. She ran through the mall, easily darting through the crowd of people. She couldn’t get caught. If her foster mother found out, she’d get rid of her for sure and she didn’t want that. Mrs. Bell provided her the best foster home she’d ever had. She just had to get rid of the evidence before they caught up with her. She ran around a corner and crashed into a solid form.

  Sh
e glanced up and saw Desmond Rockwell, who at seventeen already had a reputation in their school for causing trouble and breaking hearts.

  “What’s the rush?”

  “Let me go. They’re after me.”

  “Who?”

  “The guards.”

  He unzipped her jacket and pulled out the nightdress and panties. “Man, who taught you how to steal? You never want your jacket to bulge like this. We’ve got to get rid of this.” He glanced around then tossed the two items behind a vending machine. He turned to her, then stopped. A second later she knew why.

  “Don’t move,” the guard said, breathless.

  Another athletically built guard appeared and smiled. “Rockwell. I should have known she’d be one of yours.”

  “I’m not one of his,” Anna Marie said, not wanting him to get into trouble.

  The athletic guard looked at her with pity. “Of course you’d lie for him. You think he’s worth it. He’s not. He’s got three others like you.”

  “I’m not lying. He’s—”

  “Turn around and put your hands up against the wall.”

  Anna Marie got into position and they searched her. “She’s clean.”

  “Doesn’t matter, we’ve got her on tape.”

  The guard patted Desmond down then laughed with triumph when he pulled out a small plastic bag. “What’s this, Rockwell?”

  Desmond grinned. “Herbs from my grandmother’s garden.”

  “Your granny grows marijuana?”

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about, sir.”

  “Trying to bring some of your family’s island habits to the States?”

  “Herbs are good for you.”

  “What would your father say?” He didn’t give Desmond a chance to reply, instead he pulled out his handcuffs and nodded to the other officer. “Cuff her.”

  They were led outside the mall and into separate squad cars. The next thing Anna Marie knew, she was standing before Judge Gilamore, a man known to be sympathetic to young offenders. He believed in rehabilitation rather than punishment so he sentenced her to Hallon House. There were whispers that Hallon House, a residential treatment program, was a welcome alternative to being sent to a juvenile detention center. But Anna Marie wasn’t sure.

  Unfortunately, she didn’t have a choice and soon found herself on the residential campus located on 2.5 acres plus a 150-acre working ranch for special projects and activities, located twenty-five minutes west of Charlottesville, Virginia.

  Structure and discipline were the main focus and her days were filled with intensive therapy, academics, fitness and nutrition training, life skills and self-introspection.

  Anna Marie remembered her first encounter with the grounds and building. It wasn’t as austere as she’d imagined and provided a focused environment where she learned responsibility, work ethic, self-esteem and appropriate social and life skills. Unlike many of her foster-care placements, where she was the “new kid,” other teens joined on a continual basis. Oddly enough, it was the only place Anna Marie felt safe.

  Privileges were earned for jobs performed well, appropriate behavior and signs of improvement of any life skill. Initially, getting used to the strict duties was extremely difficult for Anna Marie. The daily routine consisted of waking up at five in the morning, light calisthenics, breakfast—and breakfast chores, such as setting the table, cleaning up and washing dishes—and fieldwork assignments. All residents were assigned to either feeding the chickens and cleaning out their coops; herding and, when needed, shaving the sheep; feeding the pigs; tending a large vegetable garden or cleaning out the horse stalls.

  Anna Marie was a model resident and earned many privileges because she was a hard worker and learned fast. She used her privileges to roam the grounds. She’d been there for three days when she found Desmond in the stables.

  Anna Marie stood for a moment, stunned as she watched him cleaning a stall. She’d never experienced sexual attraction until she let her eyes gaze upon Desmond’s tight jeans and bare back as he spread the hay. Her palms grew sweaty and her stomach tightened, but she didn’t move. “You’re here?”

  He spun around then smiled. He wiped the back of his hand against his forehead. “You were worried about me?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.”

  He shrugged. “Trouble follows me. I know how to take care of myself. Besides, I’ve been sent here three times before. The judge thinks I have potential. I’m not sure what he sees, but I’m grateful.”

  Anna Marie nodded then stared at his tattoo.

  He noticed her looking and came closer so she could get a better look. “Like it?”

  She nodded again.

  “I’ve got another one, but I can’t show you where it is right now.”

  Anna Marie felt her face grow hot.

  “Where do you go to school?”

  She told him and he nodded. “Same here.”

  Yes, she already knew that. She didn’t bother to tell him that they had the same homeroom because it wouldn’t matter. “Thanks for talking to Mrs. Bell for me. I mean sending her that letter. She told me about it. What you did really meant a lot to me.”

  He shrugged, embarrassed. “Yea, well, you’re a good kid.” He leaned against the rake. “Why did you do it?”

  “Some girls at school said I could join their group if I stole some items.”

  “Not Shana and gang?”

  “How did you know?”

  Desmond shook his head. “I just know. Look, for a guy she’s a great la—” He stopped. “Never mind. Stay away from her. You don’t want to get messed up with her.”

  “Okay.”

  He flashed a slow smile, which was more mature than his age. “You don’t want to get messed up with me, either.” His smile grew. “But you don’t care about that, do you?”

  She shook her head.

  He leaned forward and tweaked her nose. “You’re lucky you’re not my type. Or you’d be in serious trouble.”

  She already was in trouble. Anna Marie had never loved anyone before, but that day, that touch changed everything. She didn’t know why and she didn’t care. She remembered the first day she’d seen him in school. She was a new student and he was the boy with a reputation. At that time she didn’t know what his reputation was, but she admired his aloof manner and handsome looks. Once she’d given him a pencil and he’d smiled at her as if she’d given him something a lot more personal. She’d blushed, although by that time she knew what his reputation was.

  He never returned her pencil, but she never asked for it back. Today he’d taken her heart and she wouldn’t ask for it back, either. She knew she loved him and nothing would change that. “Why did you do it?”

  “My herbs?” he said with a note of sarcasm.

  She nodded.

  “I didn’t plan on getting caught.”

  “You’re a smart guy, you could do anything. Why do you do what you do?”

  Desmond glanced away. “Because it’s what people expect, but one day I’m going to—” He looked at her and shook his head. “Never mind.”

  “Tell me.”

  He paused. “Promise not to tell anyone?”

  She crossed her heart. “I promise.”

  “One day I’m going to be rich. I don’t know how, but that’s what I’ll do.”

  “I believe you.”

  He grinned. “You probably still believe in the tooth fairy.”

  Anna Marie shook her head, her gaze serious. “No, but I do believe you can do anything.”

  Desmond met her gaze for a long moment then lowered his head, uncomfortable, and cleared his throat. “I’d better get back to work.”

  “I can help you,” she said. “I’m fast and strong.”

  “You have the time?” he said, amazed.

  “Yes, I have lots of privileges.”

  “Like what?”

  “I can roam, get books from the library, choose my dessert.”

&n
bsp; His face brightened. “You can get ice cream? I’d rather have that than another cupcake.”

  “We could switch at dinner.”

  “You’re on.”

  “So can I help you? I have nothing else to do.”

  Desmond motioned to another rake, then winked. “Then get to work.”

  For the next week and a half, Anna Marie became Desmond’s shadow. Luckily, their monitor didn’t seem to mind. They ate together—he ate ice cream every day—worked together—he told her he’d like to get a Swiss Army knife one day because it had everything—but at night they went to different dorms, where Anna Marie dreamed about him. Anna Marie didn’t want their sentence to end, but it did the moment a silver Mercedes drove up and a young woman in her late teens got out and saw Desmond. She kissed him and he spun her around while Anna Marie watched them, hot tears burning her eyes. She turned and marched back to the stables. She rested against the stable doors and watched one of the horses eat.

  “There you are.”

  She stiffened at the sound of his voice and blinked her tears away. She was good at that. So when she turned to look at him, there was no sign of her sorrow.

  He walked toward her. “Who’s coming to pick you up?”

  She shrugged. “I’ll take a taxi.”

  “What about Mrs. Bell?”

  She shrugged again. She hadn’t wanted to bother her.

  “Let me take you home.”

  “I’m all right, really.”

  He leaned against the stable door and looked down at her. “You owe me.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t want to be left alone on a two-hour drive with that girl. Dana thinks there’s more between us than there is and it suits me because she has an influential father, but right now things could get sticky.”