Mrs. Garrison sat at one end of the sofa. Josie sat on the other end as far away as possible. Lacey pulled a chair up and sat in front of her.
“What’s going on, Josie?” Lacey asked. “Heath came to me and said you’d had a talk. He was worried about you. He suggested I bring Mom Garrison with me.”
“I know. He wants me to talk with you so he can be reassured I didn’t steal from my previous company.”
Mrs. Garrison moved closer. “Of course you didn’t.”
Josie blinked her swollen, red eyes and looked at her. “Why are you so sure?”
“I’m a very good judge of character. You wouldn’t steal. There’s more to this, and you don’t want to tell anyone.”
“No, I don’t. I’m so embarrassed I got myself into such a spot.”
“Who told my son you’d stolen money?”
“My ex-boss, Dolan Lerones, came to his office from Washington, DC.”
“He came in person instead of sending a private e-mail? That’s interesting,” Mrs. Garrison said.
“Emails can be traced. Dolan is not stupid, just me.”
“Then I gather this is something personal between you and Dolan, and I’d bet it’s the reason you were anxious to move to Pleasure Valley,” Lacey said. She took the cup out of Josie’s shaky hands. Then she held her hands tight. “You can tell us whatever happened. It won’t go any further.”
“You don’t understand. I’m embarrassed to tell you. It’s my fault it happened. If I hadn’t been lonely and wanted to believe him, I’d never had let him take me home.”
“Take you home from where?” Lacey asked.
“Mr. Lerones got promoted to vice president about fifteen months ago and took over our financial department as part of his job. When his birthday came up everyone in the department decided to have a party for him. I don’t usually go to many of the company parties and if I did, I didn’t stay long.
“One of the women in our group encouraged me to stay until the end. She said it wouldn’t last that long, and I might make a bad impression by leaving early. I thought she might be right so I drank sodas and waited. About an hour and a half later the crowd began to thin.” Josie shook her head and looked down. Lacey handed her cup of tea to her and told her to scoot over. Lacey sat close on one side and Mrs. Garrison on the other.
Mrs. Garrison hugged her. “Don’t worry, honey. We’re here for you, not him. And we will believe what you tell us.”
“I was so stupid.” Josie straightened her shoulders. “He said he’d heard I had to take the bus home. Since it was raining, he offered to drive me. He said it wasn’t out of his way.”
“I hesitated because I’d never liked him. He was creepy at times. But I didn’t see how I could say no without creating a scene or getting in bad with him. So, I accepted.
“When we got in the car and he started driving, I asked about his family. He said he and his wife had three children. Then he added they were going to separate and get a divorce. She’d stayed with him till he got this promotion, and now she wanted to move back to her parents with their kids.”
Josie looked at Lacey. “He acted sad. I felt sorry for him. When we got to my place, he asked if he could come up and have a cup of coffee.” Anxiety spurted through Josie. “I didn’t want him to. It felt awkward, but he told me his wife would give him hell coming home from work with alcohol on his breath. A cup of coffee would help. He had me cornered again, and I didn’t see how to say no.”
“He’s a weasel, just like Heath said when he told me about the man’s visit to his office,” Mrs. Garrison said.
Her indignation brought a slight smile to Josie’s face, and she took a relieved breath. They were on her side, and it was time she told someone the truth of what happened that horrible night in her apartment.
Chapter Three
“While I was filling the coffeepot he came up behind me and put his body against mine. I moved along the counter and turned to face him.” Suddenly Josie was back in her apartment and the words spilled out of her.
“I screamed at him, and he laughed. He told me this was how to get promoted. I said no thanks, that I didn’t need a promotion that bad. Then he came at me. I shoved him away and told him to go to hell and get out of my apartment.
“He accused me of being a tease and threw me against the cabinets where I hit my head. The whole world went dark for a second. I slid down and sat on the floor. When my vision cleared, he was rushing out of the kitchen. I heard the door snap shut and managed to get up and lock it.”
Josie stopped talking and put her head back against the couch.. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she shook like a strong wind blew over her.
Mrs. Garrison was rubbing her hand and whispering softly. “It’s all right, honey. No one will hurt you here in Pleasure Valley, I promise.”
Lacey clung to her other hand. “Cry it out. We’re here for you.”
“I need to tell you the rest. Heath was right. I don’t know what’s going to happen, and someone needs to know the truth.”
“Then take a breath, another sip of tea, and tell us,” Lacey said.
Josie nodded and waited until she was calmer. “I had a headache the next day and wanted to call in, but I didn’t. I had my pride. When I arrived, I saw him in his office. I looked in my purse for my swipe card when I got to my desk. It has my passwords and my passcodes. Fear sent a chill up my back when I couldn’t find it.”
“What did you do?” Lacey asked.
“I dumped my purse on my desk, and then Dolan came to stand in the door to his office. He had a card in his hand.”
“The bastard stole it and taunted you with it?” Lacey asked.
“He wanted to know if I was looking for something. Then he sauntered across the room and laid my card on my desk and told me he’d taken the liberty of making some changes in my accounts. He warned me to be more careful with my passcode.” Josie closed her eyes and added, “He leaned close and threatened to fire me if I lost my card again.”
“But that’s not all he threatened you with, is it?” Mrs. Garrison asked.
Josie shook her head. “No. He said money was going to be missing from one of our many accounts. If I found it and reported the missing amount, or told what happened between us the night before, he’d see I was arrested for stealing from the company.”
“What am I going to do?” Josie looked at Mrs. Garrison. “He did a good job. I never found the specific account, but I did find the amount missing is $100,000 dollars. If the company discovers the missing money they’ll believe him, not me, and I had an audit coming up soon. I didn’t report him and tried to act normal at work, but it wore on me. I knew I couldn’t continue as things were. I’d hoped when the audit was done they’d never know for sure who did it. But whatever happened, I had to get away.”
“Oh, I’d like to set my boys on him, but that’s not the solution. I think you have to go to the police before he does,” Mrs. Garrison said. “Heath’s right. He must fear his boss has heard of the discrepancies since you left, and this Lerones fears they’ll blame him. I hope Heath’s threat has kept him from going straight to the police.”
“Mom and Dad will be so embarrassed if this comes out, and especially if I’m arrested. They’ll disown me.”
“No they won’t,” Mrs. Garrison said.
“They might,” Lacey admitted. “Our stepdad is a big man in Washington. This will cause unpleasant gossip, to say the least.”
“Surely you girls are more important.”
Both Lacey and Josie shook their heads. “Maybe not in this case,” Josie said. “That’s why I couldn’t take the chance of challenging Dolan.”
“I’m going right home and talking to Heath. He’ll know what to do.”
“And I’m going to call Hunter and explain I’ll be staying the night with you.” Lacey pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.
Josie stopped her. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll be fine. Go home to your husband. You two are still
newlyweds.”
“He won’t mind. I’d like to ask him to come over and you can tell him what happened. You’ll need a good lawyer no matter how this goes, and he is good.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter. Soon enough everyone will know if Dolan goes to the authorities.”
Lacey punched in the number for Hunter. “Honey, can you join us? Good, because Josie needs legal advice.”
* * * *
Devin and Cort were sitting around the kitchen table with Heath when their mom came in. Heath got up and pulled out a chair for her.
“Sit, Mom. You look tired. Did the visit go that bad?”
“The poor girl, I just want to cry for her. She’d been holding it in for so long.”
“What’s going on?” Devin asked.
“I’d bet this is about Josie,” Cort said.
Heath frowned at him. “I told you it was private.”
“I didn’t ask any questions. I made a statement.”
Devin looked at the three of them. “What’s wrong with Josie?”
“I can’t tell you, Devin. I promised her I’d never tell anyone other than Heath,” his mom said. “I shouldn’t have mentioned anything in front of you two.”
Devin paced around the kitchen. His mom and brothers stared at him. “What?” he snapped.
“Why do you feel such a strong need to know?” Heath asked.
Leaning across the table toward Heath, Devin hollered, “Because I may be falling in love with her.”
Total silence followed his announcement. Devin sat in the nearest seat and put his head in his hands. “I’ve been trying not to care about her.”
“But you haven’t been successful,” Heath stated.
“No.”
“Go to her, Devin. She needs you, although she may initially try to push you away. Go slow. She’s been badly hurt.” His mother patted him on the back. “Don’t be afraid to reach out for love. If you win it, there’s no better prize.”
“I’m scared.”
“We always are when it’s important.” She hugged him and pushed him toward the door.
When he left, Mrs. Garrison faced Heath and Cort. “Don’t you dare tease him or tell anyone else what was said in this kitchen.”
“We won’t, Mom,” Cort said, and Heath agreed. Cort nodded toward the door. “I suspected fear of commitment was the reason Devin never dated any lady very long. We all fear it to a certain extent, but Devin has other devils bothering him.”
“Yes, he was only three when his parents died. It leaves an indelible mark.”
* * * *
When Devin drove up to the house where Josie was staying, he saw Hunter’s truck. At his knock, Lacey answered the door.
“I don’t think this is a good time to visit, Devin,” Lacey said.
“I was at the home place when Mom arrived. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to be here to support Josie.”
Lacey stepped out outside and shut the door behind her. “I thought my sister irritated you. You’re always teasing her. She doesn’t need any of that type of behavior tonight. She’s very fragile.”
“Remember the day you were upset, and we talked in my SUV?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I won’t upset her. I’ll support her as I did you that day.”
“I’ll ask her if I can let you in. It’s up to her.”
“Fine.”
Devin looked up at the star-studded sky. He wished he’d treated her differently, that he hadn’t been such a coward and worked so hard to keep her at arm’s length. Whatever was wrong had to be serious, and he wanted to be with her.
The door opened, bringing light from the inside. Hunter stepped out. “She’s in trouble, Devin. If you do care about her, go slow, and if she says leave, then go.”
He nodded and walked in as Hunter stepped to the side. Josie sat on the couch with her legs drawn up under her. Her white face and reddened eyes were evidence of the difficulty she’d been experiencing tonight.
“May I sit by you?” he asked her.
“Sit in the chair by Lacey’s.”
He did as she said, although he ached with the desire to pick Josie up in his arms and cuddle her, to tell her it would be all right.
“Did your mom tell you what I’d told her?” Josie said in a dull, troubled voice.
“No. But I heard enough to know I wanted to be here for you.”
“You may not after Lacey tells you my problem.” Josie looked at her sister. “I can’t go over it again. Will you tell him the gist of what’s the problem?”
“Let’s go in the kitchen. I’ll pour you a cup of coffee. Hunter and Josie need to talk more.”
Devin dragged his feet and kept looking back as he followed Lacey into the kitchen. Lacey poured his coffee and handed it to him.
She spoke softly. “Josie doesn’t need to hear us.” Lacey briefly told him about the party, the confrontation in Josie’s apartment, her stolen swipe card, and the threats.
Devin’s muscles tensed and his face reddened from the burning rage building inside of him. “I’d like to tear him apart limb by limb.”
“We all would, but you must stay calm and not show your anger to Josie. She blames herself for taking him up to her apartment. She’s frightened he’ll tell the police she’s a crook, and that they’ll believe him.” Lacey touched his arm. “If you can’t be calm and hide your feelings, then you need to finish your coffee and go.”
He paced around the small kitchen. “I pace when I’m upset. It helps calm me.”
The thought of anyone hurting Josie made him want to break things, preferably the man’s head. He’d teased Josie about not being brave, but he’d known deep down that her reticence and caution were part of her gentle nature. He’d tried to pretend he didn’t understand her to protect himself from caring too much.
It hadn’t worked, and now he kicked himself mentally for keeping a wall between them. How did he go about getting her to trust him after his earlier behavior?
He turned to Lacey. “I’m ready. I’ll be all right with her. I promise.” He put his cup in the sink and followed Lacey back to the living room.
Hunter stood. “We’re finished, but I think we’ll spend the night. It’s so late. May we use one of the other bedrooms?” he asked Josie.
“Please do. I don’t want to be alone.”
“May I stay for a while?” Devin asked.
She hesitated, and then nodded yes. Lacey and Hunter said good-night.
Devin sat across from her. He wasn’t sure what to say so he reached out and took hold of her hand.
Josie swallowed and spoke in such a low voice he had to lean closer to hear. “Do you have any questions about what Lacey told you?”
“I don’t think you need any questions. It’s pretty self-explanatory. The only question I might have is can I beat him to a pulp?” he asked with a smile on his face, and she smiled back.
“I wish, but this has to be handled properly.”
“Hunter and Lacey both warned me. I’m sorry I teased you so much.”
“It’s all right. I can take teasing. I don’t know why I let yours upset me.”
“I can be very annoying.”
This time she laughed out loud softly. “You are often.”
“If I promise to change will you let me be your friend, at least?”
“We’ll see if you can behave.”
“May I sit beside you? I’d like to hold you in my arms and let you rest there.”
“I’m not sure I can relax.”
“Try me. I promise you’ll be safe with me.” She stared at him with her beautiful bluish-green eyes. He saw the uncertainty flicker in their depths. She nervously licked her lips and desire stirred inside of him.
Taking a deep, unsteady breath, she whispered, “Okay.”
She watched him closely as he rose from the chair. He moved slowly to the side of the sofa and sat. “May I pick you up and hold you in my arms?”
“Put your
arm around my shoulder and let me rest my head against your chest.” She straightened and cautiously moved closer.
When he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, he felt a slight shiver in her body. “Tell me if you want me to move further along the sofa.”
Her answer was to put her head against part of his shoulder and chest. He almost didn’t breathe for fear he’d frighten her away. After a few minutes, he rubbed the top of her arm with his fingers and gradually she relaxed against him.
Devin wasn’t certain when he realized she’d gone to sleep. Very carefully he moved her to lie across his body, and then he put his own head back and closed his eyes.
* * * *
When Josie woke, the first thing she heard was his heartbeat against her ear. She’d snuggled down, and he held her gently but snugly against his body. She breathed in his spicy, fresh scent. Having his strong arms around her made her feel protected and calm.
I guess both of our behaviors were to keep the other at a distance. I’ve been attracted to him since the first dinner when he sat by my side.
Devin moved and she glanced up and saw him open his eyes. “Did I wake you?”
“You wiggled, but that’s all right.” He glanced at the window. “It’s dawn. We both must have gotten some sleep.”
She started to move. “You must be tired of my weight against you.”
“Never. If you don’t mind I’d like you to stay in my arms for a little longer.”
She sat straighter and put her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for holding me. I’d never have gone to sleep, or if I did I’d have had bad dreams.”
Devin smiled. “Did I keep the monsters away?”
“Yes, I don’t remember dreaming at all.”
He pulled her tighter and bent his head to kiss her. Her heart jumped and for a moment she saw Dolan’s wicked grin when he tried to kiss her. She jerked herself out of Devin’s arms and moved as far as possible away from him. She saw the questions in his eyes, but he didn’t ask them. Instead, he smiled and put more distance between them.
“Sorry,” he said.
She shook her head. “It’s me. I’m the weirdo.”
The Unexpected Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 3
