SNOWFIRES

by Caroline Clemmons

  She pointed at the article again. “But this twists everything you’ve done in your life and it doesn’t include any of the good.”

  He scrubbed a hand across his face, wishing it could wipe out the memory of that story. “There’s not much good to include but this sounds as if I need to be behind bars.”

  Lila tut-tutted. “Now, you can’t deny that children’s home and helping those two boys. Holly and I met them.”

  “That’s right.” Holly punched her newspaper again. “And in each of these events you were helping protect others and obeying the law. Instead, this twists the facts and makes it sound as if you were somehow the criminal. I swear I’ll choke Geneva for this.”

  “Get in line.” Lila sounded like a mother hen whose chick was endangered.

  The phone rang and Lila sprang to answer it. She replaced the receiver and met Trent’s gaze. “That was reception. The Amberfield team is here.”

  During the plant tour, Trent emphasized the flexibility and capabilities of the equipment and employees. Following that, he talked about the installation of new machinery and how quickly that could be implemented. He smiled, oiled his words, and gave it his best schmooze.

  In the conference room, George Denton listened to the pitch for ten minutes before he interrupted. “Listen, Macleod, this is all pretty pointless. We saw the story in the newspaper and we know Marvel’s financial picture. We’re wasting time because we haven’t seen anything to change our minds.”

  “Denton, surely you don’t believe that trashy story. Give me a chance to defend myself and Marvel.” Trent’s brass ring slipped from his grasp.

  Denton stood and gathered his papers into his brief case. “Can’t take the risk of handing over this business when Marvel may not be around to deliver. Besides which, we can’t work with someone we can’t trust. Sorry if that’s too blunt, Macleod, but that’s how it is.”

  Trent leaped to his feet. “That’s crazy. You can’t base a business decision on a slanderous news story. You’ve seen the plant, heard the benefits of the schedule we’ve offered.”

  “Sorry, Macleod. We were wavering before. That seals it.” The snap of Denton’s briefcase was like a rifle shot to Trent’s heart.

  The other two men who’d accompanied Denton followed him out of the conference room, neither willing to look him in the eyes.

  Trent had been sucker punched. His world crashed around him. How could he pull Marvel out of the fire without Amberfield? The other deals he’d been working would likely trickle in over the next year. This was the one that would have saved them now.

  If it were only for himself this would be enough of a blow. But there were three hundred employees, families who would be cheated of income if Marvel folded. And Holly would lose everything again. He sat frozen at the table as others from his staff expressed regrets and filed out.

  Inside he became the abandoned child again.

  My dad’s a fireman, what does your dad do?

  How come you don’t have a family, Trent?

  Sorry, the Billingses want to try a younger boy, Trent. Don’t worry, we’ll find you somewhere else.

  Sorry, Trent, the Phillips are moving out of state. Don’t worry, we’ll find you another home.

  Another place to live, but never a real home. Never secure. Never fit in. He propped his elbows on the table and rested his forehead in his hands.

  And he’d thought he could sweep Holly off her feet and make her Mrs. Trent Macleod. Yeah, right. And live on what? She deserves more, a man who can provide all she’s used to and who can treat her like the princess she is.

  You’re screwed, Macleod. Back to square one.

  No. He sat up. There had to be another way. He’d never rolled over and played dead in his life. Damned if he’d give up without a fight now.

  ***

  Holly was on her way back from the ladies room when she saw the Amberfield people stalk out of the conference room. No, it was too soon. When Gordon and Vernon followed, both their faces grim, Holly stopped them.

  “What happened?”

  Gordon scowled. “We’re history, thanks in part to that press coverage this morning.” His glare told her he held her responsible. “Amberfield walked.” He brushed by her almost running to his office.

  “Sorry, Holly. I think we’d all better freshen up our resumes.” Vernon patted her arm as he passed.

  When she looked in on Trent, her heart almost broke. He looked alone. Broken. And her evil stepmother bore a major part of the blame. The woman wasn’t worth the bullet it would take to shoot her.

  Dear Lord, could Trent ever forgive her for doubting him? And her family—she wondered if he could stomach being with her knowing her family were all such screw-ups? Except Grandpa and Nana.

  Trent raised his head when Holly entered, but looked away.

  She came forward hesitantly. “Trent?” She stopped beside him and laid her hand on his shoulder. “I heard Amberfield walked.”

  He shrugged, apparently so upset he didn’t trust himself to answer. Or, maybe he was angry with her, held her responsible.

  Risking rebuff, she pulled out the chair beside him and sat. “Let me help.”

  He frowned and looked at her. “How? How can anyone help? I’ve screwed up everything, thanks in part to that damned article.”

  “You can still fix it, Trent, if you’ll let others help.”

  He stared at her. “Can’t you understand everything is over? Lost. Finished. You were right not to trust a gambler, Princess. I’ve lost this roll of the dice.”

  She touched his fist and curled her fingers into his. “I know you’ve always worked alone. You’re part of a team now. Each of us has contacts, especially Grandpa. Let him help you.”

  “It’s over, I tell you. I’m surprised you haven’t walked out. Look, I gambled and lost and fell flat on my ass.” He raked a hand through his hair.

  “Look, Grandpa’s still in town. If we you put your heads together, you can come up with a new plan.”

  He hit the table with his fist. “Damn, I came so close.”

  “Trent, about Grandpa—“

  “Look, I’m not your father. I don’t need you rushing in to juggle the finances and bail me out, okay?”

  She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t be a jerk. Surely you’ve noticed that I don’t treat you like my father. And Grandpa is still the Chairman of the Board. There’s no harm in letting Grandpa help you make a few useful connections.”

  “Aw, hell, why not?”

  She stood and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You’re about to see some fast action, sailor.” She turned away but glanced back to see if he followed.

  He struggled to his feet as if he were twice Grandpa’s age. “Weren’t you listening? I explained why we need a contract before year’s end. No way in hell is that going to happen. Damn, New Year’s is just over three weeks away. And no one does business between Christmas and New Year’s Day.”

  She smiled, hoping to infuse some hope into what appeared a hopeless situation. “So, we have about two weeks to work a miracle.”

  “Yeah, right. A miracle. That’s exactly what it would take.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I have things in the works that’ll dribble in over the year—if, that is, the company lasts that long. Marvel needs at least one fat contract in effect immediately to keep production going.” He held up his hands and dropped them in defeat. “Not gonna happen, Princess. Give it up.”

  Holly touched his arm. “Please, give Grandpa a shot. You have a problem with that?”

  He shrugged, which she took for assent.

  She hurried to Lila’s desk and called her grandfather. There had to be a way to secure whatever was required. She explained to her grandfather what had happened.

  Grandpa exploded. “That bitch Geneva is the meanest excuse for a woman ever walked the face of this earth. You tell Macleod to hold on and I’ll be there soon’s I make a couple of calls. Tell him I’ll set him up with some people but he�
�ll have to sell the deal.”

  “Thanks, Grandpa.” Relief shot through her. With a little help from Grandpa, Trent would make this work.

  “See you in an hour.” On his end of the line Grandpa slammed down the receiver without so much as a goodbye.

  She turned to relay what her grandfather had said.

  Lila looked from Holly to Trent. “I’d better make sure the conference room is tidy and send out for some of those rolls Joe Bob likes.”

  “You’ll figure out something once Grandpa and his friends arrive.” Holly brushed a kiss across Trent’s lips but he didn’t respond. “Do you hate me?”

  His frown deepened but he didn’t meet her gaze. “Why?”

  “If you’d made the first meeting, maybe the Amberfield people would have signed. You know I didn’t want the expansion, and fought you until I realized I’d been wrong. But I know now you’re right, Trent. And it was my horrid stepmother who caused that awful story.” She shrugged. “Seems you have lots of reasons to want me roasted on a spit.”

  “Hell, I have no right to want you for anything.” He sat at his desk. “Why don’t you get back to work and let me do the same?”

  His abrupt dismissal jarred her. Disbelieving, she watched him as she backed up a step, a second one, and then focused on the papers scattered on his desk. Heart in her throat, she whirled and left the office. How could he think this little of her?

  A lifetime of old insecurities bobbed to the surface to taunt her. Years of being the brunt of jokes because of her father’s schemes. Memories of her father saying he’d wanted a boy, but she was great for a daughter. Her mother’s death, her father’s marriage to Geneva, the loss of their home. Every bad experience of her life played through her head to chip away at her confidence.

  Why shouldn’t Trent hate her? Her stupid dawdling had landed them smack in the biggest snowstorm of the last three decades. If she hadn’t let her pettiness send them into the storm, he’d have made the first meeting and things might have worked out.

  But they wouldn’t have spent that time together. How could she regret that? She couldn’t. Would they have become involved anyway? Maybe.

  She walked slowly down the hall like a sleepwalker. Her limbs had turned leaden. She passed people and nodded, but she couldn’t have spoken if they had stopped her.

  She went into her office, masking the pain and rejection she held inside. “Sara, would you let me know when my grandfather arrives?”

  Sara stood. “Holly? I heard the meeting went wrong. Is it as bad as I’ve heard?”

  Wow, office gossip moved fast. “I don’t know what you heard. Naturally Trent was disappointed his plans fell through, but he has back ups.” She hoped she told the truth.

  Sara sank back to her chair. “I can’t tell you what a relief that is. I love this job, but I’m the newest person in the offices. If layoffs came, I know I’d be first.”

  “No, Sara. If the company were in trouble, production crew would go first. But things will work out.” Holly forced a smile and went into her office.

  She recalled her fascination with Trent from before he arrived. That photo in the magazine had piqued her interest. She didn’t know where it had been taken, but the photographer had captured him in an office setting with a view of the ocean through a large window behind him. He’d looked handsome, assured, and dangerous.

  From the first time they’d met at the office, she’d sensed awareness in him. An electricity between them. So, yeah, they probably would have eventually connected.

  Grandpa called less than an hour later on his cell phone from the parking lot. She relayed the information to Lila then hurried to the conference room. Trent joined her, looking as if he were on the way to his best friend’s funeral.

  Grandpa and two other men came in. Dear Lord, Carl Winston was here. Holly stood by Trent, offering her support in spite of his earlier rejection.

  Lila hurried in with rolls and coffee. Holly gave Trent’s hand a squeeze and left with Lila. She knew her grandfather would kick her out for this session or any other in which big business decisions were discussed. Grandpa would say it wasn’t “woman’s work.” At least he’d ridden in like the cavalry, so this time she could overlook his peculiar views on women’s roles.

  ***

  Trent shook Grayson’s hand. “Joe Bob, thanks for coming.”

  “Glad I was in town.” He leaned in close. “Get ready to sell this, boy. All up to you now.”

  Joe Bob straightened and gestured to the other two men helping themselves to coffee. “Brought a couple of friends who can help work through this problem. You know Carl Winston and Bruce Jacobs.”

  Bruce extended his hand. “We met Saturday night.”

  With a glimmer of hope, Trent took Bruce’s hand. “Nice of you to come.”

  Trent turned and glared at the man who’d broken his confidence.

  Carl looked embarrassed. “I know you’d like to shoot me, Macleod, and I was on my way to see you today even before Joe Bob called. Needed to tell you that minx Geneva tricked me, told me she needed to know about you to protect Holly. It was all supposed to be strictly confidential.”

  He held up a hand to stay Trent’s protest. “I know, I know. She had me by the short hairs and I fell for it. Won’t happen again.”

  Joe Bob asked, “You mean you’ve stopped seeing her?”

  Carl laughed. “Oh, no. I mean I’m on to her now. That is some woman. Mean as a snake but she makes me feel forty years younger. Gives a blow job that can suck out your brains.”

  He winked at Trent. “Of course, I might have failed to tell her that most of my cash is tied up in a family trust for my kids and grandkids.” He laughed again.

  Joe Bob rubbed his hands together. Darned if he didn’t look as if he were enjoying himself. “Now, get Gordon and Vernon in here and let’s get down to business. I told Carl and Bruce I’d let you do the talking, Trent.”

  Trent phoned the two men and watched the good humor of Joe Bob and his cohorts while they waited for Gordon and Vernon. Joe Bob and Carl were as excited as kids with a new puppy. Bruce also appeared upbeat.

  Trent couldn’t believe it. All three men acted as if they were his good friends. Best buds. Equals. Damn, he’d only met Bruce Jacobs a few days ago.

  Bruce chose that moment to approach. “Seems strange to be back in this room. Hell, it’s odd to be at Marvel at all.”

  “Yeah, Holly said you used to work here. Differences with her father, I believe. No wonder. Any sane man would have argued with Walter Tucker’s business plans.”

  “More than differences. The man was stealing the company blind and holding it back at the same time. Family business, so I guess he had a right to the money, but we argued about everything. Couldn’t take it so I went elsewhere.”

  He gave Trent a measuring glance. “I understand you’re everything he wasn’t.”

  Trent couldn’t believe it after what had happened today, but he laughed. “If you mean poor, yeah, that’s me in spades now. If you mean do I want a different course for Marvel, yeah, that too. It’s stagnant. Have to have new business, broaden products.”

  Bruce nodded. “Just what I told Walter. Damn, the man was stupid. Always had an angle, but as far as I could see none of it involved hard work.”

  Gordon and Vernon came in. Each looked as poleaxed as Trent and each showed surprise when they saw who had come with Joe Bob.

  Joe Bob clapped Trent on the back. “Soon’s I get me one or two of those Bavarians and some coffee, let’s get started. You got some talking to do and we’re here to listen.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “One more day for these.” Sara switched on the white Christmas lights she’d strung around a window that overlooked the building’s reception area. “Too bad your grandparents left before Christmas.”

  “They thought they had to go to the ranch Friday but they’ll be back late this afternoon. Grandpa always comes to the company Christmas buffet on the twenty-second.�
��

  Holly worried about everything and her nerves were strung tight as a piano string. All last week she’d been a wreck. Grandpa had assured her before he left that things were going well. Be patient, he’d said, and it’ll work out.

  “So, they’ll be with you over Christmas?” Sara straightened large red bow on the open door.

  Holly shook her head and focused on what Sara was saying. “No. They’re going to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. I’m supposed to go with them.” The trip no longer held the interest it had when they’d planned it last summer—before she’d met Trent.

  “Wow, I’ll bet you’re excited?” She blanched. “Oh, Holly, I’m sorry. I forgot this is your first Christmas without your father. I guess it seems odd.”

  Holly forced a smile. “Yes, I guess that’s why I can’t get in the spirit of the season. I haven’t even put up a tree at home.” The part about not having a tree was true. And she missed her father, of course. But Trent Macleod was the reason she’d been moping around.

  “No need for a tree if you won’t be there.” Sara smiled at her. “I can hardly wait to go see my folks in Waco. What’s Mr. Macleod doing for Christmas?”

  “I—I don’t know.” His recent behavior let her know he wasn’t spending it with her. That was for certain.

  He hadn’t called and hadn’t spoken except to ask a question in meetings. In fact, he’d gone out of town for days and hadn’t even told her where. Instead, he seemed always in a hurry. She wondered if he’d met someone else and this was his way of letting her down easy.

  “I’m sorry, I thought you and he—oh, um, never mind.” Sara blushed and looked around as if searching for a change of topic. She gestured to the office decorations. “I’ll put all these away tomorrow after the Christmas luncheon before I leave.”

  “I’ll help. It won’t take long.” Holly escaped into her office and sat down.

  So, apparently people thought she and Trent were still an item. Maybe the talk would all die down over the plant’s holiday shut down and people would forget. But not her. She couldn’t forget for more than a few moments at a time.

  The health package was sealed and employees would receive their new cards the first week of January. She’d set to work updating the training manual, hoping there would be new hires after the holidays who needed training. If the plan Grandpa had told her about came through, they’d need about fifty new employees. Without it, they’d face layoffs.