Janeshia felt herself blush.
His eyes were warm and amusing. “Well since I chose the main course, you should choose dessert,” he smiled.
“No dessert for me thanks,” she smiled.
“A woman that doesn’t want dessert, you are a great catch. I’m so glad you went out with me tonight. This is the beginning of a wonderful relationship,” he nodded. “I knew my being determined to go out with you had sound reasoning. I’m glad you made me earn every minute of it.”
He gestured a toast with his glass.
Janeshia’s heart raced from his warm compliments.
There was a moment of silence and then Ramsey leaned over and touched her hand.
“You’re so charming. You know that? I want to make everything perfect for you.”
Janeshia almost lost her breath at the sound of his words. She reached for her champagne and took another sip. Ramsey was watchful and attentive to every detail. She liked that about him.
“I’ve never had a man say so many sweet words to me, Ramsey. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say the night isn’t over and you’ll dance with me.
Believe it or not they do have a great dance floor in the basement of this place.”
Ramsey looked around for the waiter. “Waiter is their dancing tonight?”
“Yes sir there is, downstairs its ballroom night. They’ve got everything from Big Bands to the Foxtrot. Why the DJ will even take requests.”
Janeshia lifted her glass and toasted. “Great! The end to a prefect evening,” she said. “Oh, and Ramsey if we miss a step or two dancing, no one has to know it but us.”
“That’s my girl,” Ramsey agreed. “Care to dance?” he asked holding out his hand.
She took two breathes and stared at him and gave him her hand. She liked that about him, she thought.
Chapter 19
Lawyers and retainers oh my…
A few days later, Larissa London closed the door of her office. She wanted to drown out the sounds of the noise coming from just outside her door. She sat at her desk and played back the message. Her eyes glistened with wonder as she lifted her phone and quickly dialed the number.
“Hello, I’d like to speak with Mrs. Edmond-Perreault, please,” Larissa politely said into the phone.
“This is she speaking. This is my private line. Is this Larissa London?”
“Yes, I was returning your call.”
“Thank you, Miss London, for calling me back,” Claire Marie’s voice was crisp and friendly. “I’ll cut to the chase,” she said quickly. “I read an article about you in the San Jose Valley Times. And in it you stated Janeshia James was your best friend.”
“Yes Mrs. Perrault…Yes Janeshia is my best friend. Why do you want to know?”
“Yes, well I know you are a very busy young woman and your time is valuable but well, since you returned my call I will assume you are available to have lunch with me today?”
“Yes, I am,” Larissa said.
“Good then meet me at Scotts at one o’clock. I have reservations.”
Later that morning, Larissa got off the elevator and made her way to the lobby of Scotts. She had agreed to have lunch with Walker’s mother Claire Marie Edmond-Perreault.
She gave the hostess her name and was amazed at how fast she took her to her table.
Claire Marie Edmond-Perreault wore jewelry that looked as regal and noble as she did. She sat patiently looking around the room. She looked like a queen sitting on a throne.
Larissa reached her table and held out her hand. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
Claire Marie’s manner was like an old-world aristocrat. She smiled and nodded. “Larissa, it is so good to see you. You are right on time my dear,” her gold bracelet caught the sunlight.
Larissa smiled warmly and admired her jewelry.
Claire Marie wore only a couple of pieces of jewelry. The pieces were unique. Her wide gold bracelet had a deep rose design that looked expensive.
Larissa’s eyes caught hold of the vintage brooch and she couldn’t stop staring.
Claire Marie reached into her black patent leather Gucci purse and pulled out a matching eye glass case. She put on a pair of small gold wire-rimmed glasses and studied her menu.
Larissa enviously sighed and shook her head and looked again at the brooch.
“I see you like my Vintage Gold, Diamond, and purple Pearl brooch. There is one just like it in the American Museum of Natural History.”
Larissa shook her head and thought maybe she misunderstood what she’d just heard. She cleared her throat and said. “It’s very beautiful. I’m afraid to ask if it’s real.”
Claire Marie leaned forward with interest and gazed back over the rim of her glasses. “All my jewelry is real,” she looked at her over the rim of her glasses.
Larissa blinked. “I can’t believe you’re not afraid to wear that in public.”
“Why not, it’s insured,” Claire Marie said firmly. “Larissa aren’t you more curious about the real reason I called you here?”
“Yes, I am,” Larissa said cautiously.
Claire Marie lifted her water and lightly took a sip. “Well I need to retain you as my lawyer again. Only this time it is for my own personal use and not the foundation. However, it’s maybe that it involves both,” she nodded her head. “But first let me buy you lunch,” she said looking over the menu. “I’m not watching my calories and I must have something that tastes good on my tongue and very satisfying to my tummy. I’ll start with the Boston Clam chowder, and then I’m having the Prawns, Scallops, Chicken, and Sausage Jambalaya with Dirty Rice,” she said smiling sheepishly. “So, Larissa, I suppose a young woman like you, watches what she eats?”
Larissa picked up on Claire Marie’s playful sense of humor. “No, in fact I think I will order what you’re having.”
Claire Marie waived her hand. “Good, I’ll have the waiter take our orders.”
A few minutes later steaming hot coffee sat in front of them.
Larissa reached for the cream and wondered where a lady as petite as Claire Marie put all that food she’d just watched her eat.
Claire Marie leaned over and smiled. “You and I have done business in the past that was, shall I say satisfying for the both of us, correct?”
Larissa raised a brow and nodded. “Of course, we have.”
“Good. Good,” Claire Marie’s words dripped with approval. “So, tell me what you know about the financial books for the foundation.”
“Not much really, just what you showed me six months ago. You explained to me then something about a decrease in profits, but when you checked again, there had been no change. Then it was decided to increase security. So, you had several advance security safeguards at the foundation.” She paused. “From what I was told, the higher security monitors the computer system every day, checks inventory regularly and monitors all of the programs budgets and financial records.”
Claire Marie shook her head. “That is correct. But I’ve come to believe our security is an illusion.”
Larissa gazed up with a stunned expression.
“You see Larissa, I feel I need you to take a look at the security system, you can do this off site of course. I will show you the latest financial report so that you can see my suspicion. Let me assure you, your expenses will be covered,” she hesitated and looked around. “And Oh, I will be paying you extra for this job because I also have a very delicate job for you to handle. Sad to say, I must insist upon having you adhere to your strictest confidentiality policy regarding the matter.”
“Yes, of course,” Larissa nervously smiled staring back at her. She looked around the restaurant. To anyone walking by, Claire Marie Perrault looked like a sweet, extremely well dressed youthful looking matriarch, but looks were deceiving. Claire Marie was a confident, shrewd business woman who was skillful at letting everyone around her think that they were in complete control. She kept a sharp eye on the famil
y’s business using her years of bookkeeping experience.
“So, Claire Marie, what else is it you need me to look into this time?”
Claire Marie pulled a large oversized envelope from out of thin air and laid it on the table. She slowly tapped a well lacquered fingernail against it. “Here, take this envelope with you when you leave. And don’t share the contents in side with anyone. You’ll see what I need for you to do.”
Chapter 20
Dates & Nothing to speak of…
That Saturday morning sky was cloudless blue, as Ramsey and Janeshia made the drive on Highway 101 from San Jose to Monterey California.
Ramsey smiled softly as he glanced at her from time to time while driving. Earlier he’d set his GPS system to sound out their progress every ten minutes. “Per my GPS system we should reach Monterey within the next half hour.”
Ramsey hummed along as his CD player played a soft jazz tune.
Confined in the long car ride with Ramsey Montgomery gave her many moments to think. For the first time she realized Ramsey Montgomery was just like any other man confined to a small car space with a woman. He ran out of things to say. She noticed he’d take a glance at her a couple of times, but he didn’t say a word. She sensed too that he was sort of a loner.
Janeshia slid a sideways glance and studied him. Ramsey didn’t fault his sexuality. It just seemed to ooze out of him without effort. He was cool and in command as he sat behind the steering wheel.
She tried to remain cool and aloof as she studied him.
His eyes stayed on the road.
“Can I tell you something?” His words feel into the silent air between them.
“Sure.”
“You look really good in those jeans,” he said trying to hide his smile. “In case I forgot to mention it.” He swallowed hard hoping she didn’t see the proof of just how much he liked seeing her in her jeans.
Ramsey’s flirtatious smile caught her off guard.
“You don’t say?” Janeshia looked out of the window, suddenly bashful.
He watched her glancing out of the window. “I bet I’m missing some really great scenery passing by,” he said. He cleared his throat. “Someone once told me the drive to Monterey will steal your heart away, just like a beautiful woman. Just like I know you could.”
Janeshia flushed. She realized she should say something nice back. She studied him out of the corner of her eye. She was glad he didn’t wear his suit and tie today. With an embarrassed expression she said, “You look pretty good yourself in those jeans you’re wearing. In case I forgot to mention it before.”
The two laughed together. Slowly the laughter faded.
Janeshia realized she would have to struggle to keep their conversation going. For the first time she realized Ramsey Montgomery was sort of a loner. She shook her head trying to think of something else to say. “It’s hard to believe you are a Venture Capitalist,” she said eagerly. “I always thought them to be shrewd gray-haired old men with a dry sense of humor.”
“Your description is outdated. Times have changed,” he blurted rudely.
Janeshia disliked his abruptness. The moment was tense between them. Neither one said a word.
He stole a glance at her. “Okay, I guess now it’s my turn to say something to break the ice. Did you know Janeshia that California has a warm, sunny Mediterranean climate very similar to France? It allows California to produce some of the superior wines?”
“Oh really,” she said with amusement in her voice. “What are they?”
“What?”
“I want to know which wines are superior,” she said.
Ramsey’s lips curled up into a grin. His voice was effortlessly charming. “Oh, California has a slew of originals; but the one I was referring to is the Cabernet Sauvignons. Now they are far superior to the Best Bordeaux produced in the southwestern region of France.”
“Hmmmm interesting,” Janeshia said wistfully. She stared at his eyes. They blazed strangely as he poured out that tidbit about wines. His eyes looked like a used car salesman about to close a deal. She turned and stared out of the window.
“So now it’s official, we’ve both said something to get the other person’s attention. And we have broken the ice.”
Janeshia laughed softly. “You are so right.”
A half hour later, the ocean view crescent over the highways edge. Cascading waves made the shoreline entering Monterey breathtakingly beautiful.
A few minutes later Ramsey made a right turn and parked his car in a parking lot under a sign that pointed Fisherman’s Wharf straight ahead.
“Wait, I want to get the door for you,” Ramsey said.
The ocean air was cool and crisp and instantly flushed Janeshia cheeks as she stepped from the car. She was glad that she wore the pink cable knit scarf her mother made for her. She pulled it closer from the chill. She traced her hand over the scarf. It made her feel warm like her mother’s embrace against the chilly air.
“Thanks. Where are we going?”
“We are going to have lunch at the Old Fisherman’s Grotto Restaurant. It’s been a favorite of mine for years. Not to mention it’s been a landmark here in Monterey over 50 years. The Clam Chowder is the best I’ve ever tasted.”
Their hostess sat them at a window table overlooking the breathtaking harbor view.
Over lunch she told him about her position as director of the foundation.
Ramsey looked at Janeshia. “I must say you really do like helping people. I like that about you. You give back to the community.”
“Thank you,” she said.
His eyes were amused. “I bet when you love someone you love hard,” he said watching her. “I believe that love is the only thing that is pure that we carry with us until the end.”
She looked him in the eye. “I read a quote almost like that.” She bit her lip trying to remember. “I think it was Louise May Alcott who said, “Love is the only thing we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.”
“Then I must say, I agree with her,” he smiled. “I’m amazed. No, I want to say, I’m impressed with you Janeshia. Not many people nowadays can recite Louis May Alcott. I like that about you. I like it a lot.”
Janeshia blushed. She took another spoon full of clam chowder. “You were right Ramsey. This clam chowder is the best I ever tasted. I would say I’ve found a new love.”
Ramsey nodded agreement.
“So, what did you do on your business trip Ramsey, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Nothing to speak of. First, I went to Manhattan to look over a bunch of accounting records, a few business plans and a few stock portfolios. I had meetings every day for almost two weeks and none of them resulted in a final decision on any of the business plans,” He chuckled softly and put down his spoon. “The third week I went to London to visit an old college professor of mine. His name is Professor Higgins. Now I enjoyed every minute I visited with him. But enough about that,” he said. “I’m dying to know more about you”
Janeshia flushed. “What do you want to know about me?”
“Do you have any family?”
“Well yes, of course I do.” She breathed out with a puzzled expression, wondering where their conversation was going.
Realizing the confusion on her face he added, “I was just wondering. I have a mother you see,” he hesitated. “But my father died when I was young,” he lied.” My mother never remarried after my father died.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Both my parents are alive. And they are still very married.”
“Any brothers are sisters?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
“Not even a step sister or brother?”
Janeshia hesitated from his probing. “Ah. Is there something else you want to know?”
“I’ll be honest you have such a giving helping nature that I just assumed you were from a large family,” he let out a slow breath and licked his lips nervously. Unwanted mem
ories tried to surface in his mind. He tamped them down in his mind and then the lie flowed easily off of his tongue. “I wished for a brother or sister,” he sadly said, with a long sigh. “Anyway, as I told you before I’ve lived a lot of different places, but only with my mother of course. It was a kind of lonely childhood.”
The sadness in his voice shook her. The questions he asked now made sense. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Don’t be,” he smiled. “Now that I’m an adult I resolved myself that I will be happy. I seek happiness. I will work on it until I have it and I am certain that I will have it because I believe in working hard.”
The two talked easily for well over an hour.
Ramsey paid their waiter and they left the restaurant. He took her hand and led the way down the wharf.
“Come on Janeshia you’ve got to see the view at the end of the pier.”
A seagull took flight just as Janeshia leaned against the pier’s railing. A smile lit up her face as she looked out on the vast ocean and sky before her. “Ramsey if I haven’t told you yet, I am so enjoying this place.”
Ramsey moved in closer and stood directly behind her. “I’m glad. When you are with me Janeshia I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
The wind blew suddenly.
He looked down at her as the wind whipped loose a strand of her hair. Her face beamed radiantly against soft rays of sunshine.
All at once she tilted her head and stared up at him.
Janeshia wondered why Ramsey was staring at her that way. The man puzzled her.
“I could get used to having you in my life like this Janeshia,” he smiled. “Really easily,” his arms closed around her as he pulled her close.
Janeshia’s heart jumped.
She leaned her head back against his shoulders. Suddenly she smelled a strong floral scent that was strangely familiar to her. The air felt cold and changed around her. She felt strange being in his arms, like someone was watching her. She he pulled out of his embrace. Her breath caught in her throat, as she stood there and stared.
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