“I’ll get my coat and be right back.” He left in a hurry.
Valerie stood at the copier. “I don’t know how Jacob does the things he does, but let him take a stab at this, Suzi. Welwood can’t prove your father agreed to anything.” She stapled the new sheets together.
Jacob dashed in and Valerie handed him the copies.
He tilted Suzi’s chin so she looked into his eyes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. This will be worked out in your favor. I promise. Do you trust me?”
She sniffed but nodded. He wanted to kiss her but didn’t dare with Valerie watching.
He jogged to his truck and took off for downtown. Should he ask Gabriel before he told Mike the problem? He pulled over and pressed the number for Gabriel.
“I need to help Suzi… Dr. Stephens. I’m sure you’re aware a crooked man is trying to cheat her out of the children’s home. You said I had to save it but I don’t have time left to do this on my own. Can I use my brother’s lawyers?”
The great bass voice thundered, “Hmm, you slipped up with your brother, Jacob. We’re aware he guessed who you were, but you didn’t play fair by going to the office. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake with his staff.” The line went dead.
Jacob drove home and changed into a suit. At the Richison building, he parked and strode inside. A different guard was on duty at this time of day, George Faraday.
“Hey, George. How’s Rachel doing? Has she recovered from her last surgery?”
Looking puzzled, the guard pushed the sign-in book toward Jacob. “Still using a walker but her back’s healing. Gonna be slow.”
“Give her my best, will you.” He took an elevator and exited at the top floor where he headed to Mike’s office.
Zelma Young, his forty-something secretary, looked up and blanched. “Oh, for a minute I thought I was seeing things.” She checked at the book on her desk. “I don’t see an appointment for you, sir.”
“Zelma, trust that Mike will want to see me. Please tell him Jacob Porter needs to see him as soon as possible.”
“He’s in a meeting. If you’d care to wait, I don’t think he’ll be much longer.”
“Thank you.” Forcing himself to be patient, he sat in the lobby. Would Zelma actually tell Mike he was here? Of course, she would. Poor Suzi, every minute he was away she’d be worrying herself ill.
Welwood should be in prison. Suzi had mentioned that the crook had done the same thing to Brandi’s grandfather. Could Jacob discover others who’d been fleeced by the unscrupulous banker?
Jacob stood and paced. He simply couldn’t sit while the children’s home was in jeopardy. What would he have done if Gabriel had said no? Could Jacob have worked out a solution?
He wasn’t a stupid man. Sure, he could have managed. The problem was time. Jacob would have needed more time than he had left to solve this on his own.
Mike’s lawyers could set Welwood on his rear in no time. Maybe they could even make a charge of fraud stick against him. Wouldn’t that be great?
He was working the problem in his mind when a familiar voice called, “Jacob, great to see you. You look upset. Come into my office and tell me how can I help?”
Once they were in Mike’s office, he hugged Jacob. “You’ve been on my mind all the time, bro. How are you coming on working out a way to stay here?”
“Still working but I have a more immediate problem. Welwood is trying to pull a fast one. I need expert legal advice. I don’t have enough time left to handle this myself.” He handed his brother the copies he’d brought.
Mike read over the first page. “That jackass is crazy if he thinks he can pull this on that poor woman. We’ll see about his scheme.”
“He did the same thing to the grandfather of one of the teachers at the school. The man lost everything. If her parents hadn’t been able to help, the grandparents would have lost their home.”
Mike grimaced. “Makes you wonder how often he’s done the same thing. Don’t worry, I’ll see Welwood meets his match. My guys—our guys—will take that crook down.”
“Thanks, Mike. I was certain I could count on you.”
“Can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together. Even in that closet you call an apartment.”
“Ha, we’d have been happy to have something that nice when we were starting our company.”
“Wouldn’t we? With a stocked fridge and full pantry we’d have thought we were living high. How many pizzas did we eat back then? If it weren’t for the tomato sauce we’d probably have had rickets or whatever it is you get from no vegetables.”
“And yet we had a pizza the other night. I have to say I enjoyed that one more since it wasn’t the only thing available.”
“You doing anything this evening? I can share whatever the lawyers say.”
“Why don’t we have something other than pizza this time?”
“My place, okay?” Mike sobered. “Will it make you too homesick?”
Jacob shook his head. “Naw, truthfully nothing could make it any worse than it already is.”
Mike clapped him on the back. “I’ll take pleasure in Welwood getting what’s coming to him. You go on back to whatever you do at that school and tell your Dr. Stephens not to worry.”
“She’s not ‘my’ Dr. Stephens.”
“I’ll bet she is, or at least she’d like to be. I’ll see you about half past six.”
Jacob strode toward the elevator in a much better mood than when he’d come into the building. Before he went home and changed clothes, he texted her. Got big guns. Gonna B ok. After he scarfed down a sandwich, he drove to the school.
He went straight to Suzi’s office. “Mike Richison’s law team is going to handle this. Welwood and Petit are no match for Richison. Believe me, Welwood won’t stop the gala. In fact, I suspect that by the time Richison’s lawyers are finished with him, Welwood will be dust, or locked behind bars.”
“I hope he goes to jail to pay for the lives he’s ruined.” She laid her hand on his chest. “Jacob, you realize that if not for you, the children here plus Paddy and I would have lost our home. Our staff would be without a job in the middle of a school year.”
He put his hand over hers. “I imagine you’d have solved the situation, Suzi. You’re a smart woman.”
She shook her head slowly. “I truly believe I’m a good child psychologist, but I’m not business savvy enough to conquer this in the time I had. I didn’t know I’d need to be the director and never took any business courses. I could analyze Welwood, but I don’t know how to fight him.”
“Fortunately, you don’t have to now.”
Miss Farmer, the third grade teacher, marched Billy into the office. “This young man needs your other hat, Dr. Stephens.”
Jacob stepped out of the office to let her deal with the troubled boy. What had the young Boy Scout done? He’d seen the kid around. Something about him reminded Jacob of Mike.
He hadn’t met any kids he didn’t like, but some struck a chord within him that made them favorites. Although he tried not to show outward preference, he couldn’t help the way he felt about Billy and Missy, with several others running a close second. One of those was Henry, who protected Billy the way Jacob had Mike.
Although he’d intended to work late, he left at six so he could get to his brother’s on time. Driving up to the large home in a park-like setting revived fond rather than painful memories. He recalled the day Mike had purchased the place.
Mike had said he intended to marry and raise his children in this house. So far, he hadn’t married. As far as Jacob knew, Mike hadn’t found anyone special. Maybe he might find Suzi fit his ideal of a wife.
The idea ripped deeply into Jacob. If he couldn’t have her, he knew Mike would be a good husband and father. Surely his brother could make Suzi happy.
She’d said she intended to remain in the home she lived in now and raise her kids there if she ever had any. How would that work out between her and Mike?
One of them would have to change.
Jacob parked and rang the bell.
Mike answered. “Just got here. Have I got good news. Welwood doesn’t have squat. While a verbal agreement is binding, that’s between two living parties where terms are agreed on. With Dr. Stephens—the father—deceased, there’s not a strong enough case.”
“What about the gala? Can he stop it?”
“Our guys filed papers on him this afternoon to keep him from interfering with that event. They’re digging into all the dirt they can find. If you can get me the name of this teacher’s grandfather, he may know others who’ve had the same thing happen to them.”
“I’ll get it for you tomorrow unless you need it earlier.”
“Let’s knock off talking problems for tonight. Take your choice, there’s a good game on or an action flick. I’ve stocked up on beer and chips. Got some of that dip you like, too.”
Jacob rubbed his hands together. “Sounds like a plan, man. Dig out those chips.”
Chapter Fourteen
Suzi was at her desk the next afternoon when Jacob strolled in.
He leaned against the door frame. “Exciting day—last one of school before the new year. Kids can hardly stand the wait for Santa.” How could Jacob always appear calm?
“Tomorrow’s the gala. I’ve given up worrying because by now there’s no time to change anything.”
“Glad to hear that.” He straightened. “Billy okay?”
“You mean from yesterday? Yes, he’s a precious boy but he saw his father murder his mother. Once in a while something triggers his anger at his father and he self-destructs. This time he turned over his desk and threw his papers and pencils into the aisle.”
A frown marring his handsome brow, Jacob came to her desk. “Can’t picture him doing that. He didn’t hurt another kid, did he?”
She shook her head. “As far as I’m aware, he never has. Miss Farmer simply asked the children to draw something they wanted for Christmas. For some reason Billy had a meltdown.”
“What do you do to help him or punish him?”
She held up a hand. “No punishment—well, he did have to apologize to Miss Farmer and the class. We used play therapy where we play games and I ask him questions and talk about consequences and self-control.”
“Must be complicated.”
“That kind of therapy can be revealing and insightful—if I get the questions right.”
He tucked a curl behind her ear. “And, I’ll bet you do.”
“Thank you. I love working with these children and helping them through their problems. Some, I suspect, will never overcome the trauma they’ve suffered. Others give the impression they’ll rise above the stuff they’ve seen and the hand they’ve been dealt.”
“I hope Billy’s the latter.”
“Time will tell but I believe he is.” She sighed and sat in her desk chair. “What I really wanted to do was to hug Billy and tell him things would be all right, but of course doing so would be entirely inappropriate.”
Raising his eyebrows, Jacob leaned a hip against her desk corner. “And, that would have been a lie, wouldn’t it?”
Restless, she rested her hands on her desk. “Yes, his life won’t be okay unless he makes it so. Teaching kids the importance of the choices they make is difficult. They look at the immediate instead of the long term or the big picture.”
Jacob stood and shook his head. “Not me. I knew I was getting out and making something of myself.”
He did a double take and looked down at his clothes and laughed. “Oops, guess I didn’t do so well here.”
“Of course you did. You landed a full scholarship. You guided your brother to do the same. I hope you’re proud of your accomplishments.” She did question why he was here in this job but didn’t think she should grill him more than she’d already done.
Shoving his hands into his jeans pockets, he nodded. “I admit I am. We had fifteen or twenty tough years after our mom died, but we overcame them. Being self-sufficient is important.”
Maybe she could pry a little. “Is your brother doing well?”
Pleasure shone from his eyes. “Yes, he’s a fine man and makes a good living. I’m proud of him.”
“I’d love to meet him.” Was that too pushy? Meeting the family was a giant step in her mind.
He smiled. “I’d love for you to sometime. Now, I have to move the bleachers. Whoever designed those is a genius.”
“I was amazed the first time I saw them collapse. Thank goodness they’re not more difficult since we have to move them several times a year. Remember that three of the cottage parents will help. If you’re ready, I’ll give them a call.”
“Thanks, I’ll appreciate your giving them a heads up for me.”
Suzi called the men to help Jacob. That done, she packed the assortment of small gifts students and staff members had given her into a file box. One child’s present was simply a picture drawn on a sheet of construction paper. Even though she’d opened the gifts when they were given to her, she planned to place the collection under her tree until Christmas.
“By the way,” Jacob said in the doorway. “Thanks for those peppermint sticks you gave every kid. You have no idea how sticky this entire school is.”
Horror hit her and she froze with her hand on the box rim. “The children weren’t supposed to get them until they were leaving school.”
His expression was solemn. “Then something went terribly wrong.”
She sensed the blood drain from her face. “Oh, no, the gala….”
He laughed. “Sorry, Suzi, I was only rattling your chain. These kids are pretty well-behaved. A lot better than I was, that’s for sure. I didn’t see even one open his candy before he left school.”
She rounded the desk and punched his arm. “You rat. You had me picturing the feet of important people sticking to the floor tomorrow night.”
He grinned, mischief dancing in his lovely blue eyes. “Not a chance. Soon as we get the bleachers out, Rhonda’s people are laying the floor covering and setting up tables.”
“She likes to get them up early so she has time to shift them around if needed.”
“I’ll be there to help wherever I’m needed.”
Suzi clasped her hands to her chest. “Jacob, I’m unbelievably excited. This will be the best event the school has ever hosted. That is, if Welwood doesn’t spoil everything.”
He squeezed her arm. “Leave him to Mike Richison. He’s got your back. See you later.” He strode toward the gym.
Suzi finished packing her gifts and cleared up the paperwork due before the year’s end. Then, she strolled to the gym to observe the preparations. When she arrived, the place resembled her idea of a movie set.
Bleachers were in the hall on their way to the cafeteria. Rhonda’s workmen had the floor laid and were setting up tables. Katie, Ainsley, and Brandi were busily stapling impressively real-looking pine garland to the fabric-covered walls.
Katie stopped and hurried over to her. “You don’t need to help, Suzi, but if you want to, grab the other end of Brandi’s garland.
Brandi had so much of the greenery wrapped around her arms and shoulders her face barely showed. “I’ll be happy to get rid of this stuff. It sticks and I’m itching.”
Suzi grabbed one end and Brandi turned to unwind the rope of garland as Ainsley stapled the greenery onto the soft walls as high as she could reach.
Katie stretched to place a thumb tack where the staple was to go. “Don’t worry, we’ve measured so the garland’s drapes will be the same. Della Robia was too expensive, which is why we’ve added pine cones and red bows to this.”
Glancing at the work they’d done so far, Suzi was pleased. “Impressive. I’m positive this looks festive enough. Are you putting this on all four walls?”
Brandi’s pffft blew fake pine needles away from her mouth. “You bet. We spent hours wiring on the darned pine cones and bows. I think the effect is amazing.”
Suzi ha
d to agree. The red bow was fastened at the top of the drape. From a short distance, the pine boughs appeared real.
Jacob strode toward her. “All done hiding the bleachers, Chief. What next?”
“Help with the placement of the tables. You know how they should be arranged. Do you have the diagram we drew?”
He pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. “I do. Oops, they’re getting too close to the dance floor area.” He hurried off to talk to the men setting up tables and chairs.
Ainsley stared at the things being carried into the gym. “Can you imagine how much money Rhonda has invested in her equipment?”
Katie tapped her on the shoulder. “You plan on watching or working?”
Ainsley laughed and looped fake pine around Katie’s neck. “You are a hard taskmaster. Remember, I’m the artsy dreamer type.”
“Is that what you call your goofing off time? You and Brandi are a pair of romantics. Lucky for you you’re so good at your jobs or Suzi would fire you.”
Brandi’s eyes widened. “That’s not funny, Katie. Do you have any idea how many schools have cut art and music? The number is criminal.”
Suzi met Brandi’s gaze. “You’re safe here. Both subjects are extremely important to a child’s development. Plus music is supposed to help with mathematics.”
Ainsley said, “Preaching to the choir, Pastor Stephens.”
They knocked off at eight and agreed to return the next morning at nine. Jacob carried the box of gifts as he walked Suzi home.
“I’m glad to have a nice strong helper to tote that for me.”
He chuckled. “Just so you know, flattery always works with me.”
“Oh, I’ll file that away for the future.”
His smile disappeared. “Do that.” He exhaled and his grin returned. “You made a pretty big haul here. Is this protection graft?”
“You bet. No gift, no contract renewal, no passing grades for students. I run a serious corruption racket here.”
“Yeah, I can tell everyone’s afraid of you by the way they smile at you and wave. They hide their fear well.”
Angel For Christmas Page 10
