Satisfaction Guaranteed

by Isabelle Drake

  She couldn’t deny their chemistry. But would that be enough for her? After all, she’d made it pretty plain she was looking for a husband.

  Husband was not a word he saw applying to himself any time soon. He’d just started a practice. It would be years before he could support a wife. And children.

  Children?

  Who said anything about children?

  Jack raked his hand through his hair and concentrated on staying in his lane. He’d lost his mind in just twenty-four hours.

  Marrying Elizabeth, a woman he barely knew, was the farthest thing from his mind. So why did the thought of her taking her passion to another level with some faceless guy make him grit his teeth? He had no claim to her.

  That didn’t keep him from wanting one though.

  Jack spotted his exit, checked his rearview mirror, then cut across two lines of traffic.

  Problem was he didn’t know what the next step should be. Whatever he came up with had to be foolproof.

  Lucky for them, he was no one to give up.

  —

  Just minutes after she walked through the door, Elizabeth’s phone rang.

  Is it possible to recognize your mother’s ring?

  Sure enough, her mom’s voice chirped from the other end.

  “I thought for sure I’d get your machine.”

  For the second time that night, Elizabeth wished she had relied on the machine. She tossed her mail onto the tiny table by the door, breathed deeply and replied as pleasantly as possible. “No, I just got home.”

  “I got a call from your Aunt Vicki.” There was a dramatic pause before her mother added the kicker. “She has the best news.”

  Elizabeth slid out of her rumpled suit jacket, wondering again why April Anderson wanted to talk in person. Bad news? As in she’d decided to go with another firm already?

  “Elizabeth?”

  “What?”

  “Her news dear. You really need to learn to pay attention to people. No wonder—”

  “What’s her news, Mom?” Elizabeth said, intentionally cutting her mother off. She did not need to hear another reason why she did not have a man.

  “You’ll never guess.”

  “You’re probably right. I’ll never guess.” If Ms. Anderson dropped Harrison because of something she’d said, Steve would be in whether he got Rodeo Bob’s or not. “So go ahead and tell me.”

  Please, let’s get this over with.

  “Okay, spoilsport.” Her mom let a breath of quiet set off her announcement. “Your cousin Kali is getting married to that engineer she’s been seeing.” After another pause, she added with a squeak of excitement, “He’s the smart one, honey.”

  Elizabeth swallowed the news with a mixture of happiness, disappointment and a touch of envy she didn’t want to acknowledge.

  “That’s not all.” Her mother plowed on, interrupting Elizabeth’s thoughts. “She’s coming home next week. They’re going to get married here, in Houston.”

  Her mother’s exhilaration vibrated out of the phone. “At our church! Isn’t that wonderful? They’re planning the ceremony in that pretty courtyard where Vicki and Aaron were married.”

  A wistful smile lifted Elizabeth’s mouth. “Just like you and Dad.”

  “That’s right. Imagine if you got married there too. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

  Frowning, Elizabeth half-listened to the details. Dark purple dresses and all-white flowers. A delicious cheesecake covered with real flowers instead of the traditional stacked white cake that, according to her mother, nobody actually liked.

  Elizabeth was happy for her cousin. They’d been close as children and often talked about the men they’d marry someday.

  “How does that sound?”

  Elizabeth scrambled to figure out what her mother could be asking but came up blank.

  “Sorry Mom, I didn’t catch that.”

  “Really, honey.” Her mom sighed. “I was saying Hale Crompton will be there and I’d be happy to ask Aunt Vicki to put you next to him.”

  “Oh no,” she stammered. “Really. That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  “Why not?” her mother demanded. “It’d be the perfect chance for you two to get better acquainted.”

  There wouldn’t ever be a good time to get to know Hale Crompton better. She scrolled through her memorized list of excuses but none of them would work. “It just wouldn’t be the right time. That’s all.”

  Her mother chimed in with the only thing she’d ever agree was acceptable. Enthusiasm, frosted with surprise, sang though the phone line. “You’ll be bringing a date?”

  “Ummm…I might be.” Elizabeth winced as her lie tumbled out.

  She’d stepped into a tricky trap that would be impossible to escape. A real live man. If she didn’t show up with a living, breathing male, the questions would be never-

  ending and the situation too humiliating to comprehend. Unless she came up with another lie to explain why he wasn’t there.

  “Who dear? Who are you seeing? Someone you met at work? I hope not. Those office romances are bad news. Your cousin Rebecca got mixed up in one of those. Terrible, terrible.”

  Thinking of her desktop scenario, Elizabeth held in a laugh. Her mother would be stunned at what went on at her office. “No, Mother. I am not having an office romance.”

  “Thank goodness. You have enough trouble meeting men.” There was a slight pause before the next slew of questions. “Tell me about him, dear. Where does he work? He does have a job, doesn’t he? Does he have family here in Houston?”

  What was there to say about a man who didn’t exist? “Wait and meet him at the wedding.”

  “Will he fit in with the family? I wouldn’t want him feeling out of place.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Really, Mother.”

  Hearing the warning tone in her voice, her mom backed off. “Okay. I guess I can wait but I want you to be sure your father and I get to talk to him.”

  “Of course, Mom. If he’s there.”

  Steering her mother away from all topics related to dating and men, Elizabeth rambled through the rest of the conversation.

  She’d walked herself right into a truly impossible situation. Where was she going to find a man?

  Jack Harley.

  No. He wasn’t an answer. He fell into the problem category.

  Chapter Eight

  Elizabeth paused in the Anderson Airways parking lot, gathering herself, getting ready to talk Ms. Anderson into giving her another opportunity. The hum of a prop airplane droned behind she as she strode toward the office. The modest building didn’t look like much from the outside. Sort of a red tin can, cut in half and put on its side.

  Inside was another story. A woman’s touch, most likely April’s, was everywhere. Delicate curtains fluttered over the windows and tall potted trees stood in the corners.

  Elizabeth leaned on the high counter. The work area was functional. Desks, filing cabinets, clipboards hanging on the wall—all the basic office stuff one would expect.

  April bustled into the room, carrying a box of red and white binders. “Good morning, Elizabeth. Thanks for coming so early.” After she set the box on the counter, she flicked her wrist. “Come on to the back. We can talk in there.”

  Elizabeth followed the other woman through a short hallway into a large back room. A miniature kitchen filled one corner, cabinets and counters the other three. A large rectangular table filled the middle of the room. Outside a mullioned bay window, a row of red and white planes lined a giant lot. Even though maps and charts hung from the walls, the room had a homey, comfortable feel.

  “Coffee?”

  Elizabeth’s reply was automatic. “Yes, please.”

  April brought a glass pitcher with an odd top over to the table. When she observed Elizabeth’s pulled eyebrows, she chuckled. “It’s a French coffee press. It looks strange but wait until you taste the coffee.”

  Elizabeth lingered beside the narrow table in the
center of the room, tracing the edge with her fingertips. After April set out cups, a sugar bowl and a carton of cream, she gestured to the chairs. Elizabeth sat, crossed her legs and tried not to let her nervousness show.

  April’s reserve was at odds with her bubbling personality from the day before. During that meeting, she’d been chatty and full of questions.

  If Ms. Anderson had asked her there to inform her that she wasn’t interested in using Harrison for her accounts, Steve would be in and she’d be out.

  Elizabeth wasn’t about to go down without a fight. A polite, professional one, yes but still she knew she had the skills to take care of whatever Ms. Anderson wanted done and she’d make sure the other woman knew it.

  “I’ve been thinking about your comments from yesterday, Ms. Anderson and I have a couple ideas I’d like to run by you.”

  “You have to taste this first.” The other woman pointed to the glass pot. “Then we’ll talk.”

  Elizabeth resigned herself to waiting. Ms. Anderson gently pressed the long handle down, then poured the dark coffee into the cups. To fill in the unbearable, wordless gap, she pointed to the cups. “You like it strong?”

  “Only the first cup.” April glanced up, concern in her blue eyes. “You don’t like it strong?”

  The inane chit-chat was killing her but Elizabeth managed a smile. “Strong is fine. At least I won’t have to worry about falling asleep at my desk.”

  Good going, Sewell.

  “Oh?” She turned away to get a couple spoons. “Is that usually a problem?”

  It wasn’t until their gazes connected again that Elizabeth realized the other woman was teasing her.

  April chuckled. “Stop being so nervous. I didn’t ask you here to tell you I don’t want to work with Harrison’s.”

  An edgy laugh rumbled out of Elizabeth.

  “I know how those big firms operate. Relax and taste the coffee.”

  Relief flooded through her but she kept her demeanor professional. After adding in a touch of cream, Elizabeth took a tiny sip. The brew was hot, dark and wonderful. She sighed and took a bigger taste. “Excellent.”

  April grinned and, for the first time that morning, the flash was back in her blue eyes. “Now we can talk business.” She settled her delicate hands around the rim of her cup. “I think my current accountant, Michael Mackenzie, is embezzling from me. I can’t quite put my finger on what the problem is, I just get the feeling that something’s wrong.” She frowned, tapping her fingers on the handle of the mug before she looked up.

  “Know what I mean? When an idea settles into your head and won’t go away? Those nagging doubts just won’t vanish.”

  Elizabeth nodded. She was well acquainted with troublesome thoughts. “Embezzlement is a serious charge.”

  “I know and I don’t bring this up lightly. It’s been bothering me for almost four months. Obviously, I need to take care of it.

  “I’d like you to go to each of the Anderson’s offices and check over the records. You’re a real sharp gal.” She smiled warmly. “My husband, late husband, Earl always said I could spot people with smarts. If there is something fishy going on, you’ll find it.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” Elizabeth said over her mug. “You want me to work with your regular accountant?”

  “No.” April pulled her mouth together and shook her head. “He’s on a two-week vacation. I’m hoping you could go look into things while he’s gone.”

  Elizabeth understood Ms. Anderson’s point of view. Possible theft wasn’t something that could be ignored for long. Well maintained accounts would stand up to scrutiny, so if there was nothing amiss, the accountant shouldn’t be upset by a routine audit. On the other hand, if the man was given a warning, he’d find a way to cover his tracks. Taking advantage of him being away was an excellent strategy. “How long has Mr. Mackenzie been working for you?”

  “Since my brother Harold passed away.” She set her cup down and let her gaze wander around the room. “About two years, I suppose. Before him Earl took care of all the accounting.” April fingered the rim of her mug. “They passed away within months of each other.”

  Even though her own family made her crazy, she loved them. “I didn’t mean to bring up—”

  “No, dear. Don’t you start feeling sorry for me. I miss Earl but he wouldn’t want me moping around all day. So I work, travel and spend time with my eight grandchildren.”

  “Eight?”

  April pointed to a collection of photos hanging on the opposite wall. Rows of children, babies on up to teenagers, smiled into the room.

  One corner of Elizabeth’s mouth tipped up. “My mom is still waiting for her first. She talks about it all the time.”

  “I understand.” April laughed. “Grandparents get to have all the fun.” She grabbed a letter-sized envelope off a counter. “At any rate, here’s the list of Anderson offices. There’s contact information for each of the addresses listed. A master key is inside.

  “Please, use our planes. I insist. Doing it that way will make your scheduling so much easier.” She peered over the top of the brown envelope. “My pilots are the best. You aren’t afraid to fly are you?”

  “Not at all.” Elizabeth shook her head, rising to accept the envelope.

  “Glad to hear it. Will it be all right with Mr. Harrison if you to leave right away? Say, tomorrow? A day or two later would be okay but, as I said, he’s only going to be gone for two weeks. I’d like to get this little mystery solved before Michael returns.”

  “You say you don’t have any evidence?”

  “He’s told me a few things that didn’t match up but nothing that couldn’t be explained away. Earl wouldn’t like to hear me say so,” she said with a chuckle, “but it’s my woman’s intuition that has me worried. I’m hoping a thorough audit of all the books will either confirm my suspicions or prove that I’m off the mark. I’d love to be mistaken. He seems like such a pleasant and competent young man but impressions can be wrong, I suppose.”

  Impressions could be wrong but not numbers. Numbers can’t lie. “I hope you’re wrong. If he’s taking your money, I’ll do my best to figure out how and bring back the information you need.” Elizabeth opened the envelope and dug out the key. “This opens all the office doors?”

  “My Earl liked to keep things simple,” she said, clearing the table.

  Elizabeth got up and put her empty mug on the counter. “That’ll make it easy for me.”

  “That’s the idea. You’ll be able to come and go quickly, without causing too much disruption. Please, fax me your schedule, when you’ll be able to leave, which offices you’d like to visit first, second and so on. I’ll let my pilot know and we’ll get this going.”

  Leaning against the counter, April asked, “Any questions?”

  Elizabeth twisted the clasp on the top of the envelope. “Not right now. I’ll look everything over and be in touch this afternoon.”

  April walked with her to the door. After they shook hands, Elizabeth slipped on her sunglasses and stepped outside.

  “Thanks for coming all the way out here.”

  “It’s been my pleasure.” Elizabeth waved, returning April’s smile. “Thanks for that great coffee.”

  —

  Three hours later, Elizabeth stepped into the elevator of Jack’s office building. It was possible that he wouldn’t be there, since it was eleven-forty-five and he probably escorted women for lunch dates but she needed to tie up loose ends before going out of town. Getting distracted by personal matters while on this trip was not on her agenda. She had too much at stake. A few minutes of Jack’s time, that’s all she needed.

  She watched the lights flash as the elevator rose. What if one of those women was with him right now? Images of their office scene flooded her mind, making her cheeks burn. The doors slid open, exposing the professional beige and navy hallway that led to the office.

  Back out?

  No. She’d come this far. She had to go a
ll the way. The worst-case scenario featured Jack telling her to get lost. Admittedly, that would be pretty bad but she could deal with it.

  Right?

  Besides, she was simply being nice and bringing him lunch. She needed to talk to him and explain that she’d be out of town for a while.

  After she tapped on the door, she peeked inside. No women lingered around, arranging dates with Jack or any other escorts. The reception desk sat empty. The clock over the reception desk indicated eight minutes until noon. Even escorts had to eat. She turned to leave but stopped when distant tapping caught her attention.

  She paused near the desk. “Hello? Jack?”

  The ticking stopped and Jack appeared in the doorway of a back office. When his gaze met hers, his eyebrows pulled together and he almost frowned.

  “It’s business but I brought lunch…” She raised the white sacks, a rush of blood racing to her head. “The food is to apologize for coming by on short notice. I-I mean unannounced. I should’ve called.” She lifted her eyebrows and finished weakly. “Sorry if I interrupted.”

  The cloud of hesitation drifted from his face and he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. “Oh that. That’s um…that’s nothing.” With three long strides, he reached the reception area. Glancing down at her hands, he grinned. “You brought food?”

  She shook the bags in reply.

  He stepped back and turned toward the doorway he’d come from. After he glanced from her to the back office a couple times, a weak smile curved his mouth.

  What did he have to be nervous about? Elizabeth peeked past him, half wondering if she’d see a half-nude woman pacing in frustration.

  The phone rang and he stole a glance at it from the corner of his eye. It rang again but he didn’t move to pick it up.

  “Go ahead and answer it. I’ll wait,” she said, nodding at the desk.

  “No.” He grabbed her arm, rushed her into the hallway and locked the door. “Let’s go outside, to a park down the street.”

  Elizabeth paused at the door. “What about that call? It might be a client.”

  “We’ll let the machine get it.” He tapped her chin, as he pulled her toward the elevator. “If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.”