“That’s good for me. I’ll see you at seven. Have a great day, Patrick!”
“You, too, sweetheart.”
Spinning back around, he disconnected the line and dropped the receiver back onto its hook. Garrison eyed him smugly. Giselle looked like she was about to spit nails as she dropped into an empty seat. His gaze shifted from one to the other and then he shook his head.
“Good morning. To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked, his eyes meeting Giselle’s.
“We didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said. “Sounded like you and your new girlfriend were starting early.”
Ignoring the comment, Patrick shifted his stare toward Garrison. “What can I do for you, G-man?”
“You can tell me how you plan to get my property back from that Stallion woman. I know you have something up your sleeve. How we can sabotage that stupid vegetable garden of hers and legally get away with it. I mean, why else would you be wasting your time with her?”
Patrick’s jaw hardened as he clenched his teeth, biting back an expletive. He felt his lungs start to burn as he sucked in a deep gulp of air and held it. His expression was telling, ire building in his eyes. He glared, clearly not amused.
Garrison held up his hands as if he were surrendering. “Don’t get yourself all twisted. It was a joke. Well, maybe not really, but don’t be so sensitive about it.”
“He’s always in his feelings about something,” Giselle muttered.
Garrison shrugged. “Seriously, though, I need you to talk to her. I’m still convinced that property is the best for what I hope to accomplish.”
“Seriously, though,” Patrick responded, “you are out of line. Your disrespect toward Naomi is starting to get old. I would hate for you and me to become bad friends because of it.”
“Whoa, buddy! It’s not all that serious!”
“It’s not like she’s one of us, Patrick. Clearly, she’s nowhere near being in your league,” Giselle interjected.
He snapped his head in her direction, his index finger waving. “Giselle, you do not want to go there with me. Why are you here, anyway? Last time I checked, you didn’t have a job to speak of, and definitely not one with this organization.”
“Check yourself, Patrick O’Brien. You don’t want to go this round with me!” She crossed her arms over her chest, the gesture causing the too-small sweater she wore to pull even tighter across her breasts.
“Giselle, stop. Patrick’s right. Why don’t you go down the hall and see Dad or something while I talk to my man here? He and I are good. We’re just going to agree to disagree. Right, Patrick?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Giselle snapped. She threw her legs over the chair arm, swinging them and the pair of expensive stilettos she wore from side to side.
Patrick rolled his eyes a second time. He shook his head, realizing his good mood had taken a quick nosedive. He drew a calming breath. “I have a meeting. Be gone when I get back, please.” He pulled a stack of file folders from the center of his desk, stood up and moved toward the door, where he paused, tossing Garrison a quick look. “Let’s do lunch. I think we really need to talk.”
“No problem. Sounds like a plan.”
Patrick nodded. “And don’t bring the peanut gallery,” he said, giving Giselle one final glance.
Garrison gave him half a salute. “Yes, sir. No problem, sir!” The man grinned brightly.
His head still wagging from side to side, Patrick chuckled softly as he left the room. Remembering that he’d left his cell phone, he turned back, then paused to eavesdrop when he realized the Perry siblings were talking about him.
“You need to do something,” Giselle quipped. “You need to figure out how to get rid of that woman before she ruins him.”
“Don’t you think I know that?”
“Well, why don’t we start with taking that little business of hers down? I’ll help. Maybe that’ll send her packing!”
Garrison laughed. “You are such a mean girl, little sister.”
“I want Patrick back, Garrison. I want him to look at me the way he looks at her.”
Garrison snorted loudly. “You drive him crazy, Giselle. You’re never getting back together. Get over it.”
“We could. He could love me again.”
“Patrick never loved you, Giselle. You know that.”
“Well, he could have. And he still could. He and I just need more time to make it work.”
“Sorry, Giselle,” Patrick interjected as he moved back into the room. “You and I are never going to happen!”
* * *
Driving home, Patrick couldn’t stop thinking about Naomi. He’d been thinking about her since their call that morning. He’d thought about her at lunch with Garrison, and she’d been on his mind when he’d walked into Nolan Perry’s office and handed in his resignation. Now he was trying to decide if he should tell her about his day or gloss over the highlights and not hurt her feelings.
Hearing his best friend and his best friend’s sister plotting against Naomi had truly been the last straw for him. He couldn’t begin to imagine how either had thought that was okay. Or could think that he would be okay with it.
He thought back to his conversation with Garrison. They’d met for lunch right after his morning meetings. Garrison had rambled on about his girlfriend, his side chick and wanting to take a guys-only trip to Santa Catalina Island.
Patrick had shaken his head. “You aren’t really serious, are you?”
Garrison had looked at him with widened eyes, confusion washing over his expression. “What? You don’t want to go to Catalina? We can always do Santa Barbara instead.” He’d shoveled another forkful of tuna salad into his mouth. “Wherever you want to go, we can go.”
“Why would you even think about trying to sabotage Naomi and her business?”
Garrison hesitated, his fork halting in midair. He finally dropped it to his plate and sat back in his seat. “I get that you’re enjoying this little thing between you and her, Patrick, but I also know that you’re a loyal friend. And loyalty is everything. To me and my father. We’re your family. You barely know that woman.”
Patrick pursed his lips as he shifted forward in his chair. “Family doesn’t plot to hurt you. Family doesn’t try to hurt the people you care about, either. Not any family I claim.”
“So, maybe Giselle and I were out of line, but you know my sister,” Garrison said dismissively.
“I thought I knew you, but I’ve been disappointed lately.”
“What’s your problem, man? Why are you making so much out of this?”
“My problem is you, and the fact that you just don’t get it. I will not stand by and let you hurt Naomi. It’ll get ugly between us if you do.”
Silence settled between them as they stared at each other. Garrison gave him a slight nod as he tossed his cloth napkin onto the table. He stood up, throwing cash beside the napkin to cover the bill. “It’s already ugly,” he said. “I hope she’s worth it.” And then he turned and exited the restaurant.
Patrick sighed heavily as he steered his car toward downtown and home. Lunch had been bad enough, and then minutes after he’d arrived back at work, Nolan Perry had called, commanding a face-to-face in his office. Patrick had known by the man’s tone that the conversation would not go well. Thinking about it made him angry all over again.
“Patrick, son! Come have a seat,” Nolan had said, pointing toward the chair in front of his oversize desk.
“How are you, Mr. Perry?”
He had nodded. “Concerned about you, son! Giselle was here earlier and she’s concerned that you might be in a bind. I was hoping to help.”
Patrick had kept his expression blank as he took a deep breath. “I appreciate your daughter’s concern, but she really should be focused on her
own life and not mine.”
“I know Giselle can be a handful, but I couldn’t help but question if her concerns didn’t have some validity.”
“And what concerns are those?”
“Both Giselle and Garrison have expressed that your relationship with Naomi Stallion might be affecting your performance here.”
“And why would they think that? Because I won’t participate in either’s scheme to tarnish the woman’s name or cause harm to her business?”
“Because it seems that your loyalty may be compromised.”
Patrick took a breath and held it for moment before he spoke again. “Mr. Perry, although I appreciate what I think you’re trying to do, you’re the last person who should be telling me about loyalty.”
“Excuse me?”
“Doesn’t Naomi deserve the same loyalty from you as your other children? Maybe even more, under the circumstances?”
Nolan had bristled visibly, his face reddening until he looked like he was about to explode. “Why would you ask me that?”
Patrick shook his head. “Your daughter deserves better, sir. Garrison and Giselle might not know Naomi’s true identity, but I know that she’s never done anything to either of them for them to think it’s okay to treat her so abhorrently. You, on the other hand, do know, and you shouldn’t be defending their bad behavior, most especially since it’s focused toward one of their siblings.”
“I’m not sure what that young woman told you, but...”
“Are you not her father?”
“I... That’s not...” He swallowed hard, a visible lump in his throat. He shifted the topic. “I would hate to see us not be able to come to a resolution here. I can appreciate your concern about Garrison and Giselle’s behavior and I have spoken to both. They know that I will not tolerate any behavior that is unfavorable to our business goals. What I need to know is that you are on board to continue to grow the business that employs you, and not focused on outside interests that would impede that growth.”
“Mr. Perry, neither my integrity nor my job performance has ever been an issue. The fact that my personal life is suddenly cause for concern with you is a red flag for me. Who I date isn’t any of your business, and it definitely isn’t Garrison’s or Giselle’s.”
“So, you plan to continue to see this young woman?”
“I most definitely do. I care very much for your daughter. Naomi is an incredible woman. If you took time to know her you would agree.”
“You’re treading on thin ice with me, son. I’d strongly suggest that if you want to keep your job—”
“I don’t,” Patrick suddenly said, rising from his seat. “I can’t, in good conscience, continue to work for a man and firm that I have no respect for. And I have no respect for you, sir. I appreciate the opportunities you afforded me and I regret that we have come to this point. But you really leave me no alternative.”
“You’re quitting?”
“Effective immediately. I’ll insure Personnel receives my formal resignation in writing. All the associates are up to speed with our current cases and any of them is more than qualified to step into my position. It’s been my pleasure, sir.”
After a quick handshake, Patrick had returned to his office, grabbed his personal possessions and walked out without looking back.
He blew out another heavy sigh as he pulled into the parking deck of his apartment building and parked his car. It had been a long day. Now he had a few hours to kill before his dinner plans with Naomi. He needed a hot shower and a quick nap to rejuvenate himself. And then he needed to figure out his next steps.
Thinking about those next steps had him thinking about Naomi again. He had no doubts that he’d find a new job. He understood his friendship with Garrison and his relationship with the Perry family had reached an impasse. He was resolved to not come back from that. What he wasn’t ready to accept was losing Naomi. She was very much a part of his future and he wouldn’t have it any other way. She moved him in a manner that left him wanting to be a better man. She was encouraging without even trying, and her enthusiasm was infectious. He hadn’t yet found the words to give voice to what he was feeling for her, but she had his heart. She had every ounce of it, and he found himself praying that she wanted it as much as he wanted to give it to her.
Chapter 10
Naomi’s laugh rang sweetly through the small restaurant. Everyone around them seemed to smile and laugh with her. When she realized the attention she was getting she blushed profusely, her cheeks a delightful shade of red. Patrick reached for her hand, kissing the backs of her fingers.
“So, that was my day,” she said. “Tell me about yours.” She propped both elbows on the table and cupped her chin in her palms. “How was your day, honey?”
Patrick laughed. “Clearly, not as eventful as yours!”
“No runaway farm animals for you?”
“Not one! Spent most of my day in meetings, and then I left work early.”
Questions danced across her face. “You left early? Aren’t you special! Garrison and Nolan must have been playing hooky, too. You never leave work early!”
“It was that kind of day.”
The smile she gave him was bright and full. “There’s something I need to talk to you about,” she said, her mood seeming to swing from jovial to serious with the batting of her eyelashes.
Patrick shifted nervously in his seat. “Is something wrong?” he asked curiously.
Naomi shook her head. “No... Yes... Well, I have to leave at the end of the week. I need to head back home for a bit.”
Patrick nodded. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
She took in a deep breath, seeming to ponder the question before she answered. “I’m thinking I’ll need to be there at least two weeks before I can return to Utah. Maybe three. And that’s banking on everything going well. Things here are in a good space and I need to handle some issues at the co-op, so it just makes sense.”
His eyes were locked with hers as she continued, “I know you and I are still feeling this relationship out and I hate that I have to go, but I don’t have a choice. But we can talk every day and I do plan on coming back.”
Patrick drew a breath in turn. “How would you feel if I came along?”
“With me? To Phoenix?”
“Yeah. I would love to join you.”
“But you have work?”
“I have some vacation time stored up,” he said, the little white lie catching in his chest. He coughed lightly, then cleared his throat. “Work won’t be a problem and I would really love to see what your life is like in Arizona. Plus, I’ve never been there before. I hear Phoenix is a pretty cool city.”
Naomi’s grin widened. “I think I’d like that. In fact, I like the idea a lot.”
“Then we’re a go. Let me know your travel plans and I’ll book my ticket.”
She laughed warmly. “Just pack a bag and be ready when I pick you up on Friday morning. Our travel plans are already handled.”
He looked at her curiously and she blessed him with another bright smile.
“My family has its own plane!”
* * *
Patrick counted fifteen private planes parked on the tarmac at the general aviation facilities on the east side of the Salt Lake City International Airport. Fifteen planes, two helicopters and a fuel truck.
The day was promising to be a good one, the sun sitting pristinely in a sky that was a deep shade of Carolina blue with the barest spattering of clouds. There was every indication that the weather would be ideal for traveling. Patrick felt himself smiling as he reflected on his decision to invite himself along.
The plane they would be traveling in was being refueled. The flight staff had greeted them both warmly, then had apologized for what would be a longer than
anticipated wait to depart. Something to do with a problem on the runway.
The Cessna Citation CJ4 was owned by Naomi’s sister-in-law, her brother Noah’s wife. Fly High Dot Com, a private leasing company, was renowned in the industry and the power couple was highly respected. Access to the private carrier was a perk Naomi didn’t take lightly. She was on the phone with her brother, expressing her gratitude, as Patrick stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of the departure area.
“We’ll be fine,” she was saying as she tossed him her signature smile. “And thank you again, Noah. This really means a lot to me.”
She paused, listening intently. Patrick reached for her hand, entwining her fingers with his own as he kissed the back of it. She trailed the pad of her thumb along his jaw.
“I’ll tell Patrick what you said,” she promised, laughing warmly. “Kiss Cat for me, big brother...I love you, too!”
Patrick smiled as she slid her phone back into her purse. “My brother said to tell you to have a good time.”
“That was nice of him.”
“He also said to tell you that if you do anything to hurt me, he and the others will track you down and demolish you.”
Patrick laughed. “Did he really say that?”
Naomi nodded. “The language was a little rougher, but you get the point,” she answered, laughing with him.
He squeezed her fingers. “The next time you talk to him, tell him not to worry.”
“I’ll do that,” she said, as she leaned to kiss his lips.
The gentle touch was just teasing enough to trigger a jolt of energy through his groin. He shifted in his seat, trying to hide the telltale sign threatening to rise to attention. His face flushed with color.
“Are you nervous?” Naomi eyed him curiously.
Shaking his head, he said, “Not at all.”
“You look...uncomfortable.”
“No, I’m good. Just thinking I should find the men’s room before we board.”
Naomi pointed over her shoulder. “Down the hall to your left.”
Rising, Patrick leaned to give her a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll be right back,” he said as he eased past her and sauntered quickly toward where she’d pointed.
Sweet Stallion Page 10
