by Francis Ray
“That bad, huh?” She picked up her fork. “Just when I was starting to like her.”
“Just because we aren’t seeing each other is no reason why you can’t be friends.” Pierce bit into a fluffy ham and cheese omelet loaded with chili peppers. It tasted like cardboard. Faith’s executive chef would skin him alive. He took another bite. “She stood up for you and Faith yesterday.”
“That’s when she was dating a Grayson.” Sierra savored her crepe. “Her words. Not mine.”
“Excuse me?”
Sierra wrinkled her nose and related what had happened. “I thought it wise to leave the part out about us challenging Shuler.”
“No wonder she despises me.”
“What?” Sierra jerked up in her seat. “I’ll tell Paul to do a number on her hair.”
Pierce watched Sierra work up a good head of steam, and it made him smile. “I’m glad you’re on my side.”
She forked in more food. “Leave it to me.”
Pierce laid his hand over hers. “No. This is my fault, not hers. I’d tell you, but it’s between Sabra and me.”
“You said her name.”
Pierce withdrew his hand. “Don’t read too much into that. It’s over before it really began. The only thing important is that Silken Lies be successful, that all the hard work that Mama, the students, and Sabra are doing pays off.”
“You make me proud.”
He thought of last night in the hall with Sabra. “I always tried, but I made a misstep last night.”
“Maybe if—”
“It’s over.” He picked up his coffee cup. “I guess the happy couple is not coming.”
Sierra accepted the change of topics. “They spent the night at Brandon’s old place over the restaurant. They’re probably eating breakfast in bed as we speak.”
“Brandon cooking breakfast.” Pierce shook his head. “Love sure changes a person.”
“But for better or worse?”
Pierce looked at Sierra. “Let’s hope we never find out for a long, long time.”
SABRA WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND OUT OF choices. They’d been to six of the places listed and the story was always the same. She’d wait patiently to be seen; then they’d be delighted to have Isabella until it was time to leave and Isabella would start acting up, barking, snapping at the attendants.
A muzzle would be produced and Sabra would use all her charm and clout to get them to put the muzzle away. They’d be so accommodating as to offer to isolate Isabella so she didn’t need her Bordetella shot. They’d give her another chance and there would be a repeat of Isabella’s bad performance.
On the sidewalk ready to check the seventh listing, Sabra was tired, her legs had gone numb from wearing the skin-tight jeans, her patience was strained to the limits. Bending, and she hoped she didn’t have to do it many more times, she palmed Isabella’s face.
“This is it. No more being temperamental. I have to work, and you can’t go.” She straightened, then started up the short steps. Isabella balked. Sabra glanced over her shoulder. “Now is not the time to push me.”
After a few seconds, Isabella went up the steps. Inside, Sabra put on her brightest smile. And although she detested playing the Broadway diva in distress, she had no choice. “I’m Sabra Raineau from New York. Perhaps you’ve heard of me. I won two Tony awards. I desperately need your help with Isabella.”
The young attendant’s eyes widened, his mouth gaped, and his gaze lowered to her breasts in the snug top. Sabra kept the smile on her face. In less than twenty minutes she had to be at the auditorium. But before that happened, she had to shower and change clothes or Ginny would be sneezing all through rehearsals. “I need Isabella to be boarded.”
He swallowed, moistened his lips, and handed Sabra a clipboard.
Sabra quickly filled out the information and explained her schedule. “Of course, I’ll pay extra since she has to be isolated.” She handed the man the leash. Isabella strained against it and barked. Sabra knelt. “I have no choice. I’ll come back as soon as I can.” Standing, she rushed out the door and got into the taxi.
“It went all right this time?” Joe asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
“I hope.”
She and the talkative driver had gotten to know each other as they’d gone from place to place. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and looked back at the door. “Back to the condo. Can you wait for me while I change? I need to go to St. John’s.”
“Sure thing. I might call it a day after I drop you off.” Whistling, he pulled away.
SABRA WAS FIVE MINUTES LATE AND CONSIDERED she’d done well. Dressed comfortably in black trousers and a pin-striped gray shirt, she greeted the students and Ruth. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Sabra.” Lines raced across Ruth’s forehead. “Is everything all right?”
Seemed Pierce wasn’t the only Grayson who could read her. “I boarded Isabella this morning.”
The crease in Ruth’s forehead deepened. “Pierce couldn’t keep her?”
Sabra had never been more thankful for her skill as an actress. “I couldn’t keep imposing on him.” When Ruth continued to stare, Sabra spoke to the students. “Let’s take it from the scene we left off at last night.”
The students scrambled to their marks. Max’s need for revenge had brought him face-to-face with his end or his salvation. Sabra, as Helen, stood a few feet away from him, trembling in pain, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Tell me it isn’t true,” Sabra, as Helen, pleaded. “I—”
From the auditorium seating came the distinct ring of her cell. They’d all agreed that phones were to be turned off during rehearsals. “Sorry. I forgot. It won’t take but a moment.” Ruth met her halfway with her Chanel bag. “Thanks.” Sabra reached inside for the phone, grateful that last night she’d put it in the holder in her bag. “Walker Animal Clinic” on the readout caused her to tense.
“What is it?” Ruth asked.
“It’s the clinic where I left Isabella,” Sabra quickly answered. “Is Isabella all right?”
“You have to come get her,” said the voice she recognized as that of the male attendant.
“Is she all right?”
“You just better come now.” The line went dead.
“I’ve got to go.”
“I’ll drive.” Ruth reached for her attaché case. “Theo, turn on your cell and take over.”
“If anything happened to her . . .” Frightened, Sabra couldn’t finish.
“Let’s not borrow trouble.” They hurried out the double doors and down the steps to Ruth’s 4 × 4 parked near the entrance. “Where is she?”
“Walker Animal Clinic. I can’t remember the street address.” Getting inside, Sabra buckled her seat belt.
“I have a navigation system. We’ll find it.” As soon as they pulled away, Ruth put on her headset and dialed. “Pierce, Sabra boarded Isabella at the Walker Animal Clinic. They just called and wanted her to come immediately. . . . Yes, we’re on our way. Call Richard, and see if he’s available. We’ll see you at the clinic.”
“Who’s Richard?”
“A good friend and the top veterinarian in the state.”
“Hurry,” Sabra said, fear causing her to tremble.
PIERCE RUSHED TO THE CLINIC, NOT KNOWING WHAT to expect. He heard Isabella’s high-pitched bark when he was on the sidewalk. Bounding up the steps, he opened the door. The waiting room was empty except for a young man and woman. Both looked to be in their late teens.
“Where’s Isabella?”
“Where’s the owner?” asked the young man, his eyes wide with anxiety.
“On her way.” The irate barking grew louder. “I’d like her to be happy when she gets here.”
The two traded worried looks. “She didn’t say the dog was vicious.”
“She bite you?”
When he didn’t answer, the young woman did. “She nipped at him when he tried to take her back. Trying to muzz
le her was a big mistake.”
“She didn’t say the dog was vicious,” the boy whined. “Dr. Walker will be here in thirty minutes, and I want the dog gone.”
“Where is she?”
The girl cracked the door leading to the back. Immediately Isabella’s muzzle was there.
Pierce hunkered down and held out his hand. “After Sabra gets over her fear, you’re in for it.”
“Just get the leash and take her.”
Sticking his hand through the opening, Pierce grabbed Isabella’s collar and stood. “I’ve got her.”
The two attendants scrambled around the four-foot check-in counter. “You’re definitely in trouble.” Pierce stopped at the desk with a well-mannered Isabella. “How much do I owe you?”
“No charge,” said the girl. She handed him the leash. “Just hurry and leave.”
“Thanks.” Pierce and Isabella had just stepped outside when his mother pulled up. Sabra jumped out of the car and rushed over. “Is she all right?”
“You should be asking about the young attendants.”
Fear leaped into Sabra’s eyes. “Are they hurt?”
“No,” Pierce quickly assured her. “They just wanted her gone before the owner of the clinic arrived. She seems fine.”
After one last look at Isabella and a reassuring hug, Sabra rose to her feet. “Thank you for coming over.”
“I knew you’d worry.”
So simple and so much like Pierce.
“Is she all right?” Ruth asked as she joined them after finding a scarce parking meter.
“Yes,” Sabra said, relief in her voice.
“I’m glad, but we still need a sitter. I’ve been thinking,” Ruth said. “We might find a student who’ll sit with her in the back of the auditorium.”
“But finding that student will take time. There’re a couple of places I didn’t try,” Sabra said.
“Do you think the results will be any different?” Pierce asked reasonably.
“No, but I have to try.” She turned to Ruth. “I’ll work this out, and see you at four.”
“I’ll post a notice at the student rec and ask around,” Ruth said. “See you this afternoon.”
Sabra was too aware of Pierce silently standing there. She had no choice but to face him. “Thanks for not holding what happened against Isabella.”
He reached for Sabra, then put his hand in his pocket. “I was out of line. You have a right to say no.”
She could be just as forgiving. “But not nasty. You’re nothing like Shuler. It was cruel of me to say that.”
“Why did you?”
“You have to ask?”
“With you, yes.”
“Let’s just say I had my reasons.” She extended her hand. “Friends?”
He slowly shook his head. “It wouldn’t stop there and there’s no sense pretending otherwise.”
Her hand dropped to her side. He was right. No matter how much she fought the attraction, it continued to grow stronger. “Then what do we do?”
He took her arm. “Find Isabella a sitter.”
“I didn’t mean about her.”
“I know,” Pierce said, and kept walking to his SUV.
THE NEXT TWO PLACES WERE A WASHOUT. ISABELLA had caught on and started acting up as soon as they entered the waiting area. Of course, her barking set off the other dogs and frightened the various other pets. Apologizing, Sabra hurried back outside, Isabella’s leash clenched in her hand.
“She’s never acted this badly.”
“What usually happens when you have to go to rehearsals or go out?” Pierce asked as they stood on the street.
Sabra sighed in frustration. “Depends on how long I’ll be gone. For longer rehearsals, I leave her at my apartment because I can’t break when I want. If I go out at night it’s usually not more than a few hours and she stays in the apartment.”
“No one keeps her?” Pierce asked.
“Occasionally, Joy, my assistant, or a friend.” Sabra stared down at an agitated Isabella. “She has a tendency not to like men, but not all of them. Perhaps I should have sent her to obedience school as everyone suggested, but I didn’t want her mistreated.”
Pierce hunkered down in front of the dog and swept his hand over her head and down her back. “Easy, Isabella. She’s not angry with you.”
“Don’t be so su—”
Pierce held up his hand, cutting Sabra off; then he came to his feet and took the animal’s leash. “Come on.”
“We haven’t found a sitter yet,” Sabra said, but she followed anyway.
“I think I know what the problem might be.” Before Sabra could ask what he meant, he said, “We’ll talk at my office.”
Sabra didn’t ask again. Pierce wouldn’t tell her until he was ready, and if he had a solution she was ready to hear it. In less than ten minutes they were in his office. Pierce unclipped the leash from Isabella’s collar. Instead of going to her favorite spot, she looked up at Sabra.
“She thinks you’re upset with her.”
“She’d be right.” Sabra blew out a breath. “Maybe I should have Joy fly down and take her back.”
Pierce swept his hand down Sabra’s arm. “I think you’d have a difficult time getting her in the carrier.”
“What do you suggest?” Sabra folded one arm around her stomach, then propped her elbow on her arm and bowed her head to rub her temple.
“That you look at the deeper reason why you’re so upset,” he answered. “Sure she’s acting up. You’ve taken her to nine strange places and tried to leave her. Each time you did you were more frustrated with her and the situation.”
Sabra’s arms came to her sides, her eyes widening. “I told her I was coming back.”
“Does she look like she believed you?” Pierce asked.
Sabra looked down. Isabella was still looking up at her. Sabra knelt and hugged the dog’s neck, felt her tremble, and tightened her hold. “I’d never give you away.” She glanced up at Pierce. “How did you know?”
He came down beside her. “When the attendant opened the door, I stuck my hand in to pet her. She was shaking. Her bark was different.”
And Sabra hadn’t noticed. She was too busy trying not to think about Pierce. “You’re right. I did have something else on my mind.”
He cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
She wanted to lean into his hand, burrow into his arms. “I don’t want to have an affair. I’m leaving when the play is over.”
“New York is four hours away by plane,” he told her, somehow knowing this wouldn’t be quick or easy, and not wanting it to be.
“It isn’t just the distance; it’s the mind-set. People in my business don’t have a good track record with that sort of thing.” She wanted him to understand.
“I’ve never lumped myself with other people.”
The corner of her mouth tilted. “Another Graysonism?”
“You got it.” Crossing his legs, he sat in front of her with their knees bumping. “From what I know about you, you don’t, either.”
Perhaps if she told him, he’d understand. Her arm tightened around Isabella’s neck. “I trusted the wrong man. A charming, handsome man who promised forever but only meant until the next easy mark came along.”
Pierce muttered under his breath, “You think I’d do the same.”
Her hand closed over his balled fist. “No. You’re nothing like him. But it wouldn’t last. When I leave here, my calendar is full for the next two months—that is, if I don’t accept the movie role, in which case I’ll be in Toronto for up to six months. It wouldn’t work.”
“I thought you didn’t give up.”
Her smile was sad. “I don’t if I’m the only one I have to depend on.”
His hand caught hers. “It all comes back to you not trusting me.”
“If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have told you how I feel.”
“I’m not going to stop trying,” he told her.
“In a way, I’m not sure I want you to.” She sat back. “What about Isabella? And no, she can’t stay with you.”
She trusted him to figure out what to do with Isabella and her fears. He could and would build on that. “Call Brandon.”
Sabra started to get up as he pulled out his cell phone. “I didn’t mean to keep you from lunch.”
Pierce pulled her back down with one hand and activated the phone with the other. “Hey, Brandon. . . . Could you check with your staff to see if any of them know of someone who could sit with Isabella at Sabra’s place from ten thirty to one thirty, then back at three thirty to six thirty? . . . Thanks. Call me back.”
“Ruth was going to post a notice on the rec bulletin board.”
“A good idea, but this might be quicker. Brandon has a lot of college students working for him.” The phone rang. “Hello. . . . Great. Send her over.” Pierce came to his feet, pulling Sabra with him. “One of the waiters’ sister’s college schedule fits. She hadn’t been able to find a job because of it. Brandon knows the family and vouches for her.”
Sabra stared at him. “I should have asked you in the first place.”
“You asked me now.”
She smiled and he smiled back.
CHAPTER NINE
SABRA LIKED THE YOUNG, VIBRANT COLLEGE STUdent immediately. Maria, in jeans and a plaid shirt, was a senior computer science student. The moment she saw Isabella, she dropped to her knees and hugged the dog, laughing when Isabella gave her a tongue bath.
“I thought she’d be a poodle or something.”
“Not my style. She likes you, so the main problem is out of the way. Now, for your fee.” Sabra named an amount that made Maria’s pretty face break into a wide smile.
“I can start now if you’d like.”
“Good. That will give all of us a chance to find out if this is going to work.” Sabra faced Pierce. “How about we pay Brandon a visit? I’m starved. My treat.”
Paperwork on Pierce’s desk was piled five inches high. “You’ve got yourself a deal.” They were out the door moments later. Before long they were in line at the Red Cactus.
“Busy as usual,” Sabra said as they moved up in line.
