by Woods, Karen
Josh smiled at her. “No. You wouldn’t.”
Her stomach growled rather loudly. Geri fought down her embarrassment.
“Don’t you ever feed my cousin, Sutherland?”
Geri felt her face grow hot.
Brad smiled at her. “Trying to live on love, Gee?”
Geri’s blush became even more profound.
“Come on, wife,” Josh urged. “Your cousin is quite right. I have been neglectful in my duty to you. Time to feed you.”
* * *
“Mrs. Geri,” the housekeeper said as she served them an early dinner. “I’m sorry. I assumed you had eaten by the time that you came home.”
“No problem,” Geri answered. “Thank you for this meal. It looks wonderful. Won’t you sit and eat with us?”
Mrs. Henderson looked shocked. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
“You certainly could. We’re just family tonight. And if anyone’s family, you certainly are,” Josh told the housekeeper.
The older woman smiled. “If you’re sure, Josh?”
“Bring in your plate, Betty,” Josh instructed.
“Mrs. Henderson, if you ever get tired of working for Josh, I’ve got a place for you,” Brad said a few moments later.
“I’m retiring next week. Amy, my youngest daughter, is pregnant. The sonogram shows four babies. But they hear six distinct heartbeats, they think. Anyway, she’s going to need help. She wants me to come live with her and her husband. So, I had to give Josh my two weeks’ notice.”
“Of course, you need to go to her,” Geri said. “If you need to go now, then go. We’ll manage.”
“Next week will be fine. Rob’s finishing up the addition to their house this week. They don’t have a place for me until that addition gets done.”
“Since I’m not planning on quitting my job,” Geri said, “we’re going to need to find a new housekeeper.”
“The company would fold up and blow away without you holding everything together,” Josh told her.
Geri smiled. “It wouldn’t. And you know it. But, it’s nice of you to say so.”
“Come on, Geri,” Josh said, “you carry around details in your head on every project we have running.”
“I also have left copious notes about those things,” Geri replied. “Any competent engineer could walk into my job tomorrow without hurting the company too badly.”
Josh asked, “And you have been writing these notes since when?”
“Since right after the calls started. Before that, I carried everything exclusively in my head. But, when the threats started in earnest, I committed everything to writing,” she said reluctantly. “I didn’t want to leave the company in the lurch if something did happen to me.”
Josh said, “All of this without saying a word to me.”
“I didn’t want to involve you, to put you at risk.”
“Woman, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
Geri wanted to tell him simply to love her. But, she wasn’t going to raise that issue. She had known when she married him that he didn’t love her. Somehow, she hadn’t thought it would hurt quite so much.
“I’m sure that you’ll think of something, Josh,” she replied before she took one bite, just one bite, of the rich chocolate mousse.
An hour later, Josh watched Geri sleep. She preferred to sleep naked. That was one thing he would have never guessed about the woman he had married. She hid behind that prim and proper façade. No one would have ever guessed the depth of the sensuality of which the woman was capable. Josh rather enjoyed the fact that she maintained that proper front in public. He also enjoyed her complete lack of inhibition with him when they were alone. It still bothered him she had cried herself to sleep.
The covers were tucked up around her shoulders as she lay on her side facing him. In sleep, she looked so much younger than she was. Sometimes, he felt as though he was the stereotypical ‘dirty old man’. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to regret urging her into this marriage.
Brad had said that the pills put her out quickly. He hadn’t lied. It wasn’t even twenty minutes since she had taken the single capsule. She had begged him not to leave her alone while she was under the influence of the medicine. So, he simply lay there on the bed watching her sleep.
The phone rang. Josh picked it up. “Sutherland.”
“She took her pill and went to sleep?” Brad asked.
“Yes.”
“She needs it… Josh, I got home and found a package for Geri on my doorstep.”
“You’ve called the police?”
“I have. The bomb disposal unit is here now.”
“Good. Keep me informed.”
“When I know anything, you’ll know.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Here comes the head of the unit. I’ll call you back.”
Josh hung up the telephone.
* * *
The phone rang a few minutes later.
“Sutherland,” he said.
“It wasn’t a bomb,” Brad said.
“That’s good,” Josh replied. “What was it?”
“An old book. The Rule and Exercise of Holy Dying with a typed note saying he didn’t care if she read it or not. But, that she was going to die and soon.”
“I want to get this man.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“You should know the press rolled out following the bomb squad.”
Josh nodded. “Only to be expected. I’m surprised it took this long.”
“I wish you could talk Geri into keeping close to home for a few days.”
“You know there’s not the remotest chance of my doing that. She is committed to carrying on with her life as normally as possible.”
“That’s my cousin for you. Well, I’ve got to go. The press is hounding me for a statement. They’re still leaning on the doorbell.”
“What are you going to say?”
“As little as possible.”
“Good luck.”
“Have to go before they burn out my doorbell,” Brad said.
After hanging up, Josh stretched out on the bed beside his wife. He looked at her until he fell asleep.
* * *
Geri woke up at four a.m., feeling groggy from the aftereffects of the medication. She padded to the bathroom. After washing her face and brushing away the terrible medicinal taste in her mouth, she felt somewhat more human. She brushed out her hair and stood there looking at her naked reflection in the mirror.
She hadn’t thought of herself as particularly beautiful. But, Josh seemed to think she was beautiful. And that was what counted.
When she stepped back into the bedroom, he asked, “Feeling better, Geri?”
“I guess. I didn’t mean to wake you, Josh. It’s still early.”
Josh got out of bed and went to her. “Not too early, is it, wife?” he asked as he pulled her into his arms.
“Never,” she told him.
* * *
Sometime later, morning’s rays eased through the cracks in the curtains. Josh kissed his wife’s forehead. “Come on, Sweetheart. We have to get moving.”
She sighed. “Personally, I would be perfectly happy staying here.”
“It’s just like falling off a horse.”
“A guaranteed way to break bones?” she teased.
Josh chuckled. “Shall we share a shower?”
“Did you say you wanted to get to work today?” she challenged.
“You, wife, have far too much confidence in my abilities. I’m an old man, Geri.”
Geri smiled as she heard the dryness of his tone. “You’re in the prime of life. Don’t you dare pull this ‘old man’ line on me.”
“Time to get ready to face the day.”
“YUK!”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Geri sat before the dressing table, in only her slip and hose, fastening her hair into the very sedate knot in whi
ch she normally wore it for business. As usual, her business makeup was the barest minimum of a little lip-gloss and a touch of mascara.
Josh stood behind her, tying his tie in the reflection of the large mirror.
“People are going to be surprised at this marriage of ours.”
“We were rather surprised at it ourselves,” he allowed.
She turned to face him. “Do you regret it?”
He pulled her to her feet and held her tightly. “Not in the least. This is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
“Oh, Josh! I’m glad you feel that way.”
“Get dressed woman, before I take you back to bed.”
“If that’s supposed to be a disincentive, husband, you need to work on your phrasing,” she teased.
Josh laughed boldly and kissed her forehead. Then he stepped away from her. “Wear the diamond set today.”
“Isn’t that a little much for a business day?”
“No, wear them.”
She returned to the dressing table and quickly placed the platinum and diamond cascades in her ears. Josh draped around her throat a platinum herringbone chain with a large platinum heart set with diamond baguettes. It wasn’t the pendant that was a part of the set, yet it was beautiful.
“This is too much.”
“Not nearly enough. You were born to wear beautiful things,” he told her. “And I enjoy giving you beautiful things.”
She looked up at his expression in the mirror. “You are trying to spoil me.”
“No. A good wife is too precious to let spoil. I’m just treating you like a thoroughbred so that you will never turn into an old nag,” he teased.
She sighed and shook her head negatively. “Josh…”
“What?”
She rose from the bench before the dressing table and walked over to the closet. “Nothing. If it makes you happy, I’ll wear whatever jewelry you want me to wear.”
“Wear the ankle bracelet too, Geri,” Josh said.
After fastening on the ankle bracelet, she picked out her clothes for the day. Five minutes later, she had put on a navy blue linen suit with a white silk blouse and had slid her feet into pumps. She carefully checked the pistol to make certain it was on safety and before she holstered it firmly at the middle of her back waistband.
“Well, how do I look?” she asked.
“Efficient,” Josh replied.
“Okay. That’s the look I’ve always striven for, Josh. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. But, I’d hoped you would be comfortable enough not to continue to need the camouflage.”
“I’ll maintain a business-like appearance in public.”
“And in private?” he asked.
She walked over to him. “What goes on between us behind closed doors is none of anyone else’s concern.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I can’t guarantee I won’t touch you in public, Geri. I have a very hard time keeping my hands off of you.”
“That is quite mutual, in case you haven’t noticed. And I think it would be very odd if a newly married man couldn’t keep his hands off of his bride.”
He chuckled. “You do, do you?”
“I do.”
“Can’t you, please, wear something with fewer buttons?” he asked.
“Fewer buttons?” she asked blankly. Then she smiled at him as what he was asking her sank in. “Fewer buttons… hmmm…” she said as she walked toward her closet. A minute later, she pulled one dress out. “Is this suitable?” she asked as she held up the light gray short sleeved wrap dress. “No buttons. It closes with hooks and the belt.”
Josh smiled at her. “It’ll do.”
She placed the pistol on the dressing table and took off the clothes she had just put on. Then she took off her slip.
* * *
He swallowed hard as he saw her standing there in only her panties, thigh top stockings, and the jewelry.
“The dress is lined. No one else will know what I’m wearing or not wearing under it. The dress neckline doesn’t work with the slip,” she said as she slid into the dress. Two minutes later, she had fastened the closures and black belt, put on a charcoal gray blazer, and slipped her feet into black shoes. Then she hung the holster on the belt at the middle of her back so that it was hidden by the jacket.
“How do I look?”
“Woman, unless we leave right now, we won’t leave this room today.”
“Again, that’s not a disincentive. I wouldn’t mind. But we have meetings scheduled. The business is important. There are people depending on us for their living.”
He nodded. “I know. Come on, let’s get breakfast.”
* * *
They walked down the stairs together. Josh’s arm was around her waist. They walked out onto the patio. Two places were set on the table where Josh normally ate breakfast. Josh’s morning paper was beside his plate.
“As for the rest of this week,” Geri said to Betty as she came out pushing a service cart, “Josh and I should be home every evening for dinner, except Friday.”
“You want to go?” Josh asked in surprise.
“You’ve already paid a thousand dollars a plate for the dinner, for a table of eight. Granted, it’s likely to be rubber chicken. These sort of charity dinners frequently are,” Geri replied.
Josh sighed. “I’d be willing to give it a miss.”
“Personally, it doesn’t thrill me, either,” Geri admitted. “But, we need to do this. For several reasons.”
He sipped his coffee. “I do need to talk with some people who are likely to be there.”
Geri nodded. “I know. Besides, it would look odd if we didn’t go. People will be talking about us enough as it is.”
He chuckled. “That’s a fair assessment. We are going to be a source of amusement for quite a few people. The rich old man and his young beautiful wife.”
I really wish he’d lay off the trophy wife references. “Then, they need to get a life. And you aren’t old!”
“Face it, honey. People are going to look at us and wonder what you see in me.”
“Or they’ll wonder about how much I’m taking you for,” she said on a sigh. “Now, eat your breakfast, husband, before it grows cold. It’s going to be a long time until lunch.”
“Yes, m’am.”
Geri turned to the housekeeper. “This is delicious, Betty. Thank you for breakfast. You do a wonderful job of spoiling us.”
“You don’t have to thank me for doing my job.”
“I absolutely don’t believe in taking people for granted. When anyone does a good job, that person should be recognized and thanked.”
The older woman smiled. “I’m going to miss working for you.”
“I need a reliable person taking care of the house, making sure that things run smoothly here. I don’t intend to give up my job anytime soon.”
Josh laughed. “I hope not. The business would go under without you.”
“No, it wouldn’t. And you know it,” Geri dismissed.
“But when the babies start coming, we’ll probably both cut back on the hours we spend in the office. But we’ll still need a good housekeeper,” Josh said. “I intend to be a major part of my childrens’ lives.”
Even if he doesn’t love me, he’ll love his babies. That will be a bond that nothing can break.
Chapter Fourteen
It seemed odd to be sitting at her desk in her own office. So much had happened in the last few days. Her life had changed so dramatically. It seemed profoundly strange that this part of her life was still reasonably the same.
The pile of work that had accumulated in her absence yesterday had to be tackled. Yet, Geri didn’t know when she would get the time to do even completely wade through that stack of high priority items. Already she had gone through her email and faxes, answering those that had to be answered and making note of those that could be dealt with in meetings today.
She and Josh were supposed to have met with a team of e
ngineers first thing this morning about a new product heading towards production. Yet, neither of the senior engineering people in charge of the project had reported for work this morning. That worried Geri.
In the time she would have been in that meeting, she reread the R&D portion of the annual report draft and sent the file to legal for approval. Once that approval was given, the annual shareholder’s report would be ready to go to press.
Someone needed to check on Hilda and Jim, the two engineers in charge of the project. It wasn’t in keeping with either of their personalities to stay away from work. Both of them put in—easily—as many hours as she herself did. She picked up the telephone and dialed Hilda’s home number. No answer. Fifteen rings. Still no answer. She disconnected and dialed Jim’s apartment. No answer there either. That was odd. They never left their answering machines off. This didn’t feel right. She called down to talk with the engineering secretary.
“Nancy, has anyone heard from either Hilda or Jim?”
The secretary sighed. “No, Geri. And frankly, that worries me. I tried to call both of them when I didn’t see them come in this morning. Their answering machines aren’t even picking up.”
“Did they take a long weekend?” Geri asked.
“No. They both were here yesterday,” Nancy said in a concerned voice. “I don’t have to tell you I’m getting more than a little worried. This really isn’t like either of them. Neither of them have ever missed a day of work when they haven’t arranged for time off.”
“I know,” Geri replied.
“Hilda gave me her key so I could feed her cats when she went home two weeks ago for her father’s funeral. I still have it. I suppose I could go over and check on her,” Nancy West— the department secretary— offered.
“Thanks. That would take a load off my mind if someone went to check on at least one of them.”
“I’ll go on my lunch break.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, Geri,” Nancy added. “Congratulations. Everyone here could have been knocked over with a feather yesterday when the word came down that you and Josh had gotten married. You sneak! You didn’t say a word when we all were at the baby shower for Kathy last week.”
