He found her in the back of the room, cornered by one of the many men he’d met this week. Her arms were crossed, and her eyes were darting around the room, as if looking for an excuse to leave.
Before they noticed his approach, Jack caught part of their conversation.
“Darrell, it’s not going to happen. Not tonight, not next week, not next year. Just drop it.”
“Don’t get so bent out of shape, Kate. We’re consenting adults, and no one else needs to know. I guarantee you’d be glad you—”
“Excuse me,” Jack interrupted, grabbing the man’s shoulder. He knew his grip was stronger than necessary, but Jack figured that was better than punching him. “I need to speak to Kate.”
“Hey, Jack.” His sleazy tone was replaced with that of a polished professional. “You want to set a time for eighteen? I know a beautiful course.”
“No.” Jack stared at him without saying another word. The man finally took the hint and left.
He turned to Kate. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” She sighed. “You need to be prepared, though. Everyone’s going to want one last chance with you.”
“No way.” He couldn’t hold back his fist if he saw Darrell again. “Back door?”
Kate hesitated for a second, and then looked at Jack as if the proverbial light bulb had gone off. “You’re going to be sick. Walk out of here looking as ghastly as you can and as quickly as you can, like you’re going to lose your cookies. If people try to stop you, just wave them off and keep moving. Once you’re out, I’ll make an announcement that you’re ill, and we have to leave.”
“You’re good. I’ll meet you at the car.” Jack turned to leave.
“Wait!” Kate grabbed his arm. She looked around the room, then dunked her fingers into her drink and dabbed the liquid on his forehead.
“What the hell?” Jack pulled her hand away.
“That’s sweat,” Kate explained. “You’re sick, remember. You’ve broken out in a cold sweat. Got it?”
Comprehending her plan, Jack winked. “You are very good.”
“Thanks. Now show me sick.”
Jack scrunched up his eyebrows and slumped his shoulders. Kate shook her head and frowned. “Christian Bale has nothing to worry about, but it’ll do the job. Now go.”
“Thanks for getting me out of there,” Jack said. They’d escaped the crowd, and Kate was driving him back to Peter’s place. “I hate the receptions.”
Kate cringed, having been the one who’d delivered him to the feeding frenzy. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the dog and pony show that’s expected when a prospect comes to town. I’ll make sure you don’t have to suffer through another one.”
“I’d be forever grateful.”
They were silent for a while, but Kate sensed that Jack was looking at her. It was unsettling to say the least. She turned and confirmed her suspicion.
“What?” she asked.
“When we were back at the reception, and that jerk had you cornered . . . does that happen a lot?”
Why had she asked? Kate tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She hated dealing with Darrell and his crap. She sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it with Jack. She checked her blind spot, then checked it again. You could never be too safe.
“Kate, I heard the conversation. That asshole was obviously hitting on you, despite your clear rejection.”
She sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to leave it alone. “It’s happened a few times, but I handle it.”
Jack was quiet, but she heard him take a deep breath. When she looked over, he was staring straight ahead and his face was hard.
“Have you ever thought about filing a sexual harassment suit?” His voice was low, but she could hear the tension underneath.
“Look, I appreciate your concern, but I can—”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with that.” She could hear the anger in his voice. “If I knew one of my employees was pulling that shit, they’d be out the door within the hour. You need to report this . . . I’ll be your witness.”
Kate turned to see the intensity in his eyes, and she was touched to know he was so concerned. In a different world, she’d have stepped up and joined his army to right all wrongs. Now, however, that wasn’t an option. She shook her head.
“Why wouldn’t you?” he demanded. His judgmental tone surprised her. She couldn’t believe he could be so naïve.
“Think about it. How many women did you see there tonight? What? Maybe six? I work with almost all men. It has taken me years to get myself in with the group, to be considered a partner. Do you know what would happen if I made a stink about this kind of thing?” She turned to him, making sure he was listening. “I’d be kicked out of the inner circle faster than you could say ‘good old boys.’ I can’t afford that.”
Jack cursed under his breath, and she caught him staring out the passenger window.
“Listen,” she said, trying to get his attention without running off the road. “Darrell is the only idiot that’s ever pulled anything like that, and thank God, I rarely work with him.”
“It should never happen.”
“I agree. But it is what it is.” With that, Kate turned on the radio. The topic was closed, whether he was done or not. But she couldn’t shake the warmth that filled her, knowing this man was concerned for her.
They listened to several songs before Jack finally spoke. “I’m hungry. Are you?”
Kate had never been happier for a change in subject. “I’m starving.”
The heavenly smell of fried food hit Kate before they even pulled into the drive-through. She ordered two double cheeseburgers, with the works, along with fries and sweet teas. As they pulled away, the car reeking of onions and fried meat, Kate snuck out a few fries. She took a bite and moaned. “These are the best. Hot out of the deep fryer with lots of salt.”
Jack tried one. “Damn, that is good.”
They continued to eat them until they pulled up to Maggie’s house. Kate removed her burger, and then wrapped up the bag with Jack’s and the few remaining fries.
“If you think the fries were great, you’ll die for the burger,” she said, handing him the bag. “So what time do you want me to pick you up in the morning?”
Jack gazed out the window for a while. Kate was about to repeat the question, when he finally faced her.
“Why don’t you come in? I’ve got some pilsners that’ll go great with these. We can eat on the deck, catch the sunset.”
The idea sounded like bliss. The sunsets were magnificent out here, the golden light reflecting off the lake. It had cooled down, and there was a light breeze. And if she were perfectly honest, she liked the idea of spending more time with Jack. She enjoyed his company. Yes, they were busy each day, and he was driving her crazy with his obsession on the one site, but it didn’t feel like business as usual when she was with him. He made her laugh. Sometimes, when he smiled at her, she forgot all about the project and her job. Forgot all about being the mother and sole provider. She was just a woman. He made her feel like a woman.
Just as Aretha Franklin started singing in Kate’s head, a warning flag shot up. This was not good. She didn’t need to be thinking about love songs when it came to Jack Graham. Hell, with any man, for that matter. It was time to leave. Besides, at home, she could get out of her painful heels and tourniquet Spanx. (Oh yeah, she’d learned her lesson on the panty lines.) Fat pants and flip-flops had been calling her all afternoon.
“Come on,” he said, nodding his head toward the house. “It’s still early.”
Kate sighed. Oh, but it was tempting. So tempting. Her grandmother’s words floated out of her memory:
If you don’t want to be tempted by the apple, stay out of the orchard.
“I’d better go, Jack. Besides, I’m dying to get out of these heels.”
Jack checked out her shoes. “You can go barefoot. I’m not asking you to take a hike.”
S
he could hear the hiss of the serpent. “Yeah, but I also want to get out of this suit.” Jack’s brows lifted an inch. Oh God. He’s thinking about Nightmare on Bare-Ass Street.
“You can put on something of Maggie’s. Besides, there’s some business we need to discuss. I won’t keep you long. Consider it a casual, working dinner.”
Business. Work. The Governor would want her to stay. “All right.”
When he smiled, faint crow’s-feet highlighted his green eyes. Eyes so full of excitement, so full of life. Kate unfastened her seat belt. It was a good thing she was so dedicated to her job.
Chapter 10
Jack changed into shorts, watered the plants on the deck, and finished one beer, yet Kate was still in Peter and Maggie’s room. The burgers were cold.
“Are you okay in there?”
“I’m fine,” she called out. “I’m just trying to find something to wear. Go ahead and start without me.”
Hearing the bedroom door open, he called out, “It’s about—” The first thing he noticed were the snug, white shorts that were definitely short. Damn, the woman had great legs. The pink T-shirt fit like a glove. He needed to tell Maggie how much he liked her taste in clothes.
He reached into the fridge, grabbing two beers and cooling his body.
“It took me awhile to find something. Maggie’s yoga classes have paid off. She’s dropped a size since the last time I went through her closet.”
Handing her a beer, he could see the pink flush in Kate’s cheeks. Knowing what he did about women, he figured she was embarrassed about the difference in her sister’s size. Jack, on the other hand, had never been more grateful for yoga. Don’t go there, buddy.
Out on the deck, they plopped down on chaise lounges, the table in between holding their meal. The view of the lake and approaching sunset matched any he’d ever witnessed at resorts around the world.
“It’s so beautiful out here,” Kate said. “And quiet. I think that’s what I love best about this place. Listen . . . you can’t hear any cars. That’s such a rare commodity these days.” She let out a sigh and eased back into her chair. “So when do you head to Bangalore?”
“Week after next. I’ll be there a few weeks to help with the startup.”
“Is that normal for a VP?” Kate asked. “I thought that was the project manager’s job.”
“It’s not the norm, but I like it. It’s exciting to be there at the beginning, getting your hands in it, walking the trenches. Making decisions based on what you see for yourself, not on some blueprint.”
“So will you be here for the startup of the Austin plant?”
“Pretty sure of yourself, huh?” He smiled for her benefit, but inside, he felt sick. Jack hated that she was so confident, so invested. She deserved to know the truth, but he couldn’t afford to tell her. If he was ever going to convince Lumley that Austin wouldn’t work, he had to play the game.
“Wherever the plant is located, I’ll be involved in the initial phase, and then I’ll come back when it’s operational. I officially work out of headquarters in San Francisco, but I spend most of my time on the road.”
“I think that’d be hard.” Kate took a sip of the pilsner. “This is good.”
“What part?”
She took another sip. “The picking up and moving all the time. It’s not a stable kind of life, is it?”
“That’s what makes it perfect. How are you going to experience the world if you don’t get out there and make some tracks? I’d never be where I am with Gridion if I hadn’t been willing to take some risks.”
“But don’t you miss having a place to call home?”
Jack shook his head adamantly. “Why get attached to something? Makes it harder when you leave. I’d rather keep moving.”
Kate pulled at the label on her beer. “Not me. I’ve experienced enough change in the last two years to last me twenty.”
An awkward silence followed. Jack knew what she was referring to, and he kicked himself for flaunting his carefree way of life.
“I’m sorry about your husband.”
She looked out at the lake. “Yeah. Me, too.”
Boy, he knew how to kill the mood. Time to regroup. Jack sat up and faced Kate. “We need to talk about the project.” She immediately came back to him, sitting up and putting her beer on the table.
“I talked to the board yesterday. They’re in agreement with moving forward on the land preservation plan. Rural property values are only going up.”
Jack let out a deep breath. “Austin’s still on the table.” He wouldn’t mention that it was only because the chairman wanted the plant here. That the man’s son-in-law would be head of engineering, and his daughter wanted to be in Austin, next to family. No, Jack wouldn’t tell Kate that because it would only raise her hopes. Everyone knew that business decisions weren’t always based on business. Having the top dog on her side would give Kate the impression it was a done deal. He wouldn’t do that to her.
Kate sprang up as her face burst into an all-encompassing smile. “That’s fantastic! That’s wonderful! You’ve seen the comparisons. Austin is the best fit for Gridion. Jack, this is great!”
The woman was the picture of joy. He was tempted to stand up and hug her, but the urge passed when he remembered he’d be the one stealing that joy when he pulled the plug on Texas.
“Slow down. Nothing’s final,” he said, trying to prepare her for the inevitable fall. “I can tell you that if Austin wants to remain in the running, we need the property we looked at yesterday. The windmill site.” Accept it, Kate. It’s not going to happen.
Her face fell as her body dropped to the chaise. The joy train had derailed.
“That property’s not available. You know it. They wouldn’t take your call yesterday or today, and trust me, if anyone could get through, it’d be Jack Graham. There are other properties. We can . . . we will find the right one.”
Jack held up his hand to stop her. “My real estate people have been looking into it. It’s owned by Loretta Travis. The house, the barn, even the windmill have all been designated historic sites. If we maintain them, we can get an exemption for those areas. The rest of the land has an open-space land exemption. Any acreage we set aside for wildlife preservation will keep that. We couldn’t hope for a better setup as far as taxes are concerned.”
And he couldn’t have hoped for a better excuse to insist on this site, this unavailable site. “There’s a substation close by, which will save us a hell of a lot of money getting power to it. It’s perfect.”
He noticed Kate’s knee bouncing at record speed. She stared at the lake, then turned back to Jack. “What are you going to do if you can’t get it?”
“I’ve got four months to convince Mrs. Travis.” When had it become so easy for him to lie? Perhaps when he’d been forced into playing this game.
“But what if you can’t?” She looked as if she were bracing herself for the answer.
“Then we’ll take it to Phoenix or Huntsville.”
Kate looked at him in bewilderment, the bouncing leg suddenly frozen. “But . . . how . . . you said you hadn’t even considered the preservation idea until you saw the Travis property. How do you know you’ll find anything appropriate in Huntsville or Phoenix?”
The woman was sharper than his boss. Lumley hadn’t even considered the question, but Jack had prepared for it just in case. He drained his beer. “I called them this morning. They’re preparing a list of sites for our realtors to review.”
The stricken look on Kate’s face was painful to watch. The beer turned sour in Jack’s stomach. She didn’t say anything, but knowing Kate, he figured her mind was processing at warp speed. Sure enough, within seconds, she had a determined look in her eyes.
“I’ll find you another site with the same benefits but with an owner who’s willing to sell. I’ll get you what Gridion needs.” With that proclamation, she grabbed her beer and leaned back on the chaise.
Damn, she was tenacious. He s
hould’ve known she wouldn’t go down without a fight. In the last two days, Kate had proven her ability to get things done. The woman could calculate kilowatt-hours, read plateau maps at a glance, and whip a bunch of almost-retired engineers into a motivated army. It was amazing to watch, a talent he’d rarely seen, but at this moment, he wished Kate Livingston were an incompetent sloth.
“Let’s eat,” he said, handing her a plate. He bit into the burger, paused, then forced himself to swallow. The same fat that had smelled so delicious in the car was now cold and congealed. He returned his plate to the table and noticed Kate had done the same.
She grimaced. “They really are good when they’re hot.”
Jack grabbed the ruined meal and headed toward the kitchen. “Let me get rid of these, and I’ll make us something else.”
“Thanks, but I should get going.” Kate stood up. “Did you decide what time you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”
“Don’t go.” He wanted more time with her. Time off the clock, when she wasn’t all business. “The sun’s just starting to set. It’d be a shame to be all the way out here and miss it.”
She studied the horizon.
“What can I do to convince you to stay?” He was surprised to realize he was holding his breath, waiting for her response. Her hesitation frustrated the hell out of him.
“Is there any cookie dough in the fridge?” she asked, turning back to him.
The question threw him, but the fact she wasn’t leaving snapped him back. “There are about six rolls. I think Maggie’s secretly a Keebler Elf. Do you want me to bake you some cookies?”
“No.” She moved back to the chaise and stretched out. “Just bring me a roll and a spoon please. You’ll need to get your own.”
Shaking his head, he asked, “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious. Now hurry up, the sun’s almost touching the horizon.”
“Your wish is my command,” Jack said, heading toward the kitchen with a big smile on his face.
Then He Showed Up Page 8
