Fighting Fate

by Louise Clark

  Sue persevered. Well, that wasn’t surprising. Sue was imbued with her own share of single-minded focus. “Cody is so brilliant. His mind is as exciting as his body. He runs rings around every computer guy I know, including me. If I weren’t married and the mother of two imperfect kids who need my tender care to help them survive overindulgent grandparents, I’d consider making a play for him. Since I can’t, you should.”

  “I’m happy the way I am, Sue.” Faith glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go.” She picked up her cup to toss it into the trash can.

  When they headed out the door, Sue brought her now stone cold brew along. “You should think about dating Cody, Faith,” she said between sips. “I think you’d get along really well.”

  But would Cody get along with Uncle Andrew? “I’ve got about as much as I can handle in my life at the moment, Sue. I’m guessing that Cody Simpson will be just as happy to steer as clear of me as I am of him.”

  “Party pooper,” Sue grumbled.

  Faith laughed. “You bet.”

  Chapter 2

  “I’m late!” Chloe Hamilton breezed into Faith’s office, a small cubicle that boasted a window overlooking the sidewalk and a solid panel door that blocked out the rest of the office and gave Faith a privacy she valued greatly.

  Faith logged off her computer. “Only by an hour, Mom.”

  “I’m sorry, honey!” Her hair drawn back in a smooth bun that exposed the lovely bones of her face, Chloe was dressed in a tailored jacket and floor-length skirt in subdued grey wool. Though the clothes were a far cry from her usual choice of vivid colors, the costume could do little to hide the energy that radiated from her.

  Faith hugged her, loving the warmth and life that was so much a part of her mother. “Come on, let’s get going. I’m starved and I know you’ve got a deadline to keep.” She slipped a light jacket from a hook on the back of her door. “When does your flight for Washington leave?”

  “At four o’clock,” Chloe said as they emerged from the NIT suite.

  “That means you’ll get into Washington at rush hour. Lucky you. It will probably take longer for you to get downtown than to fly in from Boston.”

  “Probably. Thank heavens I’m not taking any luggage. That would really hold me up. Still, I’ve got plenty of time. Mary Byrne has promised to meet me at the special place at eight o’clock. I think I’ll have dinner at a nice restaurant before I meet her.”

  They walked down the corridor toward the lobby. “You know, Mom, I’m not comfortable with you going to DC for this trip. What happens if there’s a problem? What if Mary Byrne isn’t there? Or there’s a pile up on the highway and traffic backs up so that you can’t make your meeting on time? What do you do then?”

  “I get a hotel for the night and then I try again the next day. It’s all been arranged, Faith. Trust me!”

  They reached the lobby. It was a small area, hardly more than a widening of the hallway. On one wall were two utilitarian elevators and an open stairway that led to the second floor. Between the elevator doors was a signboard identifying the building’s tenants. “I do, Mom. It’s just that—”

  Footsteps sounded on the staircase. Faith closed her mouth on what she’d planned to say as a male figure emerged from the upper level, running lightly down the stairs. Seeing the two women he hesitated briefly, then he flashed a grin and said, “Hi.”

  Black hair, blue eyes, muscles in all the right places, Cody Simpson was the kind of man Chloe would appreciate as a son-in-law. He was also the kind of man Faith avoided. She smiled blandly back at him. “Hi.”

  “Nice day, isn’t it?” He glanced at Faith, sweeping her with a look that catalogued every part of her, from head-to-toe. Then he deliberately looked from Faith to Chloe, his eyebrows raised.

  Very much aware that the slacks she was wearing did little to minimize her height and that her blond hair had started to stray from the restraints that kept it in a tight chignon, Faith wished she knew some way of escape. She didn’t want to introduce Cody to her mother, who she knew would be intrigued by the good-looking man. She knew Cody expected to be introduced and that he wouldn’t understand why a casual, ‘Cody this is my mother, Chloe. Mom, this is Cody Simpson,’ left her frozen in terror. Each and every one of the good manners drilled into her from the time she was tiny was actively demanding she make the simple introduction. Every survival instinct was fighting back, just as intensely, telling her that she’d be a fool to open that door, even a crack.

  She swallowed hard, avoided Cody’s eyes, ignored the surprised curiosity emanating from her mother, and said, “Yup.”

  Cody raised his brows, then shrugged. “See you later, then.”

  “Sure,” Faith said, hoping she wasn’t blushing.

  Cody nodded and headed off toward the NIT offices. Faith shoved open the front door.

  Outside Chloe said cheerfully, “What a gorgeous male. Who is he?”

  Faith shrugged. “Our new systems guy. He lives upstairs so we hardly ever see him.”

  “You know him then?”

  Faith shook her head. “Not really.” A wash of heat told her that now she really was blushing. Not surprising since she’d just told her mother a whopper. Well, not a complete whopper. What she knew about Cody came from Sue Green. She respected Sue’s opinion enough that she’d wasted more than an hour or two fantasizing about dating Cody Simpson, but she didn’t actually know him the way you do when you talk to someone. Nor was she going to allow herself to get to know him. As attractive as he was, Cody Simpson wasn’t for her. Not now. Not ever.

  Chloe didn’t seem to notice her daughter was blushing. Or maybe she did, because she laughed and said, “Well from his expression I think this Cody Simpson would very much like to know you better. Much better.”

  “Mom!”

  Chloe chuckled again. “You may not want to admit it, my beautiful daughter, but you have had boys falling over themselves trying to get you to notice them since you were five years old. This one is no different.”

  Faith shot her mother a sideways look as they headed toward the Sandwich Hut. “Mom, I was a wallflower in school. Liz was the one the boys all fell over themselves trying to attract. Remember? Let’s talk about something else.”

  Chloe paid no attention. “Not so! I saw what you would not, my darling daughter. You scared those boys off. Males look at the package. If they like it, they probe further. If they don’t they move on. Your package is very nice, Faith. You have beautiful skin, gorgeous long, blonde hair, and beautiful grey-green eyes a man could drown in—”

  Faith squared her shoulders as she stared straight ahead. “I am so not comfortable with this conversation.”

  “With you, men look, then they want to sample,” Chloe continued, mischievous amusement now coloring her voice. “It’s not until you’ve snapped or growled at them a few times that they decide, nice as the wrapping is, it’s too much like work to discover what’s inside. That’s why they abandon the effort.”

  “I’m not a package, Mother! I’m a person and deserve to be treated as one.”

  “Oh, don’t give me the feminist line! I’m a child of the ’60s, remember? I was a pioneer in the feminist movement. I’ve lived the feminist philosophy. That doesn’t stop me from realizing that sex motivates all of us, but it motivates men differently than women. That gorgeous male animal we just spoke to is intrigued by your package. Play your cards right and he might want to tear off the wrappings to see what lies beneath.”

  The Sandwich Hut loomed, growing closer with each step. Faith groaned. “Mom, could we talk about something else when we get to the restaurant? Just in case someone from work happens to be there. Or comes in while we’re eating. I don’t really want to become the latest hot topic in the office gossip mill.”

  Chloe sighed. “I’m not trying to embarrass you, Faith, but I’m going into a war zone. I might not come back.”

  “Mom! We’ve been over that. Washington was safe. It was never invaded. Nothing
is going to happen to you.”

  They reached the Sandwich Hut. Chloe took hold of the door and pulled. “I have to be realistic, sweetheart. We don’t know what my future is. You may be right. In fact, you probably are. But I want to make sure that my daughters are okay. That they have happy lives. Liz has years to go before she graduates and wants to think of having a family. You, on the other hand, have a settled career path. It’s time for you to start looking back at all those boys who like to look at you.”

  “What will you have ladies?” asked Jake, the bald, pot-bellied owner of the Sandwich Hut. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he stood behind the counter, waiting to take their order. Evidently he’d heard part of Chloe’s ‘mom’ lecture.

  “I’ll have the Southwestern Chicken Wrap,” Chloe said, “with lots of extra hot peppers.” She added cheerfully, “I don’t think they’ll do hot and spicy where I’m going, so I’m stocking up on flavor before I head out.”

  “And where would that be?” Jake asked in a friendly way as he assembled the sandwich.

  “Washington —”

  “Hey Jake! I’ll have a big bowl of your broccoli and cheese soup.”

  “Broccoli and cheese soup. Sounds good. I’ll have some too since I’m not sure how scarce food will be.”

  Faith could have groaned, but Jake apparently hadn’t paid enough attention to Chloe’s conversation to think further comment was necessary. Or maybe he was too polite to say that Chloe sounded like a woman way out in left field.

  “Okay, ladies. Find yourselves a table.” He grinned, apparently deciding his comment was a witticism since only two tables were occupied and there was plenty of free space. “I’ll bring your meals when they’re ready.”

  Faith led them to a table in a corner where she positioned herself so she could sit with her back to the wall and watch the rest of the room, not to mention the doorway.

  “I want to see you happy,” Chloe continued, refusing to be diverted. “You are twenty-six years old. You’re settled in your job. You need to open yourself up to new experiences in your personal life.”

  Jake emerged from behind his counter, carrying a tray. Faith watched him head their way. “Yeah, okay, Mom. I get the point.”

  Chloe rolled on, as unstoppable as an avalanche. “You need to let nice young men like that good-looking systems expert get to know you.”

  Jake hovered just behind Chloe’s shoulder. “Ah…Mom—”

  “To unwrap your package…” Jake plunked the tray on the table. Chloe blanched and for the first time hesitated. “…so to speak.”

  Jake’s lips twitched, then he winked. “Enjoy.”

  After that Chloe dropped the subject, much to Faith’s relief. They were just finishing up when the door opened and Ava Taylor breezed inside.

  “A ham sandwich to go, Jake, and make it quick. I’ve got a conference call in fifteen minutes and I need something to eat fast.” As Jake worked on the sandwich, Ava looked around restlessly.

  Faith was able to pinpoint the moment Ava noticed her. The impatient expression on Ava’s round, sweet-featured face tightened with curiosity that was quickly covered by her usual polite social mask. She strode across the room. “Faith! Hello. Who is this?” She scrutinized Chloe, then smiled. The expression lit up her face in an appealing way. Her eyes remained cool and assessing. “A family member, I’ll bet.” She tapped her cheek. “Let me see. Your mother. Am I right?”

  Chloe held out her hand. “Quite right. I’m Chloe Hamilton.”

  “The history professor.” Ava shook her hand. “I’ve heard of you.”

  “You have the better of me, then, I’m afraid.”

  “This is Ava Taylor, Mom, our new COO,” Faith said.

  Chloe retrieved her hand. “Of course. Faith has mentioned you.”

  Ava shot Faith a look that was hard to interpret. “Has she? I must say, Mrs. Hamilton, Faith is wonderful to work with. She manages the office beautifully—”

  “She should.” Chloe pushed her plate aside and threw her crumpled napkin on top of it. “My daughter has an MBA from Harvard. She is more than capable of doing any management job she chooses.”

  Ava’s eyes narrowed and for an instant her features hardened dangerously, then she was smiling again so that Faith wondered if she’d misinterpreted the fleeting expression. “I depend on Faith. It’s because she is so effective in handling the day-to-day that I’m able to be more involved in marketing and sales, which is what I’m most interested in. Ah, there’s Jake with my sandwich. I’ve got to run. Faith, I’ll talk to you later. Mrs. Hamilton, nice to meet you!”

  The door closed behind her with a soft thump. Chloe pushed back her chair as Faith finished the last of her ice tea. “What’s Ava like to work for?”

  Faith tossed her napkin on her plate as she prepared to leave. “She’s okay. Why?”

  Outside they saw Ava’s hurrying form disappear into the building that housed the NIT offices. “I’m not sure,” Chloe said slowly. “She just makes me think it would be a good idea for you to watch your back.”

  That was advice that was easy to accept. “I already do, Mom.”

  Chloe was parked on the street, halfway between the Sandwich Hut and the NIT building. When they reached her car she wrapped Faith in a big bear hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks, sweetheart. Wish me luck!”

  Faith hugged back. There was no point in suggesting Chloe shouldn’t go. When she was set on her path, nothing would stop her. “I love you, Mom.”

  “Oh, I love you too, sweetheart. I’ll miss you!” She kissed Faith, then opened the car door. “Now remember—be more open! I’ve got to go!”

  Two days after her lunch with her mother, Faith finished typing an e-mail memo to the NIT staff, announcing that the summer vacation schedule was now up in the internal network calendar and that all staff should post their first and second options, especially if they wanted to go away during the prime weeks at the end of July and beginning of August. She addressed it to her NIT distribution list and sent it, then crossed the task off her to-do list.

  One down. Twenty to go. She moved on to task two, a call to the print shop that produced the NIT paper materials. They were nearly out of their promotional brochure and Faith wanted to order a bridge supply until their designer could create a new look that reflected the two plum contracts they’d recently won and the research and development skills brought to the company by Cody Simpson.

  The call lasted fifteen minutes and involved a discussion of prices, some laughter, and a little flirting. In the end Faith achieved what she wanted—a short print run at the same per item price she would have received for a bigger order. She scratched off number two then moved on to number three.

  She was contemplating task number seven when Angela drifted into her doorway. As usual she was wearing jeans and a casual shirt that just covered her belly button. It occurred to Faith that if Angela’s posture were better she’d have a dynamite body. Her top would expose a lot more flesh too.

  “My computer doesn’t work.”

  Faith glanced at her watch. It was already ten-fifteen. Where had the morning gone? “What’s the problem?”

  Angela shrugged. “I can’t access the network.”

  “Did you log out and restart?”

  There was a flash of contempt in Angela’s eyes. “Of course I did. That’s basic procedure.”

  Faith stared at Angela, using silence to discipline the girl. Angela was the niece of Ralph Warren, the President, CEO, and owner of the company. In itself, this was not surprising. Half the staff had found their jobs because they knew someone who already worked at NIT, or because they were a current staff member’s kid, wife, husband or best friend. While Ralph would never allow someone who couldn’t do their job to remain in the company, he liked having friends and family working with him. He said it grounded him and provided a warmth to the corporate culture that gave NIT an added edge in the competitive marketplace.

  Whatever Ralph’s ‘fa
mily first’ policy did for sales, it forced Faith to work with the staff, searching for each individual’s strengths and reducing their weaknesses. That meant she spent a lot of time dealing with people problems. Not that she minded. She didn’t think assembly-line management worked, particularly not in an entrepreneurial company like NIT.

  Ava, on the other hand, believed in rigid job descriptions and thought each staff member should stick to the job he or she had been hired to do.

  As the silence lengthened, Angela began to fidget. Suddenly she burst out, “Look, I was typing in the changes to those contracts you gave me. I needed some info from a file that was on the server. When I tried to access it my computer froze, then, when I restarted everything was gone. I had to start over again—and I still can’t access the server. I tried to call Sue Green to get her to fix my terminal, but she isn’t answering her phone. Will you get her to come down? I’m really frustrated and upset.”

  Faith waited a heartbeat, then another, while Angela fidgeted some more, before she nodded. “Okay, I’ll arrange it.” She swiveled her chair, pointing to a pile of paper on one of the shelves of her bookcase. “While you’re waiting for Sue to do her magic, I’d like you to file that.”

  Angela stared at the filing, a look of horror on her face. “What about my break?”

  Faith hid a smile. “You get fifteen minutes, Angela. You can take it now, if you want. Or later when Sue is working on your computer. It’s up to you. Either way, the filing needs to be done.”

  Angela’s lips compressed into a thin line. “I’ll start the filing,” she said, grabbing the pile and leaving the office with a flourish of annoyance.

  Faith laughed softly to herself. The girl was bright, but she didn’t like restrictions. She had a lot to learn about working in an office. Teaching her wasn’t the easiest job in the world.

  Faith dialed Sue’s extension, then wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder so she could use her hands to work her keyboard. As the phone rang, she checked the server herself to make sure that it wasn’t down and inaccessible to everybody. Satisfied it was up and running, she checked her e-mail. Five new messages in her in-basket.