Chapter Twenty-One

“Over there, on that wall, Dad,” Jan said, pointing to an empty spot in her bedroom hallway. She watched the General position the small rectangular table, feeling pleased about her choice. Perfect for a vase of flowers or an objet d’art. “Thanks. Looks good.”

The General adjusted the table to the middle of the wall section.

“We’re using it for Sidney’s memorial. Remind me to take the table with us when we set up Friday morning, okay?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I bought potted flowers, bromeliads, to place on both sides of Sidney’s urn. Two big candles, too. My table does double duty.” She smiled. “Now you can’t say I come home furniture-less after a shopping trip.”

With a meaningful glance at her empty bedroom, he nodded. “Right. We have an earth-shattering meeting with Tess and Ryan Barker followed by a buying spree at Donna’s Furniture. Makes perfect sense.”

Jan shrugged and leaned against her granite counter. “Life goes on. Gotta multi-task.”

“You’ll set up the meeting with Madeline?”

“I will. We speak to no one about what we learned today.”

“No one.”

“You’ll arrange for Sidney’s military salute this afternoon?”

He nodded. “Since Roman’s not around, I’m bringing Frank over to stay with you. I’ll take Bella and her sister with me.”

“Dad, I—”

The General put up his hand to stop her from speaking. “Another multi-task. He stays with you until Roman or I take over. Nothing’s changed about our safety issues. In fact, now that we know the truth about the Barker children, we may be in more danger than before.”

She waved her hand, dismissing his fears, but accepting his conditions. “Okay. Fine.”

He made his way to the front door and turned, his brow arched. “Notice I said multi-task. This presents an opportunity for you to talk to Frank alone. Which is why I’m taking Bella with me.”

With a sigh she said, “Big thanks, Dad. You can imagine how I look forward to a heart to heart with Frank.”

“Chin up, Janny. You can do it. I watched you stand up to Tess and her brother, convincing them we shouldn’t have to sign their legal document. You’ll do as good a job with Frank, I’m sure.”

Jan smiled at her dad, aware that their talk at the dog salon had sheared the rough edges off their relationship. This is a genuine compliment; accept it! She said, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pop. I’ll need it.”

He gave her a thumbs-up as he left. “Chip off the old block and all that. Good luck.”

Jan took a seat on her front stoop. Elly nudged her leg, begging to be petted. She scratched behind his ears, his rear leg pumping his pleasure. Her dog’s needs, though constant, were simple. Why were her own so complicated?

“Who will scratch me behind the ears?” Jan asked Elwood.

“I’m up for the job,” said Frank.

“Yikes! You scared me. How’d you get here so fast?”

He bent down to kiss her cheek. “I’d just pulled up when I saw the General head for Bella’s. He gave me the high sign.”

“Sorry about the duty.”

“My pleasure,” he said, sitting down next to her, close enough so their hips touched. “It hasn’t been easy getting time with you, Janny.”

Jan opened her mouth to protest, but Frank stopped her by putting his index finger gently over her lips. “Not your fault. You warned me you’d be too busy before Sunday.”

“Yet you’re going to lay some guilt on me anyway, aren’t you?”

“Listen,” he said, speaking deliberately. “This Barker deal, including the threats you told me about, scares the hell out of me. Can’t I convince you to back off the thing?”

Jan heard tension in his voice. Why was he struggling so hard to be calm?

Anxious to move away from him but concerned she’d offend him when she did so, she scooted away and angled her body toward him, pretending she needed to look him more fully in the face. “I’ve got a job to do.”

He looked hopeful. “So you’re going ahead with the memorial? Barker’s I mean?”

“I’m working with the widow, yes.”

“Not the kids, right?”

Jan cocked her head, curious about his grim look. “Why do you care, Frank?”

“I…I…” He knuckled his bald head. “The General seems to think you need protection. I’m concerned. Since the danger is connected to stopping the memorial, I don’t want you going in that direction.”

Jan eyed the lawn to the right of the stoop, imagining Roman sprawled out, ankle bitten, dog treats dropped. She smiled. Roman and Pete would counsel her to forge ahead. Frank’s view: Men take risks for their women. She wondered how much Frank’s philosophy had influenced her over the years. After he’d risked everything so Jan could keep her job at HighTech, she’d honored his sacrifice by staying. Cloistered. Cossetted. Grateful. Safe.

But it wasn’t his fault; it was hers.

She straightened her spine. “I’m not returning to Seattle, Frank. In fact, Elly and I are going to take a break and head to Palm Springs. Dad’s bringing in another event planner to take my place.”

His jaw dropped. “Oh?”

“I’m learning how to devote myself to people and causes. My dad. My dog. The Barker family.”

“Not me?”

“You sacrificed too much for me, Frank. I was so young when we met, a naïve twenty-one-year-old intern dazzled by a HighTech executive. When they fired you for our indiscretions, but kept me, thanks to your negotiations, I felt terribly guilty.” She let out a breath. “I’ve been consumed by obligation and inadequacy for twelve years.”

“Janny—”

“I’m so grateful for our friendship and because of your mentorship I worked my way up the ranks at HighTech.”

He grasped her hand. “We have more than a mentorship, for God’s sake.”

She bowed her head. “The passion isn’t there, for either of us, Frank.”

“Passion? That’s for kids. It’s temporary, replaced by deep respect and friendship.”

Looking into his eyes, she saw his hurt, his confusion. Anger, too. Elwood nudged her leg, seeming to sense Jan’s discomfort. She ran her hand over his newly shorn hair, his skin rippling in pleasure at her touch.

Frank stood, hands on hips, his mouth a thin line.

She waited. He’d beg, she was sure. He’d profess his love for her, passionately, perhaps. Could she resist his pleadings?

“Dammit!” he said.

Startled by his outburst and his look of disgust, she stared at Frank.

Shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe his discovery, he said, “You’re going to stop that memorial, aren’t you? Give up on me after twelve years, too. In a search for causes?” he said with sarcasm.

“Wha—?”

“Forget the rebuttal,” he said, leaning so his nose almost touched hers. “You’re a grown woman acting like a kid on a misguided mission, coached by a two-bit scriptwriter and a tired old foot soldier. When you come to your senses, you’ll be sorry. Very sorry.”

“Frank!” she exclaimed, shocked at his vitriol. Who was this man?

He took a breath, seeming to calm himself, clearly surprised at his outburst. “I…I’m sorry. About us. About everything.” With a glance toward his car, he said, “I’ve got to go. You’ve made a mess here and I…”

Apparently too befuddled to finish the sentence, Frank walked to his car, got in, started the motor and raced away.

Jan remained on the stoop and lifted Elwood to her lap, drawn to the dog’s warmth. When he licked her neck, she squeezed him until he squirmed.

“Frank and I didn’t fight for twelve years, Elly. In this last week, we’ve chalked up two big ones.”

She set the dog down and eyed the spot where Frank’s car had been parked. “Revealing, don’t you think? I finally see his passion, but it isn’t directed at me.”

****

After a morning of stakeouts followed by a tedious hour of tailing Big Ears, Roman hadn’t come up with a way to approach Jan. Now, with his borrowed key poised over her front lock, his brain refused to focus. Should he tell her a SUV followed her to the Medi-Quick building? That Roman had tracked Big Ears to the parking lot at City Hall and the man disappeared into the building?

Would she like to know her ex-boyfriend strode into the building half an hour later?

Roman had considered waiting until Big Ears and Frank left the building. Maybe if he’d followed the SUV some more, he’d learn where the man lived and whom he was tailing next. But Roman got worried about Jan. Even though she lied to him and sneaked around on him, the idea she might be alone and in jeopardy scared the hell out of him.

He gripped the key in his fingers, jammed it in the lock and wrenched to the left.

The house was quiet. Too quiet. Yet her Volvo was parked in the driveway. Was she at Bella’s?

No dog.

“Jan?”

He took note of the new table in the hallway, shaking his head at the irony. A furniture store should have been a safe place to hide from Jan. Roman’s gaze swept the classic but cozily accoutered room. “She’s cured,” he muttered. Miffed he’d failed once again to anticipate the woman’s next move, he shouted, “Jan?”

“Out here, Roman. Back yard.”

He let out a breath and stomped to the patio, angry that his worry over her scared him so much.

Elwood bounded up with a ball in his mouth. Roman bent to pick it up, trying to get control of his emotions. He palmed the wet ball and glanced at the dancing dog, who’d finally decided they were buddies. No more ankle-biting or growling. He’d been promoted to ball thrower. “At least he trusts me,” Roman grumbled as he heaved the ball to the far end of the lawn.

Jan, dressed in shorts, a halter-top, and sandals, smiled and held out a handful of weeds. That she looked so good to him and the relief he felt when he saw her safe, made him even madder.

“Dammit, Jazz. Where’s your dad? Where’s Frank? Why are you here alone?”

The look on her face, as if he’d just punched her in the gut, shook him. He tugged her up into a fierce embrace and squeezed.

Settling into his arms, she sighed.

He was ready for her to squirm out of his arms, not give in. What was wrong with her?

What’s wrong with me? I’m mad at her.

“Hey, baby. What’s up?” he soothed.

She sighed again and nestled in.

Stroking her shoulder blades, he said, “Hard day at the dog salon?”

Feeling her shake her head, a mercenary thought climbed into his mind. Maybe if he softened her up, she’d come clean.

Cad. Opportunist.

She was a sun-warmed woman, happy to be held close. By now she could feel how pleased his body was about being next to hers. She shifted, seeming to assess the nature and extent of his joy, didn’t mind, and snuggled closer.

I want her. She wants me. That’s all there is to know.

He looked over her shoulder at golfers gunning golf carts to their next shots. Too public a place. He caught a glimpse of Bella’s house three doors down and remembered he had principles. He’d carry Jazz inside to a real bed. No blow-up bed sex for them, by God.

Releasing her, he took her face in his hands. If Big Ears had gotten his beefy paws on her, Roman would kill the guy. He took a breath before he spoke. Don’t scare her. “Where are your bodyguards, Jazz?”

“You’re it.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Dad left with Bella. Frank was supposed to stay with me, but we had a fight and he drove off somewhere.” She glanced at Elwood. “The dog stayed.”

He took a step back. Clearly she’d meant to state the facts with a hint of humor, but to Roman, her voice sounded weak. Had Frank hurt her? The thing with Tess was probably heavy on her mind. Maybe being left alone had frightened her.

Why couldn’t she tell him, trust him?

Give her a chance. “Anything on your mind, Jazz? Something besides a close shave at the dog salon?”

Her laughter gave him hope, helping him relax a bit.

“You’re funny,” she said. “No, we’re fine. Grace’s memorial was wonderful and we can now focus on the final touches of your grandfather’s send-off. If you’re ready, it’s a go.”

“Yup,” he said, his heart sinking. She wasn’t going to tell him a damn thing.

“Good.” Jan picked up the weeds she’d dropped and threw them into the wheelbarrow.

One more try. “Any luck setting up a meeting with Tess?”

She glowered at a dandelion before she yanked it out of the ground. “None. She knows your history. Doesn’t trust you.”

Roman bit his lip, catching Jan’s half-truth. “Any thoughts about what to do with the Barker memorial?”

“Still thinking. Still researching. Twenty-four hours to make a decision.”

“Really? You could shut it down as late as Friday night?”

“Easy, using e-mail. One of our services is an e-mail and phone connection with all attendees for a given memorial. The invitation and the program go out on the Internet and are updated daily. We’ve also developed an e-mail guest book, where people can send in anecdotes about the deceased. Everyone on the list gets a copy of the e-mailed excerpts whether they come to the memorial or not. A real-time RSVP loop helps us get a solid count of how many are coming to the event so we have the right amount of tables set up and food ordered. No surprises.”

“Efficient and modern. You’re telling me you can easily notify all the guests about a cancellation.” He threw the ball for Elwood and added, nonchalantly, “Anything I can do to help with your research on Barker?”

She jammed her trowel in the ground, freeing a root. After she shook dirt off the weed, she stood and squinted at Roman. “You’ve read my Barker file. What am I missing?”

“I…”

“I knew you’d read it whether I gave my permission or not.” With a flip of her hand she said, “It’s fine. You’re predictable.” She rolled the wheelbarrow to a new spot. “What am I missing?”

Okay. Wait a damn minute. Roman was the one with all the goods on Jan and she was making him feel like a jerk? Had she already forgotten how she’d melted into his arms? He glanced at the golf course, wishing he were out there playing. The game was blessedly direct compared to his relationship with Jan. She could read his mind, for Christ’s sake. Which probably meant she knew he wanted to jump her bones right there in the garden.

Plus, she made him feel stupid. She was working up a sweat pulling weeds while he stood on one foot then another.

He bent over to yank out what he hoped was a weed, covering his embarrassment, his anger, and his lust. The damn thing came out leaving its root. “Shit,” he said.

She threw the trowel at his feet. “I planned to ring up the Barker brothers who live overseas.”

Roman picked up the trowel and held his breath.

“You’d already called them.”

He kept his eyes on the root location.

“I rang the mayor’s office to set up an appointment. From them, I find out you’ve visited the mayor on two occasions. Didn’t leave the best impression, either. They refused to talk to me.”

“Dammit, Jazz. I—”

She waved a weed in his direction to stop his protest, the edge of her halter revealing the roundness of her breast in a replay of the first time he’d met her. But now, her profile, kneeling, breasts and butt defined, made him ache with need.

With a knowing smile, she said, “Clearly, we’ve decided to dig separately.” She threw a ball for Elwood and watched the dog scramble for the toy. “We work best alone, I guess.”

Roman stabbed at the root, freed it from the ground and brought it to her bucket. “I’m sorry, Jazz. Old dog. Untrainable.”

She nodded, averting her eyes. “I’m afraid to ask how the Johnson thing is going.”

“I’m done. You were busy and I had a deadline to make.”

She let out a breath and bowed her head. “Oh.”

Roman wanted to explain himself, helping her understand why he’d written the script on the Senator his way. But he was convinced she wouldn’t buy his rationale. “I’ve got a copy you can read.”

The silence opened a chasm between them. Why had he promised Jan she could read the Johnson script before he sent it in? Had either of them really believed he’d follow through with that pledge?

“Dad’s working on a project for Sidney’s memorial,” she said in an all-business tone, ignoring his offer. “He made me promise I’d take Frank or you wherever I had to go this afternoon.” She swallowed, seeming to marshal her emotions. “Since Frank’s declined the position, I’m wondering if you’ll accompany me on a couple errands.” She gave him a wry smile. “I’d buy you a hamburger for the trouble.”

“Of course. I—”

Touching his arm, she shook her head. “We are who we are, Roman. Let’s leave it at that and go about our business. On Sunday, I head for Palm Springs and you drive to Santa Barbara. It’ll be good for both of us to return to our simple lives.”

She picked up her bucket, dropped the trowel in it and whistled to Elwood. Roman watched her walk to the patio door, shoulders straight. So proud.

Her body language spoke volumes. She’d never let him hold her again.