Spotting his editor’s name on the caller ID, Lucas answered on the second ring. A surge of excitement zipped through him. He’d submitted a concise summary of his notes for an in-depth article to him earlier this morning, wanting Chuck’s input on the strength of his new idea.
“Hey, Chuck.”
“Boudreau. Good job on the human trafficking article. Evocative, yet thought-provoking. Made me sick to my stomach a couple times, but that’s what good writing ought to do. You hit your mark, got your facts straight. We need copies of all your documentation. Once this article hits, readers will be outraged, and the feds are gonna come down on us like a ton of bricks. I need facts to back up your findings, nice solid proof to hand over.”
His boss chuckled, and Lucas pictured him sitting in his cubbyhole of an office, the credenza behind his desk stacked halfway to the ceiling with folders and papers, a disaster waiting to happen. The man was a tried-and-true Texan, with a deep drawl and a tendency to talk in countrified cliches, but woe unto the reporter who dared add a single one to his writing.
Chuck’s mind was a bear trap, waiting for the unsuspecting writer to take a wrong step and then SNAP. He pictured him leaning back in his chair, arms folded behind his head, his ever-present half-glasses perched on the end of his nose. Nothing got past Chuck. If you didn’t cross every T and dot every I, he’d tear your head off, his scathing comments flaying the literary skin from your hide.
“Everything’s in my safe at the apartment. I’m out of town, but I’ll get it to you ASAP. Did you get the notes I e-mailed you this morning?”
“Yeah. I’m not sure there’d be enough interest in the story. It doesn’t have the same—zing—I’m used to seeing from you. Illegal gambling? Who cares? Anybody who wants to toss their money down a rat hole can find a legit casino within driving distance nowadays. Or play the lottery. Those are all legal.”
“Chuck, I’m not talking penny-ante stuff. Money being raked in by these illegal gaming rooms is used for sex trafficking, human trafficking and drug running, which ties back into my last story. The penalties imposed when they’re caught is laughable. It’s considered a misdemeanor at best, and the people running the clubs get a fine or maybe a slap on the wrist. I did a little digging, and some of these places take in upwards of a hundred thousand dollars a day. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
Chuck let loose a whistle. “I hear ya. But it’s still not big news. People honestly won’t care because it doesn’t impact them. Not directly.”
“That’s part of the problem. It does impact them, they don’t realize how much. Sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars gets channeled away from the poorest communities, and tossed back into the hands of the cartels. People sell their food stamps for a chance at playing slot machines or electronic poker, hoping for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to solve all their financial woes. Others cash paychecks or social security checks and immediately head for these illegal gaming rooms and spend countless hours there—until all their money is gone. Then they’re stuck trying to figure out how to make it through until the next check.”
Lucas could cite facts and figures until he was blue, but if Chuck didn’t want the story, he’d shelve it—for now. Yet his gut told him to fight. There was something here, beneath the surface, and he itched to dig deeper. He knew where a half dozen or more of these game rooms were in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Could be there were more located in the suburbs. Maybe even Shiloh Springs. The thought sickened him. Gambling for many ended up more than a harmless habit; it was a sickness, an addiction with no sure-fire cure.
“Boudreau, I can tell you’ve got a burr under your saddle, and ain’t giving up until you find it and pluck it out. I’ll give you two weeks. Two. Weeks. Not a minute more. Get your facts straight, prove this is something bigger than recreational fun and maybe—and it’s a big maybe—I’ll pass it along to the big guys.”
Lucas let out a silent sigh, and felt his grin growing. If he hooked Chuck, and it sounded like he had, he’d get the green light. Now to figure out who to talk to around Shiloh Springs, find the closest club, and a way to get in the front door.
Jill ended up face-to-face with Ms. Patti the next morning. After church services, she’d found herself corralled and shuffled into a car with Rafe, Tessa, Antonio, and Serena, headed for the Big House and Sunday supper. She had every intention of calling Ms. Patti first thing Monday morning, and telling her she’d decided to accept her offer. Instead, she found herself seated on the back patio at the Boudreau home, holding a plate overflowing with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and biscuits hot from the oven slathered with rich honey butter.
Lucas sat beside her on the love seat, with Rafe and Tessa directly across on an identical matching couch. Her world seemed like a whirlwind, spinning out of control, and she was the kid twirling around in circles, balance all out of whack.
“Did I tell you the florist says she can do the colored baby’s breath?” Tessa grinned at Jill, her gaze filled with mischief. “Picture it: Dark pink roses and the barest blush of pink in the baby’s breath, tied with silver ribbons. It’s going to be simply gorgeous.”
“And with that, I’m outta here.” Rafe placed a kiss on his fiancée’s cheek, and stood, holding his half-empty plate. “I love you, but I’m in desperate need of some testosterone. All this wedding talk—sorry, I’m taking the afternoon off. Lucas, want to go join Dad and talk football and monster trucks?”
“Be right there.”
Lucas leaned toward Jill and whispered, “Want me to stay?”
Shaking her head, she gave him a smile. “Go. Tessa and I have some catching up to do anyway. Have fun.”
“I’ll give you a ride home when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”
As Lucas walked away, Tessa switched seats, plopping down beside Jill with a heavy sigh. “Thank goodness. I knew wedding talk would make Rafe head for the hills. He’s been really sweet through all the planning, but he’s a guy. He can only take so much of what he calls ‘girly stuff’ before his eyes roll back in his head and I’ve lost him.”
Jill pulled Tessa against her side in a one-armed hug. “You two are perfect for each other. I’m amazed I never thought to invite you to visit Shiloh Springs whenever I came home on break. You’d have met him sooner.”
“Things worked out in the end. I got my guy. Beth’s found her true love. Looks like you’re the only one left who needs fixing up.”
Jill shook her head vigorously. “No thanks. Remember my last fiasco? I’ve sworn off guys. They’re all liars, cheaters, married, or gay. Think I’ll pass. Besides, I’ll have my hands full soon, and won’t have time for dating.”
Tessa shifted on the seat, turning to face her. “Girlfriend, what are you talking about?”
“I can’t say yet. Not until I talk to Ms. Patti, but I promise it’s all good news.”
Tessa studied her, and the intensity of her gaze reminded Jill of a scientist studying his latest find under a microscope, and not liking what he saw. “It’s not like you to keep secrets. We tell each other everything. You sure you can’t give me a tiny hint?”
“Tomorrow, I promise. Until then, my lips are zipped.” Jill pantomimed the motion, her shoulders shaking with laughter at Tessa’s pout.
“You girls doing alright over here?” Ms. Patti asked as she sat on the couch across from them. “Need anything?”
“I’m good.”
“Me, too,” Tessa added.
“Great, because I need to take these off.” Ms. Patti slid her feet out of the heels she’d worn to Sunday service, giving an audible sigh. “Don’t tell anybody, but my feet were killing me. Give me a pair of flats any day. Or tennis shoes. Heels are torture devices surely invented by a man.”
“Or the devil,” Tessa chimed in.
“Same thing.” Ms. Patti grinned at Jill’s shocked gasp. “I’ve lived in a predominantly male household all of my adult life. Trust me when I say, there are times they are one and the same.”
Jill looked at Tessa, who had her hand over her mouth, stifling her laughter and her own burst forth. How could you not love Ms. Patti? The woman was a Shiloh Springs treasure, and Jill adored her. Why had she hesitated at the thought of working with the woman? She’d keep her on her toes, keep her motivated, and keep her focused on succeeding. All things she wanted and needed, because there was no way she planned on failing.
“I’ll do it,” she blurted out before she could stop the words.
“Do what?” Tessa gave her the oddest look, and Jill simply grinned, because now she’d said the words aloud, there was no taking them back.
“Excellent. It’s the right decision.” Ms. Patti nodded once, as if she hadn’t expected any other answer.
“What decision? She’s going to do what?” Tessa’s head ping-ponged back and forth, in a vain effort to follow their conversation. “Somebody better tell me what’s going on before I explode.”
“Should we?” Ms. Patti’s grin had Jill’s lips curving upward, along with the frustrated expression on her best friend’s face. While she’d love to keep toying with her, she knew Tessa might actually explode if she didn’t find out what was going on, so Jill decided to let her off the hook.
“Ms. Patti and I are going into business together. We’re opening a bakery.”
“What! Oh, Jill, that’s awesome!” Tessa started bouncing in her seat, her hands wrapped around the sides of her plate. Within seconds, the plate was on the ground, and her arms were around Jill, squeezing her tight.
“Can’t…breathe…”
“Too bad. This is amazing news! I’m so excited. You’re already doing the cake, but now I can have you do all the other stuff for the wedding reception and for the cocktail hour, and I won’t feel like I’m imposing and being a jerk, and—”
“And take a breath, hon, before you pass out.” Ms. Patti leaned back against the cushions, a serene expression on her face.
“I promise your wedding day feast will be the best one ever,” Jill promised. “We have a lot of details to work out, but Ms. Patti already scouted out the perfect location, right on Main Street. It’s going to be a lot of work—”
“But you’re up to the challenge, I know. You’ve never backed down from anything. I’m so excited! This means you get to quit your awful insurance job, right?”
“I hadn’t really thought that far ahead yet. I mean, I only made the decision last night. Yeah, once we’ve signed all the papers, I guess I’ll be turning in my notice.”
“Yay!”
Tessa stood and practically flew across the patio, straight into Rafe’s arms. He caught her and spun her around, her feet leaving the ground, and she leaned toward him, whispering what Jill assumed was the big news. Rafe’s eyes met hers over the top of Tessa’s head, and he smiled.
“Guess it’s not going to be much of a surprise, not with blabbermouth over there spilling the beans.” Jill watched her best friend, feeling so much love for the vivacious woman. They’d been best friends ever since meeting in college, and stayed in touch after graduation, even though they’d been half a continent apart. She’d been the one to mention the opening at the elementary school, which prompted Tessa’s move to Shiloh Springs.
“There’s no such thing as secrets in this family.” Ms. Patti moved from the couch, to sit beside her. “Besides, we’re your biggest supporters. Especially Lucas.”
Jill felt a surge of heat blast her cheeks at the mention of his name, remembering all-to-vividly her steamy dreams from the night before. The ones in which Lucas played the starring role.
“Lucas is a good friend.”
“Yes, I suppose he is.” Ms. Patti reached over and squeezed her hand. “How about we meet at my office in the morning, and go over the details? I took the liberty of having a contract drawn up, and you’ll need to go over it thoroughly. Have your own attorney look at it, and we’ll make any changes necessary.”
Jill looked down at her half-eaten plate of food, her mind reeling. She’d really done it—agreed to a business partnership with none other than Patricia Boudreau. She’d taken the first step in the pursuit of her ever-elusive dream. And it felt good. No, it felt great!
“I’ll need to call my office, and let them know I’ll be late—no, I’m going to take a personal day. I haven’t taken a day off in two years, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good idea. I don’t want you feeling pressured or rushed in any way.” She grinned at Jill before continuing. “If I’m being honest, I can’t wait until we’re up and running. Have you thought of a name?”
“Name? Oh, well…not really.”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with the perfect name, once all the real work starts.” She looked past Jill’s shoulder and then shrugged. “I think the word has spread. Prepare yourself, they’re coming.”
Within a few seconds, Jill found herself surrounded by a throng of grinning Boudreaus, all congratulating her on her upcoming success. She couldn’t help marveling at all the support the brothers poured her way. When her gaze caught Lucas’, he nodded, a huge grin on his lips. Warmth suffused her, reinforcing her decision. He moved to stand beside her, clasping her hand in his, and she closed her eyes for a second, savoring his touch.
This wouldn’t last. He’d head back to DFW in no time, and she’d go back to mooning over him from Shiloh Springs. At least she’d have her new business to keep her mind and body occupied, because her heart knew the truth. No matter how much she might wish otherwise, Lucas Boudreau wasn’t meant to be hers.