by Day Leclaire
“He’d still have complained.”
“But not in such a public forum. And not in a way that left our employees worried about HRI’s future. The start of the season is only weeks away. We need everyone with their head in the game, not second-guessing management.”
She hated that he was right almost as much as she hated how he stirred a heat in her unlike anything she’d felt in years, putting her at an immediate disadvantage. She needed to stop this, and fast. If she didn’t want him running roughshod over her, she’d have to set the tone for the future right from the start. “They’re very clear about who’s in charge, Lucas. I am. As the majority owner, the final decision on every aspect of this business rests with me.”
“For now.”
She inclined her head. “Unless and until that changes, I’m happy to listen to what you bring to the table. But I’m not about to let you bully me into doing things your way.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t count on that.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s only one reason I can think of for Jinx bringing me in.”
He’d caught her off guard with his comment and she regarded him with instinctive wariness. “And why is that?”
“Because he didn’t think you were capable of handling HRI on your own,” Lucas informed her bluntly.
Even though she knew it wasn’t true, she couldn’t prevent a wave of pain from ripping through her. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” He tilted his head to one side. “Then explain why he sold out to me. Why, after nearly two decades of marriage, would your husband undercut you like this? What possible motivation could he have?”
She knew why. Or at least she had a strong suspicion. But there wasn’t a chance in hell that she’d explain the reason to Lucas. “I guess you’ll have to figure that out for yourself. Now, are we finished here?”
“We are, assuming we have an understanding about how we’re going to handle future business meetings.”
He approached and she fought to conceal her intense awareness of him. Why, she wondered in despair? Why after all this time did every nerve ending seem to sizzle whenever he came near? She didn’t even have to see him to sense his presence. He’d proven that year after endless year, though she doubted she’d ever betrayed any hint of her reaction to him or anyone else. Except, she realized now, to Jinx. She’d never understood it. How could one night with Lucas have created so strong a connection between them?
“We do understand each other, don’t we?” he asked. “Partners make business decisions together. As far as the team members and staff are concerned, we’re one big happy family.”
“You’re pushing it.” More than anything she wanted to fall back before his approach. But she couldn’t allow him that much control. She held her ground despite the overwhelming urge to give in and give up. God, she was tired. “I have a lot of practice putting on a happy face, but no one’s going to believe we’re that close, let alone happy.”
“I’m well aware of that. Say what you want to me in private, but in public we speak as one.” His hand settled lightly on her waist before sliding downward, following the womanly flare of her hip and squeezing. “When it comes to outsiders, you and I are joined right here. Hip to hip.”
She met his knowing gaze with as much equanimity as she could manage. “Take your hands off me.”
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Kellie?”
“You no longer have the right to touch me. Ours is a business relationship and nothing more.” She took a deliberate step backward, forcing his hand to fall away. “Are we clear?”
“Quite. I’m just relieved that you realize that fact, too. Our situation is difficult enough without complicating it.”
“Then…” She couldn’t help brushing at her hip as though to remove his touch. “Why?”
“Curiosity, plain and simple.” He smiled enigmatically. “I had a question, which you’ve now answered.”
The comment left her totally confused, but before she could demand an explanation, he exited the conference room, stepping aside so Jamie could enter. Her son only waited for the door to close before jumping in with typical directness.
“Bad can’t really take HRI away from us, can he?” Jamie demanded.
“No, of course not,” Kellie said, quick to reassure him. She fought to switch gears, though with her heart still pounding from the warmth of Lucas’s hand, it was difficult.
“But if he wins the NASCAR Championship…”
She fought to conceal her exhaustion at having to explain the facts for the umpteenth time. “Then he’ll own fifty-one percent of HRI—at a hefty price, I might add. We’ll still retain the other forty-nine.”
“But Cole’s right. That’ll mean Bad will be in charge.”
Kellie crossed to her son’s side and rested her hand on his shoulder. When had he gotten so tall? It seemed like just yesterday that the top of his head had been at perfect kissing height. “We have a full racing season ahead of us before we have to worry about that. Do you know how difficult it is to win the championship once, let alone twice in a row?”
“But it’s Bad Boyce. He’s—” Jamie’s blue eyes shone for an instant with unmistakable hero worship before anger eclipsed every other emotion. “He’s the best there is. If he wins one more championship, it’ll give him his eighth. That’ll be a NASCAR record. Do you know how much incentive breaking that record will give him?”
Knowing Lucas, too much. “Even the best isn’t the best all the time. Listen to me, Jamie. Lucas will be a tremendous asset to HRI. I know how much you’re missing your father, how difficult this next year will be without him to guide you. But Lucas will be able to teach you a lot. Give him a chance.”
She could see the conflict in her son’s face. Until a few years ago, Jamie had papered his room with posters of favored race car drivers, with Lucas holding a prominent position. But as much as he worshipped Lucas, he also admired Cole, something the older driver took full advantage of. She suspected Jamie wanted to side with Cole on the subject of Bad Boyce, even while part of him was thrilled at the idea of working with the NASCAR NEXTEL Champion.
“Give him a chance, Jamie,” she repeated. “See how it goes.”
“Are you going to give him a chance?” he shot back. “I heard you and Paps talking. You’re not happy about his being here, either.”
“I’m not happy about the way it went down,” she admitted. “But having him associated with HRI will be great for business. Plus, he’s brought along a fantastic sponsor for you.” She ruffled her son’s chestnut hair, something she didn’t dare do in public, and edged their discussion in a new direction. “We’ll be meeting with Food Basket at the end of the week. They want to unveil the new color scheme for your car and discuss photo ops and promos. You’re about to hit the big times, kiddo. You ready?”
Jamie didn’t hesitate. He shot her a look of such drive and determination that for a split second it might have been his father standing before her instead of their son. “Yeah, I’m ready. Racing is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
“I know.”
“I’m going to be the best, Mom. You wait and see. I’m going after a NASCAR Championship and nothing and no one is getting in my way.”
Kellie watched as her son exited the conference room. There was no question, she realized with a shiver. Jamie was definitely his father’s son.
JAMIE WALKED OUT of the conference room, exuding as much self-confidence as he could manage. That’s what his mother wanted to see…heck, what they all wanted to see—that he was upbeat and sure of himself. But it wasn’t the truth. At least, not the entire truth.
He wandered outside, past the shops that housed his car and Cole’s 199, toward an older garage where some of his father’s legendary 56 models were kept. He flipped on the overhead spots. The light seemed to shoot from car to car, causing the distinctive green and gold colors to flash like lightning.
Here was the
car his father drove when he won at Daytona. Jinx had been more proud of that win than any other. Of course, the next three years, he’d crashed on the last lap—the “Hammond Jinx” at its worst. Then there was the Thunderbird he’d been driving when he won his second and final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship, not long before a drunk driver had put an end to a career at its zenith.
He climbed into the Daytona winner and rested his head against the steering wheel. Some of his earliest memories were of sitting in this car, so small he couldn’t even see out of the windshield. How many imaginary races had he driven and won from the seat of this car? But he wasn’t dealing with imagination anymore. This was the real deal. And one question, more than any other, continued to plague him.
He knew he’d inherited the Hammond drive and determination, the “want to.” But what else had he inherited? The Hammond Skill…or the Hammond Jinx?
“Jamie?”
“In here, Paps.”
His grandfather entered the garage. “Thought this might be where you were. You always crawl in that old car when something’s troublin’ you. What is it this time, son?”
Jamie shrugged. “Just missing Dad, I guess.”
His grandfather’s expression softened. “We all miss him. It’s not going to be the same without him.”
“I’d hoped—” To Jamie’s horror, his voice cracked and he fought to bring it under control. “I’d hoped he’d be there to see me race at Daytona.”
“Trust me. He’ll be watching.”
“What if—”
“If…what?” Darrell prompted.
Jamie shook his head. Putting it in words might make it real instead of keeping it stomped down into just a vague fear. “Nothing. Never mind.”
His grandfather tapped the roof of the car. “Well, enjoy your last ride in there, son. I’ll see you back at the house for dinner.”
“What? Wait a sec.” Jamie yanked off the steering wheel and tossed it to one side before levering himself out of the window. “What do you mean, last ride?”
Darrell grimaced. “Aw, hell. I thought you knew. Well, better you hear it from me, I guess.” He released his breath in a gusty sigh. “These cars are going to be moved to the museum next week.”
“Why?”
“We need the space for Lucas.”
Jamie thrust a hand through his hair. No. It couldn’t be. “Because of Boyce? They’re getting rid of Dad’s cars because Bad Boyce is moving in? He’s taking over Dad’s garage?”
Darrell dropped a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Easy, son.”
“No.” He shrugged off his grandfather’s hold. “This place belongs to Jinx Hammond. The Jinx Hammond. Boyce can park his ride someplace else.”
“There is nowhere else, and you know it. Listen to me, Jamie. Having Boyce here will be good for business. It’ll be good for you, especially with Jinx gone. There’s no one driving today who’s better than Bad.”
“Cole. Cole is as good.”
Darrell shook his head. “He’s close. But he’s not as good. Think on it, son. You’ll have two of the most experienced drivers the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series has to offer as your teammates.”
“But here?” Jamie looked around him, feeling desperation seizing hold. “It’ll be like Dad never was.”
“Your father built this place. He will always be a part of it. Nobody can take that away.”
“Boyce will try.” Jamie’s mouth tightened, anger grabbing him. “But I won’t let him. He’s not getting his hands on HRI. Not while I have anything to say about it.”
“Now listen to me, son. You stay out of all that legal wrangling. That’s for Boyce and your mother to deal with.”
“But if he wins the NASCAR Championship…”
“It was Jinx who put that provision in there.” He made the point deliberately. “Think it through, Jamie. Your father was one of the most stubborn men I ever knew. There were days when I wasn’t sure why anyone bothered to call me Jinx’s crew chief since he didn’t listen to a word I had to say. If your father hadn’t wanted that condition in there, he’d never have agreed to it. Period. End of discussion.”
“But why?” Jamie asked desperately. “Why’d he do it?”
“We may never know.” A gleam appeared in eyes the same violet-blue as Jamie’s own. “Or we may find out down the road a piece. Your father always did have a wicked sense of humor. Time will tell if this is his idea of a joke. Until then you have a job to do and it isn’t snarling over Boyce setting up shop here.”
“But Cole says—”
“Cole makes a habit of talking out of places that shouldn’t have mouths.”
Jamie grinned. “And where would that be, Paps?”
“You oughta know. You’ve made that same mistake a time or two, yourself.” Darrell smiled at his grandson. “Take your time in here. I’ll make your excuses to your mother.”
“Thanks.”
Jamie looked around after his grandfather had left. So much history. So many memories. But nothing stayed the same forever. The cars in here had been the best of the best a couple of decades ago. Now they were antiques. His father was gone, though his number would live on—depending on Jamie’s skill and success. It was time to take from the old to build something new.
“Goodbye, Dad,” he whispered, and turned off the lights.
LUCAS MOVED HIS CARS and team into HRI exactly one week later.
Kellie stood at the window of her office and watched the hauler and moving van pull up, followed closely by a distinctive black Jag. She’d arranged for her general manager to help Lucas’s team get comfortable in their workplace. But it was her job to welcome her “premier” driver and business partner, as news reports were now describing him.
Exiting her office, she left the building housing the shops and waited on the outskirts of the crowd that milled around the yard as they greeted the new arrivals. After twenty minutes, people dispersed, returning to their various jobs. Kellie approached Lucas and offered her hand.
“Welcome,” she said simply.
Unfortunately, the sensations that rocketed through her when he took her hand were far from simple. She wanted to yank free of his grasp, but didn’t dare for fear it would give too much away. And it was that “too much” that worried her.
She shouldn’t be feeling like this when Lucas touched her, shouldn’t feel anything for him, anymore. Not after all these years. It was dangerous, a threat to the life she’d built with Jinx, as well as the life she hoped to continue from this point forward. How was she supposed to maintain a professional distance now that he’d joined HRI, when every time he looked at her or touched her, she reverted to a hormone-crazed seventeen-year-old? The worst part was…how was she going to get through the endless weeks and months of the upcoming season?
She was his partner and all she could think about was getting him horizontal and having her wicked way with him. Again.
“You can let go now,” Lucas said mildly.
It took her a split second to figure out what he meant. The instant she did, she snatched her hand free of his. “Sorry. I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment.”
“I can understand. A lot’s happened in a short period of time.” But the knowing smile he offered seemed to cut straight through her excuses. “Why don’t you show me where we’ll be parking our cars.”
“Of course.”
She took him through the shop, taking ridiculous pleasure in his appreciation of the size and scope of the work area. Once he’d fully acquainted himself with his new home, she ushered him into the private office she’d cleared out for his use. “You can use this, since it’s convenient to the shop, or there’s something a bit grander near my office. I assume you have your own furniture,” she continued. “If not, order whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” He leaned against the door frame, blocking her exit, and studied her in a way that had her nerves firing in reaction. He’d grown so intimidating over the years, exuding a toughness that made his nickname fa
ct as much as legend. “Maybe this would be a good time for the two of us to have a private conversation.”
Oh, dear. Fighting nervousness, she offered her calmest, most professional smile. “About what?”
“The present. The future.” His focus tightened, laser-sharp. “Or maybe we should start with the past.”
CHAPTER THREE
KELLIE SNATCHED a deep breath and fought to return his look with as much composure as she could scrape together. But he’d shaken her, and chances were excellent he knew it. “Fine. Let’s talk about the past. As far as I’m concerned, it can stay where it belongs. Behind us. I have no interest in resurrecting a dead issue.” And she hoped to heavens that Lucas shared that disinterest.
He continued to hold her with a sharp, penetrating stare, which pretty much put an end to those hopes. It would seem that their one night together was still a subject of concern. At least, for him. “I’ve always wondered something about that night,” he told her. “Did it matter which driver you tempted into your bed?”
She could feel herself pale. “I was no ‘pit lizard,’” she snapped, employing the term the team used for women who cruised the garages in the hopes of snapping up a “name” for a bit of action. “I was a foolish child, suffering from an even more foolish crush. Now, if you wouldn’t mind I’d—”
He shook his head. “It was more than that and you know it. I’m well aware that you weren’t just racking up your first notch on your bedpost. You wanted the whole package, didn’t you? Marriage, the reflected glory.” His eyes hardened. “A baby to ensure a healthy divorce settlement.”
She laughed. She had no idea where it came from. But it saved her from disaster, bursting from her in glorious, genuine amusement. “Get over yourself, Bad. You were my first mistake, if not my last. If I was the sort of person you claim, I’d have divorced Jinx long ago and taken him for every penny I could. Instead we were happily married for eighteen years. Are you sure you’re not coloring me with Bridgette’s brush?” she asked, referring to his ex-wife.