On Opposite Sides

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  He strode into the foyer and picked up his jacket. As he slid his arms into the sleeves, Sam called his name.

  “Quick thinking and thanks.” Sam said.

  “Not me. Jenessa was the one.” The words struck Eric like a blast of wind. She was the one he wanted in his life.

  “Pass along my thanks for preventing one of my nightmares.”

  “If she’s talking to me.”

  “What happened?”

  “Bishop. He told her he’d ordered me to romance her.”

  “Did he?” Sam shook his head. “Man’s getting pushy. Threatened to call my note if I don’t walk his road.”

  “Will you?”

  “Not a chance.” Sam edged closer. “I’m meeting him after he eats. I’ll play along but Simone and I are angling for a bank loan.”

  “One in town?”

  “Do you think I’m nuts?”

  “If you need, I have a few thousand I can spare.”

  Sam grinned. “Let’s hope I don’t. Borrowing from friends puts the friendship at risk.”

  Eric straightened. “See you later.”

  “What about the box of papers you left on my secretary’s desk?”

  “I’ll pick them up later.”

  “Anything interesting?”

  “Don’t know. Did find a copy of the will that includes the terms of the trust.” He walked away. “Got to go before Jenessa barricades herself in her apartment.”

  *****

  Jenessa dug some coins from her purse. The need to get home had become urgent. She slid from the car and once more, headed for the bank of phones. She prayed the automobile club could send a truck.

  She didn’t want to wait for Megan. What if she encountered Bishop again? The man had all but ruined her rapport with Eric. Bishop had ordered Eric to romance her. She didn’t want to believe. Wrong, she refused to listen to the Board president’s insinuations. That wasn’t the problem. She had wanted to tell Bishop he was a fool if he thought the nurses would give in. She’d run before she betrayed her friends and herself.

  Eric’s willingness to move their relationship forward had scared her. If that happened, she’d have to tell him about her marriage. Not even Megan knew how badly the bonds had frayed before Chuck’s death.

  The door of the Cove opened. The band of light grew wider and the spate of noise louder. Eric stood framed by the light. His hair gleamed like bright sunlight.

  She recalled how her body had come alive in his arms. She thought of his response. “It’s going to happen. Why not tonight?” Those whispered words had electrified her nerve endings. She wanted him with every breath she took. Since Chuck’s death, her life had been bound by work and school. There’d been no men, and until Eric, no desire for physical closeness. Now there was. Except there had to be more than physical yearning before she allowed herself to slake her thirst for him.

  He stepped toward her. “Is there a problem?”

  She nodded. The flat tire was a simple problem compared to the conflicting emotions this man stirred. The dream to find escape in his arms warred with her fear that she’d destroy him with demands he couldn’t meet.

  “Can I help?”

  Afraid her voice would betray her, she nodded again.

  “I wish we’d gone to Frank’s,” he said.

  “Me, too. I have a flat and the spare’s at the cottage -- flat. The auto club is swamped with calls.”

  “Let me take you home. You can see to your car tomorrow. Or you could go in and wait for Megan.”

  And be deluged with questions? Or encounter Bishop and Sandra? “Take me home.”

  He reached for her hand, but she jammed it in her pocket. “Hey, I don’t bite.”

  “I know that.”

  He opened the car door for her and got in on the driver’s side. “I’m not seeing you on Bishop’s orders.”

  “I know that, too.” She leaned back in the seat. “That’s not why I ran. I’m just not ready.”

  “I can accept that.” He looked at her. Desire flared in his eyes.

  “Can you?” she asked.

  He smiled. “I’ll wait. I want you, but I want all of you.”

  He wouldn’t once he knew, she thought. “How did Bishop react when he learned there’s not going to be a strike vote?”

  “He exploded. Unfortunately I couldn’t hear what he said, but he reamed Sandra good.”

  “Now that surprises me. They always seem to agree.”

  “This whole affair puzzles me. I can’t figure out what they’re after.”

  “Me either, but I think they want the nurses to walk out.”

  “I agree...The reason things got messed tonight was because I was digging through boxes of old Board meeting minutes.”

  “Why?”

  “Remember what Dr. Carter said at Shadow Lake. I thought there might be some information in the old minutes.”

  “So what did you learn?”

  “Nothing yet. I just sorted through things. Would you like to help me sift them?”

  “Nothing I’d like better but tomorrow I have class and I work Wednesday and Thursday.”

  “Then Friday it is.”

  “I’m busy until seven.”

  “Come down at seven thirty. I’ll cook.”

  “Real food?”

  “What other kind is there?”

  “I’ve never had a man cook for me, unless you count my dad heating a can of soup or my brothers zapping a frozen dinner.”

  “Then you’re in for a treat. My mother taught my brother and me to cook.” He pulled into a spot beside the apartment building. She reached for the door. He caught her hand. “Don’t go yet.”

  His touch struck sparks that sent fire racing from her fingers to her chest. She sighed. Why him? He wasn’t someone she could walk away from and forget.

  “I need to tell you why I’d never do what Bishop ordered.”

  “You don’t have to explain.”

  He ran a finger down her cheek. “I want you to know.”

  The bleakness in his eyes and his grim expression brought a need to comfort him. “Then tell me.”

  “I was working in the city -- a cardiac unit. The nurse manager --” He ran his hands through his hair. “Gail was -- half the male staff from security to the doctors, wanted her. She chose to spend time with me. I thought --”

  Jenessa leaned against the door. “What happened?”

  “I thought we were in love. She never said the words, but her actions -- She was also involved with the hospital’s CEO. He was married.”

  “She used you as a cover.”

  “Worse. She used me to learn who was behind organizing a union. My colleagues talked and I learned more than I wanted. She used pillow talk to pump me for information. Three of the strongest supporters lost their jobs and I earned a reputation as a snitch.”

  “The union lost?”

  “Never got off the ground. She thanked me publicly during a staff meeting. Two weeks later, she moved in with the CEO and I resigned.”

  Jenessa put her hand on his arm. For a moment, she considered telling him about Chuck. But this wasn’t the time. She had no right to impose her pain over his. “Love makes us blind and deaf.”

  “And wary,” he said.

  She closed her eyes. How true, but the failure of her marriage had been her fault. She’d expected Chuck to want the things she wanted. If she let her barriers against love crash, she might repeat the mistake.

  She met his gaze. “You made a mistake and you have to forgive yourself.” She sucked in a breath. She could use the same advice.

  “Thanks for listening.” He squeezed her hand.

  And I hope learning, she thought. She opened the car door. Eric followed her to the lobby. “Are we still on for Friday?”

  She turned and found herself in his arms. “Seven thirty.”

  His lips met hers and his tongue traced her lips. For a moment, she held herself apart. Then she surrendered to the need rising inside. She op
ened her mouth. Her tongue touched his. Desire quickened. Warnings shot through her thoughts.

  He ended the kiss and tapped her chin with his knuckles. “See you.”

  Jenessa ran up the stairs and let herself into the apartment. If he’d pushed just a little, she would have surrendered to the fire that flowed in her blood. She’d done that once. That love had flared and died. She couldn’t face another loss.

  *****

  Eric let the stairwell door close. She’d responded to his kiss. She’d listened and understood. She’d agreed to come to dinner.

  Why did he feel restless instead of elated? Would she continue to flow through his life like an illusive summer breeze? He didn’t want that, but he wasn’t sure how much of himself he could give her. Years of building barriers weren’t leveled in an instant.

  The inner discontent sent him back to the car. Maybe Sam could take a break and they could talk. His mind seemed fragmented. Jenessa. The hospital. Bishop and Sandra.

  At the Cove, he strode down the hall and paused outside Sam’s office door. Light shone through the frosted glass and he saw someone’s shadow. He opened the door.

  Sandra turned. “If you’re looking for Sam, he and Jim are discussing business.”

  “And you?”

  “Waiting for Jim. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Should I?”

  Her response was a shrug.

  He crossed to the desk. From the inner office, he heard voices raised in anger. What was going on? Eric lifted the box.

  “Does Sam know you’re taking that?” Sandra asked.

  “I left it earlier.”

  “When you took off after Jenessa?” She smiled. “She’s using you. A foolish mistake if you let it happen. One has to cover their backside.”

  “How do you know I’m not?”

  She tapped the box with her long, blood-red fingernails. “Choosing the wrong side is stupid.”

  Eric’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?”

  “Merely an observation. Maybe your choice doesn’t matter.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “How long will you keep your position if you keep fighting the man in control?”

  Eric opened the door. “He’s only one Board member.”

  “But the most influential one.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  When he reached the car, Eric slid the box on the floor in front of the front passenger’s seat. A compromise was needed. If he could convince both sides to find a fair solution, the hospital would win. He shifted into reverse.

  Sandra’s warning roiled in his thoughts. When he’d arrived at Eastlake Community, he’d seen the potential for change. He thought of the programs he wanted to implement. Would he have a chance here? Maybe he should seek another hospital before Bishop pushed the Board to fire him.

  *****

  The apartment door banged against the wall. Jenessa’s pen skidded across the yellow pad of paper. “Megan, is that you?”

  “Who else?” Megan strolled into the kitchen. “You’re the heroine of the day. Why did you disappear? Everyone wanted to talk to you.”

  “Would you believe I’m modest?”

  “Not for a minute.” As she shook her head, Megan’s blonde curls bounced. “Why is your car still at the Cove?”

  “I have a flat tire. Eric brought me home.”

  Megan sat on one of the chairs. “Great strategy. The two of you must have settled your differences. What did Bishop say to you?”

  “That he’d ordered Eric to date me.”

  “And you believed that?” Megan shook her head. “Everyone can see the sparks between you and Eric. What’s Bishop’s problem?”

  “He’s a power freak.”

  “Is he ever. He and Sam argued about money. Did you know he has an interest in the Cove?”

  “Not to mention the bank, the News, the radio station and about every business in town. I bet he was pressuring Sam to vote his way.”

  Megan’s eyes widened. “I bet you’re right. Simone is on the negotiating committee. Do you trust her?”

  “Yes.”

  Megan grabbed the notepad. “What’s this?”

  “Slogans for informational picketing. Friday evening from five to seven. Care to join us?”

  “Sure, except how late will we be? I’m heading to the city for the evening. Shame you’re working the weekend.”

  “Enjoy.”

  “I will. So when are you doing these signs?”

  “Tomorrow. Keep this quiet. You’re the fifth person to hear. We plan to give the Board a shock.”

  *****

  The next morning, Simone arrived at a little after eleven. Jenessa put her friend’s dripping umbrella in the sink. Simone set a bag on the table. “Lunch. Shrimp, crab and lobster. Sure hope it doesn’t rain Friday.”

  “Me, too.” Jenessa poured two cups of coffee. “Are you and Sam okay? Megan said Bishop was pushing.”

  “We’re fine. Don’t worry about me defecting.”

  “If you’d rather not picket --”

  Simone crossed her arms on her chest. “No way. I’d like to bash Bishop with one of the signs. He wants Sam to persuade me to vote Claire’s way. And he wants Sam to vote to oust Eric. Guess Bishop’s learned he can’t push our new Director around.”

  “Will Sam?”

  “Never.” Simone rose. “Let’s get started on these signs. There are some things I’d like to say, but we’ll keep them mellow. What about our other plans?”

  “The ad goes in the Thursday paper. The attorney said every member of the hospital Board will receive a registered letter next Monday stating that we’ve petitioned the Labor Board.”

  “Maybe Bishop will have a stroke.”

  Jenessa groaned. “With my luck, he’d be my patient.”

  Chapter 7

  Eric sat in his office and made a list of questions he wanted the answers for. Who was Bishop acting for? What did they hope to gain? When had the scheme begun? Where did Sandra figure in the picture? Why was a strike by the nurses so important?

  The relationship between Bishop and Sandra spoke of the familiarity of years, not the few months she’d been at Eastlake. Tonight, he planned to stay late and search her office for clues to her past.

  When the door opened, he shoved his notebook in his inner jacket pocket. Bishop lumbered into the room. Sandra followed and closed the door. Her black suit and red blouse shouted power. Her angry look warned of coming trouble.

  Bishop thrust a newspaper in Eric’s face. “Look what those fool girls have done. Do they think this buzzing like a nest of hornets is going to serve their case? Don’t deny your knowledge about this. You’re practically living in Jenessa’s clothes.”

  “What are you talking about?” Eric met the older man’s glare.

  “You should know. Spooning and making nicey-nicey doesn’t keep a business running.” He rattled the paper. “Read.”

  Eric glanced at Sandra. Her smug smile nettled. He read the full page spread while Bishop stabbed the paper with a fleshy finger. Laughter threatened to explode, but Eric had no desire to further agitate the Board president. The man looked as though he were about to stroke out. His neck veins pulsed and his face bore a dusky hue. Eric couldn’t think of a way to calm the older man -- short of a surrender of his own ideals.

  “Well!” Bishop said.

  “Not the work of the pick-up team you named them.”

  “My call exactly. No bunch of little girls know how to play hard ball. You helping them?”

  “Hardly.” Eric rested his elbows on the desk. “Didn’t you say you’d like to hire Jenessa? You’d never consider that unless you thought she was savvy.”

  Sandra put her over-stuffed briefcase on Eric’s desk. She leaned forward. “Did you read the second paragraph? How can they say we’re not acting in good faith?”

  “Why can’t they? They presented what they want in a contract and have been ignored. Sounds like bad faith
to me. By the way, where is the contract?”

  “Who knows,” Sandra said.

  “I pitched it,” Bishop said.

  Eric looked at the dark-haired woman. “I understand you kept a copy.”

  “Did I?”

  He knew what Sam had said. Had his friend been mistaken? “You know, I have the impression some of the Board members aren’t interested in negotiations. If I think that way, how do you imagine the nurses feel?”

  “Does it matter?” Sandra snapped. “Why all this concern about their demands? You’re supposed to protect the hospital’s interests.”

  Eric pushed his chair back. “I’m a liaison between the Board and the nurses. I believe I was hired because I understood both sides and knew where compromises are possible.”

  “Who said anything about compromises?” Bishop said. “That would set them girls sniffing like they found a bottle of French perfume. Look at how many have quit already.”

  Eric’s eyebrows lifted. “They might have stayed if conditions hadn’t been made impossible to tolerate. I’ve conducted a study and have found a correlation between staffing patterns and resignations.” He turned to Sandra. “How do you explain that?”

  She shrugged. “Better offers? A desire for new horizons? Who knows why they quit.”

  “Are you sure you don’t have a copy of the contract?” he asked.

  She clutched her briefcase. “Are you accusing me of lying?”

  He shook his head. What was she hiding? Was the information he needed tucked in her briefcase? The way she clung to the brown envelope made him think of Jenessa’s remark. “Bag lady.”

  Bishop cleared his throat. “What are you going to do about this mess?”

  “Very little unless bargaining sessions begin.”

  The older man stalked to the door. “Stop sitting on both sides of the fence. Choose the right one or you might be looking for another place to sit.” He wheeled and left the room.

  Sandra tucked her briefcase under her arm. “I suggest you listen.”