She became quiet for a while; checking her email, then sending a couple of texts. Tal was about to ask her how she had enjoyed the play at the Rep, when Alyssia turned and gave him a big smile.
“I’m curious. What led you to ask that question about our products being distributed in Antigua? You said something about a letter at last week’s meeting.”
Tal concentrated on a busy intersection. His first thought was to tell no one about the investigation until he could do some digging. On the other hand, he could make some points with Alyssia by spilling his plan; except the part about taking Glory. He’d about decided to when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and a lie fell out of his mouth.
“Can’t remember exactly what was in the letter. The woman was on a Caribbean cruise and said a sauce she ate on one of the islands; she thought it was Antigua, tasted like a Kingston product, only bitter. She must have been mistaken. Why?”
“Just curious. Maybe we should alert the authorities. You know. In case we really do have a problem. What do you think?”
Why did it sound like she was digging for information? “I think Jeff was right,” Tal said. “It was a fluke.”
“So, you’re not pressing for Kingston to act?”
The urge to take her into his confidence surfaced again. If he and they did end up together she wouldn’t trust him, knowing his plans to go to Antigua had already been in place at this point. Even if he rescued the company’s reputation.
They pulled into the farm’s drive and Tal decided to keep his own counsel. “I think we need more information.” Which wasn’t really a lie. He was going to Antigua to get some.
The day was getting muggy, so Tal parked under a tree near the house. The supplier came out to greet them as Tal got out of the car. He shook hands with Tal, then bent to peer into the open door. “Hello. I’m Harry Knox. You’re welcome to take the tour, but if that’s not your thing, my wife Linda would love some company in the kitchen.”
Tal saw Alyssia didn’t quite hide the look of boredom the invitation generated. She held up her smartphone. “Alyssia Hartford. Nice to meet you, but I brought some work. I’ll just wait here.”
Harry Knox nodded and backed up as Tal closed the car door. Based on her behavior, he wondered why Alyssia had bothered to come at all. He held the strong suspicion it was not due to his company.
He and Harry spent the next half hour immersed in testing the farm’s strawberry varieties, including Harry’s attempts at crossing compatible strains. Tal was impressed with the enthusiasm and hard work the man had put into his passion. At the end of their rounds, Harry invited him into the house to taste Linda Knox’s strawberry compote. Maybe Alyssia had changed her mind. Tal stopped by the car and opened the door. “We’re at the good part. Want to come in and taste some of Linda’s recipes?”
Alyssia shook her head, smiling. “I’ll pass. I have plans for dinner and don’t want to spoil my appetite. I’m sure the farmer’s wife did a credible job. Tell her thank you.”
Tal accepted her refusal, but felt his jaw tighten. He wished Alyssia would put down the smartphone and at least make an effort to interact with the Knoxes for a few minutes. He followed Harry into a big, spotless kitchen. Rows of gleaming jars of strawberry concoctions with neatly penned labels lined the counters. “My friend says thank you for the invitation,” he said. “But she can’t afford the calories today.”
Linda Knox grinned. “I understand. I’ll send a jar home with her.”She handed him a teaspoon and a freshly-opened jar. “This one’s for you.”
The label read Ginger-Orange Strawberry Compote. The taste was fresh and the texture very good. Tal made an on-the-spot decision. “This is great. Is it your recipe?”
Linda Knox nodded. “Thank you. I made some changes to one of my grandmother’s. As far as I know, it’s unique.”
He took another taste. “Would you consider allowing Kingston Limited to market this? We would pay you for the right to the recipe, of course. And a royalty.”
Tal’s hostess blushed. “That sounds wonderful, and a little overwhelming.”
“Just promise not to sell it to anyone else until I have our legal department draw up the paperwork. Looks like we hope to do business with both of you.”
Harry Knox gave his wife a bear hug, then faced Tal. “I can deliver my crop to your processing plant by Friday. Is that soon enough?”
“I’ll notify my plant manager. The contract with the pricing we discussed is in the car. I’ll bring it in.”
He turned to Linda Knox. “I’ll be back next week to talk about your other recipes.”
The couple looked dazed. “Great, and thank you,” Harry said.
Tal slipped another bite of the delicious compote into his mouth. “Thank you, too.”
Linda handed Tal the lid to his jar, plus another jar. “For your friend.”
Tal left with a spring in his step. He loved coming across finds like this. A clean, well-run operation with an owner willing to do business on a handshake; his kind of people.
Alyssia scrunched her nose and accepted the jar without enthusiasm.
“Be back after I drop off the contract,” he said.
When he returned to the car, Alyssia looked at him and frowned. “I’m sure they’re very nice, but their operation is too small to be of any use. It doesn’t make good marketing sense to engage them as a supplier when it’s not even worth our time to do the paperwork.”
Tal started the car. Alyssia was all about the big score. The next Welker account. He couldn’t blame her for that. It was her job. What he didn’t understand was why she accepted his invitation to come today. She was obviously underwhelmed.
“It’s not the size,” he said, trying to relax his jaw. “They’ll fit in great. Harry’s scrupulously honest and his fruit is high quality. Besides, that compote you’re holding is one of the most delicious I’ve ever tasted. I’ll be working with Linda Knox to use her recipe. That in itself will make Kingston a bundle.”
Alyssia’s look turned assessing. “Why didn’t you say so? I thought you were buying the whole golly-gee pitch.”
A sour taste filled Tal’s mouth, canceling the wonderful flavor of Linda’s compote. “They operate on a different scale is all,” he remarked as they headed back to Seattle, Alyssia oblivious to his disappointment.
• •
Glory slept fitfully. She had a ridiculous dream of Tal rolling in a field of strawberries with Alyssia in his arms. Glory had chased them, yelling “No. I’m the strawberry blonde, pick me!” But Tal and Alyssia laughed at her and rolled faster.
Too soon, her radio alarm clock clicked on, complete with an old torch song. She turned it off and pressed fingers to gritty eyelids. Her subconscious was nagging her but she didn’t want to hear it.
• •
Across the reception area, Catherine looked as tired as Glory felt. She’d been spending her evenings house hunting with Pryce. He’d hinted strongly her approval was necessary, as she would be sharing his life.
Glory tapped in Catherine’s number. “Hi, I’m going on break.”
Her friend yawned. “Plotting more strategy? I know I promised to help and I’m sorry, but well, stuff happens.”
“Stuff? Is that the polite society term for what you and Pryce are up to?” Glory chuckled. “Tal’s doing fine. Alyssia went with him yesterday to scope out a possible new strawberry supplier in Carnation. He’s filling me in on the juicy details.”
“No kidding,” Catherine said. “So that’s where she went. CTB sailed out of here saying she was ‘on business’ the rest of the day. That’s not her usual modus operandi, and she didn’t mention Tal. Wonder what he has on her?”
Glory leapt to Tal’s defense. “I was suspicious, too. But maybe our behind-the-scenes maneuvering has paid off. Maybe Alyssia has seen Tal for the really great guy he is.”
“Down, girl. I think he’s very nice, too. I just don’t believe that cold fish I’ve worked for the last three year
s has developed a soft spot for nice guys.” Catherine paused. “Unless money is involved. Has Tal come into any large sums recently?”
Laughter escaped before Glory could stop it. “Spoken like a woman with intimate knowledge. When did you last update the ‘A’ list?”
“My list making days are over,” Catherine huffed. “But at least I was up front about it. I never led anyone on.”
“True,” Glory said. “Gotta go. I’m late for the campaign briefing.”
“Let me know what happened. This is getting good.”
Glory stepped off the elevator as Tal and Rudy finished a conversation in front of Tal’s office. The small man saw her and quickly jumped into a door farther down the hall.
Tal’s eyes lit with humor when she walked up. “You’re a real heroine, you know.”
She blinked. He had the sexiest mouth when he smiled. “Um, why do you say that?”
Tal pointed at the door Rudy had gone through. “That’s the supply closet.” His lips quivered. “And no fewer than three women came up to me yesterday asking what or who had happened to Rudy. One of them told me all the women on this level were grateful.”
She felt her face heat. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should,” he said. “Come on in. The hot water for our tea is ready.”
Glory followed him, thoroughly pleased to be treated like a friend instead of an employee. She would be sad when her tête-à-têtes with Tal ended.
He stopped on his side of the desk and poured hot water over the teabags in their cups. He wore new khaki slacks and a pale blue dress shirt, open at the collar.
“Attending the staff meeting in person again today?” she asked.
He glanced at his clothes. “Shows, huh?”
“You look great, but I like the other you just as much,” she added.
His smile faded around the edges. “That’s my goal with Alyssia.”
Glory started to protest. To say Alyssia would only be pleased by some rich, shallow, egotistical, stuffed-shirt. Instead she fiddled with her teabag and reminded herself to keep to business. “Thank you. Fill me in on yesterday?”
Tal frowned. “You were right about her not being the type who likes to go for a walk in the country.”
Glory wracked her brain for a positive side to that. “Did you get a chance to learn more about what she likes during the drive?”
He shrugged, the light fading in his eyes. “Short of buying a boat and moving to Mercer Island, there wasn’t much.” He sat and gave a wry grin. “My spreadsheet took a beating. Guess my plans did, too.”
“Sorry to hear that,” she said, wondering what CTB had done or said; probably just acted like herself. “But hey. It’s only been three weeks. Give it time.”
One more week and our agreement will be over, she thought. She’d miss her time with Tal, but heck, he didn’t even choose her in her own dreams.
Glory glanced at her watch. “I should get back.”
Tal shifted forward in his chair. “Did you get the flight schedule I emailed?”
“Yes,” Glory said, standing. “I’ll thank you now for offering to pick me up at four am. Don’t expect much conversation, though. I’m a morning person, but that’s brutal. Luckily, I can fall asleep practically anywhere. I’ll catch up on the plane.”
• •
Tal put his palms flat on the shower wall, letting the steamy water hit his back full force. He felt an absurd elation about this trip, instead of the serious mission it was. He knew the cause of his excitement stemmed from his travel partner.
She was terrific. A good sport, pretty, smart and he intended to give her a bonus when this whole thing was over. He wanted it to be something nice. Not money. Maybe a long weekend to that new boutique hotel he’d heard about in Vancouver. He chuckled. She’d probably prefer a gift card to a big home improvement store. He chuckled again. He might give her both.
• •
Hers was the only house on the block with lights on. Glory answered the door all big-eyed and sleep softened. She held a large mug. “Come in while I rinse my cup.”
“Coffee?” he asked hopefully.
“Uncoffee,” she said, peering into the cup. “It’s a sorry thing when a person has to trick her body with the promise of caffeine, then doesn’t deliver. But I won’t be able to sleep on the plane, otherwise. Want some?”
Tal shook his head as she turned and walked toward the kitchen. He raised his voice over the running water. “Do I have to chase you around the block before we load up?”
“I’m afraid that would be like herding cats at this point in my consciousness,” she said, emerging from the kitchen. “I’ll just stagger out to the car.”
He smiled and looked around for her luggage.
Glory picked up a medium sized carry-on by the door. “This is it.”
Tal thumped his chest with his fist and rolled his eyes. “A woman who knows how to pack. Be still my heart.”
“Very smart,” she quipped. “Men don’t have the market cornered on that.”
“Not anymore,” he replied as she pushed him out the door and locked it.
• •
Glory stared at the boarding pass Tal handed her, a tingle of nerves traveling down her arms. “This is a mistake. It’s first class.”
“No mistake,” he said easily.
She held the envelope out between thumb and forefinger. “Exchange mine. I can’t let you spend that kind of money on me. You’ll never be able to justify the travel voucher when we get back.”
Tal shook his head. “William will sign off on it. This is business related. Besides, Kingston lets its employees accumulate air miles for personal use. You know that. I had some upgrades I had to use or lose.”
Glory fanned herself with the envelope. “Wow, thanks.” Then she looked down at her Keens, capris, and comfortable knit top. “You could have warned a girl.”
“You look fine,” he said as they boarded the intra-airport train for their concourse. “Relax.”
• •
They made it to their seating area forty-five minutes before boarding. “Want a decaf or snack?” he asked, tipping his head toward a Starbucks.
“Nope. You go ahead. I brought some printed material to study as background for my blog.”
A paragraph in, she overheard two women talking in the seats behind her.
“Did you see that guy in the dark green shirt? I hope he’s headed to Miami. He is hot.”
Glory sneaked a peek. They were pretty blondes and close to her age. She forgot about the material. They were watching Tal and they were right. Nice shoulders, narrow hips, and a casual assurance that he was comfortable with himself.
That was only the half of it. Had either of them known the rest of his attributes, she would be in for some tough competition.
She sat up straighter, pages sliding off her lap. Competition? What did that sneaky thought mean? Tal wasn’t interested in anyone but Alyssia. Certainly, not her. Glory’s face grew warm as the stab of jealously overcame her anyway.
Chapter Sixteen
The 777 hit an air pocket outrunning a spring thunderstorm over the Midwest. Tal smiled as Glory woke with a start, her unfocused gaze blinking up at him. She had snuggled close, her arm around his waist.
“Welcome back,” he said. “Wish I could conk out like that. The only part of me that got any sleep was my arm.”
She pulled away.
Tal eased his arm up and rubbed it, hissing through his teeth.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Why didn’t you push me back to my side?”
He opened and closed his hand. “I could’ve, but you were more entertaining than the movie. I think you were outlining your blog. Something about expanses of beautiful beaches.” He tilted his head. “And your hair has this amazing color when the sun hits it. That reddish blonde is very pretty.”
“Some call it strawberry blonde,” she mumbled, then quickly swiped her hand across her chin.
Her face turned pink and she straightened. “I’m good. Let’s put together our background story so we’re telling people the same thing.”
He’d devised something he thought would work, even though it meant a personal challenge. But Glory didn’t have to know that. “We’ll say we’re taking a delayed honeymoon. I couldn’t get the time off when we got married six months ago. That way they won’t expect us to have our hands all over each other.”
Glory blinked at the last sentence and turned pinker, glancing away. “Sounds like that would do it,” she said. “And remember I’m keeping my maiden name because that’s how I’m incorporated.”
“Great,” Tal grinned. “I’m married to a mogul. My personal stock just went up.”
She brought her gaze back, tipping her head. “Nothing wrong with your personal stock. You need to remember that when your with Alyssia. The two of you have different interests is all.”
Her compliment warmed him. “Thanks. That’s a start on saying nice things to each other so we’ll sound real at the resort.”
“You’re welcome,” she nodded. “We can also trade favorite foods, drinks, TV shows, sports, and hobbies so we’ll be believable if we get stuck in a conversation with another couple.” She pursed her mouth and rolled her eyes. “Okay. Tex-Mex tacos, Patron Margaritas, the old movie channel, aerobics to do and golf to watch.” She tapped her lips. “Is travel a hobby?”
Tal watched her mouth, getting warmer still. “You’re kidding.”
“No. I really do like Tex-Mex tacos. Too hot for you?”
He felt his eyebrows hike upward. “I mean golf. You like to watch golf?”
“You were paying attention. Yes, I’m kidding. “I’m a closet pro football junkie. Go Hawks. Now you.”
Tal liked learning more about her, and he really liked her sense of humor. “Anything with good California avocados, although my sweet tooth won’t be denied; microbrews in summer, ginseng or ginger tea in winter, handball to do, Formula One or Superbike Racing to watch. Man, two hundred plus miles an hour. What’s that got to be like?”
Chasing Glory Page 11