“I hate that song,” her mom snapped. Grandma got run over by a reindeer, beat through the radio speaker. “Would you find something else? I can’t search the radio and drive, too.”
“Gladly.” Madeleine opened the center console and pulled out an oldies Christmas CD. Nat King Cole crooned Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... and suddenly, tension inside the car eased.
“That’s better. Did you get all the cookie tins shipped?”
“We did.”
“Did you skip supper?”
“No. Jess took me to Dickie’s. I thought I told you.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you did. It’s Christmas. I’m on overload.”
No argument there. The speedometer again drew her attention. Mom. Please. At least drive forty-five.
Madeleine tuned her mind into Bing’s soothing voice and thought about the nice meal shared with Jess. That is once he resigned himself to the fact her mom would drive her to work—an obvious mistake.
It hurt to see disappointment cloud his face. She worried Jess would see her continued rejection as a reaction to his arm. He would be so wrong. She liked the guy and would date him if things were different. How could she convey the love she still harbored for Danny made her refuse his efforts to get closer? That each step in a new direction took her further and further from the life she once loved. Besides, Jess might say he only wanted a few dates, but she sensed something more. Her mom pulled up to the door of Computers That Work. “At last,” she grumbled.
“Don’t get sassy, young lady. I couldn’t help being late.”
“You know Kurt has a fit if I’m late.”
“He’ll understand.”
Not wanting to waste another second in making her mom understand the immaturity of her boss, or his marital problems, Madeleine shut the car door to sprint for the office. She blew a forgiveness kiss before going inside, where she pulled up short seeing Kurt at her desk, poking around at her computer.
Along with Derek who sat slouched in a chair with his feet propped on her desk.
“You’re late,” Kurt said and kept typing.
“I left a message on your voicemail. My car broke down.”
“Your car broke down three times in November. Get the thing fixed.” Kurt still didn’t look at her nor did he make any effort to move away from her computer.
“I did get it fixed. All three times.” She had the bills to prove it. “The mechanic can’t figure out what’s wrong.” She dumped her things on the floor and folded her arms across her chest. “Can I help you find something?”
He leaned back in her chair. “Where’s the last spreadsheet for expense accounts?”
“If you’ll move, I’ll email it to you. It’s not closed out for the month, but if you need it early, sure.”
Kurt stood. Derek followed suit and trailed after him out of the office. She knew what this meant. Kurt intended to alter something he didn’t want her to see. Well, she might look naive but she knew her stuff and would spot the altered entry once the file came back to her for a merge. She knew the figures inside and out.
Not that it mattered. Kurt owned the company and could change what he wanted. These two dot com wannabes were driving her nuts. And the way Derek undressed her with his x-ray eyes disgusted her. Then the jerk had the audacity to blow her a kiss over his shoulder as he strutted from her office. Unlike the sincere forgiveness kiss she’d blown to her mom, Derek’s said “kiss my butt.”
Somehow, she thought Derek’s new girlfriend would end their personal war. Guess not.
She made an exaggerated jab at the Send key.
Should she quit on the spot? Today, more than any other, Madeleine hated the job. Keeping the books and playing receptionist proved difficult, but coping with this made her angry and bad tempered. No, she wouldn’t walk out. She’d stew all day and make herself sick thinking about it. That’s what she’d do, her and her wishy-washy backbone.
If only Danny were here to talk her through the mess. Of course, she had her parents, who would tell her to quit. They’d also throw in a reminder that the family bakery always needed another pair of hands. And then there was Grams. She would gladly storm Computers That Work and smack Kurt and Derek about the ears with a fly swatter. Amused, Madeleine quirked up an eyebrow and blew out a soft sigh as she picked up her things off the floor and put them away.
Settled at her desk, she pulled her cell from her purse to key in a message to Jess: Any news on the Mini?
Her work phone rang almost immediately.
“It’s Jess. The Mini’s in the warehouse. I’ll free up a mechanic sometime this morning to take a look at it.”
“No! I’m calling a tow truck.” She closed her eyes. “Oh, man. You didn’t deserve that. It’s been a rough morning, sorry, but I’m calling a tow truck. It’s not your problem. Thanks for trying to help.” She punched the End key.
Great! The backbone she needed for her boss stood up right when Jess called. How unfortunate he caught the brunt of her bad mood. She pulled out a telephone book giving the first tow service she found in the area her business.
One more shock came that morning when Madeleine found Derek’s new girlfriend in the break room. “Hi, Katie. I didn’t know you were here.”
“Oh, hi, Madeleine. I stopped by to see Derek.”
“You don’t work?”
“Not right now. But I’ll still do income tax returns for a private accounting firm I help out every year.”
“You’re an accountant?”
Derek stuck his head in the coffee room. “Katie, we’re ready.”
Katie avoided her eyes as she followed Derek to his office. The only repair tech with the luxury. He closed the door.
Unease crawled across Madeleine’s skin.
They intended to fire her.
When the phone started to ring, she ran to perform her receptionist duties. While Madeleine worked the phone, Katie left with a hand wave and a smile. That seemed innocent enough. Possibly the difficult start to the day made her overreact.
Besides, Kurt wouldn’t punish himself by getting rid of her when they had the company’s year-end close on the horizon. After that, Madeleine knew anything could go...especially, her.
She resolved to job hunt right after the holidays.
****
Jess paced his office. He knew it would be best to let things go with Madeleine. But he couldn’t. Panic trembled in her voice. What went on at that office of hers? The extra responsibility of receptionist that made her work late every night to catch up on her regular job was unreasonable. And there hadn’t been a single Christmas decoration in the office. Or was that boss of hers making advances?
Worse yet, had he, Jess the Aggressor, pushed too hard and Madeline snapped?
He ran a hand over his fresh haircut before resting it on his cell phone. Somehow he needed her to see he wasn’t trying to drag her off to bed. This wasn’t completely honest, and Jess knew it. Many restless nights were spent thinking of Madeleine’s soft body cradled against his. He wanted to make love to her until neither felt the pain they’d suffered. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Since losing an arm, he’d learned getting naked flushed out one’s insecurities. It would only take once to know if they could make it as a couple. But was he ready to find out?
He yearned for Madeleine to see past the man she still loved and notice him. Not as a replacement. Not as a disabled vet or a war survivor, but a man who craved normal. A man with needs and the desire to be loved both physically and emotionally.
Jess knew one thing. He had to be very careful going forward or she’d perceive him as some sort of perverted stalker. How could he make her see how easily she had opened his heart for the first time in many years? In fact, this felt like nothing he had ever experienced. Never had he felt more compelled to protect another person that wasn’t a fellow soldier or Crystal.
“Jess.” Nancy broke into the barrage of thought most guys would have labeled girl talk over cocktails. “Tamara�
�s on the phone. We had a nice talk about her taking over my job. Should I put her through?”
“Sure. Glad you talked before you meet.”
“Me too.”
He punched the blinking line. “How’d you know I was in trouble?”
“Trouble? Trouble’s your middle name.”
He laughed. “Girl trouble. Madeleine’s pretty much slammed the door in my face. Twice. Maybe more. I’m losing count.”
“Uh-oh. How’s this for bad timing. I called to see if you and Madeleine want to meet Jamal and me for dinner Friday night.”
“Can’t even ask her at this point. Although I’m having a hell of a time convincing myself to back down.”
“Want I call her?”
“And make her madder?”
“Uh-huh. You forget I’ve got an advantage. We agreed to go out sometime.”
“I doubt she meant on a double date.”
“It’s perfect, Jess. She won’t think I’m hitting on her.”
“I’m not hitting on her. I want to know her.”
“Uh-huh. I saw how you drooled over her Saturday night. You’re in over your head, soldier.”
“Won’t be the first time.”
“It is with a woman. So can I call?”
“Knock yourself out.” Jess suggested Tamara call Madeleine’s work number as he wasn’t comfortable giving up her cell without permission. No way. He wasn’t going that route and risk her jumping down his throat again. “Gotta run. There’s a tow truck out front.”
“Car troubles, too?”
“You might say. Long story. Will tell you another time.”
“Okay. I’ll be back at ya.”
“Can’t wait.”
Jess headed out the front door and told the tow truck driver to head around back to the dock. Once the Mini left his property, he felt pretty sure any hope of seeing Madeleine anytime soon was in the hands of the gods. He sent her a text that the Mini had left for the repair shop along with an apology for offending her in any way. That seemed a good start to pave the way for Tamara’s phone call. He got back a “thanks.”
At day’s end, when Jess hadn’t heard from Tamara, he made a quick call and got her voicemail. “What’s happening?”
Packing up to go home, she returned his call. “Hey, I didn’t have time to call her until I left the office.”
“And.”
“And, she was having a busy day too and sounded distracted, but from what I observed at the Christmas party I think she seriously likes you, Jess.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Of course it does.”
“How?”
“She still loves her husband.”
“Forever!” he squeaked. Damn, he never squeaked.
“Oh, boy. I’m dealing with a guy who’s never been in love. Real love.”
“I’ve had relationships.”
“You ever itch to marry one of ’em?”
“Don’t you think we should date before you marry us off?”
Tamara laughed. “Uh-huh. But it’s not so far out there is it, Honey Bear?”
“At the moment...yeah, it is. Mama T.” He tossed back one her nicknames and Tamara laughed again. “All I want is to date. Dinner. The movies. Someone to talk about...dammit, I don’t know...things. See if we’re more than two kids who went to the same high school. Which brings us back to the fact you’ve not answered me.”
“She’s busy. Sorry I couldn’t come through for you, Honey Bear. What? What’s so funny?”
“She shot us both down.”
“Maddie’s confused. She still wears her wedding ring, in case you didn’t notice.”
“I noticed.”
“So you goin’ with me and Jamal tomorrow night?”
“Only if I can bring Crystal.”
“Of course. We love that girl. See you at seven—Dante’s?”
“We’ll be there.”
Jess stared out over the frozen parking lot outside his window. Ice crystals were making headway from its corners. Muted sounds drifted into the office from the warehouse as stragglers left from the front office and called out their good-byes. Alone, but not really alone, he’d accomplish more in an hour after closing than the entire day.
Damn, the fingers he didn’t have hovered between a tingle, an itch or hurting like hell. He removed the prosthesis to see if something pressed on a nerve in his stump, anything that might relieve the unpleasant sensations. He set the arm on his desk, when his cell jingled. Crystal had already checked in, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t call again.
His heart about stopped when he saw Madeleine’s number. The last person he expected to hear from after today.
Chapter Eight
“Jess, I don’t know what to do. Mom had a fender bender and—”
“Is she okay?”
“Yes. Dad’s there. She hardly made it out of our driveway. But I thought...well, since you work so close and all it...it just seemed, uh, sensible—”
“Madeleine. Do you need a ride?”
“If you don’t mind. I mean—” Her voice broke into a quiver.
“Sit tight. I’ll be right there.”
Brushing away a tear, she hung up the phone. Wait until Jess got a load of the box of trinkets from her desk. No way could she avoid telling him she’d been given her walking papers for Christmas. It seemed the lousy day began the moment her mom made her late for work and she’d been mean to her. And now her mom had an accident.
Jess’s truck idled outside her office building in what seemed an impossibly short time. She waved to let him know she’d be right out before he came inside and saw her puffy red eyes. Kurt and Derek had been hiding out in their offices ever since the news was delivered at quitting time. Too many late days and too many sick days was the reason.
Last winter’s flu that turned into walking pneumonia did make her miss too many days earlier in the year. The more recent troubles with the Mini’s reliability also made her late too often. Although it was tempting to dispute the four sick days and eight late days against the many after-hours she’d put in, she kept her mouth shut. The decision to job hunt had been made that morning, so what did it matter?
That didn’t mean the layoff, as Kurt called it, didn’t chip away a good chunk out of her pride. It did.
Juggling the box cradled in her arms, Madeleine bumped her hip against the door. She suspected Derek’s smiling accounting girlfriend would replace her. Hey, big surprise there. Fine, let her muddle through the time-consuming year-end close next month.
She jumped at Jess’s sudden presence. “Let me give you a hand?”
“No. I’m fine.”
“You don’t always have to go it alone, Madeleine.” He shook his head at her and took hold of the box.
Through watery vision she noticed he wasn’t wearing his prosthesis. It jarred her. With the artificial arm, Jess physically appeared one complete man. Two arms. Two legs. Great body. Personality. Caring heart went without question. He portrayed all those things in her eyes except a man missing a good bit of his arm. She rubbed her glove across her nose and worked her way in front of him to open her own truck door. She settled into the warm passenger seat and took the box from him. “Thanks.”
Madeleine watched his swift movements around the front of the truck. It broke her heart to see the limp sleeve that drove home how much Jess had suffered. He eased in beside her with a blast of frigid air and nodded at the box. “You quit.”
“Let go. Merry Christmas.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“No.”
“The plant looks sad.” He ran a finger along the stem and leaf sticking from the box.
“Not so. The plant’s contemplated leaving most of the day.”
“I see. Any word on your mom?”
“Cops. Reports. No one hurt. The car’s banged up but drivable.” She sniffled. “Which is good, since it’s their only car with the Mini out of commission.”
“See. There’s
plenty of good news. Care if I stop by the house and check on Crystal before I take you home? I need to drop off a pizza I ordered before you called.”
“It’s the least I can do for your picking me up on short notice. I have this best friend, Tiffany, who would have come, but she has a baby and it’s so cold out and I knew you were near...” She heaved a sigh.
“Had we been carpooling, I’d be picking you up anyway.”
“True. Then I wouldn’t have been late. Wouldn’t have grouched at mom. Oh no.” If only she had a free hand or two she would bury her embarrassment in them. “And you wouldn’t have caught the brunt of my frustration.”
“You want me to turn around and pop that boss of yours in the nose?”
“Yes. Yes!” He put on his blinker. “No. No, Jess.” She giggled.
“You sure? I will, you know.”
“Yes, I do know which is why I’m absolutely sure.”
“Okay, then. We’ll give him a break.”
She groaned. “I’ve been awful to you.”
“I got over it.”
“You just made getting fired fun. Thanks.”
“Laid off.”
“A fancy word for fired.” She tilted her head his way it time to address the elephant in the room. “Where’s your arm?”
He laughed with a deep throaty rumble that made her smile, relieved she didn’t offend him. It had been a blunt question but not a sorrowful one. He cocked an eyebrow her way. “He,” Jess wiggled the limp sleeve, “has been asking that very question today.”
“Really.”
He nodded. “Some days I get all these strange sensations. Everything from an itch you can’t scratch to tingling to pain. Damned aggravating. If I take off the prosthesis, it seems to help. Aspirin too, but usually I can gut it out.”
“Will time heal that?”
“Maybe. How about you?”
Madeleine knew the hypothetical question didn’t require an answer, but she heard his meaning and that he understood her dilemma. They parked in front of the pizza shop.
“Hang tight. I’ll only be a minute.”
“Sure.”
Jess hurried inside the take-out entrance. Arm or no arm, his movements were agile and fluid. She might not have recognized him when they first met in the bakery door but time helped her place him as the star quarterback in high school and good at basketball. The cool upper-classman jock girls two years younger fantasized about, knowing he was the unobtainable hot guy.
Operation Christmas Page 7