Wounded at Home

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  An hour later, Dory wailed, “What will I do? I’ve never worked.”

  Was her sister going into one of her tirades? Sky didn’t think she could handle it. Dory would have to climb down and face reality. More people worked than didn’t, and she would have to do something. “Were you serious when you said I was to handle your finances?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have a clue. Do you know what I’m going to lose?”

  “Everything.” And she told her sister once more how much she’d have left after she sold the house, their Mercedes and Volvo. “You should be able to pay cash for a nice, average-sized house and a good used car once everything is sold. The company has a million dollar life insurance policy on Martin that will go to you. Before you get excited, you have to realize that you can’t possibly live off the money or the dividends, which I’ll invest. My suggestion would be to get a job right away and live off your earnings. Keep the portfolio I’ll put together as a retirement fund for the time you’re too old to work.”

  Dory sat back. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. I’m not. You could use the dividends, but you shouldn’t have to if you get a job. Besides, you’re accustomed to a better lifestyle than what they would bring you.” Sky leaned across the table and took Dory’s hand. “You have to face reality, Dory. Mom and Dad spoiled you, Martin gave you everything you wanted, but you’re on your own now. If you do as I suggest, you’ll be in better shape than seventy-five percent of the widows I’ve seen.” Seeing the look of dejection on Dory’s face, she hastened to add, “You’re not stupid, Dory. There are a lot of things you can do.”

  “Name one.”

  Sky looked around, admiring her sister’s handiwork once more. “You have an eye for decorating. Have you ever thought of going into business?”

  They ordered pizza and talked into the night.

  By the time they went to bed, Dory had a plan, and Sky felt better. Her sister was going to pull her life together. It would be different than anything she had ever known, but if all went well, it would be a good one.

  The next morning Sky called and talked to Mr. Parnell. He was so delighted she had found the money and sent it back to Steel that he would allow her to bring Sully to work. She didn’t know how long that would last, but for now, she’d take it.

  He told her to take the next day off. She could use the time, as Dory was in a flurry of making calls. When Dory gave the address, a realtor showed up within an hour, a cleaning crew thirty minutes later, and a staging crew after that. Dory was told to put labels on the furniture she wanted to keep and sell the rest.

  The realtor promised to have a group of houses for Dory to look at soon.

  Sky had her own problem. She had no apartment and no furnishings. She looked over Dory’s beautifully furnished rooms, but nothing felt right. Would anything when what she wanted was to be with Dirk?

  “You look as if you’ve lost your best friend.” Dory’s voice nudged Sky out of her musings.

  “Maybe I have.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Sky heaved a deep sigh. “Not really.”

  “It’s Dirk, isn’t it? Are you in love?”

  They were seated in the living area, Sky on the couch, Dory next to her. “My head says no, but my heart says yes. So I guess the answer is I don’t know how I feel.”

  “Figure it out, Sis, before it’s too late.”

  “My head is on straight. The only thing is, my heart hasn’t caught on yet.”

  “What’s with the head thing?”

  Sky turned to her sister. “You have to ask that question, when our dad is the worst womanizer ever? And look at Martin. He screwed around on you. Quentin Steel does the same. How can I trust a man with my heart when all the time I’ll wonder if he’ll be just like them?”

  “I can’t answer that question. All I can tell you is, if you really love the guy, give him a chance. Have you slept with him?”

  Sky shook her head.

  Dory laughed. “Why the hell not? At least you’d know if the two of you were compatible.”

  “Compatible? Oh, Dory, I think we’re more than compatible.”

  Should she chance it? Would Dirk be more like Coop, who adored his wife and would never stray, or would he be like the men in her family?

  She would never know unless she took the risk.

  Didn’t she take risks every day? Putting together a portfolio of investments for her clients was a big risk. Her record of successes was greater than her losses, but there were losses.

  She’d have to think about it.

  Her cell phone pealed. It was Dirk. Her heart pounding, she answered.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Over the next two weeks, Sky settled back into her job. Mr. Parnell didn’t allow Sully to come into the bank after the first day. He said it was a distraction for the other employees and, after hearing how Sully had taken down the killer, claimed the dog was too dangerous. Sully wasn’t happy about staying at Dory’s alone all day. He was her hero and deserved better.

  Every day Dirk was in her head. He’d call and ask how she was doing and her head would be in the clouds the rest of the day.

  She had to face the truth. She was in love.

  They should talk. Face-to-face, not over the phone.

  Soon. She was still helping Dory get her life straightened out. Things were moving faster than Sky had hoped. Both cars sold immediately, a good used SUV now sat in the driveway. Dory’s house had a contract on it, and if it went through she could pay cash for a smaller one. The realtor had found one in a new subdivision close to The Woodlands that both of them liked. Since Dory was going with the decorating idea, she wanted a house with at least four bedrooms so she would use one as a guest room, another for an office, and another to store her wares. This house fit the bill. Given that her furnishings were not only expensive, but in good taste, Dory had decided to keep whatever items she wouldn’t need for her new home, to offer future clients—who would appreciate their beauty.

  The insurance money was invested. Sky had to laugh when she thought of the look of longing in Dory’s eyes when she saw the check. “There is nothing you need, Dory. Right now, you’re doing all the right things. You’re going to thank me one day.”

  Dory wasn’t as sure, but she was making all the right moves, which thrilled Sky to no end. For the first time in years, she felt as if she had a sister. The feeling was a good one.

  Today, Quentin Steel had asked for a few minutes of her time. Sky didn’t have a clue what he wanted.

  At ten o’clock on the dot, there was a knock on her office door. She went to open it. “Mr. Steel?”

  “Please, call me Quentin.” They shook hands.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been here sooner, but the missing money convinced me I needed more cyber protection. I’ve been taking care of that as well as helping Teddy.”

  They sat down.

  “You’re to be commended. Most brothers would wash their hands of the situation if a family member committed the crimes your brother will be convicted of.”

  Steel sighed. “He’s my brother. I’ll pay his legal fees, visit him on occasion in prison, none of which means I condone what he did.”

  Sky believed him. He looked devastated. There were worry lines on his forehead and his eyes were red-rimmed. “What can I do for you?” She smiled. “Nothing of a financial nature, I’m sure”

  He leaned forward. “Two things, actually. I’m here to offer you a job.” He handed her a slip of paper with a figure that made her gasp. “That, plus a bonus every year, as well as the usual benefits.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re good. Martin was my right-hand man. Without him, I have to rely on people not as knowledgeable. I need someone like you.”

  Could she leave the bank? She swallowed. “I’ve worked at this bank since I was in college. I like it here. It’s home. I’m not sure I want to leave.” And she wasn’t sure she could work knowing the bos
s and his assistant were sharing a bed on the sly.

  He reached over and changed the yearly figure. “There will be some overseas travel involved. I don’t know whether that is a plus or a minus. Think about it and let me know.”

  Travel! It was a definite plus.

  “The second thing you wanted to talk about?”

  He reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Our insurance company offers a ten percent reward for the return of money from a theft. It came to one hundred thousand dollars.” He handed it to her.

  Sky was stunned. “I don’t know what to say. Are you sure?”

  “If they hadn’t come through, I would have. I understand Teddy trashed your apartment and destroyed everything in it. I want to add my personal check. Perhaps it will partially pay for the contents.” He handed her another check for twenty-five thousand dollars.

  ‘You don’t have to do this.” Thanks to Dirk, the apartment project’s insurance company had already issued a check for the contents.

  “Yes. I do. Teddy went off the rails somewhere and I’m at fault. I promised our dad I would take care of him. I failed. Please, that check will assuage my guilt somewhat.”

  “Then you have my thanks.”

  He stood to leave. “Please consider my offer. This entire episode has been an eye-opener. Life is short and we have to make the most of it. I’m now aware that the woman I hired for the office who I knew as Edie is a private investigator with the Browning firm. She knows all about my indiscretions, so you probably do as well. Let’s just say my administrative assistant has been taken care of. Ms. Prince has a new job with another firm and I’m in the market for an assistant. If you know of anyone, let my office know.” He smiled. “My wife and I had a long heart-to-heart, and we have never been happier. As soon as you come to work for me, my wife and I are taking an extended vacation.” He smiled again.

  Sky couldn’t help but smile back. Despite his weaknesses, he really was a nice man. She walked him to the door. “Thank you, Quentin, for everything. I certainly didn’t expect this.”

  “Please consider my offer.”

  When the door shut behind him, Sky went to her desk on wobbly legs. When she sat down she dropped her head to her hands. Her first thought was that now she could pay Dirk for Sully and for what he had done for Dory without cashing in part of her portfolio or dipping into Dory’s savings. Her other thought was that she could afford any apartment or house she wanted in any neighborhood she wanted. Right this minute neither option appealed.

  She picked up the phone and dialed.

  “Would it be all right if I came for a visit Saturday?”

  ****

  “I would love for you to come. Why don’t you plan to be there for lunch?”

  “Are you cooking?”

  There was a smile in her voice that made Dirk long for one of her kisses—one that set him on fire and made him remember for days after. “I’ll come up with something.”

  “Sully and I will be there around noon.”

  “I’ll see you both then.”

  Dirk put his cell phone back in his pocket. Sky was coming. He didn’t have but a couple of days to get ready. What would he serve? He was a lousy cook.

  He picked up his cell phone and called Lanie. A few minutes later, he was smiling.

  Coop walked in his office. “What has you so happy?”

  “Sky is coming for lunch Saturday.”

  Coop pulled up a chair. “What are you feeding her? Hot dogs?”

  “Lanie is taking care of it.”

  “Which means it will be wonderful.” Coop stood and went to the door. “Now’s your chance, Dirk. Don’t screw it up.”

  Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. He worked his divorce cases without griping and tended the dogs with an eagerness he hadn’t felt since Sky left. Still, the hours passed slowly.

  From their brief conversations, he’d learned that Sky had settled back into her job at the bank and her sister was putting her life back together. He could only dream that Sky would one day want a one-armed ex-SEAL who was a country boy at heart.

  But she had what she wanted in the big city.

  Maybe they were destined to simply be friends.

  Friends were good. But that wasn’t what he wanted with Sky.

  By Saturday noon, he was a nervous wreck. Lanie brought over a pretty casserole, a salad, and a strawberry pie for dessert. “Just heat up the casserole about thirty minutes before you eat.” With a knowing smile she was gone.

  Unable to stand the waiting another second, he went to the door. It was a beautiful spring day. The sky was a deep blue, the sun warm. Across the field, bluebonnets were in the last blooming stage of the season.

  Sky would like that.

  When she pulled into the drive, his heart pounded unmercifully in his chest. She stepped out of the car. Sully bounded after her to run in circles. Sky looked wonderful. Her hair was down and blew softly around her face in the light breeze. She had on a pretty red crew-necked top that was tucked in her jeans. Knee-high boots made her look fashionable and the blocky heels were probably comfortable.

  He was so mesmerized he couldn’t breathe much less move. She came toward him with a wide smile on her face. When she was close, he gave her a quick hug. He dare not do more.

  Sully bounded toward the exercise yard. Sky chuckled. “I think he’s telling me something.”

  Though Dirk’s thoughts weren’t on Sully, he went along and let the moment pass as he fell into step with Sky.

  “The bluebonnets are incredible. But they’ll be gone soon.”

  “They’re like this every year.”

  “Do you miss them?”

  “Always, but I know they’ll be back.”

  She opened the gate to the exercise pen, gave Sully the signal, and he was off.

  “He never fails to amaze.”

  “The two of you were meant to be together. How is he adjusting to your bank schedule?”

  She turned to look at him. The sun had turned her brown eyes golden. His breath hitched. How he loved this woman.

  “We’re both adjusting.” She told him about Steel’s offer. “It’s more money than I’ll ever make at the bank, with more international clients. I don’t know what to do. The bank has been my home away from home for so many years, the thought of starting over is overwhelming.”

  “It’s a great opportunity.” And another reason this woman was so amazing.

  “I was ready to turn it down at once. I couldn’t see myself working for a man who had so little regard for his family that he would take one lover after another on the sly. Then he told me that what happened to his company and with his brother gave him a new outlook on life. Supposedly, his wandering days are over. Would you believe him?”

  Sully had done three laps. Dirk gave the signal to stop and opened the gate. Sully bounded out and went straight to Sky. Dirk smiled. “You can only take Steel at his word. I’m of the opinion that people can change if they want to.”

  They headed back to the house.

  He linked his right arm with her left. “I’ve missed you, Sky.”

  “I’ve missed you as well. I loved being here.”

  “The offer still stands.”

  She laughed, but didn’t respond.

  “I have the money to pay my bill. Do you have it?”

  He didn’t. How could he give the woman he loved a bill?

  When he didn’t answer, she told him about the money from Steel. “Please, Dirk. You know I like to pay my bills.”

  “Why don’t we talk about it later?”

  Much later.

  ****

  They walked into the living area. Dirk could use a woman’s touch. Everywhere she looked there was sturdy, man-sized furniture. No pretty deco items anywhere, only a utility lamp here and there.

  Deep in her heart she knew Dirk would never give her a bill. But as she looked around at his barely furnished home, she realized how she could pay him.

  Do
ry was going to get her first large contract. The thought made her smile.

  “Give me a minute to put lunch in the oven. What would you like to drink? I have wine, tea, or water.”

  “A glass of tea will be fine.”

  “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

  She sank onto the worn, brown leather couch, and sighed. Over the last weeks she’d shied away from the truth.

  Despite her misgivings, she loved Dirk.

  She loved his smile, his dimples, his work ethic, but especially she loved the way she felt when he held her—kissed her.

  Her feelings swelled until she was bursting with the truth. She wanted a forever with Dirk.

  Scared?

  Scared to death and back. The truth of the matter was that Dirk could have an affair like her dad or Martin and break her heart in the process. But living her life without him was even more frightening than that possibility.

  It was a risk, but a small one.

  Why hadn’t she figured it out before now?

  Her heart felt lighter. Almost dizzy with the realization, she could barely hold the glass of tea Dirk handed her.

  “Lunch in thirty minutes.”

  She took a sip, looked at this man she loved. Eyes the color of the sky looked back at her. “I wish I knew what to do about Steel’s offer.”

  “Would you have to sign a long-term contract? Would there be a buy-out after so many years? You’ll have to look into all that and more.”

  Sky nodded. “I keep remembering how Mr. Parnell threatened my job before and after the killer made an appearance. I think, after all the years he’s known me, he should have had more faith in me.” The truth was, every time she thought about how he’d treated her, she became angry.

  “Then consider that when you make your decision.”

  “I will.” How was she to get the subject on the two of them?

  They talked of everything from her job offer, to the guys at work, and how they were doing until the timer went off.

  “That means lunch is ready. Are you?”

  She heaved a deep sigh. “I am.” She was ready for much more than lunch.

  He bolted for the kitchen and was back in seconds. “Didn’t want it to burn.”