Kate grabbed a few employee files to work on while she waited. As she rushed out the door to go to Mrs. Farrington’s office, she overheard Darcy say, with a seductive edge in her voice, “Sorry, Trent. Dr. Meyers just stepped out. Anything I can do to help you?”
Kate winced. Now that Kate’s suspicions that Trent was the culprit had nearly evaporated, nothing stood in Darcy’s way if she wanted to go after him romantically. More reason, for her friend’s sake, that Kate should step back. Darcy would be good for him. Not only was she nice, Darcy even had a normal family background.
* * *
Kate stepped into Eden Farrington’s outer office. Unfortunately, her assistant, Marc, wasn’t at his desk so she didn’t have the chance to check him out.
“Don’t worry, Cecilia.” Mrs. Farrington’s voice carried from her office. “You are understandably upset because he didn’t pay attention to you at the benefit, but do as I tell you.”
Kate moved closer to the doorway and suppressed her guilt for listening to the conversation inside. She justified it for the sake of her investigation, and she had to find out about everything that was going on in the company. Although she admitted to herself, this time the discussion sounded more personal and about Trent—and was likely none of her business.
“He spent most of the evening with that woman. Who was she?” Cecilia railed.
“Not to worry. I’ll find out.”
Kate bit her lip.
Cecilia muttered. “Trent doesn’t act as if he likes me.”
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Farrington said. “You’re a beautiful girl. He’ll come around. Go to work, and then we’ll go shopping and out to lunch. We’ll think of something you can do to get his attention.”
“All right,” Cecilia said with a heavy sigh. “I’ll see you later.”
Realizing their conversation was at an end, Kate rushed over and dropped down on the sofa. She flipped open one of her files.
A second later, followed by Cecilia, Mrs. Farrington strode into the outer office, her gaze narrowing on Kate. “You’re here early, Dr. Meyers.
“Yes.” Kate rose from the sofa.
“I didn’t expect you for another twenty minutes,” Mrs. Farrington said, checking her watch.
With a sour expression, Cecilia raised her chin a notch. “We’ll continue our talk at lunch, Eden.” She flounced out of the room.
Trent’s mother led Kate into the office. The feminine room was done in a traditional style with warm peach tones, cream-colored carpet and whitewashed furniture.
Mrs. Farrington sat at her desk and indicated a nearby chair for Kate. “I hope you like your job.”
Uneasiness washed over Kate. She sat down. “Yes, I do,” she answered warily.
“Good. I’ve called you here to get acquainted.” Her shrewd eyes perused Kate. “And I want to discuss my…my son. If I ask you some personal things, will you think I’m a meddling mother?” Her blue eyes pierced Kate.
“What?” Kate didn’t know what to say.
“I’m troubled about our family—Trent specifically. He met someone at the benefit ball. I don’t approve of him picking up strange women, but he’s never cared about what I thought.”
“Oh?” Kate asked, in a non-committal voice. If Trent did have a problem, perhaps it had something to do with his overbearing mother.
“Most women are only after him for his money.”
Kate nearly gaped. “Don’t you think he has some other appealing characteristics?” she asked quietly, holding in her shock.
“Perhaps some.” Mrs. Farrington pursed her lips. She picked up her letter opener on her desk and swished it in the air. “But I’m concerned for his future happiness. Trent’s grandfather is adamant. He demands that Trent settle down soon, but James doesn’t care who Trent marries. I do. I want him to marry someone of whom I approve—like Cecilia.” Eden shrugged. “It was probably my mistake to tell him I thought he should date her. He has always done the opposite of what I wanted. Explain this to me, Dr. Meyers. Why do you think he is like that?”
Dazed by this woman’s superiority complex, Kate stared at her. “I suppose it’s human nature to resist authority.”
A burly man with a weight lifter’s build strode into Eden’s office. “Excuse me. Should I bring the car around?”
“Yes, I won’t be long.” Mrs. Farrington turned to Kate. “Dr. Meyers, I’d like you to meet my assistant, Marc Simpson. Marc, this is Dr. Meyers. She is new on our staff.”
So, this man was the infamous assistant and chauffeur Darcy had mentioned. He gave Kate a brief smile. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
After he closed the door, Trent’s mother said, “Now where were we? Oh, yes, I’ll get to the point. I’m concerned about my son getting married because Trent’s grandfather is adamant this family doesn’t die out. Trent’s our future.”
“I hear there is another grandson—Roland Sikes.”
The older woman’s face turned into a contemptuous smirk that sent a chill through Kate. “In every family there’s always a relative one would prefer to keep locked up in the attic. Roland is ours.” Was she speaking as a jealous woman who thought her son was the best in the family? Or was there even more to Roland, regarding his business dealings?
Mrs. Farrington must have read the shocked look on Kate’s face. “I hope I didn’t come across as being ungenerous to Roland. Perhaps I am being a little selfish. I would like nothing more than to see my bloodline continue and inherit. And Trent’s duty is to get married and produce offspring. He’s known this since he was a child—but it must be the right girl.”
Kate was having a hard time liking Eden. Obviously no one was good enough for her precious son, except Cecilia.
Kate couldn’t resist. “As you said, Mr. Trent Farrington met someone at the benefit ball. Isn’t that a step in the right direction?” She couldn’t believe she was discussing this with Trent’s mother.
“We won’t accept any unknown factors. What if this turns serious? Who knows what gutter she’s from?”
Kate’s cheeks warmed. Yeah, she was pure gutter trash, or at least that’s what Eden would think if she discovered Kate’s real background. Her nefarious stepfather would probably taint her life forever. Even if there weren’t already too many strikes against her with Trent, his family would be disgusted to know she was related to notorious conman Bill Jackson. Another reason to avoid Trent.
In spite of those thoughts, Kate raised her chin. “What was wrong with the woman he met?”
“We know nothing about her. I’m asking for your help to find out what Trent thinks of her.”
A flush heated Kate’s cheeks. “Me? How can I help?”
“James had mentioned he wanted you to speak to Trent—as a psychologist. I want you to tell me everything Trent discloses. And I want you to express to him what a wonderful girl Cecilia is.”
No way. Kate wouldn’t recommend Cecilia to anyone. She seemed like a spoiled brat, but perhaps that was only Kate’s jealousy rearing its head. “I’m not a matchmaker, Mrs. Farrington, and he’s not speaking to me as a psychologist. Even if he did, anything he said to me would be confidential.”
“No one has to know what you tell me—not even his grandfather.”
“It isn’t legal, Mrs. Farrington.”
The disgruntled woman jutted her face toward Kate. “Well, it should be. What he does is of the utmost importance to me. You said you liked your job. If he chooses to confide in you, I’m sure you can bend the rules.” She gave Kate a thin smile and stood. “For his benefit…and yours.” Mrs. Farrington’s gaze traveled down the length of Kate. “Now I hope we understand each other, Dr. Meyers.”
Stunned, Kate couldn’t believe the woman had just threatened her. “I assure you, he won’t speak to me.” Kate headed toward the door, her nerves simmering with disgust. Now she understood at least a part of why Trent was the way he was with women. What an awful mother. A twinge of sympathy for him washed over her.
<
br /> But she couldn’t get involved any more than she already was with him. She should leave the company as soon as she investigated the records more thoroughly…and Roland Sikes.
* * *
After his unsuccessful attempt to contact Dr. Meyers, Trent took a few business calls, then settled back in his chair, contemplating the crumpled note on his desk that thanked him, but was missing a phone number. Grace did not want to see him again.
Mrs. Nash buzzed the intercom. “None of the cities around here have any Guckenheimers listed. Should I keep looking in other counties?”
“No. That’s not necessary.” He knew where to find Grace’s phone number. He’d speak to her cousin, Dr. Meyers, when she returned to her office.
After his vision had cleared on the night of the benefit ball, he’d been chagrined that Grace Guckenheimer had walked out and left him deliberately high and dry about how to contact her.
Normally, he didn’t need to chase women and would have let it go. However, Grace was different. He was intrigued.
Before he’d been hit with pepper spray, he’d noticed the resemblance between the two women. Except, through the mask, Grace’s dark green eyes had not looked at him with disgust like Dr. Meyers’ always did.
Trent got up from his desk, stalked to the window, and gazed out. If Grace had kissed him, why wouldn’t she give him her number? He thought dryly, did it run in her family that the women didn’t like him for some reason?
At a tap on his door, he turned.
“Hey, morning. How’s it going?” Greg stepped into the room. “Why the sour look?”
Trent pointed to the balled-up paper on his desk. “This is all I have left of the girl I met at the benefit ball. I asked for her phone number and she left a thank you note.”
His friend chuckled and plopped his lanky frame on the sofa. “Sorry, but now you get to feel what it’s like for the rest of us. I’ve had the old fake-number switcheroo a few times. You, bud, must be losing your edge.”
“Maybe I should check my deodorant,” Trent said dryly.
Greg grinned. “Dr. Kate has never seemed that impressed by you either. By the way, I didn’t see her at the party.”
“Perhaps she doesn’t like people,” Trent quipped sarcastically. “Or maybe it’s just me that she doesn’t like.”
“She seems nice enough to me.”
“She was always congenial to you. The woman I met at the party was her cousin. Dr. Meyers must have allowed Grace to use her ticket, or she came to the party with Darcy. I’ll get her cell phone number from Dr. Meyers.”
“Glad someone isn’t falling at your feet.”
Trent shrugged. “I’ve waited long enough for Dr. Meyers to return my phone call. I have the distinct impression she’s avoiding me. But, that’s not why I called you. Did you find out what Frank Blake has been up to lately?”
“Yeah, I did some research. He’s up for the same award as you.”
“Interesting.”
* * *
“Is Dr. Meyers in, Darcy?”
Sitting at her desk, reading over an employee file, Kate tensed at the sound of Trent’s voice outside her office door. Her time of avoiding him had run out.
“I’ll buzz her,” Darcy said.
“That won’t be necessary.” Trent strode into the room without knocking. Kate gasped at the intrusion.
He closed the door behind him, leaving them alone. “I left word for you to call me when you returned. Didn’t you get my message?”
Just seeing him with his tall and handsome good looks knocked her senses off kilter, which wasn’t a good thing. “I-I planned to call you in a few minutes. I’ve been preoccupied with something in the records.” This was partly true. She’d been looking for Marc Simpson’s employment file, to find out more about him. Curiously, his file was missing.
Trent crossed his arms over his chest. “So what was of so much interest?”
“Oh, nothing important, just a missing file on one of the employees. Now, what can I do for you, Mr. Farrington?”
“What can you do for me?” he repeated. “I met your cousin Grace at the benefit ball. Could you give me her phone number?” He seemed chagrined to have to ask her for anything, but obviously, he wanted Grace’s number badly.
Inwardly she smiled that he had liked her. Then panic jolted her to her senses. He could never find out she was Grace—he’d have to forget about her.
“You don’t have to frown. It’s a simple enough request. You know your cousin’s phone number. Would you please give it to me?”
Expelling a deep sigh, Kate sagged back in her chair. “Why didn’t you ask her for it?”
“I did.” He tossed the crumpled note on her desk.
Kate smoothed out the paper. At seeing her own handwriting, she stifled a smile. He must have been a bit irked when he opened it to find only a thank you note.
She lifted her gaze to his. “Have you considered she might not want you to have it?”
He scowled at her. “I should have known you would give me a hard time. What is it about me, doc? From the first you’ve been set against me.”
She was remorseful about that, but she had thought Matt’s last words implicated Trent.
Rising from the desk, Kate strode around to the other side to stand before him. “I could say the same thing about you, but no, I don’t dislike you at all.” At least not anymore. Now, please don’t give me another reason to feel that way again. “I can tell you, Mr. Farrington, that I know Grace very well, and she is not right for you.”
How true her statement was. His mother would be dead-set against her—even under normal circumstances—and perhaps his grandfather, too, if he found out she wasn’t a psychologist. And she didn’t even want to contemplate that her best friend, Darcy, was completely crazy about him—not to mention how Trent would feel if he knew how she’d come to the company on a mission to send him to prison. There were too many strikes against her.
He stepped closer and gazed down at her. “Dr. Meyers, I don’t think I need you to analyze who is right for me—or who is not.”
Irrational jealousy sizzled inside her. When he had discovered her snooping in his office, he had almost kissed her then, as herself. Now, all he could think about was Grace. That stung.
You’re way too fickle, buddy. “Sorry, but I heard of your reputation and this in my cousin.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why, I think you’re jealous of your own cousin. You may not like me—but I can see it in your eyes that you’re attracted to me.”
He ran his finger slowly down her cheek. “Is that it?”
She shivered, and a tingle ran all the way to her toes, though she tried to hide her response to him—unsuccessfully.
She whirled from his knowing gaze. “I think you are used to getting your way with women. Maybe your grandfather is right.”
There was one way to make him leave her office—and in a hurry.
She stepped to her desk and picked up her calendar and a pen. “I have an opening tomorrow at two p.m. Will that do for us to get together? I’ll pencil you in right now. You can come here and we can discuss all your problems with women.” She turned up a sweet face to him. “I’d love to help you overcome your issues—as would your grandfather.”
“And lie down on your couch?” he said in a cool tone. He flicked his gaze over her breasts. “I knew you were interested.” Then he raised his dark eyes. “Or do you mean for analysis? Cold day in hell on that one, doc.”
It was obvious from his tone that he hated therapists…or women planted in his path by his family.
Kate didn’t know what to say. She sighed. “Mr. Farrington… Grace, uh, she wouldn’t like it if I gave you her number.”
“All right, but trust me. I will find her. If she doesn’t want to see me after that, I’ll let it go.”
The blood drained from Kate’s face. His trying to find Grace might lead back to her. She blew out a deep breath and returned to her desk to plop down in her c
hair.
“This is outrageous,” he said throwing out his hands. “You act like I’m going to hurt her.”
Yes, he could hurt her—and deeply. She’d already fallen for him, but her past and her lies put him out of reach. There couldn’t be a good outcome out of this for her. Her cheeks burned, too, as she realized she didn’t want him to find out the humiliating truth about her family and past.
She had to shut him out of her life before this went any deeper—and she was used to shutting things out. She had suppressed her memories and shame for years. It was easier than facing that pain.
“I’m not concerned about her. It’s you,” she lied. “Grace is a heartbreaker. You should forget about her.”
His brow furrowed. “Did I ask you to look after me?” he asked incredulously.
His cell phone rang. He answered it. “This afternoon? All right.” After he disconnected the call, he turned to Kate. “Frank Blake must be at it again. It seems OSHA will be at the Karger site today. Someone reported a violation against us. Doc, I want you to be there at four p.m. sharp. It’s time for you to find out what we do at this company. Since you are hiring construction workers, I’ll give you a tour of the place.”
The blood drained from her face. She hoped she would never see the towering building site again or have to visit the place where her beloved brother had fallen.
“What’s wrong?” Trent asked.
She clenched her hands on the chair arms. “I told you before that I’m afraid of heights, Mr. Farrington. I don’t really want to go up there just yet.”
“We build high-rise buildings. You need to get used to it. Be there.” He turned on his heel and strode out the door.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As Trent strode out of her office, Kate expelled a ragged breath and sagged back in her chair. She’d like to burn holes into his back. Should she have given him her own home number and met him somewhere dressed as Grace? Then if Grace rejected him, would he leave her alone? And really, did she want him to? If she did nothing, how long would it take for him to trace Grace back to her?
Disguised with the Millionaire (Dangerous Millionaires Series Book 2) Page 14