by Pj Fiala
Tammy’s eyes flicked up to Isaiah’s and she watched his steely gray eyes as he watched hers. Isaiah’s eyes were lighter in color to Zeke’s but just as disconcerting. Both men seemed to be trying to look into her soul and find her secrets.
Zeke finally seemed willing to enter into the conversation. “So, the sole issue is the government funding. You’re able to continue until either the end of February, which is what, four more months? Or if you find a benefactor or possibly a new owner to take over. Is that how you see it?”
“Yes. We do a phenomenal job with budgeting. We’ve always been on a tight budget. Many of our nurses volunteer several hours per week to ensure our veterans have adequate care. Our visiting doctors are voluntary in many ways, only getting paid what Medicare or Medicaid will pay them, which is much less than they normally make in private practice. Our cafeteria manager does a remarkable job shopping for bargains and making do with what’s available. The major concern moving forward, financially, is that we’re now in need of new windows and doors and the roof will need replacing in the next year or so. We can probably find volunteers to help with labor costs, and maybe even some of the supplies could be donated, but it will still be a huge expense and money we don’t have. I’ve looked at moving to a different building to try and manage our expenses better, but that would be a costly undertaking as well. I couldn’t see a way to manage the expense of moving and justify it to staying and repairing.”
Zeke looked directly into Tammy’s eyes, “Why don’t you raise the rates on your residents?”
Tammy’s sharp intake of breath caused them all to stare at her. “Many are living only on Social Security or Disability. They couldn’t afford a raise in rates.”
“Then they should find another place to live.”
“There aren’t other places to live for these folks. Nothing habitable. Those low cost nursing facilities are horrible.”
“You aren’t running a home to afford a cushy lifestyle just because these men and women served in the armed forces. No owner owes them anything. Good business sense and compassion simply don’t mix.” Zeke’s voice took on the sternness of a father chastising his errant child.
Tammy’s hackles were raised. She heard Sally chuckle under her breath and Isaiah sat with a smirk on his face.
“It appears you’re an idealist, Ms. Davis,” Zeke said with sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Idealists do not make good business partners.”
And there it was.
CHAPTER 18
“THERE’S MORE TO LIFE than making money. Sometimes, just doing the right thing is much more important.”
At Zeke’s raised eyebrow, that stupid perfectly groomed insolent arrogant arched eyebrow, Tammy realized she may be making the biggest mistake of her life. She could blow this whole thing.
“Your table is ready. If you’ll follow me, please.” Saved by the waitress. Tammy slowly stood, smoothed her dress, set her purse strap on her right shoulder and reached forward to grab her drink. As she did Sally leaned in, piercing Tammy with her eyes. “You’d better get your temper under control, girl. We need the money these men can provide. Got it?”
Breathing deep and letting it out slowly, Tammy nodded. The men stood back and allowed Tammy and Sally to precede them into the dining room. As they reached their table Zeke stepped forward and held Tammy’s chair for her to sit. “Thank you,” Tammy whispered.
Watching Isaiah help Sally with her chair Tammy rotated her stiff neck. She just wanted to get home to Danny. For the second time tonight, she realized how much he meant to her already. Losing herself in her menu offered her a few moments to calm down and redirect her thoughts. They needed this money. Stateside would close without it. But working with Zeke on a daily basis would be awful.
“So, allow me to tell you a bit about our ideas for Stateside,” Isaiah offered. “As you’re aware, we have several nursing type facilities but nothing like Stateside. However, we aren’t in the business of not making money.” Watching Tammy’s reaction seemed incredibly interesting to Zeke.
“We’re mostly interested in Stateside because, as you know, we have nursing facilities under our Farnham Real Estate Holdings, now Hamilton Real Estate Holdings. A variety of assisted living facilities and other nursing type facilities. We aren’t in the Green Bay area as of yet and the location appeals to us. With our current holdings, we’ve been able to negotiate contracts with food vendors, toweling, and bedding vendors as well as medical staff and supplies to make it more affordable to run these types of facilities. The condition of the building is a bit of a concern, but as with all of our other ventures, we can negotiate reasonable costs for windows, roofing, etcetera, and we own construction companies. Sending one of our crews here isn’t as costly as you having to hire it out.”
Tammy cocked her head to the side while addressing Isaiah. “So, you want into the area and you’re looking at a facility that’s not making money because?”
Isaiah briefly glanced at Zeke before continuing. “Quite simply, the price is right.”
“So you intend to purchase it, not just become a benefactor.”
“Yes.”
Tammy sat and mulled this over. Something didn’t quite seem right. It still didn’t make sense. Even with their holdings, they probably could offer cost savings in places she couldn’t negotiate, but not enough to make it a fabulous investment.
The remainder of the meal was quiet small talk which Tammy didn’t participate in. She smiled when appropriate, nodded when addressed and said very little while the other three chatted amongst themselves. Wondering if she would still have a job in a few months, her mind wandered often.
As their meal ended Tammy stood slowly and said, “Good night and thank you for dinner.”
She turned and left the dining room when Zeke caught up to her. “Please allow me to walk you to your car.”
“No thank you, that isn’t necessary.”
“I insist.”
Closing her eyes for a moment Tammy straightened her posture and allowed Zeke to help her with her jacket. He rested his hands on her shoulders much longer than appropriate. Tammy quickly pulled away and began walking to the door, Zeke in step with her.
“There’s no need in fighting this, Tammy. Take it for what it is. While your ideals are admirable, they aren’t realistic in this world. We want you to stay with Stateside for the time it has left and then we’ll find something else for you in one of our other companies. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of, provided your work is good and we can count on you.”
“What do you mean by ‘the time it has left’?”
Zeke took a deep breath. His eyes never wavered from hers. Looking into his eyes, noticing the steely gray had light flecks of deeper blue, surrounded by dark lashes and dark brows, she also saw coldness. When he spoke, she noticed the tightening of his jaw and realized he was working to maintain some control. Apparently, he was used to getting his way.
“These places come and go, I’m sure you’re aware of that. You’re smart, succinct, and level-headed. Even you must know that as times change, so must places such as Stateside.”
Pushing through the door and allowing the cool night air to clear her head and wake her up, Tammy bit her lip to fight the tears threatening to fall. As they reached her car, she hit the key fob button and unlocked her door. Zeke quickly reached forward to open the driver’s door for her. “Goodnight, Tammy. It was nice seeing you. I’ll be in the office first thing in the morning.”
“Yes. Thanks.” Tammy climbed into her car and inserted the key in the ignition. Zeke still stood in her open door, watching her every move. When he made no attempt to step back, she looked up at him. “Is there anything else you need?”
Pressing his lips together for an instant Zeke looked deep into her eyes. “You have no idea do you?” He stepped back. “Have a good night, Tammy. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Zeke closed her car door. Tammy turned the key in the ignition, and reached across
her chest to pull the seatbelt in place. She looked behind her to see that the coast was clear and slowly backed out of her parking spot. As she put her car in drive, she looked up to the left and saw Zeke standing on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets watching her drive away. Tammy could have sworn she saw regret on his face, but then again, it was probably her imagination.
On the drive to Danny’s house, she fought the tears that threatened. How could she go to work tomorrow and face Gerry or any of the residents, for that matter, knowing in a few short months, these men and women would be uprooted to God only knew where? Her back and neck were so tight she thought she would break in two with the wrong move. What a shitty day.
Pulling into Danny’s driveway felt…great. Just as she put her car in park, the garage door opened. Surprised, she looked up to see Danny walking toward her. Damn, he looked good. The t-shirt stretched tight across his chest accented the ridges beneath. He was wearing gray sweatpants and no one wore them like he did. Barefoot… sexy! She pushed the button to roll her window down. Danny reached in, grabbed the back of her head and pulled her toward him while instantly claiming her mouth. Realizing she was white-knuckling the steering wheel, Tammy reached up with both hands and held his head. Accepting his kiss fully and giving him as much as he was giving was like a salve to her wounds.
Breaking the kiss Danny leaned back and between short breaths said, “Pull your car into the garage, babe.”
He stepped back as Tammy pulled ahead, turned the ignition off and removed her seatbelt. Danny had her door open before she could grab her purse from the passenger seat.
As she turned to step out of the vehicle Danny reached down and pulled her up and against him, instantly wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and ravaged her mouth once more. “I missed you,” he managed to say between kissing her and nuzzling her neck.
Tammy giggled as her body began trembling. “I missed you, too.” Holding him tighter she inhaled his scent and her mind began releasing the horrors of the day.
“Hey, you okay? You’re shaking.”
“I know…I can’t…ugh, Danny, it’s been a horrid day and just being here with you is so overwhelming and at the same time, comforting.”
He looked into her eyes, his brows dipping down in worry. “Babe. Let’s get inside and talk.”
They walked hand-in-hand into the house. Danny slapped his palm on the garage door button to close it and stepped aside to let Tammy walk into the house ahead of him. She set her keys on the little table next to Danny’s and laid her purse next to them. She smiled as she realized what she’d done. She felt him lifting her coat from her shoulders and closed her eyes as she breathed in his scent again. Peaceful.
Danny hung her coat as Tammy walked further into the kitchen. He came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. “Wine?” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, please.”
He kissed the side of her face and squeezed before walking to the cupboard to retrieve two wine glasses. Pulling a bottle off the wine rack he busied himself uncorking and pouring while Tammy leaned against the counter and watched him. She smiled as she noticed the smoothness of his movements. He was self-assured without being arrogant.
Danny looked up as he handed her a glass of wine and cocked his head to the side. He clinked his glass with hers and walked past her, grabbing her hand in his as he went by. Pulling her into the living room, he set his glass on the table next to his recliner and turned to sit. He pulled her down onto his lap and wrapped her in his arms. Tammy took a drink of her wine, set it on the table and snuggled into Danny’s warmth. He kissed the top of her head wrapped his arms tighter. “You’re safe here with me. I’m happy you’re here.”
Tammy burst out crying. She turned her face into Danny’s neck and let the tears flow. He held her and crooned into her ear. “It’ll be okay, babe. I’ve got you. Don’t worry sweetheart.”
After long minutes Tammy calmed, Danny’s voice soothing her like no one ever could. Wiping the tears and makeup from her eyes, he leaned forward and grabbed a tissue from the table and handed it to her. She noticed his furrowed brow and smoothed it with her fingers.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head, “No need to be sorry. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Something isn’t right with this situation. They kept talking about it not making money and while they can offer assistance in some cost savings, they also insinuate that there’s no future for a home that doesn’t make money. All day today I’ve been ignored, treated as if I don’t matter and Sally treated me as if I were a pariah.”
“I thought you and Sally got along well.”
“We do. We did. But she fell in lust with Zeke and he eye-fucked me all day and it set her off.”
“What?” Danny’s heart was slamming in his chest. The rage building in his body was over-powering. “What exactly do you mean he ‘eye-fucked’ you all day?”
Tammy swallowed. Realizing her error she sat up, but Danny held her tight. She looked into his eyes, no longer loving and sympathetic, but angry. Her lip quivering she swallowed. “You know. He looked me up and down every time I stood up. When he helped me with my jacket, he put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed. He made it perfectly clear that if I wanted to tumble into bed with him, I would be welcome.”
Danny swallowed. Through clenched teeth he said, “Did you?”
Tammy raised her brows. “Did I? Fall into bed with him? How dare you?”
She tried getting up but he held her in place. “I didn’t mean did you sleep with him. I meant did you want to.”
“God, no. Of course…how can you even ask that shit?” Pushing off his lap she stood. She walked a few steps and turned and walked back. She raised her finger to say something, but words wouldn’t come. She pivoted and walked a few steps again. Danny jumped out of the recliner and caught up to her.
“I had to know. I’m sorry. I had to ask.”
CHAPTER 19
“WE’RE SO NEW and he’s wealthy, I’m not. And, of course… you know.” Danny let the rest of his sentence hang in the air.
“Stop it. Stop worrying about the fact you lost a limb. I don’t care about that. I don’t know how I can make that clear to you. Money isn’t the attraction here.” Standing with her hands on her hips, Tammy’s body was vibrating with emotion.
Danny watched her lip tremble and worried the tears would flow again. Running his hand through his hair and down the back of his neck he let out a breath. “Sorry. I’m sorry for all of it. I’m trying to get over it…all of it. I just think you deserve so much good. I can’t shower you with gifts, only kisses. I can’t buy Stateside and ensure it’ll be there. I would do anything to be able to give you everything.”
Tammy looked down at the floor between her shoes. Fuck this day!
Her body was encased in warmth the instant he wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her to him, kissed the top of her head and held her to his chest. She could hear the strong rapid beat of his heart. Slowly she wound her arms around his waist and reveled in the feeling of being pressed against him. She heard his whispered, “I’m sorry, baby,” and closed her eyes.
As soon as she knew she could speak without crying, Tammy pulled her head away from his warm firm chest and looked into his beautiful brown eyes. “Danny, all day long all I wanted to do was be here with you. That’s the truth of it all. Not because you have money or two legs or for anything you can give me, except this. What I want from you, or rather with you, is this feeling. My heart is soothed when you’re holding me. When you kiss me, I feel transported to another world. I think I even hear birds sing.” They both chuckled.
“Birds singing?”
“You know what I mean.” She patted him on the arm. Danny pulled her into him again and squeezed her tight. He laid his cheek on the top of her head and breathed deeply. Would he ever tire of the way she smelled? It was a fragrance he longed for during the day when she was
n’t around. But holding her close and feeling her while breathing in her aroma, was perfect.
Pulling away just a bit, Danny tilted her chin up to him and covered her lips with his. He tasted her fully, he feasted on her lips until he needed to breathe; still he kissed her. He fisted her hair and held her close. He felt Tammy pull his t-shirt up and slide her hands up his torso, kneading his muscles as she moved up his chest. The heat from her touch warmed him everywhere. The thickness in his pants was becoming uncomfortable. He groaned as Tammy started walking them back to the recliner. When the back of his legs hit the chair she gently pushed. He pulled her on top of him and they both laughed. He reclined the chair and began pulling her dress up over her head. She reached behind her to unhook her bra, Danny froze. Watching her strip for him was hot. Slowly lowering the straps she smirked as she saw the look in his eyes. A quick glance at his bulging sweat pants and she knew the effect she had on him. Leaning forward, she palmed his erection through his pants and he huffed out a breath. Tammy rocked back and forth a few times, moaning. She leaned forward and nipped his lips.
“Gonna be kind of tough in this chair, big guy,” she growled.
Danny smirked and nipped her bottom lip. “Turn around babe. Show me your ass. Pull them panties off first.”
Climbing off the chair, she first bent down and nipped lightly at his cock, forcing a groan from deep in his throat. She stood and turned her back to him. Wiggling her ass side to side as she slid her panties down her thighs, reaching her calves she halted her movements and allowed him the full view. What she felt was a thick finger sliding into her very wet pussy. Danny sat forward as Tammy started to rise.
“Nope, stay just like that. Grab your ankles, darling and hold on, got me?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Ooo, you like that don’t you babe? I can tell ‘cuz your little pussy just oozed juices. Damn girl, that’s fucking hot.” Watching his finger slide in and out of her a few times had him throbbing with need. Listening to the moisture she was creating was even better. He could smell her arousal and that just about sent him over the edge. He pulled his finger out and quickly slid his tongue into her. Holding her thighs with both hands, he pulled her to him and buried his face into her. Lapping and licking and tasting her was outstanding. He heard her moan and couldn’t take anymore.