“Do you know why Warren was calling?” she asked.
Max glanced at the button. “I wasn’t going to say anything because it is highly confidential, but Worthless fired Warren.”
Summer gasped. “When?”
“The same day as Warren’s car accident. He was told to come in the following Sunday and pack up his office.” Max cocked his head to one side. “Why are you so shocked? Everyone knows you were responsible, not only for landing the accounts but for doing most of the work. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.”
The light blinked off. “Uh-oh, Worthless is off the phone,” Max said. “Why don’t we talk later? Let’s meet at Crazy Albert’s for a drink after work.”
Summer nodded and headed back to her office. She stopped by Joyce’s desk. “I need help cleaning out my office,” she said.
“Oh, no! Did he fire you?” Joyce said. Summer filled her in. “I’m leaving with you,” Joyce said.
Summer shook her head. “You can’t do that! You need your job.”
“The only reason I tolerate this place is because of you,” she said. “Besides, you know I’ll never go anywhere. Worth sees me as a secretary and nothing more.”
“Think about it carefully, Joyce,” she warned. “I don’t want my leaving to hurt you.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Two things: Get me a copy of Sunday’s newspaper and find me a few boxes. I plan to be packed and out by the end of the day.”
“Hold on,” Joyce said and opened the bottom drawer of her desk. She pulled out a large envelope. “I assume you’re interested in reading the society section,” she said. “I took the liberty of bringing it.” She handed it to Summer. “Did you know Cooper had money?”
“Of course not,” Summer replied. She carried the envelope to her soon to be empty office, closed the door and took a seat at her desk. She took a deep breath before pulling out the folded newspaper.
She had just finished reading the article when Joyce buzzed her. “Your grandmother’s on line one.”
Summer picked up the phone. “Hello, Grandmother.”
“Are you in the middle of something?” she asked.
“No, I can talk.”
“I assume you read the Sunday paper,” Henrietta said.
“I’m reading it now.”
“Did you know Cooper was wealthy?”
“No, but then it seems there is a lot I did not know about the man.”
“Are you angry with him?”
“I’m furious.”
“That’s why I waited a full twenty-four hours to call,” Henrietta said. “I knew you’d be hot under the collar. I hope you will forgive him and carry on with your plans.”
“You mean marry him?”
“The two of you belong together.”
Summer closed her eyes. “Grandmother, I’ve been meaning to tell you something. I’m afraid Cooper and I misled you from the very beginning.”
“I’m listening,” Henrietta said.
#
Cooper stared at the phone on his desk and wondered if he should try reaching Summer again. His mother had called that morning and read the article in the newspaper to him.
“You should have told her the truth,” she’d said. “How else can you expect to build trust?”
“I think it’s too late,” he said. “She’s not taking my calls.”
“I can’t say that I blame her,” the woman said. “You need to make this right, son.”
Now, Cooper wondered why he had allowed Summer to believe he was struggling to get by, when, in fact, he’d amassed a fortune in the past five years. He supposed in the beginning he’d done it out of spite because he’d assumed she was one of those high society women who thought she was too good for him. He realized, sadly, that he still had a chip on his shoulder, leftover from years of feeling like he wasn’t good enough. Once he discovered he had misread Summer, as well as her grandmother, he had already taken things too far. Then he’d fallen in love with Summer and feared she would toss him to the curb once she learned he had been dishonest with her from the beginning. Perhaps she was too good for him.
#
It was after four o’clock when Joyce and Summer carried the last of her boxes to her car. Several of the ad execs had avoided eye contact while others had stopped by to wish Summer well and say how much they regretted seeing her go. A couple of them had handed her their business cards, said they might be able to help her, give them a call if she was interested. She had smiled and thanked them.
“I’m meeting Max at Crazy Albert’s for a drink after work,” Summer told Joyce. “Care to join us?”
“I would love to. As long as I can have my say about Worth the jerk.”
“Oh, let’s look at the bright side,” Summer said. “Worth Advertising has a reputation of being the best. I learned a lot in eight years. Hopefully, I won’t have to pound the sidewalks very long looking for another job.” She grinned. “Besides, I got one hell of a severance package.”
The phone rang and Joyce snatched it up. “Oh, hi, babe,” she said. “You have the address?” She grabbed pen and paper and wrote something down. “Okay, I’ll see you later. Thanks, hon.”
Joyce pressed the sheet of papers against her breast and smiled at Summer.
“What is it?” Summer asked.
“You were wondering where Cooper was staying when he was in town?”
“I gave up. His phone number is obviously unlisted because it’s not in the phone book. The only listing I found was for his motorcycle shop.”
“It’s not a shop,” Joyce whispered and handed her the slip of paper. “It’s a manufacturing plant. And not too far from it is a brand new high rise called the Wyndimere, very sleek and very expensive.”
Summer looked about to make certain they were alone. “Joyce, you should not have pulled Joe into this,” she whispered. “Your husband could get fired if the phone company found out.”
Joyce blinked several times. “Joe who?”
#
Summer found herself sitting at her desk with her door closed for the second time that day. She dreaded the call she was about to make, but she knew it could not be avoided. She used her cell phone to dial Warren’s number. He picked up right away.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said.
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth about Cooper?”
He hesitated. “You mean about the money?”
“You’re a genius, Warren.”
“Hey, it really didn’t cross my mind in the beginning. I mean, who would’ve figured the two of you would ever see each other again after that first night?”
“What about later? When you knew how I felt about him?”
He sighed. “I started to tell you, but my parents showed up.”
“We’ve had several conversations since.”
“I was jealous. I figured if you thought Cooper was a down-and-out biker with no future, you’d lose interest and appreciate me more.”
Summer told herself not to feel sorry for him. “When were you going to tell me you’d been fired?”
“I was wondering how long it would take before you found out.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I wasn’t exactly proud of the fact,” he said defensively. “Worth summoned me into his office the Friday I was supposed to show up at your grandmother’s and pretend we were a couple. He fired me, and a couple of hours later I got into that accident. I called Worth right away because I thought he’d give me a break and hire me back. Some break. He had Max send flowers. What a bastard.”
“So why did you call the so-called bastard this morning and tell him what happened between Sam Flynn and me, and that I had gone behind his back and agreed to take on the Good Shepherd account?”
Warren was silent.
“And once you’ve answered those questions I want the name of the person at the newspaper that you’ve been feeding crap to.”
Chapter Twelve
<
br /> Joyce and Max already had a table and a drink when Summer joined them at Crazy Albert’s. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, having spent the time trying to pull herself together after her conversation with Warren. She had broken off the friendship, or what she had thought was a friendship.
Joyce reached over and put her hand on Summer’s. “From the look on your face I would say you made your telephone call. Are you okay?”
Summer was prevented from answering when the cocktail waitress came by. “I’ll have a strawberry daiquiri,” she said. The woman nodded and hurried off.
“Wow, she’s actually having a big girl drink,” Max said.
Summer gave an eye roll. “After today I should have ordered a double.”
“I feel bad,” Max said, “for running my mouth this morning.”
Summer shook her head. “You did the right thing. Warren confessed he was hoping I would resign once Worth confronted me, but I could just as easily have been fired. How would that look on my resume’?”
“I figured Warren was up to no good,” Max said. “Worthless had just gotten off the phone with him before the meeting. When he so rudely cut you off in front of everyone and said to meet him in his office I knew Warren had said something that got the old man riled.” Max grinned. “I don’t know what you said to Worthless, but he left early today, said he had a migraine.”
Joyce smiled sweetly. “Then it was a good day.”
The cocktail waitress delivered Summer’s drink. She sucked on the straw. “This is good stuff,” she said and took another sip.
“Be careful with that drink,” Joyce said. “You don’t want to drink it too fast or you’ll get a brain freeze. Plus, you’re not accustomed to alcohol.”
Summer had never mentioned her Lace Panty binge at Harry’s. “I suppose it’s clear why Warren wanted me to leave Worth Advertising. He was hoping I would open my own agency and ask him to join me.”
“I should probably tell you why Warren was fired,” Max said, “although I could get fired if Worth discovered I was giving out confidential information, but what the hell,” he said. “When you had to leave the Gridlock Tire presentation for an emergency, Worthless decided to sit in on the meeting. Warren’s performance was less than stellar. Worth saved the day, so to speak, by taking over. He might be a jerk, but he has been in the business long enough to know how to turn a bad presentation around.”
“How do you know all this?” Summer asked.
“Worth had me sit at the back of the room and take notes. He actually dismissed Warren right in front of the Gridlock big shots. Not that I blamed him; after all, the account is so big. But he, as well as the Gridlock guys were impressed with the work you had done. It was really slick.”
Summer looked at Joyce. “Did you know about this?”
She shook her head. “I was so busy that day I didn’t notice. But I’m not surprised. Remember, you showed me the binders the day before. I agree with Max, you did a damn good job. I don’t blame Warren for wanting you to go out on your own. No doubt, he figured you would take him with you, and he could keep riding your coat tails.” Joyce took a sip of her drink, “Which is why Max and I agree that you should strike out on your own and take us with you. Only we would bust our butts to see that the agency succeeded.”
Summer felt her jaw drop. “I can’t just go out on my own without some sort of client base. Besides, do you have any idea what it’d cost to set up an office?”
Max frowned at Joyce. “You could have waited until she took a few more sips of her drink.” He looked at Summer. “I know it all sounds scary, but Joyce and I have agreed to take salary cuts until you get a couple of solid clients. My uncle manages several office buildings in and around Buckhead. He could probably cut you a deal on a lease.”
Summer remained quiet.
“You underestimate your abilities,” Joyce said. “You know that, right?”
“I can’t expect you guys to take salary cuts.”
“I would be glad to take a cut,” Max said, “so that I never had to work for Worthless again.”
Joyce nodded. “Same here, at least I could become more involved in advertising. You know as well as I do that Worth has no plans to advance my career. I might as well tear up my degree.”
Summer listened thoughtfully. What they were suggesting would take a lot of money. She had the money, but did she have the guts? That’s what it was really about. The thought of going out on her own frightened her. It was like walking a tightrope with no net. What if her business failed? What if Joyce and Max quit perfectly good jobs at Worth Advertising, only to end up in the unemployment line? What if—
Summer gave her head a mental shake. She had been trying to prove herself all her life, feeling as though she wasn’t quite good enough; otherwise, her parents would not have deserted her. Her thinking was so distorted. There was nothing wrong with her. The fault lay with her parents who were unwilling to take on the responsibility of caring for their child. In the end, it could not have turned out better so why was she still trying to prove she was good enough?
“Okay, here’s the deal,” Summer said, leaning forward. “I’m not agreeing to anything yet, but if I were, I would want both of you to continue working your present jobs until I get an idea of what it’s going to cost to launch a new business.”
She looked at Max. “Talk to your uncle and see what he has. It needs to be high-end with three offices and a conference room, plus a kitchenette and restroom.”
“I’d have my own office?” Joyce asked, looking hopeful.
“You would need one if you were eventually going to meet with clients,” Summer said, “but you realize it would not happen overnight. You’d act as my assistant until I felt you were ready; however, you would be helping me prepare for each presentation.”
Joyce was speechless. “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather learn from.”
Max whipped out a small notepad and started scribbling. “I’ll need to check into the cost of office furniture,” he told Summer. “You want me to look at new or used?”
Summer didn’t hesitate. “New. And make sure it’s nice. We want to look successful. We’ll also need several computers, a copier, scanner, fax machine and, business cards—” She didn’t finish the sentence. “Why am I telling you this, you’re the expert.” Summer paused. “You don’t happen to know a good interior decorator, do you?”
Max nodded. “I, um, have a friend—”
“Lover,” Joyce corrected.
Max blushed. “Oh, well, that too, but he’s really good. He has his own store. All the wealthy people use him.”
“Perfect,” Summer said. “Oh, and Max, you’ll still be working in the same capacity as you did at Worth’s, but I’d like to see you move up as well. Your title would be Marketing Associate. When we get calls, it will be up to you to get them to make appointments, only I don’t want to be pushy, so to speak, because potential clients might think we’re desperate. I want them to be excited about using our service. Having said that, if you get them to make an appointment, you’ll get a commission,” she added.
Max grinned. “I like the sound of it already.”
“We need to get our business cards in the hands of all the right people.” Summer sat back in her chair and smiled. “I can count on my grandmother to help.” She looked at Joyce. “Is your brother still doing photography?”
She nodded. “He freelances. What do you need?”
“I’d like for him to go with us to the Good Shepherd on Saturday and take pictures of the children. Are you good with kids, Max?”
“They love me.”
“Great. We need to buy coloring books and crayons and wooden puzzles. They’ll love you even more if you’ll sit and color with them. That way Joyce and I will be able to spend time with Marian and Joe. They run the home.”
“Maybe your grandmother could give us pointers on how best to help the owners,” Joyce said. “You know how she feels about children.”
Summer glanced at her wristwatch. “I have an errand to run, but we’ll get together again real soon. Jot down any notes or questions,” she added, coming to her feet and putting several bills on the table.”
“You only drank half of your daiquiri,” Joyce pointed out. “Are you afraid you’ll be too tipsy to drive to Cooper’s ranch in Athens?”
Summer cocked her head to one side. “Who said I was going to Athens?”
“This is me you’re talking to, lady. Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, I got it covered. I just want to make sure I get there before dark so I can see the place.”
#
An hour and a half later, Summer stood near the entrance of Ashlee Ranch holding a pair of binoculars she’d purchased at a truck stop only a few miles back. The clerk had been able to give her directions. “Everybody knows where Ashlee Ranch is,” he’d said. “The house was in bad shape before the present owner bought it, but he’s had a lot of work done to it. He also built a second home on the property on account the whole family lives there. They have a bunch of cattle. You can’t miss it.”
Summer found it easily enough. The house resembled those of the antebellum period with round pillars and a wide veranda. A pristine white fence ran along the front of the property as far as the eye could see.
Summer climbed back in her car and tossed the binoculars aside. Oh, what a jolly time Cooper must have had with her, pretending to be a struggling bike mechanic who’d known nothing but hard times. She could feel her throat constricting with emotion as she slammed the gears in drive and sped away.
Cooper was sitting on his bike in front of Summer’s condo when she returned. Her anger grew to new heights. He winced at the look on her face. “Can we talk?”
She spun around and faced him. “It’s too late for that,” she said. “I have absolutely nothing to say to you.” She stabbed her key in her lock.
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