“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the first night we met,” he said, “but I sort of got the impression you thought you were too good for me.”
“So you decided to make me look like a fool.”
“No. I guess I was trying to see if it mattered to you one way or the other what I did for a living. I was beginning to think it didn’t matter in the least.”
She glared at him. It hadn’t mattered, but she’d sooner bite her tongue off than tell him as much. “Go away, Cooper. I don’t want to see you or listen to any more of your lies. Stop calling my cell and don’t call my job because I’m no longer employed at Worth Advertising.”
“Worth fired you?” he said in disbelief.
“I quit before he had the chance.”
“But that’s great, babe,” he said. “You can go out on your own now.”
She almost flinched at the endearment, and she knew she was very close to tears. “What I decide to do with my career is none of your concern.” She opened her door and stepped inside her condo. “And don’t call me babe.”
She slammed the door in his face and locked it. It wasn’t until she heard him pull away on his bike a few minutes later that she allowed the tears to fall.
#
On Friday afternoon, Cooper visited Henrietta. A pleasant, middle-aged woman answered the door and asked him to wait in the foyer while she notified Mrs. Pettigrew. Henrietta hurried down the hall a moment later with her arms outstretched, obviously delighted to see him.
She introduced Cooper to the smiling woman beside her who offered to take his jacket. “This is Gladys Marigold,” she said and turned to the woman. “And this handsome young devil is Cooper Garrett.”
Gladys sighed and looked at Henriette. “If only I were forty years younger,” she said. “I’ll put on fresh coffee.”
A still smiling Henrietta led Cooper to her private sitting room. She sat on the sofa and motioned for him to take a nearby chair. “You’re looking very well, Henrietta,” he said. “Where is Mrs. Bradshaw?”
“Oh, pooh, Cooper. I got tired of looking at that sour puss of hers. She was highly capable and efficient, and she did a splendid job of running this place, but she never smiled, never said anything nice about anybody. Summer was right, the woman wasn’t happy. I regret that I kept her on all these years, especially since I’ve come to believe she was hard on my granddaughter at times.”
Cooper nodded but said nothing.
“I had my attorney set up retirement funds for my employees a long time ago, so she’ll be fine. Gladys is a delight. Not only is she an excellent housekeeper, she’s something of a companion as well. She takes walks with me in the afternoon. Not like the walks Emma Bradshaw and I took,” Henrietta added and started laughing. “Mrs. Bradshaw practically had us marching up and down the long driveway. Where is the fun in that?”
“I’m surprised she didn’t have you cutting the grass with a push mower,” Cooper said, grinning.
Henrietta laughed until tears sprang to her eyes. “Isn’t that the truth?”
They chatted a few minutes more, Henrietta politely inquired about his mother and her plans to invite the woman to dinner very soon.
Gladys arrived with a tray, poured two cups of coffee and left them. Cooper noted several cookies on a plate and reached for one.
“They’re low-fat,” Henrietta said proudly, “but you can’t tell the difference.”
“You’re right, I can’t,” he said as he took a bite. He sipped his coffee in silence.
Henrietta shifted in her chair. “Before you say anything, I think you should know, Summer has told me the truth. I know everything.”
Cooper’s smile faded. “I’m sorry, Henrietta.”
“Summer took full responsibility, said you tried to do her a favor but things got out of hand. I’m the guilty party. I faked the severity of my illness.”
“You mean you don’t have heart trouble?”
“I have angina. It’s common in people my age and can be controlled with diet, exercise, and proper medication. My doctor assures me my old ticker still has a ways to go.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
Henrietta nodded but was quiet for a moment. “I’m so ashamed of myself for allowing Summer to think it was worse than it was, but I never thought she’d go to such extremes.”
“She loves you very much.”
Henrietta looked sad. “I just want to see her happy.” Finally, she smiled. “So what brings you here today, Cooper?” she asked.
He sighed heavily. “I’ve fallen in love with your granddaughter.”
She reached over, took his hand and squeezed it. “I know.”
“I’m afraid I’ve lost her.”
Henrietta was silent. Worry etched deep lines around her eyes and mouth. “What my daughter did was wrong,” she said, “but she feared being without a man, and Summer’s father felt weighted down by a baby. Unfortunately, Summer felt like it was her fault. I did everything possible to try to convince her that wasn’t the case.”
“That must have been painful for both of you.”
“At first,” Henrietta said, “but sooner or later you have to let go and move on with life. Summer has brought me nothing but joy.”
“You’ve done very well by her, Henrietta.”
“Thank you. It warms me to hear it.”
They each took a sip of their coffee. Cooper was the first to break the silence. “One reason I stopped by is to let you know I’m going out of town for a couple of weeks. I leave tomorrow night.”
“Oh?”
“A biker’s convention in Japan.”
“So far away?
“I’ll admit that I’m not looking forward to it, but maybe it’s for the best. I tried to talk to Summer, but she refused to give me the time of day. I understand she is going out on her own.”
“She and a couple of her close friends are in the process of setting up a new office. It happened almost overnight. When that girl gets something in her head she doesn’t waste any time. I know she’s anxious to start getting clients, and I’m going to use whatever influence I can.”
“She’ll do well,” Cooper said. “I’ve seen her work.”
Henrietta looked thoughtful. “Wait a minute,” she said. “I have an idea.”
#
Max stirred the paint, dipped a paintbrush in it, and swiped it across the wall. “What do you think?” He turned to Summer and Joyce.
Summer tried to look excited, but it took quite an effort considering she had not slept well the night before, and she was in dire need of a cup of coffee. “I like it better than plain old white,” she replied. “Plus it looks clean and crisp.”
“What color is it?” Joyce asked.
“It is called Desert Sand,” Max said. “It adds a bit of color, but it’s a neutral shade and will go with anything. My, um, friend—”
“Lover,” Joyce interjected and gave Summer an eye roll. “He must think we’re idiots.”
“I had to hide it from Worthless,” Max said. “Anyway, Stefan is going to bring fabric samples for the sofa and chairs once we get back from the Good Shepherd,” he added.
“How long will it take for custom made?” Summer asked.
“Actually, he has some of the pieces in his showroom and warehouse.”
Summer looked pleased. “Great. Let’s hope we like them. What about the office furniture?”
“It will be delivered in three days.”
“I want this place put together as quickly as possible. He’ll need to decide on artwork and other décor as well.”
“He does it all.” Max suddenly blushed. “That came out wrong.”
Joyce and Summer grinned.
“We need to emphasize it’s a rush job,” Summer said. “We have to start drumming up business. I’m counting on him to make this place shine.”
“Trust me,” Max said. “It’ll look like a million bucks.”
“I’d like to have everything in place in a
week,” Summer told him.
Max gulped. “How does ten days sound?”
“I suppose,” Summer said. “I’ve got a lot on my mind so you and Joyce will have to make the final decision.”
Max and Joyce looked flattered. “Both had given a two week notice the day before, only to have Worth’s henchman tell them to pack their offices and go. Max was certain Worth suspected he and Joyce were joining Summer who was now the competition. They were now employed by Pettigrew Advertising. Summer had decided to use her last name because it was easily recognizable, thanks to Henrietta. It did not hurt that her grandmother was well known for her charity work, another reason Summer had chosen to use her name. The Pettigrew name inspired trust, and that was a big deal as far as Summer was concerned.
Joyce and Max agreed it was the perfect color. “All I have to do is call the paint store and ask them to mix up enough cans for three offices and the conference room,” Max said. “I’ve already bought the brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, and drop cloths. I hope you ladies know how to paint.”
“I’ve done my share,” Summer said, having participated in a summer program three years in a row during high school, where kids learned the necessary skills to help renovate homes for impoverished families.
“I actually had no desire to learn,” Joyce said, “but Joe and I painted every room in our house.”
Even as tired as Summer was, she knew they needed to get on the ball; otherwise the furniture would have to wait. She had no time to sit home brooding over a broken heart when she planned to open for business in two weeks. She had been working steadily on an advertising plan to draw clients.
“What about the kitchenette and restroom?” she asked.
Max shook his head. “They don’t need painting. By the time Stefan works his decorating magic they’ll look like they just jumped off the pages of Southern Living.”
“Okay, if you guys like Desert Sand, that’s the color we’ll go with,” Summer said. “Max, if you’ll go for the paint, Joyce and I will start taping around doors and windows and putting down drop cloths. That way we’ll be ready to start once we return from the Good Shepherd. Just tell them to put everything on my credit card, since I’m sure we’ll have more expenditures.” Max’s uncle had found them a great deal on a suite of offices in a prime location and had agreed to waive the stiff deposit if they painted the walls, and had the carpets cleaned. Since Summer was trying to be cautious with her money, she’d been only too willing to comply.
Max reached into his pocket for his car keys. “I’ll grab sandwiches and cold drinks from the deli while I’m out,” he said.
Summer nodded. “Just remember to get a receipt for everything.”
Max started for the door just as someone pushed it open from the other side. All three stared in silence as Cooper Garrett stepped into the room. Summer felt her heart turn over in her chest at the sight of him.
“Am I interrupting?” he asked, his dark eyes focused on Summer.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, you are,” Summer replied coolly. “What are you doing here?” She wondered how he had known where to find her, and her grandmother came to mind.
Joyce looked at Max. “On second thought, I’d better go with you to help carry the paint cans.” They slipped out the door without another word.
Summer tore open a cellophane bag containing a thick drop cloth. “I’m very busy, Cooper,” she said. “Besides, I asked you to stay away.” She refused to look at him as she spoke, knowing it would only make it harder for her to be firm with him. Already she could feel a frightening current racing through her, but then, her body had always betrayed her where the man was concerned. She refused to give in to it, focusing instead on how he’d humiliated her.
“I’m not here for personal reasons,” he said, trying to sound as professionally detached as Henrietta had warned. Summer needed new advertising accounts, and he meant to hire her if there was a chance he could get back into her good graces.
“I have a business matter I’d like to discuss with you,” he added.
She shot him a dark look. “I can’t imagine us having anything to discuss, much less business.”
“May I sit?” he asked, indicating one of the wooden chairs in the room.
“No, you may not. I’m far too busy to chit-chat with you, Cooper.”
One corner of his mouth twisted in frustration. “Boy, you’re not going to cut me any slack, are you? Or maybe you’ve lost interest in me. Who’s the new guy?”
“What?”
“The guy who was just here?”
Summer frowned. He was talking about Max, of course. She had not forgotten how possessive Cooper could be at times. “That is none of your damn business, Cooper.”
“I think I have a right to know if you’re seeing someone.”
“You’re delusional. I’m free to see anyone I like when I like. It is none of your business.”
“You are a harsh judge, Summer,” he said. “I may have kept things from you, but what we had between us was real. It still is for me.”
“Don’t you get it, Cooper? There is no us. We are finished. You’re no different than your lying, conniving cousin.”
“I know what Warren did,” he said. “He confessed the whole thing. I would never do that to you.” He paused. “Are you interested in hearing my business plans?”
Summer turned to him and crossed her arms. “Not especially, but you seem hell-bent on telling me.”
“I’m ready to take my New Breed bike to the next level,” he said, “but I am competing with the big boys.”
She shrugged. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“I obviously need to advertise.”
She laughed mirthlessly. “Oh, no, you don’t. I am not going to let myself get involved with you personally or professionally.”
“This would be the perfect opportunity for you, Summer. I have three stores in Atlanta alone and a dozen others nationwide. My bikes are the best machinery money can buy, which is why my competitors are unhappy. They want my patent. I could sell it to one of them and walk away with more money than I could hope to spend in three lifetimes.”
“From what I gather you already have enough money. Of course, you tried to pass yourself off as a poor bike mechanic, but I’ve seen your so-called small farm.”
“When was this?”
“Not long ago. It just proved that you lied about that as well.”
“I made a mistake,” he said, “but you acted so hoity-toity the night we met that I wasn’t about to tell you how wrong you were about me. You even looked down on me for having dirt under my nails. It didn’t seem to matter to you that I had a problem with my bike while I was trying to fill in for Warren at the last minute. I could have gone home to change and clean up, but that would have made me even later than I was. I had good intentions, Summer, whether you believe me or not.”
“You allowed me to believe the engagement ring was nothing more than a cheap piece of glass.”
“I never said a thing. You assumed it was cheap. You assumed a lot about me, Summer.”
Summer felt herself getting emotional which was the last thing she needed. “If you’re looking for good advertising go to Worth Advertising. They are old and well-respected.”
“Really? Then why did you resign?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“At least hear me out, Summer,” his voice smooth but insistent. “I’m leaving the country tomorrow for two weeks so you won’t even have to deal with me. You can go straight through my secretary. You’d have full creative control, and an unlimited budget,” he added. When she still didn’t look convinced, he went on. “I would think with you just getting started, this would sound appealing.”
She paused and thought of Max and Joyce. All she had going right now was the Good Shepherd account, but it would not bring in any income. Still, she didn’t know if she could handle the emotional strain of working with Cooper, even if their contact was mi
nimal. She’d suffered enough over him the past few days.
“You can’t afford me,” she said.
“Try me.”
Summer stood there for a moment, not knowing how to respond. She turned and locked gazes with him. “My retainer is half a million bucks.”
He grinned. “You must have one hell of a campaign in mind.”
“See? I’m too pricey for you. Have a good day.”
He reached for his back pocket. “I assume you take checks.”
#
Two weeks later, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution did a full-page story on Joe and Marian Smyth, founders of the Good Shepherd, and it did not take a genius to figure out that Henrietta Pettigrew had a hand in it. Summer had avoided using her grandmother’s celebrity-like status in the past, but now she welcomed it. Once Henrietta signed on, things began to happen. In a few short days, toys and clothes were delivered to the facility, as well as cribs, playpens, hospital beds. Old broken down appliances were replaced, and a large freezer arrived fully stocked. The pantry was filled to bursting.
A number of volunteer contractors, electricians, and plumbers descended on the house, as well as volunteers from various organizations. Marian and Joe wept with happiness.
An editor from the Journal also interviewed a fourteen year-old boy named Sammy who’d lost his family in a car accident and had become paralyzed from the waist down. Although Summer had asked that the newspaper concentrate on the positive aspects of each child, she knew she had absolutely no editorial control. Fortunately, the article turned out to be uplifting. There were pictures of Sammy and several other wheelchair-bound children playing a new form of soccer, and of Sammy scraping plates in the kitchen to show that he was perfectly capable of keeping up with his chores. Sammy’s teachers were interviewed, and they bragged about how bright the boy was and how he refused to let the disability stand in his way. By the end of the week, there were numerous calls from couples interested in adopting the boy.
Although Summer had promised herself to remain somewhat professionally detached from the children, that had lasted all of ten minutes. How could she hold back love to children who gave it so freely? Was it better to play it safe and escape the sadness she felt around disabled children? Of course, playing it safe meant never knowing the full measure of joy and happiness. She quickly learned to look at the children, their interests and personalities, instead of looking at their handicaps.
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