by Emery, Lynn
She put a hand on one hip and shook her head with a smile. “Oh, please.”
“Hop in and let’s celebrate the end of another workweek.” He was still dressed in his work clothes.
Monette went around the front of the Jeep and got in on the passenger side. “Well I’ve been working, but looks like you’ve had the day off. That outfit looks mighty clean and pressed. I don’t think you’ve been near an engine,” she teased.
“Mostly stayed in the office today. Got two new mechanics, thanks to you.”
“Me?” Monette snapped the seat belt into place and looked at him.
“Sure. Between those commercials on KTQL and appearing on your show, my business has increased ten percent. We needed more hands.”
“Of course the fact that you do good work has something to do with it.” Monette smiled back at him, and then glanced away.
“Yes. You bring in the customers and I make sure they keep coming back. We make a great team.”
“Glad I could help,” Monette replied.
“Okay, enough about business. Let’s shake off any frustrations or problems associated with work. Fun is now on the agenda.” Jayson brushed a kiss across her lips before Monette could reply. His deep voice hummed along with a rhythm and blues song on the radio as he drove from the parking lot
True to his word, Jayson kept the tone light for the next hour. Monette enjoyed the feeling of letting go for the first time that week. They dined out at Kiva’s, an upscale restaurant far away from the kind of world Monette saw most of the week. A jazz quartet provided perfect mood music. Muted lighting and the elegant décor must have been just what she’d needed. Monette finally let go of the worries of the day.
“Thanks, and not just for dinner. You always seem to know how to restore me.” Monette touched his face with the tips of her fingers.
Jayson kissed them. “My motives aren’t totally unselfish.”
“Now if I could just go home to my own place tonight. Nothing fancy. Maybe a little apartment in a nice part of town. A neighborhood where I won’t hear some kid’s speakers blasting X-rated rap lyrics. Or gunfire.” Monette grinned as she leaned closer to whisper. She looked at the upper-class clientele around them. “These folks have no clue about that kind of life.”
“It will happen, baby. How about you come home with me tonight?” Jayson held her hand as though he intended to sweep her away from all unpleasantness.
“I think that could be arranged. Since I’m a semi-free woman these days with overnight visiting privileges. Just have to leave contact info with the staff.” Monette gazed into his eyes. She savored being the object of his desire. The magic moment ended when a tall woman approached.
“Excuse me, Ms. Victor. I’m Elaine Strassner with the Advocate. How are you?” The woman stuck out her hand.
“We’re having dinner.” Monette looked at her hard. She recognized the name. Elaine Strassner had written the article that had pretty much trashed Monette and cast doubt on her story about Winn.
“Yes. I don’t want to interrupt your evening,” Strassner went on.
“You already have,” Monette cut in.
“Naturally I’ll make an appointment to meet with you. Here’s my card.” Strassner held it out, and then placed it on the table when Monette didn’t take it “You have a chance to get your side of the story out there.”
“I can save us both a lot of time and trouble. No comment.” Monette could hear her voice getting louder and feel her temper running hot.Strassner looked at Jayson sideways. “Are you aware that Winn Barron personally contacted friends who are using their influence to—?”
“I don’t give a damn about Winn Barron,” Monette snarled. She started to go on but noticed two couples nearby staring at them.
“Ms. Strassner, this isn’t a good time or place,” Jayson broke in. “Ms. Victor has your card. Thank you.”
“Of course. I look forward to hearing from you.” Strassner’s leggy stride took her across the dining room. She joined a male companion who waited for her at the door. With one last glance at Monette, she left.
“Humph.” Monette glared at the woman through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. “She’ll be waiting forever to get that call.”
Jayson did not say anything for several minutes. The waitress brought their food, and then left before he spoke. “I’m not going to let anything else mess with our evening.”
Monette wished the incident could be so easily dismissed, but she knew better. “I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into my soap opera life.”
“Hey, I’m used to having a celebrity girlfriend,” Jayson said with a gentle smile. “No problem.”
“Yes, Jayson, it is a problem. I appreciate how understanding you’ve been, but… damn,” Monette blurted out. The people at the next table seemed to lean toward them to hear more. Monette lowered her voice and pulled her hand free of his. “This isn’t working.”
“Our celebration? Or do you mean something more?” Jayson said. His gaze searched her face for answers.
“We both know what I mean.” Monette looked away to avoid getting lost in his dark eyes. “Listen to your kid, Jayson. Lenae has good instincts.”
“I love her, but no eight-year-old is going to dictate my love life,” Jayson insisted.
“Get real. She’s a big part of your life and she can’t stand me. Not to mention the rest of your family is probably less than thrilled.” Monette gulped down sweet tea and wished it were something with more of a kick.
“Nonsense. My family can’t wait to meet you. Look, honey, I know you’ve had a rough week. Okay, a rough month,” Jayson added when Monette shot a glance at him.
“Hate to tell you this, but drama is routine for me. Let’s just postpone the family get-together. I’m not up for it.” Monette fidgeted with her napkin.
“All right. In a week or so when things cool down for you,” Jayson said, his voice even and reasonable.
“Not gonna happen. Listen, bottom line: we need to skip it altogether.” Monette risked a look at him.
“What are you saying?” Jayson’s brow furrowed as he leaned in, as though he couldn’t have heard her right.
‘This whole idea of meet the family is—I’m not feeling it.” Monette swallowed hard and looked away.
“Meaning?” Jayson pressed. He continued to stare at Monette.
“I don’t think it’s such a great idea,” Monette said. She looked at him again and smiled. “What we have is sweet. Why mess with perfection?”
“You make it sound like we’re just out to sex each other. Little bit of this and that, no biggie.” Jayson’s eyes narrowed.
“Of course we’ve got much more than the physical thing.” Monette could not continue to hold his gaze. She studied her tea glass. “Let’s keep it simple is all I’m saying.”
“Monette, you’ve become an important part of my world. And you know how I feel about family. I don’t see keeping you separate.” Jayson huffed with frustration. He put an arm around the back of her chair. “I thought we were on the same page about where our relationship was headed.”
“Keeping it between us, sure. I want you and all that.” Monette touched his strong hand.
“‘All that’ means planning a future together. The first step is to become one as a family. Yours and mine,” Jayson said softly.
“Honestly, I just don’t see your dignified family and my rowdy relatives in the same room. Child, one day you’ll thank me,” Monette said with a grin. Her attempt at humor fell flat with him.
Jayson’s tight expression did not unwind. “Listen, if this is about Lenae, then we should discuss it. We can’t expect her to adjust overnight.”
‘Tell you the truth; I can’t deal with it right now. I’m still sweating this pardon thing, trying to hammer out another book, and that’s not all. More pressure is the last thing I need.” Monette tried not to sound snappish, which was how she felt. “We both need to feel comfortable about the whole thing, right?”
“Right.”
Jayson took his arm down from behind her. He gazed at his hands clasped together on top of the table. The waitress came and left the bill when Jayson assured her they didn’t want dessert. Once he’d paid, they left Kiva’s. Neither said a word as they got into his Jeep. As Jayson drove off the parking lot, Monette searched around for something to say. She darted glances at his somber profile. When he didn’t make a move, she turned on the compact disc player. Jayson put all of his attention into driving.
“I hope this isn’t our first fight,” Monette said after a few more minutes. The silence was worse than talking. She almost wished he would yell at her.
“No. You’ve made your position clear,” Jayson said in an even voice. “I misunderstood where we were headed.” “Can we take it a little slower? For the past year my life has been like the starship Enterprise going at warp speed. I’ve got so much to live up to these days. I know I come across as the smart-ass comeback kid, but I’m scared. About a lot of stuff.” Monette blinked hard to keep from crying. “The idea of facing your family and being judged by them as well threw me.”
Jayson slowed the Jeep as they approached a traffic light, which turned yellow, then red. He sighed and rubbed his face with one hand. “Yeah, I see what you’re saying.” Monette exhaled with relief. “I appreciate you being patient with me.”
“Just tell me one thing.” Jayson looked at her.
“Sure, baby.” Monette put a hand on his solid thigh.“When will you be ready? Your past won’t change. Pardon or not, my family will still know about Winn Barron and the rest.” The intensity in his eyes did not waver. Despite his calm tone, he was demanding an answer.
“Umm, maybe when I’m not juggling so many things,” Monette replied.
He drove on when a horn behind them honked. “Right.”
“Look, we’ll both have a lot less on our plates one of these days. I mean, you’ve got the business and plans to expand. Slowing down could be good for you—and especially Lenae,” Monette said rapidly. The tightening of his jaw muscle worried her. Jayson’s handsome profile seemed etched in stone.
“I’m ready. Lenae will get used to it faster if she sees us together more. But I guess that’s out since you don’t want us spending time together.” Jayson’s voice had a dead quality to it.
“No, we can take Lenae out with us once in a while,” Monette said.
Still, she dreaded seeing those intense little eyes watching her every move and finding her inadequate. Lenae saw right through Monette. She knew that Monette would fail at being a stepmother the same way she had failed at being a mother. Jayson must have heard a hint of fear in Monette’s tone. He reached over and pried her fingers loose as they twisted nervously.
“Honey, it’s okay. Slow,” Jayson said softly. Compassion and understanding were reflected in his eyes when he glanced back at her.
Monette felt a tear slide down her right cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you back,” Jayson said, then turned the Jeep toward his house.
*
Monday morning had been going pretty good. Monette felt refreshed from the weekend. She’d left KTQL and gone to Second Chances. Paperwork and phone calls had filled up two hours. The frenetic pace had worn her out by lunchtime. She was about to leave when Danica came in.
“Hey, girl. I was on my way out,” Monette said. “Gotta get more work done on that book or those folks will demand their money back. And we can’t have that.” Monette tossed items into her briefcase. She laughed and glanced up. Danica wore a grim expression.
“We might have a problem. There has been a string of burglaries in the businesses around two of our job sites,” Danica said, then stopped when the door opened. Kim came in, looking just as gloomy.
“And?” Monette prompted.
“One of the businesses, a temp agency, is in the same block where Candi and Lenore work. The first-floor office is missing a computer, a fax machine and a copier. A secretary blabbed to the investigating officers that two ex-convicts worked in the next building.”
Candi worked as a clerk in a small business-supply store, and Lenore was an apprentice assistant manager at a spa. Both job sites were located in a busy, upscale shopping complex. Danica had set up on-the-job training for them using contacts she’d made through the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. Monette knew full well that any serious problems could hurt Danica’s chances to use those contacts in the future. Still, Monette’s first instinct was to defend her friends.
“Wait a minute. First, the office staff where they work shouldn’t have gossiped about our participants with anyone,” Monette snapped. “Second, we know how so-called normal folks view ex-offenders.”
“That was my reaction in the beginning, too, Monette. But Candi didn’t help matters either. Seems she got chummy with the janitorial crew that cleans the buildings in that area. That could be where it came from. I had to talk to her about it. Apparently she started dating one of the men. He’s married. His wife came to the office and made a big scene the other day.” Danica held up both hands. “I’m just finding all this out.”
“Only a couple of secretaries were at the office,” Kim added. “Candi persuaded them to keep it quiet. With the police showing up to investigate the burglaries, more problems came out.”
“Such as?” Monette thought of Candi. She could see her permanent wise-ass expression as clearly as if the woman was standing in front of her.
Kim and Danica exchanged a glance. Then Kim spoke up. “Candi started balking at taking instructions from some of the younger secretaries. Nothing serious. But the office manager met with her twice and got attitude back from her.”
Danica sighed in resignation. “Lenore has been messing up as well. Taking fifteen-minute breaks instead of ten minutes. Talking on the phone too much. Hanging out with Candi when they both should be working.”
“I get the impression that the office managers were, uh, reluctant to tell us all this before.” Kim cleared her throat.
Monette crossed her arms. “You mean scared of them.”
“They didn’t come out and threaten them,” Kim said.
“There are all kinds of ways to intimidate someone.” Monette knew all too well the methods of bullying employees without making a direct threat. She’d seen it done in prison countless times.
Danica nodded. “Yeah. Those ladies begged us not to say who told. I think they’re scared of Candi.”
“They need to straighten up their acts.” Monette scowled at Danica and Kim as though looking at the two culprits. “We’ll make damn sure they get the message. Still, that isn’t a reason to accuse them of stealing.”
“They’ve been wandering all over buildings they had no business visiting, Monette. Lenore and Candi put themselves in a position to be suspects, if you ask me,” Kim said bluntly.
“We should get all the facts first,” Danica replied.
“And pray some reporter doesn’t get hold of this,” Kim said with a frown.
Monette’s heart thumped hard enough to make her chest hurt. “Baton Rouge has lots of burglaries. No reason these should draw special attention.”
“Let’s hope not. We don’t need that kind of press. I’ve spent four years building up relationships and a reputation in this city.” Danica sat down hard and rubbed her forehead.
“We need to find out about the police investigation from Mr. Hargrove. He should have copies of the two reports he filed for insurance purposes,” Monette said. She rocked her chair as she talked. “Tell him to fax them to us.”
“Assuming they have a fax machine left,” Kim blurted out.
“Don’t even joke about that,” Danica tossed back with a grimace.
“I was just saying—” Kim started to argue.
“Okay, ladies, take a deep breath and relax. There is no reason to think the worst,” Monette said, forcing a light tone in her voice.
“I’ll go get the police reports.” Kim strode out wearing a seri
ous expression.
“We have to jump on this thing fast, Monette.” Danica’s tone said she wasn’t looking forward to it.
“I know. Get Candi and Lenore in here. I’ll deal with them,” Monette clipped. “I talked you into giving them a chance. I should have known better.”
Danica stood. “Don’t take responsibility for their behavior. They’re adults. Besides, you didn’t talk me into anything. I agreed that they were right for Opportunity Knocking. So did Sherrial and Trudy.”
“Yeah.” Monette didn’t feel any better. Just like with Jayson, she knew full well that her powers of persuasion had made a difference. More than ever Monette wondered whether, for all her big talk, she had truly changed.
“Don’t beat yourself up about this. Most of the staff has gone to lunch, and the girls won’t be here until around three o’clock.” Danica stood and tugged her short jacket into place. The soft olive green suit she wore made her look ready to take care of business. So did her determined expression. “Bring them to my office.”
“Okay.” Monette tried to take some comfort in her words as she went to the conference room, where Lenore and Candi were joking around.
“Hey, Monette.” Lenore grinned at her.
“What’s up?” Candi snapped her fingers and pointed at Monette.
“We need to talk. Follow me to Danica’s office.” Monette stared at them without smiling.The women exchanged a glance and stood. Candi shrugged, then walked past Monette. Lenore chewed her bottom lip. She seemed about to speak but instead followed Candi out. None of them spoke in the few moments it took to arrive at Danica’s office. Monette had composed herself in that time. When the three women entered, Danica nodded at them.
“Have a seat, ladies.”
“Wow, so formal. Kinda like that. About time we get treated like ladies. Hello.” Candi sat down in one of the chairs in front of the director’s wide desk. She crossed her legs and gazed back at Monette with a bland expression. Her mouth worked as she chewed a wad of gum.
“Hi, Danica,” Lenore said softly. She darted a nervous gaze at Monette as she sat on the edge of another chair.