With No Reservations

by Joan Bramsch

  What a beautiful body Annie has! he thought, smiling. Long and voluptuous and satin-smooth. And her wild cloud of silky hair. He grinned as he remembered that postage-stamp-size swimming suit she'd worn. He hadn't been certain at first it would stay on. And when they had kissed, and he'd felt her warm body beneath his for the first time, it was heaven. He was getting aroused just from the memory. If it hadn't been for Ann's ragged-around-the-edges iron control ... Grinning and shaking his head, he climbed back into his car.

  At the Mosey Inn he ordered a hearty soup and spinach salad for lunch. He sat at the same table where he and Ann had dined that first night. Afterward he strolled outside to the porch. He couldn't bring himself to sit on the cushioned glider, though. He didn't want to be here alone. He didn't want to be here at all, he thought, and left the inn.

  Driving back to the hotel, he recalled how they'd talked of their life-styles and where they liked to live. Ann had said she needed the excitement of the hotel business. She loved it. He had said he couldn't breathe in the city. But if they were sensible and discussed it, he was sure they could find a compromise. “If she ever talks to me again,” he muttered. Unheralded, a picture of the Mountainview Inn appeared in his mind.

  He drove past the golf course and recalled their game. She was the first woman he'd played with who was as good as he.

  He parked his car in the hotel garage and went back to his suite. He wanted to stop thinking about Ann, but knew he couldn't. He yanked on the drape cord and the curtains swept open. Gazing out the large picture window, he relived their first night together. She had made her smashing entrance with the police car escort and thrown him for a loop. He had never seen a more beautiful, vivacious woman. He'd felt proud and tremendously lucky that he was the one to escort Ann to the Jade Room. And later, in her room, he'd been thrilled by her free spirit, her caring, loving ways. He had wanted so much to please her, and believed he had. There wasn't a man alive, he was sure, who did not dream of outrageous, delightful, erotic play with a love goddess.

  His pleasant reverie was rudely interrupted when his brain reminded him that he was forgetting one very important point. Ann did not wish to speak to him ever again.

  He began to pace from room to room, a frown creasing his brow. “Dammit!” he muttered. “She can't do this to us."

  Without allowing himself to dwell upon his decision, he strode to the phone and dialed Ann's room.

  "Hello?"

  "Ann, it's Jeff. Now, don't hang up on me. Please."

  How could he do this to her? Ann wondered. She should hang up. She needed to think. But her traitor voice kept talking to the man she loved.

  "What do you want, Jeff?"

  Oh, Annie, he thought. If only he were with her this instant, he'd tell her exactly what he wanted. He'd show her. “We need to talk, love."

  She sighed. “I need to think..."

  "Let me come to your room."

  "Alone."

  "Two heads are better than one,” he said, trying to tease a little laugh from her.

  "Not in this case. I get all confused when I'm with you. Then I can't think at all."

  "Is that a fact? I had no idea I could do that."

  "You can take it to the bank,” she assured him on a sigh.

  "You do the same to me."

  "I find that difficult to believe.” He was trying to take advantage of her vulnerability, she told herself.

  "We could open a joint account, Annie,” he said huskily, hoping his words would sizzle right into her heart and help her to break free of the barriers she'd put up against him. “Let me come to you, love."

  "Not now."

  "When? Tonight?"

  "No, perhaps tomorrow,” she answered, trying to put him off as long as possible. She had to weigh what she knew about him, what she thought she knew, and what she suspected was true. It was so darned confusing, only more so, because she loved him.

  "Do I have to wait that long, honey?"

  "Yes, you do. I have a great deal to think about. Now, please don't call me again."

  "Think fast, Annie,” he said. “Tomorrow is D-day."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Decision day, honey. I love you.” He waited patiently for a moment, then knew she wasn't going to respond. “Good night."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Nine

  The break in the hotel case came at ten-thirty the following morning. Kim called Jeffrey to make her report.

  "The letter came half an hour ago, Jeff. Special delivery."

  "What name, Kim?” he asked eagerly. “Which company was it addressed to?"

  "Caracas International. Isn't that the name you gave to—"

  "Mark Ludlow, the general manager. He must be getting some cut of the profits if he'd inform against the River Regency. My mother pays him a first-rate salary plus bonuses."

  "Either that, or he sells himself cheap,” Kim said.

  "Either way, he's a bastard. Thanks for your help."

  "No problem. Go get ‘em, boss."

  Jeffrey immediately went to his mother's penthouse and told her. She sent for Ludlow. When the general manager saw Jeffrey, all color drained from his face.

  "Is it necessary for us to parade all our proof before you?” Vanessa asked.

  Ludlow hung his head and looked ashamed of himself. “That won't be necessary, Mrs. Cummings,” he said, his voice breaking.

  "Mr. Ludlow, you are hereby fired, effective immediately. Your final check is waiting for you in Accounting."

  Jeffrey watched as the man seemed to age ten years in the blink of an eye. Why didn't people realize that there was no free lunch? he thought with disgust.

  "You came with high recommendations, Mr. Ludlow,” Vanessa said. “I hope you realize that I cannot provide you with the same."

  Ludlow nodded.

  "I will, however, release a memo to the staff explaining that you have resigned, effective immediately, to accept another position in another city."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Cummings."

  She turned away, wrapping her arms around her waist. Lifting her chin, she blinked rapidly as she stared out the window at the river below. “You are dismissed."

  After Ludlow had gone, Jeffrey gathered his mother into a big bear hug. “Come on, Legs. You did the right thing."

  "I know.” She sniffled delicately. “But I never quite get used to doing it. Your father used to tell me that I'd never be tough enough to fire someone without hurting almost as much as the ex-employee."

  "Shows what a neat lady you are, Mom. You've got heart."

  "Thank you, darling.” She patted his cheek and gave him a bittersweet smile. “Now then, don't you have someplace to go? I have a mountain of work to do."

  He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the lips. “I'm out of here."

  "You're out of this world, darling."

  "Aw, Legs, I keep telling you. You're prejudiced."

  It took Jeffrey almost forty-five minutes to find Ann. She was still assigned to the parking garage. As he jogged up the ramp to the third level, he finally spotted her. She was seated behind the wheel of an old Cadillac that looked about a block long.

  "Hi, Annie,” he called, strolling over to the car. “I've been looking all over for you, honey."

  She turned her head and sent a glare his way that almost knocked him over with its intensity.

  "What's wrong?” he asked, his stomach curling into a knot.

  "What's wrong?” she screamed. She threw the car into gear and laid rubber for a hundred feet before she careened the lumbering giant into a parking spot. The screeching protest of the brakes could be heard all over the garage.

  Jeffrey stood where he was, not knowing if she was going to get out of the car ... or turn the damn thing around and try to ram him into a concrete wall. Whatever was bothering her, she was about as mad as he'd ever seen anyone.

  Then he saw a transformation that made his blood run cold.

  She climbed o
ut of the car, slammed the door, and methodically locked it, then turned and walked toward him with slow, measured steps.

  "Annie love?” He actually felt like taking a step backward, but held his ground. “Annie, we have to talk."

  "You did it, didn't you?” The words stuck in her throat but still sounded to her like a death knell. And they were. Tolling the moments until her love for Jeffrey would completely die.

  "What are you talking about, Ann? Did what?"

  "Convinced the general manager to accept your offer."

  "Ann, you don't know what you're talking about."

  "He's gone, Jeffrey. How much longer before you get the public relations director and the convention manager?"

  "Let me explain."

  "Headhunter! That's what you are. I told you I couldn't forgive you for that."

  "You're coming with me.” He grabbed her hand, almost crushing it in his hard grip.

  "Stop this. I'm not going anywhere with you."

  "Like hell you aren't, Ms. Waverly."

  He dragged her behind him. At the exit of the garage Mike got up from behind his desk and stood at the door.

  "Is there a problem?” he asked, glancing from one face to the other. “Anything I can do to help?"

  "Yes, Mike,” Ann gasped. “I'm being-"

  "She's been called to the office,” Jeffrey interrupted. “There's an emergency, Mike."

  "Hope it's nothing serious,” Mike said, stepping aside.

  Inside the hotel lobby Jeffrey took Ann's elbow in an iron grip and marched her toward the elevators.

  "I suggest you keep walking, Ms. Waverly,” he said when he felt her trying to lag behind, actually skidding on her heels to slow him up. “And I wouldn't advise you to make a scene in the middle of the lobby either. It would be a very tacky thing to do at the River Regency."

  Ann looked around anxiously, trying to catch one of the other employees’ attention. She sighed in relief when she saw Charles get off the penthouse elevator.

  "Charles, help me,” she said frantically. “Stop this lunatic. Call the police. Do something."

  Charles halted in front of the pair, a puzzled expression on his dark face. “Jeffrey, where are you taking this sweet little girl?"

  Jeffrey stood toe to toe with his good friend. His grip on Ann's arm did not decrease. “Out of my way, Charles. Ann and I have a few things to get straightened out."

  When the man wisely moved aside, Ann was jerked past him into the elevator. She watched Jeffrey pull a key from his pocket and insert it into the elevator lock. The doors glided closed and with a tiny whoosh the elevator began to rise.

  "Where did you get that key?” she asked snidely. “Steal it?"

  Jeffrey would not permit himself to give her even a cutting glance. His anger was beginning to reach the boiling point. In another second or two, Mt. St. Helens wouldn't have a thing on him.

  "Well?” Ann prodded. “Did you steal it, Jeffrey? Are you also a thief?” Her own anger was burning off some of the pain in the place where her heart had once dwelled. He'd stolen that too.

  "Be quiet, woman."

  She jerked her arm away and backed into a corner. “I will not be quiet. Where do you think you're taking me?"

  "To see your boss."

  The doors opened at that moment, and Jeffrey grabbed Ann's hand again. He pulled her off the elevator and into his mother's office.

  Vanessa was seated at her desk, inspecting some papers. When Jeffrey and Ann burst into the room, she lifted her head and looked from one angry red face to the other. Then she met her son's fiery eyes, and smiled pleasantly.

  "Yes, what is it?"

  "I've had about all I can take for one day,” he said, “so I brought Ann to you. Will you please tell this addle-brained woman why the hell I'm here?"

  "Of course I will, Jeffrey.” She turned to Ann. “Jeffrey is an investigator of white-collar crime. He's been working on a case for me. I'm going to share a confidence with you now. Mr. Ludlow did not resign for a better position. I fired him."

  "But why?” Ann asked, completely bewildered.

  "He was helping our competition underbid us on convention business. He was one of three suspects. Jeffrey helped me get the proof I needed to take action."

  Ann's rosy cheeks became wan. Now that she knew the complete story, so many other parts of the puzzle dropped into place. Jeffrey was not an executive recruiter. He had been working undercover for Vanessa. Then why had Vanessa let her think...

  "But you let me think he was a headhunter,” she said. “Why didn't you trust me? I can't believe that you didn't."

  Her outrage galvanized Jeffrey to his mother's defense. “Why should she trust you, Annie? This was a major business problem. You're being trained for a lower-level position. Surely, you don't think you're equipped to handle executive decisions."

  That did it! Ann snatched her arm away from his grasp and marched to Vanessa's desk. She planted her feet firmly in place and balled her fists on her hips. And almost broke the glass in the picture window with her narrowed, incensed glare.

  "I've about had it with this guy,” she said angrily. “Will you tell this obnoxious bully who the hell I am?"

  Smiling, Vanessa obliged. “Certainly, my dear.” She turned back to her son. “Jeffrey, Ann is training to be my personal executive assistant.” She savored the expression on his face. She'd, wager his chin dropped at least four inches. “You did say I should ease up, didn't you, dear?"

  Dumbfounded, all Jeffrey could do was sputter for several seconds. Then he found his voice again and stepped forward. “But why the unorthodox job switches?"

  Vanessa continued to smile as she rose from her chair and walked around to the front of her rosewood desk. She reached up to pat Jeffrey's cheek. “Haven't I always done things my way, darling?"

  The two continued to stare at each other, and Ann stared ,at both of them, sensing that she was waiting for another shoe to drop. Jeffrey looked as if he were going to have a stroke. Such a red face! Then he expelled a gust of air.

  "Mother!” he said.

  Mother?

  "Now, son."

  Son?

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Ten

  Ann almost fainted when she heard Jeffrey and Vanessa speak. Mother? Son? What in the world was going on here? In a daze she staggered over to the sofa and collapsed on the soft cushions.

  Her mind simply refused to accept this piece of information, much less digest it. She began to rock back and forth, staring out the window, but seeing nothing.

  Vanessa was the first to speak. “Jeffrey Madison Cummings, look what you've done to this poor girl."

  Waving his arms, Jeffrey began to pace back and forth across the room. “I've done?” he yelled. “My own mother does a double-cross and then blames me.” He turned and shook his finger at his mother. “Legs, I warned you about that crazy intrigue stuff."

  Ann moaned, bringing Jeffrey's attention back to her. Moaning himself, he rushed to her. He fell on his knees before her and took both her hands in his, patting them. “Ann,” he said frantically. “Look at me. Talk to me.” When Ann only shook her head, he turned to his mother. “Help me, Mother,” he pleaded.

  Vanessa smiled at her son. “You seem to be in an ideal position to do something constructive, darling,” she said as she walked toward the door. “I have to go downstairs now to schedule some interviews.” She blew Jeffrey a kiss. “I love you, son.” And then she was gone..

  Jeffrey was too upset to notice how calm his mother had appeared all through this ordeal. Beside himself with worry, all he could think about was Ann. His Annie.

  He stroked her pale cheeks with trembling fingers. Crooning her name, he tried to look into her eyes, hoping to make her focus on him. But she continued to stare blankly out the window.

  "Annie love. Darling,” he said. “Speak to me, sweetheart. I love you. I've loved you almost from the first night I got here.” Tenderly he kissed her cheek, sm
oothing his lips to her temple. “Listen to me, Annie. I ... love ... you."

  Ann blinked. Once, twice, then she turned her head to look into his clear blue eyes. Oh, she thought dreamily. Jeffrey had the most beautiful eyes in all the world. In them she could see how much he loved her. It was there for everyone to see. But especially for her.

  "I love you too, Jeff,” she replied, sighing tremulously. Tears began to fall, spilling unheeded down her smooth skin. “I thought I'd never be able to tell you again."

  They fell into each other's arms, both trying to kiss away the pain. Jeffrey brushed her hair away from her damp face; Ann traced his mouth, now curved in a jubilant smile.

  "Oh, love,” he said. “I don't ever want to be separated from you again.” He kissed her. “I thought I'd die when you refused to see me."

  She laughed. “I've spent happier hours myself. But I thought you were stealing people from my boss."

  Suddenly she stared at him. “Jeffrey, my boss is your mother!"

  "How can such a beautiful woman be so intelligent as well?” he asked in a teasing tone before he kissed her breathless.

  Distracted by unfinished business, Ann gently pulled from his embrace. “Jeff ... your mother. She knew. She knew exactly what was going on. She planned it.” Ann shook her head. “Why would she do all this? And to us?"

  Jeffrey's face lit up with a big happy grin. “I guess she couldn't pass up a sure thing,” he said, carefully wiping a tear from the corner of Ann's eye. She had the most beautiful eyes in the world, he thought fondly.

  Ann still did not quite feel herself. Too much had happened. Her mind was not as sharp as usual.

  "What sure thing?” she asked, blinking again.

  "My mother loves it when a plan comes together."

  "What plan?” Good night! she fumed inwardly.

  She knew she hadn't always been this dense. What in the world was wrong with her?

  "You'd better hang on tight, Annie. I think you're going to be in for another shock."

  "Jeffrey, don't beat around the bush. After what I've found out so far today, nothing else could shock me."

  "Don't bet on it, love."