by Amy Harmon
But Paul really had been right. Breezy could get a job somewhere else. Unfortunately, she wanted to stay in Aspen Grove enough that she was going to try to stick it out in hopes of eventually getting her job back. Or until she just couldn’t do it any more.
Hurricane or no hurricane.
Batten down the hatches, indeed.
For just one second, Breezy rebelled against Pamela’s command and was tempted to toss just a little inaccuracy into today’s forecast, but her professionalism wouldn’t allow it. She’d won awards for her accuracy and she would continue to do so.
Fiona rolled her chair over next to Breezy’s. “When a house lands on her, I’m going to grab her red shoes and run.”
Breezy laughed. “We’ll follow the yellow brick road together.”
“Hey,” Fiona said teasingly. “We can finally get Chad those brains he’s been wanting.”
“I like Chad. But I’m thinking we can get Mr. Drake that heart he’s been missing.”
* * *
Friday, April 19
“Pamela’s been at work three days. What’s the response so far?” Noah took a bite of his Chinese takeout and looked at Gabe.
At eleven on Friday night, nearly everyone else had gone home. He could hear a few voices down the hall, but they pretty much had the station—and the break room—to themselves.
The break room had five tables and two fridges along the far wall for people to stash their sack lunches. Noah never brought a lunch; he ordered takeout. Ditto for dinner. In fact, Noah had been living on Kung Pao Chicken and breaded shrimp from The Great Wall Chinese restaurant for the last week.
He’d been so busy stepping into the previous general manager’s large shoes that he needed to work through his mealtimes for now. And he was grateful to have Gabe helping him with the employees. Noah’s forte was negotiating, mediating, and hobnobbing with officials—like Aspen Grove’s mayor, who had approached him to become a sponsor for the upcoming Mayor’s Gala. Noah had promised the station’s monetary support.
Gabe’s ability to mingle and assess was his strength and one of Noah’s secret weapons. People always seemed willing to reveal personal information to Gabe that they would never confide in anyone else, including Noah. Especially Noah.
He hoped Gabe had good news for him.
His friend swallowed a bite of sweet and sour pork and patted his mouth with his napkin. “Morale is down throughout most of the station. Except for the guys in sales and editing, who for some reason seem to love Pamela.”
“How are the ratings? Up or down?”
“The good news is that the ratings haven’t gone down and have maybe inched up a notch. Not much, but hopefully the start of a good trend.”
Noah nodded. “And the bad news?”
“We’ve received some negative emails in record time. Pretty opinionated, too.”
“Not so good.” Noah grimaced and took a sip of water.
“Here, let me read you one.” Gabe pulled out his Blackberry. “I don’t know who this Pamela person is, but I want Breezy back. There’s been a Jones doing the weather in Aspen Grove for over thirty years. And why isn’t Paul Nelson doing the news any more? I don’t like the changes you’re making.” He looked up. “Need I go on? There are three other emails casting aspersions on your family tree.”
“Ouch.”
“This is a small-town region. Close knit. Pamela might be too over-the-top for them.”
Noah sighed. “Go ahead. Read the others.”
Gabe did so. Different writers, same theme: Change is bad.
But these complaints didn’t make a difference at this point. Noah couldn’t change Bentley’s plan because a few townspeople were pouting. He’d need more than that. But he wasn’t pleased at all that people were responding so vehemently, so soon. He needed a little time to get the ratings moving up. “They’ll get used to Pamela’s style.”
“I hope so.” Gabe set his phone down beside his container of food and took another bite.
Noah hoped so, too. He dipped his large breaded shrimp into the red and yellow sauce. When his sinuses whomped open, he knew he’d gotten too much yellow. Again. “Whoa.”
Gabe laughed. “You do that every time.”
“I know. You’d think I’d learn.” Noah wiped his fingers on his napkin. “How’s the weather girl doing?”
“Did we just time warp? Because I thought we were just discussing her.”
“No. The other one. The cute one.” He waved his hand as if he didn’t care about the answer. “You know. Breezy.”
“The ray of sunshine? She’s very good at meteorology. I’ve been checking up on her. Her work is great. She gets awards for accuracy. She could get a job anywhere else in an instant. You may lose her if you’re not careful.”
“I hope she’ll settle in.” Noah looked at his friend. “I gave her a raise.”
“While that is an amazing personal accomplishment for you, money isn’t everything, Noah. Not to people as passionate about their work as Breezy.”
“I know. I know. But it can help. She’s got to want her job back. What else can you give her that will give her the sense of satisfaction the weather gives her? Figure that out.”
Noah nodded. “Good idea.”
“I am full of good ideas.”
“You’re full of something. Hand the shrimp container back over here.”
“You’re the boss.”
“Oh, sure, now you remember.” After eating the last shrimp, this time without yellow sauce, Noah pushed back the two empty containers and sighed deeply. “I should marry the chef from The Great Wall.”
“Are you sure? Because the chef is an old Chinese dude. I think you need to get a life. Maybe even date a nice girl. I know that’s a radical thought. Not someone like Pamela.”
“Definitely not Pamela.”
“I said nice.” Gabe laughed. “Afraid?”
“Oh, yeah. I need someone less threatening to my manhood.”
“Then ask Breezy out. She’s cute and very nice. Everyone likes her. Even you. Admit it.”
“Okay. Yes. Breezy is nice. And I do like her. But not like that. Little girls are not my style.”
Though he remembered how she’d made him feel the last time she’d been in his office and he wasn’t being entirely truthful. He’d caught a glimpse of the grown-up woman inside Breezy Jones and he’d been surprised. And definitely intrigued.
* * *
A few minutes later, Noah heard a familiar voice in the hallway calling out, “See you guys tomorrow.” He locked gazes with Gabe, who grinned. “Karma. I’m sure of it. You must have been very naughty in your previous lifetime.”
Pamela poked her head around the door. “Ahh, there you guys are. I’ve been looking for you.”
Noah repressed a groan. He wasn’t in the mood for more drama, and, after the last few days, he could unequivocally state that Pamela was the Queen of Drama.
“What’s up?” asked Gabe, his usual welcoming self.
Pamela smiled at them warmly. “My car’s giving me problems. The garage people here in town, Ethan somebody’s company, towed it to their garage earlier, so I need a ride home.”
Gabe said, “I’m heading out. I can drop you off.”
Relieved, Noah smiled at Gabe. Thanks.
Pamela walked behind Gabe and rubbed his shoulders for a moment. “That’s sweet of you, Sugar, but I have a few station items I’d like to discuss with Noah. This will give us a few moments to talk.”
Gabe grinned at Noah and mouthed, I tried.
When Pamela patted Gabe’s shoulders and moved toward Noah, Gabe stood and tossed his food containers in the trash can. “Guess I’m out of here then. See you both Monday.”
Noah stood, too, and reached for his Styrofoam container.
Pamela leaned over and put a hand on Noah’s forearm. “So what do you say, Sugar? Drive me home?”
Her motion put her cleavage on fine display. He looked into her eyes and forced a sm
ile. “Sure. Let me throw this away and grab my briefcase.”
“Okay. I’ll be out talking with the peasants.” Pamela waved and left the break room.
The peasants? Was she serious? He’d known she was a diva, but she seemed to have grown worse since he’d worked with her two years before.
As he tossed his trash away, he shook his head, finding himself hesitant to leave the room.
Okay, man up. How bad could a drive home with Pamela be, anyway? Just because the last time he’d given her a ride, two years ago, she’d tried to seduce him. He’d escaped, but wasn’t looking forward to fending her off again. Sweet young things might not be his style, but neither were man-eating sharks.
He reached the foyer and found Pamela flirting with the security guard. When she spotted Noah, she patted the guard’s arm, said, “See you Monday, Sugar,” and took Noah’s arm. “Ready for some action?”
Noah waited until they’d gone out the automatic doors and were out of earshot outside before saying, “No action tonight, Pamela.”
“That’s what you said last time.”
She was still pouting when she climbed into his sleek, silver Corvette.
He placed his briefcase in the backseat. He hesitated for a fraction of a second and then bit the bullet, climbed in beside her, and started the engine. He wanted to get her out of his car as quickly as possible. “Where are you staying?”
“A quaint little bed and breakfast on Sapphire Street. They have great breakfasts, if you want to try some.”
Ignoring her innuendo, he gunned the car. He’d seen Sapphire Street before and could find his way there. Even in the dark, since the moon was hiding behind clouds.
“Whoa. What’s the hurry, Handsome?” Pamela scooted over closer. “Are you as excited to get to my place as I am?”
“Pamela—” he began to protest.
She placed her hand on his thigh, and he jumped and swerved. “Stop that.”
She ignored him and rubbed higher.
When he pulled over, parked, and lifted her hand off his thigh, she clutched his hand and leaned in closer. “Noah, you know I’ve wanted you for a long time.”
“Pamela, I don’t have workplace romances.”
She smiled up at him. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to my room? It gets really lonely here in Aspen Grove. I know you must be lonely, too.”
“You know my rules.” Safety in rules. Safety from man-hunting sharks.
She paused, sighed dramatically, and fell back into the passenger seat. “I hate your stupid rules.”
He would have smiled if he wasn’t so rattled by her. He pulled out and they were quiet for another block. He thought about Breezy, and figured he might just bend his rule in her case.
The steering wheel began to wobble. Badly. “What the...?” He pulled the car over. “Do we have a flat?”
He checked. Sure enough, there was a flat tire, rear driver side.
Pamela climbed out on her side. “You’ve got a flat, all right.” Only she was pointing to the passenger tire.
He went around to check it out. Incredulous, he said, “Two flat tires at the same time? What are the odds of that happening?”
“We’re stranded?” Pamela stepped closer to Noah and looked around nervously.
He worked hard to not roll his eyes at her act. “It’s a quiet residential street. I’m pretty sure we’re safe.”
“But what are we going to do? It’s nearly eleven and everyone on this street has their house lights off. They must all be asleep.”
“I might as well not bother changing the tire, because I only have one spare.” He looked over at her. “So while I’m figuring out who to call to come pick us up, did you have something about work you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Nothing that won’t wait until Monday. I’ll come to your office then. This isn’t the time.”
Figured. He pulled out his phone and dialed Gabe’s number.
No response.
Great. He was stuck here with Pamela the Shark. At ten-thirty at night. With no one else to call. Could things get any worse?
It started to rain.
* * *
“Candy, this pie is delicious.” Breezy’s favorite, cherry pie à la mode, was disappearing fast from her plate.
Behind the café counter, Candy put a hand on a hip. “It’s the least I can do for you ladies for helping me set up this new display case. Thanks again for staying late.”
Dani Davidson lifted a fork full of her favorite, chocolate silk pie. in salute. “Thanks for staying open late and giving us scrumptious pie.”
Candy laughed. “I got the best of this deal. It’s barely past ten-thirty. I’d have been up until two putting this thing together by myself.”
The café normally closed at ten. They’d started building the display at nine and had made quick work of it.
Breezy swallowed another bite. “Are you kidding? I needed something to do to keep my mind off work. And now I’m just going to go home and not even think about work any more.”
Candy filled their water glasses. “You coming to our next Chick Flick Clique night?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Dani said.
Breezy nodded her agreement, and then asked, “Have you heard how Beth’s father is doing?”
Candy shook her head as she put the pies back into the large refrigerated display behind the counter. “I haven’t. I need to give her a call.”
“Let us know what you find out.” Dani set down her fork. “I’ve been worried about her.”
“Me, too,” Breezy said. “I’ve been worried about Paul, too. I’m throwing a retirement party for him so I need to order some cakes from you.”
Candy pulled out her pad and they decided what kind and how many and when and where.
“And everyone in town is invited. Except the new boss.”
“Which one? Noah or Pamela?”
“Both!” Candy and Breezy said in unison, and then smiled at each other.
Dani turned to Breezy. “What are you going to do about her, anyway? How are you going to work with such a witch?”
“Get a bucket of water to put by my desk, I guess.” Breezy pushed her empty pie plate forward and wiped her lips with her napkin. “She’s driving me crazy. The only reason I’m not in total despair is because Gabe and Noah aren’t fawning over her like some of the other guys. Noah even seems to be avoiding her. That’s got to be a good sign. I hope. Or I’m grasping at straws. They’re not going to give me my job back.”
Dani glanced at her watch. “Hey, I’ve got to get out of here. My parents need me to let their dog out again.”
“Where’d they go?” Candy wiped the few last crumbs off the counter and put their two dishes and forks in the sink, rinsing them off.
“They’ve been gone all day to a donut conference in Sacramento.”
“There are conferences for donuts?” That struck Breezy as really funny. “Who knew.”
Dani stood and stretched. “Yeah, well, donuts are big business. Even in little Aspen Grove.”
“You ought to know.” Breezy grabbed her purse and turned to Candy. “I’ve got to go. Dani drove me over.”
Candy came around the counter and hugged them both. “Thank you again, ladies. You’re awesome.”
“You go home now, too, so we know you’re safe,” Dani said.
“All right. Give me a minute to lock up.”
Outside, the moon was hidden behind the clouds and a light rain drizzled as Candy locked up, and they climbed into their vehicles, Candy into her red Jeep and Breezy into Dani’s dark blue Toyota Camry.
Dani flipped her lights on and off. Candy answered in the same way, and pulled out.
“It will be good to get home and sit in front of my fireplace. Want to come in for a few minutes?” Dani put on her seat belt. “I’ll even fix you hot chocolate.”
“That would be nice. It’s late, but I’m not done unwinding from my very stressful day. And I don’t have to get u
p early.”
“Me, either. I’m planning on a lazy Saturday morning.” Dani pulled off Main Street and headed toward her house. She tapped the brakes. “Uh, oh. There’s a car pulled off the road with its hazard lights blinking.”
Breezy looked, but she couldn’t see much in the rain, light as it was. But as they drew closer, she thought she recognized the car. “That looks like Noah Drake’s fancy sports car.”
“Oh, that would be the perfect end to this crummy day for you.”
“What are the odds we’d run into him here?”
“Pretty high, I’d say.” Dani slowed the car even more. “Speak of the devil.”
Dani pulled over behind the sports car, its flashers blinking. Breezy caught sight of the man standing at the curb in the drizzle, a hand up to wave.
“Drake the Snake,” she hissed.
Dani laughed. “And we’re going to help him.”
“Pull back out. Just keep driving. We don’t have to stop. He doesn’t know you.”
“It’s too late. He’s seen you. And you wouldn’t drive by and not help someone, even Noah. So play nice.”
With a groan, Breezy said, “I’ll get you, my pretty.”
Dani pushed the button to roll down Breezy’s window. As Noah approached, looking bedraggled, hair plastered to his head, Dani asked, “Problems?”
“Two flat tires.” He leaned down toward Breezy and raised a damp eyebrow. “You didn’t happen to put a nail in two of my tires, did you, Ms. Jones?”
Dani laughed.
Since he sounded like he was teasing, Breezy said, “Oh, if only I’d thought of it.”
Breezy introduced him to Dani.
“Glad to meet you, ma’am.” Noah tipped his head. “Would you be so kind as to give a stranded guy a ride?”
“Sure,” Dani said. “Kind is my middle name. Hop in.”
Why not? He couldn’t ruin her day any more than Pamela had.
“I have a passenger in the car. Mind giving her a ride, too?”
“Sure,” Dani repeated.
As he went back to his car and opened the passenger door, Breezy shot Dani a look. “Her? Who do you suppose is in there? And why wasn’t he sitting there with her, staying dry?”