Amanda sipped her coffee. “I haven’t decided for sure. Thought I’d lie low here for a few more days, until the news of my identity has time to saturate. There is no doubt that news will leak out beyond the boarding house circle now that I’ve left there.”
“So you aren’t going back at all then?”
“Ivy’s offered to go back to pack my things.” She offered Oliver a dazzling smile. “You did mean it when you said Ivy could have a guest after all?”
The small, effusive man pretended to think. “Only on the condition that you’ll be my good friend, too. It’ll be so much fun to talk about places like the Bois de Boulogne and the Museum of London with someone who’s really been.”
“It’s a deal. As long as you keep your shutter down—at all times.”
Oliver looked grumpy but shook the hand she offered.
The next morning before Ivy left for school, the telephone rang. Ivy reached over to the countertop to snatch up the cordless. She had no sooner said hello than a boom spilled into the room. Rolling her eyes, she handed the phone to Amanda. “It’s for you.”
“I thought it might be. Hello, Charlotte. What do you want?”
“Ha! Take a guess. I want your sorry butt here at work.”
“Haven’t you heard the news?”
“That you’re some kind of fancy heiress reporter? That you and Doc Hanson had a fight over your secret? Hell’s bells, when I look at you, all I see is a green recruit. My green recruit.”
“I assumed I’d been discharged.”
“By whom?”
“Well…”
“The docs are both in-house and have said nothing of the kind.”
“Then maybe my resignation is in order.”
“But you made a commitment when you signed on with the clinic.”
“You’ve been handling it yourself for years.”
“But there’s my blood pressure to think about. And I got a new boyfriend. And it looks like we’re going to have bowling practice afternoons now because somebody’s going to town on Viagra. My girl, life changes happen.”
“People change their minds about jobs, too.”
“Why, I thought you’d be the first one here this morning to brag about delivering that baby. Figured you’d be offering to take patients in for consultation.”
“Very funny.”
“Gee, I can’t stop laughing. Now you do what’s right and come to work.”
A dial tone buzzed in Amanda’s ear. She exhaled nervously. “I guess I’m going to work.”
“You are,” Ivy agreed heartily. “I don’t want that dowager over here pounding down my door. Get dressed and I’ll drive you.”
Amanda entered the clinic just after nine o’clock, wearing Ivy’s beige slacks and a melon-colored knit top. There were a couple of patients in the waiting room and Charlotte was stationed behind the counter. Charlotte’s eyes sharpened at the sight of her. Amanda thought she detected a hint of pride. It gave her a dose of courage.
“Good morning, ah…” Her mouth hung open. “Now what do you want to be called?
“Mandy,” she decided. “Classmates called me that when I was young and I’ve come to like it here.”
“Well, Mandy, Doc Hanson brought your uniform along with him today. It’s in the break room.”
Charlotte crooked a finger and proceeded to lead her down a corridor, deeper into the office space. Mandy could have easily navigated the trip herself but realized she would have to be amiable if she hoped to survive her first day as heiress/reporter cum clerk.
The break room door was rarely closed, but it was this morning. Charlotte whisked it open to reveal most of the staff in wait. “Surprise!” they chorused.
Amanda blinked in wonder. “What’s going on?”
Charlotte tugged her over to a square table. On it sat a toy medical bag, a baby doll, and a plastic baby bottle labeled Smelling Salts. With ceremony, Charlotte laid the baby doll in Amanda’s arms. “On behalf of the entire staff, I’d like to congratulate you on a fine delivery this weekend. It has come to our attention that you held up like a trooper, save for some squeamish squeaks and the occasional grossed-out cringe.” She looked ’round. “Where is Doc Hanson? Jack, go get him.”
Moments later, Doc Graham brought back his partner. Brett took in the ceremony with a faint smile. “Charlotte’s been to the toy store again, I see.”
Rochelle broke free from the crowd with a small brown sack, which she placed in Brett’s hand. With awkward hands he opened it to reveal a package of shoelaces. With a rumble of laughter he put a hand to his heart. “Gee, kids, just what I need most.”
Another round of applause followed.
“Seriously, everyone,” Jack said above the din. “I’d like to acknowledge a job well done for quite some weeks. Kiley was jittery during most of her pregnancy. It’s in Brett’s real favor that he took her each and every call seriously, compassionately.”
“Guess he just knows how to handle women,” Kaitlyn suggested to the merriment of everyone.
For several minutes the staff fired personal questions at Amanda. She answered them as best she could, stalling only about her plans. The ladies all made it plain that they hoped she would remain here in Fairlane for a while. Amanda shot Brett a glance, which he happened to catch straight-on. Startled at being caught, she turned away. Not that she expected him to say anything in front of the others. His professional dignity was so important to him, and he wouldn’t want to risk embarrassment over some retort she might fire off.
“I’d say it’s time for work,” Brett announced, turning on his heel.
As the others filed out, Charlotte moved to a small cloakroom and brought back Amanda’s crisp, white uniform trimmed in pastel green. “Don’t dillydally by taking this to the bathroom, puffing up your hair. Just jump into it right here and join me out front.” Charlotte marched off, only to pause at the door. “By the way, Pierpont, I personally think you have a lot of guts. As much as me, maybe. I’ve never said that to another soul in my life.” With her nose in the air, she left.
The office was abuzz with activity all day long. The clinic did a brisk walk-in business of patients with bogus aches and concerns. In truth, great numbers of Fairlane citizens just wanted to have a look at or a word with the dishy Amanda Pierpont. A disgruntled Charlotte recorded every visit, determined to charge every person who took up the staff’s time.
By 5:00 p.m. the last of them was turned out. Charlotte flipped the appointment book shut. “Whew! We made a bundle today. Maybe tomorrow we’ll put you in a wet T-shirt or something.”
Amanda gasped. “You are gross.”
Charlotte stood up and stretched. “Go tell it on the mountain. See who cares.” Just then the steel entrance door creaked again. “Well, who the hell is the cat dragging in now?”
Amanda gasped again. “Dad!”
“Down from the mountain,” Lowell Pierpont rumbled. “So just what in blazes are you trying to do to me?”
Chapter Seventeen
“Here we go again,” Amanda lamented. “It’s all about Lowell Pierpont.”
There weren’t many staff members left in the clinic, but Charlotte had quickly gathered the stragglers into the small nook used for weight and blood pressure readings. Amanda was tempted to shoo them out the door, but what good would it do? They’d only stand by a window and listen anyway. And she wasn’t going to budge from the clinic herself. This was her hub, where she faced real challenges with success.
She was grateful she had stayed when Lowell began to work on her. “Can’t we get out of here for a talk?”
“No. So how did you find me?”
“Dropped by Ivy’s place. She steered me here.”
“I mean, how did you find me in Fairlane?”
“Oh. My new little friend spilled the beans. About a lot of things.”
“Who?”
“Some kid.”
“My kid, I’m afraid,” a deep voice interposed.
Amanda whirled to find Brett standing nearby, looking cool and reserved and in command in his crisp lab coat. “Tess?”
“That’s right. She’s been camping out in your room a lot. Answering your phone.” Brett shook his head. “Sorry.”
She smiled wryly. “It’s okay. I know she was only looking for some motherly comfort. I always was, too.”
“Well, she’s one smart kid,” Lowell rumbled. “Actually had the nerve to challenge my fatherly skills. Can you imagine?”
“Dad, you’re saying a five-year-old taught you something?”
“I was just as stunned as you are. But sometimes it’s the simple messages that mean the most. When she told me that I should care enough to dry my little girl’s tears, it got me to thinking. I never did do that. Ever.”
Amanda waved at him. “Oh, you aren’t a complete washout. You always made sure there was enough hired help to do it.”
He flinched. “Are you being sarcastic, Amanda?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“It was wrong of you run away like you did.”
“I gave you the chance to talk over my concerns but you were just too busy—as always. The story of our life.”
His voice was uncharacteristically kind. “Well, if you want to continue that talk, I’m listening now.”
“Okay. I came to tell you I know how you set me up with Trevor.”
“Who’s Trevor?” Brett asked.
Father and daughter glared at him and then at one another.
“I played matchmaker out in the open. You were grateful!”
“Until I found out about your cold, calculating methods. How you dug through the newspaper personnel files for your idea of a suitable husband. You found the perfect person for you and struck a deal with him. Marry me and you’d drop the whole company in his lap.”
“That’s what you think?”
“That’s what he told his own parents the night of our engagement party.”
“You’re engaged?” Brett demanded.
“Yes, she is!”
“No, I’m not!”
They both glared at Brett and then at one another.
“Now, Dad,” she said more sternly. “The least you can do is come clean about your actions.”
“I intend to.” He dipped into his suit jacket pocket for his cell phone and punched in a number. “Get in here. Now.”
Amanda’s heart jumped. It couldn’t be…but it was. Moments later, the door flew open and in walked Trevor Sinclair, her former fiancé, his blond hair sliced in executive style, dressed in a thousand-dollar suit no doubt put on his company allowance.
“Amanda!” Trevor charged for the counter. Brett looked ready to stop him but Lowell did the honors. His arm block to Trevor’s midsection nearly took the younger man’s breath completely away. In fact, Trevor spoke with an audible huff. “I should be furious with you, running off that way.”
“I ran off because you don’t love me.”
“Of course I love you!”
“Amanda, bring Trevor up to speed.”
“I overheard you speaking to your parents after our party. Remember? Your mother was actually crying over our engagement, trying to sell you on some old girlfriend back home.”
Trevor whitened. “I had no idea you were there. You should have said something.”
“Like what? ‘Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, that you think I’m a giddy fool?’ And what about your claim that you never loved me the way regular people love each other, the way your own parents love each other?”
“Did you actually say that, Trevor?” Lowell demanded.
“I may have done so,” he admitted, staring up at the ceiling.
“Why up until minutes ago, you were raring to carry on with the engagement,” Lowell scolded. “Where is the truth here?”
“There are different kinds of love—”
“Dammit, young man!”
“All right, sir. Amanda’s got it fairly straight. What she heard me tell my folks was the real deal. I’m a jerk who likes your daughter and loves his job. I could have made her happy, and to tell you the truth, if left in the dark about my feelings, I don’t think Amanda would have ever realized a deeper love relationship existed anywhere. With all due respect, you never showed her one and I’m sure her world-class acquaintances haven’t, either.”
“He is right about that,” Amanda conceded. “I’m not the least bit sorry I made a run for it. I had much to learn—still have much to learn—about handling relationships.”
Trevor flashed her a dazzling smile. “I did say I was very fond of you, Amanda. And I meant it.”
“I believe that much, Trevor, despite Dad’s tough-guy matchmaking.”
“I didn’t pair you up coldheartedly.” Lowell glared at Trevor. “Tell her I didn’t.”
Trevor nodded slowly. “I may have exaggerated Lowell’s strategy, just to appease my parents. He didn’t actually riffle his files to find a prototype husband. I courted him, suggested in many small ways I would make a fine son-in-law.”
Lowell frowned. “You’re not looking very gallant here, Trevor, willing to marry a girl you don’t truly love, allowing your parents to believe I railroaded you into it.”
Trevor pursed his lips. “Seems an unfair judgment, when you, sir, play the manipulation game every day. Encourage employees like me to do the same.”
“But to dabble around with my own daughter!”
“But you’ve never set that limit for anyone to see. Never once have you proclaimed any real interest in your daughter as a person.”
Lowell absorbed the blow. “Oh, hell, it’s my own fault for immersing myself in work, never opening my heart. I probably did send the wrong signals. But I see it more clearly now. Daddies are supposed to dry their little girl’s tears. From now on I intend to do just that!”
“Well said, Mr. Pierpont.”
Lowell glanced sharply at Brett. “Who exactly are you?”
“I am the man who really loves your daughter. The man who showed her how it’s done.”
Amanda still refused to acknowledge him. “As it happens, I have come to discover what real love is. Even if it wasn’t returned in a way I deserved, I finally get it. So whatever happens in the future, I will be equipped to make wiser choices.”
Lowell’s eyes lit up. “So does this mean you’re ready to come home? Why, I’ll even support your gossip column if you like. Expand it.”
“You can’t leave,” Brett objected.
“Oh, I can,” Amanda asserted heartily. “But I won’t. As it happens, I like it here in Fairlane. It’s my kinda town.”
Lowell blustered and reddened. “Nonsense. What kind of column could you possibly write here?”
“As you can see I’ve taken on a different sort of job entirely.”
“Ivy explained it’s only been a cover to hide your wealth.”
With a grin, Amanda picked up the toy medical bag presented to her that morning. “I’m so good I actually have my own equipment.” Then, sobering, she went on. “But even if I do come to find this job intolerable for any reason, I intend to work somewhere else right here.”
“But like your old man you’re a writer. Ink runs through your veins.”
“That need is taken care of, too. I am writing a book on the side with a friend. Which is another reason I can’t possibly leave right now.”
“If you’re doing this to punish me—”
“Of course I’m not!”
Taking no more, Charlotte barreled out of the nook with Rochelle and Jack on her heels. “Hang on right here. Miss Debutante doesn’t have the brass tacks to punish people, so don’t talk her down. And she isn’t going anywhere across the street or across the country because she is my girl now. Walked through hellfire to land the best job in the universe.”
“How dare you, woman? More to the point, who are you?”
Amanda laughed. “Dad, this is Charlotte, your match for guts and brains.”
Lowell stared intently at the
copper-haired woman, nearly fifteen years his senior.
Charlotte held out a palm. “Hold your ground right there, Mr. Pierpont. I know my new hair tint drives the men wild. It was a fluke, a gift from God. You mustn’t give in to your desires. We’d destroy each other with our passion.”
“Grandma!” Jack exclaimed, acutely embarrassed.
Lowell cleared his throat, obviously rather shaken by the female steamroller. “All right, Amanda. I can see I’m trumped. Believe it or not, I want your happiness as much as my own.”
Amanda joyfully scooted around the counter into her father’s arms.
“There now.” His thumbs wiped away her tears. “Am I doing it right?”
“We’ll have to ask Tess. You have to meet her, Dad.”
He hesitated. “I have a flight out later today.”
“Please come back to the house,” Brett said.
Amanda twisted toward Brett. “Hey, I’m still mad at you.”
“But you’ll get over it. Because people in love do that.”
“So now you love me?”
“I started loving you the moment I picked you up off the boulevard,” he announced with force. “The condition has proven incurable.”
She could think of no convincing retort for that.
Lowell warned a sulky Trevor that there would be some changes in their arrangement and sent him off to the Portland airport to catch their scheduled flight. He in turn accompanied Amanda and Brett to the boarding house. Over turkey roast, the clan regaled him with tales of their Mandy’s adventures in town, up to Saturday’s home delivery. There was real pride in Lowell’s eyes and Amanda had never felt so close to him.
As for Tess, she was thrilled to meet her man-of-the-buzzy-bee-phone and gave him the ultimate compliment, the job of cutting her meat. After dinner, she took charge of Lowell, giving him a tour of the house, coaching him on just what girls expect from their daddies, showing him the sewing room in which he would spend the night.
As midnight approached, Lowell finished the brandy he was sharing with Frank and took his daughter aside by the staircase.
“Going up, Dad?”
He nodded, then hesitated. “Were you like that child?”
Flirting With Trouble Page 22