****
On a whim, Crandall decided to drop by her high school, and just remember what it felt to go to school there. As she pulled up in the Parking lot, she chuckled, as kids practiced archery in the back athletic area. That had been one sport she’d never mastered, though she’d gotten her share of bulls eyes once she’d settled into corporate life. The school seemed smaller somehow, perhaps because the parking lot had expanded. Probably due to more students driving here everyday.
Now, after four, the parking lot was only half-full. Time for a trip down memory lane. Entering the building, Crandall caught a whiff of cigarette smoke mixed with cleaning fluid. Either a student in the bathroom or a janitor sneaking a smoke had left their trail. Since the other smell was fresh, she assumed a member of the cleaning crew was around the next hall-bend.
When she almost ran into Xavier Washington, well, that was an unwelcome surprise.
His dark-brown eyes lighting up in a near-black gleam, Xavier grinned from ear-to-ear. “Lover, you’ve come back to me.”
“To hell I have,” she said through gritted teeth.
He laughed. “As usual, your words say one thing when your obvious surprise and delight says something else.”
“You never were good at reading a person.” Crandall took two steps back, bumping into the corner of the wall.
He chuckled again. “I’m better than you think.” He nodded towards the men’s room door. “Want to go inside and get it right this time? I promise my aim is better than it used to be. It won’t end up in my zipper.”
“You loathsome little creep,” she growled under her breath. At the sight of a tall man, hair partially gray, walking toward them, she clamped her mouth shut.
“Ah, is this the fair Crandall whom I have seen in all the photos?” He extended his hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. Jerome Bradley, principal. Xavier just told me how in love you two were. The whole town is rooting for your reunion. I hope this visit brings the spark back into your former romance.” He smiled again as he glanced at Xavier. “Just like Xavier’s handsome donation he made a few moments ago to the school’s new building fund.” He slapped the little shit on the back. “We’ll have a Washington Science Center next year just because of his generosity. Would Pretzlelicious wish to make a donation?”
“I’ll discuss it with our board,” she said, as calmly as possible. Inside she was seething with anger. The man didn’t know the meaning of too much mouth. “Now if you’ll excuse me.” Crandall smiled politely and gestured towards the hall she’d just walked down. “I have to meet someone for dinner.”
“Say hello to your mother,” Xavier called out as she all but ran the other way. She heard him speaking to the principal in a low voice and was sure he was discussing her mother’s pitiful condition. If she didn’t make it to the outside door soon she’d scream.
****
“What do you mean I don’t want to hear this?” Zack sat down in his chair at the solemn tone in Mike’s voice.
“I mean what I just found out is not good. Not good at all.”
“Then you better spill it. Now.”
Mike sighed, that painful sigh your friends give you when the other shoe is about to drop. “This company Washington has over here, it used to be Carolina Rebels.”
“What?” Zack sank back I his seat. “Our old tobacco line? How did he get hold of it? We sold that to a man named Grant Tolbert.”
“Yeah, I know. Tolbert was a broker for Washington. Seems your dad knew all about the deal.”
“He couldn’t have.” Zack jumped up and walked to the refrigerator searching for a beer. None there. “No way Dad would have done that.” He opened the overhead door with the liquor and pulled out some brandy. Bottle in hand, he searched for a snifter. “He hated assholes.”
Giving up, he opened it and took a swig, then as it the pit of his stomach, burning, he re-corked it. “Believe me, this man is a classic one and he hasn’t changed his spots.”
“Then he had to have something on your old man. Just saying…”
“How could he? Dad hated his guts. The whole family actually, except Washington’s mom, but she died a long time ago.”
“I don’t know.” Mike groaned. “I just know that’s what the company was, because I paid the guy a thousand on the spot to spill the beans. Gretta doesn’t know yet because she’s probably less inclined to bribe people. But she told the man at the factory she’d like to get a report about the background on the purchase. She wouldn’t say anymore, but I can guaran-dam-tee you she doesn’t know it was our company.”
“How can you be sure?” Zack walked over and sank in a chair as the brandy started to hit him.
The laughing on the other side of the phone should have been an indication. He knew Mike only drank wine, and rarely that much.
“We got engaged.” Mike laughed again.
A spark of shock ran down Zack’s arms. “You did what?”
“Gretta and I are getting married. Come on buddy, don’t pass out. I can hear you hyperventilating on the phone.”
Zack’s forehead broke out in a sweat. He grabbed a napkin and dabbed at it. “What possessed you to do that? It was the ambiance, the Paris charm. Snap out of it. This is the cold hard reality of corporate America now. Besides, do you know what happens when you get married?”
“We live happily ever after? Come on Zack, it’s not all that bad. You did it once yourself.”
“Only took me six months to change my mind about that.” Images of his cousin not concentrating on his work raced through Zack’s mind. It was bad enough Mike had a girlfriend, but a wife? A woman who lived in New York City? Next thing you knew he’d want to relocate, quit the company. The whole thing depressed him. He knew he wasn’t being fair, but those were the visions nevertheless. “But how, Mike? How could that happen? It was only a few days. It wasn’t enough time for that.”
“Maybe it is Paris. The hotel was great by the way, best room service ever, and they don’t care if you’re under the covers when they serve dinner. But I think it’s the woman—and the right time.”
“A waiter served you between sex? You have lost your mind.” Zack exhaled sharply. “Okay, buddy. Listen up. If Crandall discovers we owned the company before I tell her I just found out, you might as well deep-six happy relationships. I can also guaran-dam-tee you Gretta won’t be that thrilled, either.”
“Look cuz.” Mike’s voice dropped low, almost menacing. “You better get to her fast and make sure she knows. Because now that I have a ring on Gretta’s finger, I’m not going to blow it. I know she loves me, but she’s loyal to a fault. If she thought I was playing her friend for a fool, she’d throw that honkin’ emerald in my face.”
“A honkin’emerald?” Zack smacked the side of his face. He had to be dreaming. The guy couldn’t be that stupid. He’d tutored the kid since he was in high school. “You already got the ring and not just a normal one but a huge one?” Zack yelled into the phone. “Have you lost your mind?”
Another chuckle resounded in his ear. “Maybe but it sure does feel good to go crazy.”
****
“Have you lost your mind?” Crandall grabbed Gretta’s hand. “You just sold your body and your soul for three carats of emerald.”
“Three carats of first rate Brazilian emerald’s nothing to sneeze at.”
Crandall stood back and crossed her arms. “Okay, it’s expensive. Very expensive. But what about your freedom, your rights, your ability to control what you do, when and how? It’s like signing a contract with the devil.”
“Oh no.” Gretta reached over and hugged her. “What is wrong with you? You’ve never been a real feminist before, just a work-crazed maniac. I always thought you believed in a soul mate.”
“A soul mate yes, a husband, no. Why mess up a perfectly good thing?”
Gretta giggled. “You really think my marriage is going to be an old 50s things, like your mother’s, but even more archaic. Don’t worry. This is the twent
y-first century,” she spoke softly into Crandall’s ear.
“My mom and dad were happy.” Crandall broke her friend’s embrace. “Traditional, but happy.” She crossed her arms again. “But Mom made sacrifices like you wouldn’t believe. She was an accomplished musician before she married. She could be playing the piano in Carnegie Hall if not for Dad and now the Alzheimer’s. Instead, she stayed home and cooked, made clothes for me until I went to high school, unlike most women in her day, and went over my homework every night. Is that really what you want?”
Gretta sighed. “You know, it sounds really tempting.” As Crandall trained her eyes on her friend, Gretta laughed. “Don’t worry, I haven’t turned into Susie Homemaker yet. But, what’s so bad about what you just said? You need to lighten up.”
Crandall shook her head. “It’s worse than what I thought. Okay, for a moment can we shift gears and talk about why you really went over to Paris in the first place?”
“Right.” Gretta nodded. “I don’t know anything specific, but something didn’t settle right when I spoke with Monsieur LeGrande at the tobacco plant. He was very evasive. Anyway, I asked if he’d send us information about the original owner of his plant. They’re private, so no corporation trail, no access. He agreed for a C note.” She smiled. “Everyone has his price.”
“Cheap if you ask me.” Crandall shrugged. “Okay, I want to know as soon as he reports. As far as my trip, not much. All I know is my mother is worse, Patti, the hairdresser, is the same as ever and dad’s old friend can’t stand the Washingtons. I hope Mr. LeGrande gives us good info. Right now I feel like I’m getting ready to get squashed by a shit and a town full of adoring followers. Then there’s Zack …” Her voice trailed off.
Gretta grinned. “Sure your mom’s life doesn’t sound enticing?”
Chapter Fourteen
“I have them just where I want them,” Xavier told Lawrence. “Graham doesn’t have a clue he’s walked into a trap, and Crandall can’t escape my charm in Sierra Landing.” He tapped the ends of his fingers together. “As for her company, it’s as good as mine, both the business and the woman. Thanks for getting our mole to fiddle with her books. If she’s as good as you say, Crandall Drake won’t know what happened until the trap comes down on her head.”
Xavier licked his lips. “Figuratively. I plan on doing other things with that beautiful mouth and long neck. Mark my words, I’ll have her head sucking on my unit in no time at all.”
Lawrence cleared his throat. Xavier didn’t know what was wrong with the man and all his congestion issues. That throat hack was beginning to annoy him. The man seemed to have sinus problems.
“Uh, Sir, is that all you wanted to know for the moment?”
“One more thing.” Xavier turned in his office chair and stared at his flunkie. “About Crandall’s marketing whiz when she was over in Paris, you’re sure LeGrande said nothing to Gretta Fishman?”
Lawrence nodded. “He said he didn’t tell her a thing when she was there. I paid him two grand to keep his yap shut. I doubt he’ll hedge on his responsibilities.”
“Two grand for LeGrande. Fitting.” Xavier smirked. “I don’t doubt his wording was true, but I never fully trust Frenchmen. They’re far slicker in worming around and getting their way than I. Come to think of it, there must be some French in my family somewhere. Mother swore both sides of the family came from England.”
“Mr. Washington, he knows if he goes against what I paid him for …”
Xavier held up his hand. “Enough. The man will figure out a way to have what he wants. Here’s hoping he isn’t doing that and two thousand bucks is enough to snuff his wish to gossip.” He shook his head. “That wouldn’t be enough to silence me.”
“But, Sir, you said that I could only go up to…”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed on Lawrence. “Where’s your initiative, man? You’re not a mouse. Now go over to that poor excuse for a long term care center and see if you can’t get Donna Drake ready for her debut.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Okay, Crandall, your father messed with my mother, I’ll mess with yours. I predict she’ll make quite a sensation.”
****
Zack sat on the edge of his hotel bed and wondered how this whole thing would play out. Telling Crandall what he knew about Xavier’s tobacco sale would set her on edge. She’d swear he knew even if he managed to pull off telling her early.
He hoped against hope he made it in time, because no doubt that Frenchmen was getting ready to blow the horn. He’d dealt with too many savvy French businessmen, and even though they could twist the facts, if you pinned them down, they’d eventually come through. He doubted Gretta was as green as Mike seemed to think she was, and knew instinctively she’d get her scoop even if it weren’t as quickly as Mike had gotten it.
Staring at his information about Crandall’s location, he knew she was in the hotel across town, not this one. Too bad he didn’t know that sooner. Experience taught him close proximity was a good thing, especially with a woman as hot and as desirable as Crandall. Still, considering they were in her hometown, his talking her into having sex here would prove just how skilled he was. Not that he was playing a game with her. He wanted her more than any woman he’d ever been with, including his wife. Back then he didn’t know what he wanted, really. Truth was he’d been young and just wanted to get laid.
Exhaling and suddenly remembering Crandall’s unmistakable scent, all woodsy and exotic, like no perfume he’d ever smelled, Zack was already becoming aroused. What did the woman do to him? He wanted to get laid now, just like he did when he was still a kid, but with this woman, it wasn’t all about sex. He wished it were, because their dynamics would be so much simpler.
Staring out the window at the setting sun over the mountains, Zack sighed and wondered how he’d ever gotten to where he was. It was like he’d been zapped by some unknown force and transported to another universe. For some inexplicable reason, Crandall dug deep inside him somewhere, in a part of him close to the truth. In a way that couldn’t be erased or denied. It was like she’d branded him with her own signature, deep into the layers of skin and even further, and that mark would never wear off, but sink deeper and deeper until it anchored in his heart.
If only he could hold on to that feeling and she didn’t think he was trying to undermine her. “If only,” he said softly under his breath.
****
“Why did I have to come along on this trip?” Gretta asked. “I have other clients you know.” At Crandall’s slanted glare, she looked down. “Okay, not as big as you, but my whole business doesn’t revolve around your money.” When Crandall smiled, Gretta shrugged. “Okay, most of my business is tied up with managing your ad campaign, but still …”
“Don’t worry, I’m not thinking about pulling the plug. I just needed some support. If you could have seen Xavier at the school, you’d understand why I’m worried and in need of a friendly face.”
“Zack’s a friendly face.” Gretta chuckled as Crandall glared at her again. “I think you just want me here for protection.” She leaned back on the bed with one elbow. “Or do you? After all, I do have my own room and not next to yours. Perhaps you didn’t want me to hear your head banging up against the headboard.”
“Gretta, for heaven’s sake.” Crandall shook her head. “I would think after all these years you’d have more confidence in me than that. I am not a slut.”
“But you are in heat, and that’s something a lovesick woman can’t control. Don’t even try to hide what you’re feeling, because it’s written all over you. By the way, in case you didn’t already know, that feeling is like a spell, and oh, boy, is it intoxicating.” Gretta couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll never forget when I first met Mike. I couldn’t wait until he closed the door to start unbuttoning his shirt. Not that I have a lot of control even now.”
“That’s something I don’t want to know.” Crandall paced up and down next to the bed. “You’re just a little sore Mike had to st
ay behind and take care of whatever that business is he works for while you’re here, instead of coming and having wild bunny sex here.”
Gretta laughed. “Bunny sex? It’s more like monkey sex, swinging from chandeliers, all arms and legs.” At Crandall’s stare, she stopped. “Sorry, got carried away.”
“Zack’s here, by the way,” Crandall told her. “Thankfully across town in another classier hotel. One I wouldn’t stay in because of the exorbitant price tag. This isn’t about Zack, believe me. The fact is, I needed you here because I don’t want to be caught alone with Xavier Washington again. He should be on the most wanted list. The man is a criminal. Do you believe he propositioned me again right in the high school, and right next to that same frickin’ bathroom? If I’d said yes he would have taken me up on it. He’s such a damned pervert.”
“No, pervert isn’t the operative word. Sounds horny to me.” Gretta grinned. “Don’t look at me that way. Men are like male rabbits, all of them, just sniffing for carrots and a piece of ass, and they’d much rather have the ass.”
“Oh, wise, sage, that’ll become a memorable quote.” Crandall bowed. “You may get a mention on SNL.”
Gretta grinned as she saw the sides turn up on Crandall’s mouth. “Come on, you think it’s funny. Lighten up. Not to worry. I’m not going to let the skinny, short, bad old Xavier get too close to you. However, if the sexy as hell gorgeous hunk of man, Zack Graham, comes sniffing round for carrots, or whatever, I’m going out for sushi.” At Crandall’s chuckle she knew she’d managed on thawing the iceberg. “I always did have a soft spot for Japanese.”
****
Zack stared across the room at Crandall and he was immediately in dire straits. The woman got better every time he saw her. What caused Brooks to suddenly decide to throw a cocktail party before tomorrow’s challenge?
Unforgettable Heroes Boxed Set Page 27