One More Chance

by Ruth Jean Dale

  He turned a serious face toward her. "Yeah. If I sell, I want you to handle it for me."

  She still had a buyer-broker agreement with Cary Goddard; she wondered what her legal position was if she helped Ben sell to someone else. She swallowed hard, "Sure."

  "At your usual commission."

  "Forget it!" She jumped to her feet and began clearing the table, trying to work off her outrage. Here she was, doing her damnedest to reform, and he offered her money!

  They'd reached an impasse and they both knew it. By mutual consent they dropped the subject for the time being.

  Juliana sat in a booth at The Hungry Munchkin, patiently waiting for Rodney Burton to pause for breath so she could ease the conversation back in the appropriate direction. Helen Burton sat beside him, her sweet face wearing a pained expression.

  Juliana had spent untold hours with the Burtons, her initial reluctance rapidly changing into a determination to boldly go where no real-estate professional had ever been—to a solution for the Burtons' real-estate problems.

  Rodney's booming tones drew the attention of nearby diners. "Well, I won't stand for it," he announced. "I won't be taken advantage of by some pipsqueak who has no respect for his elders." He frowned, his bushy white brows drawing together as he fixed his eagle eye on Juliana. "You, on the other hand, seem more in tune with the high standards and principles of my generation. Therefore I've decided to give you carte blanche to handle my real-estate business, young woman. You may proceed."

  Rodney leaned back against the upholstered backrest and gave her a look that placed complete responsibility for the outcome of their association on her shoulders. Helen breathed a gentle sigh of relief.

  Juliana figured that by the time this association ended, she'd probably be earning an hourly wage slightly less than that accorded baby-sitters, but what the hell? She'd do it for the challenge.

  And because it gave her a plausible reason to avoid a return to the real-estate fast track.

  By the time the Burtons departed forty minutes later, she felt limp as a dishrag. No wonder dealing with Rodney Burton made strong men weep, she thought as she watched them walk out of the restaurant. Rodney, as usual, kept up a running commentary, and Helen gazed : up at him with adoration on her lined face.

  That woman must be a saint, Juliana thought, not for the first time. Or…new idea…there must be a great deal more to Rodney than was apparent to the casual observer. At any rate, she was convinced that the worst hurdle was behind them—Rodney trusted her.

  She started to rise and her glance met that of a woman across the room. Barbara Snell—just what I need, she thought. The two women hadn't spoken since the confrontation in Juliana's office. Now she nodded to Barbara, then glanced at her companion—and did a double take.

  Cary Goddard sat across from Barbara, a smile on his handsome face. Juliana dropped back into her chair, all the breath knocked out of her. She hadn't even known Cary was in town. What the hell's going on?

  As she watched, Cary rose, said something to Barbara and turned directly toward Juliana's booth. His glance met hers. For a moment he hesitated, and then he started forward.

  Juliana's heart pounded. She'd mailed him a check and a letter stating her intent to cancel their business relationship, but no way could he have received it already. Oh, if only she hadn't procrastinated! Now he was going to lean on her about Ben's land and she'd immediately be on the defensive.

  He stopped beside the booth. "Mind if I join you?" He sat down..

  The question being now moot, Juliana shrugged. "I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't know you were in town."

  "I didn't think you'd care."

  She recoiled slightly at his tone, which seemed vaguely reproachful. "Why do you say that?" she faltered.

  He shrugged with exaggerated innocence. "Now that you're living with Ben Ware…"

  She would not let him see a reaction, but she couldn't hide her response from herself. Her stomach clenched and her throat closed with mortification. "Who told you that?" she demanded.

  "Doesn't matter." He picked up a fork and traced invisible patterns on the white linen tablecloth. "Under the circumstances, I've decided to let you off the hook. If you'd leveled with me the first time we spoke, told me you were personally involved with Ware..." His narrowed glance slammed into her. "But you didn't." He stood up. "Enough said. Consider our professional association at an end."

  She took her courage in hand. "And our personal association? Cary, I hope we can part without hard feelings. Perhaps someday—"

  "Someday?" His carefully controlled expression slipped and for an instant the merciless tycoon stood there. "I don't take any man's leavings, Juliana. I can only assume you're suggesting there is a remote possibility we can do business together again someday."

  "I was hoping we could avoid hard feel—"

  He cut her off ruthlessly. "Bring me Benjamin Ware's head on a platter and we'll talk."

  She sat in stunned silence while he threaded his way through the restaurant toward the men's room. Somehow when he spoke of Ben's head on a platter, it didn't sound like rhetoric.

  She was still trying to steady herself when Barbara approached.

  "Oh, good," Juliana said, too distracted to play her usual game of "what good friends we are" with the woman. "You here to finish me off?"

  "I don't know what you're talking about," Barbara said airily. Without asking, she slipped into the seat recently vacated by Cary. "I just wanted to commend you, about Edna Holmes. It took some pressure, but at least you finally did the right thing."

  Juliana started to explain, started to tell Barbara that it was all a mistake, but stopped before uttering a word.

  What was the point? Barbara would believe exactly what she chose to believe.

  As Ben believed what he chose to believe. Juliana relaxed slightly. "You old flatterer you. You'll turn my head."

  "No, really, I can see you're a changed woman. Finding you here with the Burtons proves that." Barbara's little-girl voice reeked with sincerity. "Gosh, Juliana, if you manage to solve their problem, you'll be doing a big favor to the entire real-estate community."

  Barbara's expression said very plainly that such an occurrence was not even within the realm of possibility. Well, Juliana thought, she who laughs last… "I'm here to serve," she said dryly.

  "Aren't we all. Pull it off with Rodney Burton and your name will go down in history." Barbara poked a finger at salt grains on the tablecloth. "Will Ben Ware be escorting you to the real estate ball next month?"

  So you're the blabbermouth, Juliana thought. She kept her voice noncommital. "I suppose so." At one time, the ball had been the highlight of her year, since her office was always amply represented by award winners. But since leaving the hospital, she'd hardly given the event a thought. In all honesty, she admitted to herself, that might be because she no longer stood even an outside chance of snagging the Real Estate Star prize.

  Barbara cleared her throat. "I wonder if he's said anything to you about the offer I brought in on his property."

  Ah, now we get down to it, Juliana thought. "He mentioned it."

  "I thought he might ask you to represent him." Barbara's baby-blue eyes narrowed shrewdly. "It's a good offer."

  "Not as good as the one from Goddard Enterprises."

  "But you and I both know Ben won't sell to Goddard Enterprises, at least, not—" Barbara broke off abruptly.

  Juliana supplied the rest of the sentence which seemed to hang out there somewhere, unspoken. "Not… knowingly." She stared at the other woman. "The offer is from Cary, isn't it?"

  "I said no such thing." Barbara sounded a bit flustered. She stood up. "Just because I'm having lunch with the man doesn't mean anything."

  "Some L.A. company made the offer, Ben said. Cary's corporate headquarters is in L.A."

  "So are a jillion others. Juliana, if you're interested in Ben's welfare at all, advise him to sell. He's sitting on a gold mine out there, but he'
s just about pushed the gentleman-fanner act as far as it will go. This is the best offer he's going to get. The ante is already dropping."

  Past Barbara's shoulder, Juliana saw Cary reenter the room, look at his now vacant table for Barbara and then glance around. He saw her with Juliana and his step faltered—just one step, but Juliana saw, and she knew.

  And knowing, she felt sick to her stomach. Everything Barbara had said about Ben's situation was true, but it appeared he'd rather lose everything than sell to Cary Goddard.

  Cary was behind this second offer just as sure as avocados are green. She had to tell Ben, she told herself. Just as soon as she got the chance.

  Ben already had too much on his mind, so she kept putting off telling him about Cary, and then it was too late. "Honey," he said a couple of days later, "I've been thinking about that offer Barbara brought me. If push comes to shove, I'm gonna take it."

  Juliana, elbow-deep in sudsy dishwater, stiffened. Why, oh, why didn't I blow the whistle on Cary when I had the chance? she thought, berating herself. Now she'd lost the initiative. "About that offer…" she began carefully.

  He picked up a dish towel and reached for a plate in the dish drainer. "There's still half a chance it won't come to that." He dried the plate and stacked it inside the open cabinet. "But if it does, that's my decision."

  He wrapped his arms around her waist, managing to dip the tail of his dish towel in the wash pan in the process. He pulled her back against him, leaning down to nuzzle her ear.

  "It's less money than Goddard Enterprises offered," she reminded him cautiously.

  "I know. But it's worth it to me. I'll make up the difference to Lillian from my share… if it comes to that. But I still believe in miracles."

  "Right," she agreed, but she was lying. She simply couldn't see any miracles on the horizon.

  Much later, long after Ben had drifted off to sleep, she lay beside him in the four-poster bed and wrestled with her options—and her conscience.

  She could tell him Cary was behind the offer from Barbara and that would be the end of that. But then what would he do if the avocado crop failed?

  Or she could keep quiet—even encourage the sale—and hope that when Ben found out the identity of the real buyer, as he surely would, he'd never realize Juliana knew and hadn't warned him.

  Bad choices, both of them. But for the longest time, she couldn't think of any third possibility.

  Then when she did, it scared her so much she spent a sleepless night trying to talk herself out of it.

  11

  Juliana was waiting at Senor Pizza when Pete arrived to open up the next morning.

  He gave her a startled look. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing. Let's go inside so we can talk."

  He unlocked the front door and led her through the restaurant to his office. "I don't think I'm going to like this, but let's have it," he said darkly.

  She drew a shaky breath. "Pete, I need a favor."

  "I figured that much out already."

  "I—" she licked dry lips "—I want you to buy a few acres of Ben's land. I'll handle the arrangements and put up the money. All I need from you is a signature. We'll have a trust company handle it and no one will know we're even involved."

  Pete let out his breath in an explosive gust of sound. "What the hell are you up to?"

  "I'm not up to anything." She gritted her teeth. She was so damned tired of always justifying herself. "Ben's desperate for money. He won't take a penny from me and he won't sell to Goddard Enterprises."

  "There goes your commission right out of the window."

  "Save the cracks for someone who'll appreciate your wit." His attitude set her teeth on edge, but she tried to control herself because she needed him. "In order to keep my name entirely out of it, I've got to have a front man and you're it,"

  "I thought you were working for Cary Goddard." His lip curled. "This whole thing sounds fishy to me."

  She straightened her shoulders. "If it'll make you feel any better, I'll give you my word. I'm trying to help Ben, not hurt him."

  "Like you used to help me. You always know what's best for other people."

  That hurt. She fixed him with an unfriendly stare. "You really have a low opinion of me."

  He didn't bat an eye. "Experience is the best teacher. I can just see you a few months down the road, after your infatuation for Ben or whatever it is has passed. You'll have some very valuable property to ease your grief."

  She gritted her teeth and glared at him. Ben believed in her; why couldn't Pete? "Look," she said brusquely, "I could stand here and talk until I'm blue in the face and I still won't convince you unless you want to be convinced. So I'll put it to you flat—I want you to do this on faith."

  For a long time he stood there, his face tense as he considered. She waited, calm on the outside and a mass of nerves inside.

  Finally he nodded. "Okay," he said sharply, unhappily.

  The starch went out of her and her shoulders slumped. "You won't be sorry."

  "I'm already sorry, but I'm not surprised. Not really." A new note had entered his voice, a bitter note of disappointment.

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  He turned accusing eyes on her. "That nobody gets a ten-thousand-dollar windfall without strings attached. When you gave me that check you said you'd think of some way for me to repay you. You weren't kidding, were you?"

  She started to defend herself, but stopped short. He wouldn't believe her anyway.

  In mid-July, ten days before the realtors' ball, the Santa Ana struck with a vengeance, bearing dry desert winds through Buena Suerte Valley and on to the coast. Temperatures soared into the nineties and vegetation began to shrivel and die.

  Watching, Juliana prayed for that miracle. But just in case none was forthcoming, everything was in place: the instant Pete gave the word, Ben would receive a new offer on two-and-one-half acres fronting on Buena Suerte Canyon Road. And Pete would give the word at Juliana's command.

  She hoped—prayed—it was a command that would never be given. Unless Ben's avocado operation went under, there'd be no need to activate her plan to help him whether he wanted help or not.

  In the avocado groves, Ben worked like a madman, fighting the irrigation system. With continual high temperatures in the ground, a fungus began to build up in the water pipes like cholesterol in arteries. Eventually it clogged the water emitters, the three-inch-high sprinkler heads that actually delivered the water.

  Ten emitters ringed each individual tree. With more than two thousand trees, Ben had his work cut out for him. A plunging device on each clogged sprinkler head had to be manipulated by hand; if that didn't do the trick, the easiest and quickest solution was replacement. But at almost a half dollar each, Ben simply didn't have the thousands of dollars that replacement would cost.

  So he laboriously removed each clogged emitter and cleaned it in a bleach solution before replacing it. And all the time his water bill rose. Opal predicted it could soar to as much as $1,600 for the month of July alone.

  On the fifth day of the Santa Ana, Ben got a third offer.

  "This is incredible," he told Juliana excitedly over dinner that night. "I didn't think there was a prayer anyone would be willing to buy just a few acres, not with Goddard already owning half the valley and most of the access. If I sell off just these few acres, there's still a chance to keep the avocado operation nearly intact."

  Juliana dropped her gaze to her salad bowl and poked at a ripe slice of avocado. "Then you're going to do it?"

  Ben nodded. "It's sure as hell preferable to selling the whole enchilada. I told them I've got to have some time to think it over but—"

  A pounding at the open kitchen door interrupted. Opal stood outside. When she had their attention, she walked in.

  Juliana rose, smiling. Watching her, Ben realized she was quite comfortable now about having Opal around. Juliana didn't even seem aware that she wasn't wearing her wig. Her hair was growing out�
��short brown tendrils curved around her face, lending an appealing softness.

  Opal knew, of course, that Juliana was living here now. He wondered when she'd be ready to let the rest of the world in on the secret.

  "Have a seat, Opal, and I'll get you a glass of tea," Juliana invited.

  "Thanks." The white-haired woman pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing her booted feet. "That's what I come by for, to say thanks."

  Juliana set down a glass of ice and reached for the tea pitcher. "You're welcome."

  Opal laughed. "Naw, not for the tea. For helping Rodney and Helen."

  "Oh, that." Juliana resumed her seat. She was embarrassed. "They're nice people. It was no big deal."

  "No big deal!" Opal hooted. "They're my friends and even I admit Rodney is not the easiest ol' boy to deal with."

  Ben looked from one to the other. Juliana's success with the Burtons was news to him. "So what did you do?" he asked;

  "Nothing fancy. The biggest problem was communication. Once I figured out their situation, it was fairly simple. I got them a reverse mortgage."

  Ben's brows arched. "Is that what it sounds like? If it is, I'll take one."

  Opal laughed. "It's only for old fogies," she said.

  Juliana nodded. "Basically, that's right. A reverse mortgage converts the equity in a house into a monthly income with a deferred repayment schedule. That means they can go on living in their own home with money coming in each month. Repayment will come at some point down the road when the house is sold."

  "By which time, they'll be six feet under and won't give a hoot."

  Juliana rolled her eyes. "You do have a way with words, Opal."

  "I sure do." Opal nodded. "So that's why I come to say thanks, Juliana. You're your father's daughter, all right, and no finer man ever lived. He'd be proud as a peacock of you, girl."

  Juliana caught her breath, taken completely by surprise at such praise. "I… I was proud of him, too," she admitted.

  And it was true. Finally and at long last, it was true. For perhaps the first time in her life, she felt nothing but pride in being compared with her father. So what if she hadn't made big bucks on the Burtons? It had been a real learning experience—she felt she ought to pay them! She laughed out loud at the thought.