Eyes (24 page)

As Connie settled down to watch the news, she made a vow to herself. This time she'd be very careful, and she would succeed. It was their last chance, Alan was counting on her. She was young enough to fit in on the university campus. There was nothing to set her apart from the other coeds. She'd have her hair colored, a shade of dark blond would be nice. She'd wear it pulled back very casually, and pick up a pair of studious-looking glasses. She would blend in beautifully. No one would suspect that she had an ulterior purpose for contacting the professor.

“I'm going to do it, Alan. You'll see.” Connie clutched his picture to her chest and smiled self-confidently. The first thing tomorrow, she'd drive to the campus and get a copy of the class schedule. Then, when she'd perfected her role of serious student, she'd enroll in a class taught by Professor Neil Bradley.

CHAPTER 28

There was a smile on Connie's face as she rushed across the quad. She was going to the campus café to get Professor Bradley a sandwich for lunch. Over the past six weeks she'd made herself indispensable, running errands, reading to the professor, and attending every one of his lectures.

When she had gone to the admissions office, she'd discovered that she was ineligible to enroll. Since she'd left home at sixteen, she hadn't finished high school and the college entrance exam wouldn't be given again until the fall semester.

That hadn't stopped Connie. She'd gone straight to Professor Bradley's office and told him that she was testing the waters, trying to decide if she should take her entrance exam and enroll as a full-time student. He'd been kind enough to let her sit in on his class as an observer, and because she wasn't being graded, Connie had become his unofficial assistant.

The professor taught only one class a day. That was fine with Connie. She was attending only one class, and that class was his. She'd told Professor Bradley that she'd saved enough money from her secretarial job to spend several months on campus, but he'd pulled some strings and now she was earning a small stipend for reading to him and helping him correct his exams.

She'd made sure to stand in strong sunlight so he could see how attractive she was, but so far Professor Bradley hadn't even suggested that they become more than student helper and teacher. That wasn't surprising. She was only with him four hours a day and an hour of that time was spent in a classroom with twenty other students. The other three hours were spent in his office, but they weren't alone then, either. Professor Bradley kept his door open so his students could drop by to ask for advice, and the other professors in the department were always sticking their heads in the doorway.

“Don't worry, Alan. It'll happen, sooner or later,” Connie whispered. “I just need to arrange more time alone with him.”

A student she'd never seen before was manning the takeout counter. Connie smiled at him as she approached, and his face began to turn red. She knew she looked good in her tight green sweater because he seemed unable to take his eyes off her chest.

“I need a club sandwich for Professor Bradley.” Connie managed to keep from laughing at the flustered student. “He wants mayo instead of thousand island dressing, and a side of coleslaw.”

“Sure. It'll be up in a minute. Uh . . . do you want anything for yourself?”

His voice cracked and Connie leaned over the counter, deliberately brushing her breasts against his hand. He pulled back as if he'd been burned, and his face turned even redder.

“I mean . . . to eat. You know. Did you want to order any more food?”

“Not for me.” Connie shook her head. “I'm dieting today. Gotta watch the figure, you know?”

“Yeah. Uh . . . sure.”

He was so embarrassed Connie was afraid he'd get the order wrong. “I'll be waiting outside. Just wave at me when it's ready. Club sandwich, mayo instead of thousand, and a side of slaw.”

“Got it!”

He scribbled the order on a pad, and Connie watched to make sure it was right. Then she walked outside and drew a deep breath of the sweet spring air.

It was beautiful weather. Early May was usually quite chilly in Minnesota, but today she was almost too warm in her sweater. Two girls walked past her in shorts, and Connie grinned as she noticed that one of them was shivering. Professor Bradley had told her that last February, when the thermometer had climbed to the high twenties, several bikini-clad girls from the dorm had stretched out on reflective blankets on top of a snowbank to work on their suntans.

The student at the counter was beckoning to her, and Connie went back inside. She picked up the sandwich, paid for it with the money the professor had given her, and hurried across the quad to his office.

The door was closed, so she knocked softly. She heard a giggle, and then Professor Bradley called out to her.

“Just leave it outside the door, Connie. I'll pick it up later. I'm having a . . . uh . . . a student conference.”

“I see.” The professor had sounded out of breath, and as Connie set down the sandwich, she heard another giggle. If Professor Bradley was counseling a student, they were certainly having a lot of fun! “Do you want me to come back, Professor Bradley?”

“Yes. In an hour. I should be through by then.”

Connie was amused as she walked away. It hadn't taken long for her to hear the gossip about Professor Bradley. He was married, but he'd had several well-known affairs with his graduate students. Even more encouraging was the news that his wife was pregnant. It meant that he was capable of fathering Alan's child. But now it seemed she had a rival for the professor's affections. She had to find a way to monopolize his time.

The coffee room was deserted, and Connie hurried in. She shut the door, then sat down on a chair, pulling Alan's picture from her purse. A whispered conversation in her head wouldn't do. She needed Alan's advice, and it was best to speak with him directly.

“What shall I do, Alan? I need to spend more time with him, and now there's another woman on the scene.”

Connie listened, then smiled as the faint, beloved voice told her exactly what to do. Alan had a plan, and it was brilliant. She'd follow his instructions to the letter. They would be bound to work.

Less than a minute later, Connie knocked on Professor Jenkins's open door. “Hi, Norma. I just stopped in to see if I could do anything to help you.”

“Come in.” Norma motioned to her. “Your timing is perfect. I'm so tired of correcting these miserable exams, my eyes are blurring.”

“Relax. I'll do it.” Connie pulled up a chair and reached out for the answer sheet. She'd made friends with Professor Norma Jenkins her first day on campus. Now they were on a first-name basis. Norma knew everything that happened in the department, and she wasn't above a little gossip.

“So why aren't you working for Neil?” Norma looked curious.

“Professor Bradley has a student conference. I don't have to be back until two.”

Norma raised her eyebrows. “A student conference?”

“That's what he said. It was one of the girls. I heard her giggle . . . twice.”

“But you didn't see her?” Norma began to frown.

“No. The door was closed when I brought his lunch, and he said to leave it in the hall. He told me he'd be through in an hour.”

A full minute of silence passed while Connie busied herself, correcting exams. She knew that Norma wouldn't be able to stand the silence for much longer.

“Connie?”

“Yes.” Connie stacked another corrected exam on the pile of completed tests.

“If I tell you something, will you promise not to repeat it to anyone?”

“Of course.” Connie nodded. “What is it, Norma?”

“Neil's not having a student conference. I saw who went into his office, and she's not a student. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that she's still there.”

“Oh. I get it!” Connie made herself blush. “I should have known it was Mrs. Bradley. He sounded . . . uh . . . very out of breath. I probably interrupted a romantic lunch.”

There was another moment of silence, then Norma sighed. “It wasn't Mrs. Bradley. Lisa Hyland is back in town. She used to be Neil's teaching assistant. He was having an affair with her. Lisa almost broke up his marriage.”

Connie's mouth dropped open in pretended surprise. “I promise I won't say anything, Norma. I wouldn't want Mrs. Bradley to hear about this, especially in her condition.”

“Good girl! Poor Jill's got enough to worry about—with her job and the baby and the problem with the housekeeper.”

“I knew she was pregnant.” Connie nodded. “Professor Bradley told me. And Mrs. Bradley is a lawyer, isn't she?”

“She's not just any lawyer. She's the youngest Assistant DA the city's ever had. Jill's very bright, and she's a dear.”

“You mentioned something about a housekeeper?” Connie seized the opportunity to pump Norma for information.

“Yes. I talked to Jill on the phone last night, and she said their housekeeper quit. This is the seventh one they've gone through in less than six months.”

“But why?” Connie managed to look perfectly innocent as she asked the question. Professor Bradley was probably screwing them as fast as his wife could hire them. “Is Mrs. Bradley difficult to work for?”

Norma shook her head. “Not at all. Jill's just as sweet as she can be. Neil's the problem. You've probably noticed that he can be very demanding. And quite frankly, he has a problem keeping his hands off attractive women.”

“I've noticed.” Connie laughed slightly. “But I really don't have a problem with that. I've learned plenty of ways to discourage those kinds of advances without hurting anyone's feelings.”

Norma raised her eyebrows. “Then he's made a pass at you?”

“Not yet. But if he does, I know how to handle it. And I like Professor Bradley. He's very demanding, but I'm learning a lot. I don't usually get along with men, but Professor Bradley reminds me of my father.”

“You don't get along with men?” Norma took the bait that Connie had thrown out. “What do you mean?”

Connie looked worried, and she leaned forward slightly. “If I tell you, you won't say anything, will you, Norma? It could get me into a lot of trouble with my family.”

“Of course I won't! What is it, Connie?”

“I'm . . . well . . . I'm gay. And my family doesn't know.” Connie lowered her voice. “I'm involved with someone, but she's out of the country. She earned a year's scholarship to Oxford, and she won't be back until Christmas. I promised I'd wait for her. We're going to live together when she comes back, and that's when we'll tell our families.”

“I see.” Norma nodded. Then she began to smile. “You may not know it, but you're the perfect assistant for Neil. He can't pick up on you.”

Connie laughed. “You're right. Maybe Mrs. Bradley should hire a gay housekeeper. That might solve her problem.”

“It might.” Norma looked thoughtful. “It would have to be a gay woman, though. Neil couldn't stand to have another man in the house. And it would be impossible to advertise a position like that. You'd get slapped with a lawsuit if you even tried.”

“I guess that's true.” Connie sighed. “It's a pity, though. If I saw an ad like that, I'd jump at the chance to work for the Bradleys.”

There was another moment of silence, and Connie held her breath. Would Norma fall into her trap?

“Connie?” Norma cleared her throat. “Did you mean that?”

“Mean what?” Connie finished correcting another exam.

“That you'd like to work for the Bradleys?”

“Of course I would.” Connie looked up, having assumed her most sincere expression. “Mrs. Bradley sounds nice, and I already work for Professor Bradley part-time. I could even live in and drive him to work. And to tell the truth, Norma, I could really use the money.”

Norma began to smile. “Good! I think you just got a job. Do you mind if I tell Jill that you're gay? It would help to relieve her mind.”

“You can tell her.” Connie nodded quickly. “But I don't want Professor Bradley to know. He'd probably fire me if he knew that he couldn't . . . well . . . you know what I mean.”

Norma clapped her hands. “That's brilliant, Connie! And you're absolutely right. It'll be a secret between you and me and Jill.”

“I'm looking forward to meeting Mrs. Bradley.” Connie prompted. “I hope she'll like me enough to hire me.”

“Of course she will! What's not to like? I'll call Jill this afternoon and find out when the three of us can get together.”

“Thank you, Norma.” Connie gave her a sweet smile. Alan's plan was working out perfectly. If she landed the position as the Bradleys' new housekeeper, she'd have plenty of opportunities to sleep with Neil. And best of all, Mrs. Bradley would never suspect a thing!

CHAPTER 29

“She's an absolute gem!” Jill was smiling as she faced Doug across the table. They were having lunch at The Beef Barrel again, and Doug had just asked about Connie Walters, their new housekeeper. “I really don't know how I got along without her, Doug. She drives Neil to work, brings him home, and makes all the meals. She even cleans the house and does the laundry and all the shopping.”

Doug looked impressed. “She sounds terrific. Did you hire her through an agency?”

“No. Neil found her on campus. She's sitting in on one of his classes, and she's been helping him in his office. One of Neil's colleagues recommended her, and when I met her, I hired her on the spot.”

Doug nodded and handed Jill the mustard. “You said she's living in?”

“That's right. We gave her the small guest room above the garage. I showed it to you, didn't I?”

“Yes, you did.” Doug smiled. “I'm glad she's working out so well, Jill. Is she an older woman?”

“No. Connie's in her late twenties, and she's very attractive. She's bright, too, and she's got a marvelous personality.”

Doug frowned slightly. “Maybe I shouldn't mention this, but I thought you said you'd never hire another attractive young housekeeper.”

“I did.' Jill leaned closer so she couldn't be overheard. “This is strictly between us, but Connie is gay. Her lover is in England. They have a monogamous relationship. They're going to live together when she comes home at Christmas.”

Doug raised his eyebrows. “It sounds like you found a perfect solution. Congratulations, Jill. And Neil agreed to hire a gay housekeeper?”

“He doesn't know. Connie told me in the strictest confidence. She doesn't want to take the chance that her parents will find out before she's ready to tell them. She's really very considerate, Doug. And she helps me so much. If I forget to take my vitamins in the morning, Connie reminds me. She makes sure I eat right, and she's always talking about the baby. I think she's even more excited than I am.”

“She sounds almost too good to be true.” Doug frowned slightly. “What was her name again?”

Jill started to grin. She knew exactly what Doug was thinking. “Connie Walters. And she doesn't have a record. I checked before I even met her.”

“Good for you.” Doug looked pleased. “Do you know much about her background?”

“I know enough. Her parents live on a farm, and they barely manage to get by. Connie dropped out of high school when she was sixteen to help them out financially. She worked as a waitress for over three years, and she finished a two-year secretarial course at night.”

Doug nodded. “Then she's qualified to be a secretary?”

“A very high-level secretary. They call them administrative assistants now. She takes shorthand like a dream, and she types over ninety words a minute.”

“She sounds overqualified to be a housekeeper.” Doug began to frown. “Couldn't she make more money as an administrative assistant?”

“I'm sure she could, but she really wants to go to college and she can't do both.”

“I can understand that. I had to work and go to college at the same time. It was tough to find time to study. What is she? A freshman?”

“Not yet.” Jill shook her head. “She didn't graduate from high school. That means she can't enroll as a regular student until she takes the entrance exam at the end of the summer.”

“Do you think she'll be able to pass it?”

“Hands down.” Jill looked very confident. “Neil says she's one of the brightest students he's ever taught, but naturally there are big gaps in her education. We're tutoring her for an hour every night, and she's already caught up in every subject except algebra.”

Doug gave a wry smile. “Algebra was hard for me, too. It's not on my list of favorite subjects.”

“Not on mine, either!” Jill laughed. “But Neil's always been a whiz at math, and Connie's studying hard. She'll make it, Doug. I'm sure of it.”

“But can she afford to go to college?”

Jill nodded. “She's managed to save quite a bit, and Neil's checking around for on-campus work. She doesn't have any expenses since she's living with us. That means she's saving every penny of her salary for tuition.”

“You like her a lot, don't you, Jill?”

“Yes, I do.” Jill smiled. “If I have a daughter, I hope she grows up to be just as nice as Connie Walters.”

* * *

“Connie. You're really an incredible woman!” Neil reached up to squeeze Connie's breasts, then pulled her to him again.

“I've got to get dressed.” Connie glanced at the clock and frowned. “It's already two, and I still have to do the laundry before Jill gets home. Hold that thought until tonight. After she's asleep, you can come to my room.”

Neil looked disappointed, but he nodded. “You're right. I don't want to do anything to make her suspicious. If the laundry's not done, she might think we were up to something.”

“No, she won't. Your wife will never suspect that you're sleeping with me.”

Neil laughed. “Then you don't know Jill very well! She's very suspicious.”

“I wonder what made her that way?” Connie raised her eyebrows. “I'm sure you've never given her any reason to doubt you.”

Neil laughed, but he looked a little sheepish. “Okay, okay. I've given her plenty of reasons. To tell the truth, I still don't understand why she was so hot to hire you. You're young, you're smart, and you're beautiful. Jill must have guessed what would happen if you moved in with us.”

“You're wrong.” Connie leaned close and nibbled at Neil's ear. “I told you before . . . Jill will never suspect a thing.”

“Why not? Did you put her under some sort of spell?”

Connie nodded. “I guess I did, in a way. You see, Neil, your wife is convinced that I'm gay.”

“Gay?” Neil looked shocked. “But why would she believe a ridiculous thing like that?”

“Because Norma thinks I'm gay. I told her so, and she told Jill.”

“Wait a minute.” Neil started to frown. “Why did you tell Norma you're gay?”

“Because I thought it would be great cover for us.”

“You were right.” He nodded. “But how did you know I was going to sleep with you? I didn't even make a pass until you moved in with us.”

“It was inevitable. I knew it would happen, sooner or later.”

“And just how did you know that?”

Connie gave him a seductive grin. “Because I wanted to sleep with you. I always get what I want, Neil. If you hadn't suggested it, I would have used every trick I knew to get you into bed.”

“Every trick, huh?” Neil thought about it for a moment, and then he began to grin. “I've got a great idea.”

“What's that?”

“I'll help you with the laundry. We'll go to a Laundromat, and we can do it in half the time. That should free you up for at least another hour.”

“That's true.” Connie nodded. “A Laundromat would be a lot faster.”

“That's what I thought. And since we've got an extra hour, I have something I want you to do.”

“Okay.” Connie nodded. “What is it?”

Neil grinned devilishly. “I want you to pretend that we're not lovers. And then I want you to show me exactly what tricks you would have pulled to get me into bed.”

* * *

“You look tired, Jill.” Connie seemed very concerned as Jill stifled a yawn. “Didn't you get enough sleep last night?”

Jill shrugged. “I thought I did, but I couldn't seem to find a comfortable position. I guess it's because I'm getting so big.”

“I've got the perfect solution for you.” Connie stacked the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turned to Jill with a smile. “One of my friends recommended it, and I bought it this afternoon. Come with me. I put it in your room.”

Jill was curious as she followed Connie up the stairs. The young woman loved to surprise her with little gifts, and they were always things she liked.

“Open it.” Connie was smiling as she pointed to the gift-wrapped package on the bed. “My friend said it helped her to sleep when she was pregnant.”

The package was wrapped with teddy bear paper, and it was so pretty Jill almost hated to open it. She ran a fingernail under the tape and pulled off the paper carefully.

“So? What do you think?”

Jill stared down at her present, a puzzled expression on her face. It was big and soft, like a feather pillow, but it was shaped so strangely, she wasn't sure exactly what it was supposed to do.

“It's very pretty.” Jill stroked the fabric with her fingers. It was printed with blue and pink flowers, and it was very attractive. “But . . . exactly what is it?”

“They call it a preggie pillow. It's really two pillows sewn together with this flat strip in the middle. Do you want me to show you how it works?”

“I think you'd better.” Jill gave a little laugh. “I've never seen anything quite like it before.”

Connie placed the pillow on the bed horizontally, halfway between the head and the foot of the bed. She smoothed out the flat strip of cloth and turned to Jill. “Stretch out right here on your back. This flat place should be positioned at your waistline.”

“I'll try.” Jill got on the bed. “But there's a problem, Connie. I'm so big, I don't have a waistline!”

“That's true. Just try to remember where it used to be and that'll be fine.”

“This is . . . very comfortable!” Jill was amazed as the two pillows hugged her, one on either side of her body.

“I know. My friend said it was the best shower gift she ever got. Try rolling on your side, Jill. It'll work that way, too.”

Jill rolled onto her side, and one pillow cradled her stomach. The other was positioned perfectly, right in the small of her back. She rolled over to the other side, and the pillow was perfect that way, too. “This preggie pillow is a godsend, Connie! I can get into almost any position and still be comfortable.”

“That's right. And since the pillows are sewn to the flat piece, they'll stay in place.”

Jill smiled. “That's a relief! I've tried using two pillows before, but one of them always falls off the bed in the middle of the night. You don't know how many times I've turned on the light to look for a missing pillow.”

“You won't have to do that anymore.” Connie looked very proud. “I knew you'd like it. My friend said this pillow practically saved her life in the last three months before her baby was born.”

“I can see why she said that. Thank you, Connie. I'm so comfortable, I think I could go to sleep right now.”

“That's a good idea.” Connie walked to the foot of the bed and removed Jill's shoes. “I'll help you into your nightgown. You'll feel much better in the morning if you get a good night's sleep.”

Jill nodded and let Connie help her get ready for bed. She was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open. “I should go downstairs and say good night to Neil, but I just don't have the energy.”

“Don't worry. He'll understand. I'll tell him you were exhausted and you fell asleep.”

“But . . . I was going to help you study for your test.” Jill began to feel a little guilty. “And it's only a little past eight.”

“Don't worry about me. I'll concentrate on algebra tonight, and if I have questions, I'll ask Neil. Just get some sleep, Jill. And don't worry about us. I'll take care of everything.”

“I never worry when you're here.” Jill smiled at her. “I hope you know how much I appreciate you, Connie. You're such a good friend, and you help so much.”

Connie pulled up the blankets and tucked Jill in. Then she turned off the light. “That's why I'm here. It's wonderful to be part of a family again. Good night and sleep well.”

“I will. Good night, Connie.” Jill's eyes closed the moment Connie left the room. Her last thought, before she fell asleep, was about Connie, about how thankful she was that Neil had agreed to let her sit in on his class. She was a perfect housekeeper and a truly caring friend. She seemed like a member of their family already, though she'd only been with them for six weeks. And best of all, Jill didn't have to lose a moment's sleep in worrying about Neil and Connie.