Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (36 page)

“But when you love someone, mistakes don’t matter. You always want to help.” Jenna sighed and straightened on the swing. “Do you believe that, Wally? Like Mom. No matter what my father did, she always loved him.”

“Yeah.” Wally shuffled his feet.

“Do you think men can feel like that too? Maybe forgive a little?”

“Some men can.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re talking about Burke now, aren’t you?”

“Want coffee?” She rose abruptly. “Or a beer? Maybe you better choose beer because we don’t have any milk. And I don’t have a car to drive to the store.”

Wally didn’t move. His kind eyes filled with empathy. “Maybe you better just call him, Jenna. Get this over with.”

“I tried but his number doesn’t work, and I can’t get past the secretary.” She stepped forward and grabbed Wally’s hand. “Can you give me his private number? Please?”

“Sorry, kid. Don’t have it. I’m not a member of his privileged circle.”

“Emily has this crazy idea I should fly out to California.”

Wally grunted. “And she’s some kind of relationship guru? She’s crazier than all of us. Look, clearly Burke has moved on—”

They both turned as Jenna’s car sped over the ridge and jerked into the driveway. Hangers draped the back seat and lurched crazily from the Neon’s abrupt stop.

Wally groaned with fresh disdain. “Looks like she bought more clothes. Is she even looking for a job?”

“She’s only been home a month, and she can’t help it. She loves clothes.” Jenna’s defense was quick and automatic although she stared in dismay at the hangers. Em didn’t have a job and only piss-poor prospects. She really shouldn’t be out shopping.

Wally rubbed his chin. “Maybe she should drop by the Center and apply for the tour guide position. We’ve got some fancy Thoroughbreds booked and lots of town interest. The seventh grade kids from Stillwater are visiting tomorrow. Frances doesn’t want anything to do with tours so I’m screening job applicants now.”

“That would be great.” Jenna shot Wally a look of profound gratitude. “She’d be good at that, and a job would keep her out of the stores. She has enough clothes to last a lifetime.”

“And you have none,” Wally said.

Emily stepped from Jenna’s car with an armful of clothes, wilted hair and a triumphant smile. “Busy day at the flea market,” she called. “I had more customers than the rest of the tables put together. But no way was I selling these blouses for five bucks.”

She trudged up the steps and tossed a wad of money on the table. “Flying money for California, sis. Now I’m going to my room to cry.”

Jenna stared in stunned silence at the mound of wrinkled bills. Scads of bills—tens, twenties, even a few fifties.

Wally stared for a moment, as stunned as Jenna. “She sold her clothes? Well, I’ll be damned.” He leaned forward and started counting. “Looks like you have to find Burke now. And once she finishes crying, tell her she has that guide job. No interview necessary.”

***

“You look beautiful.” Em gave Jenna’s hair an approving nod as passengers shuffled through airport security. “Call as soon as you talk to Burke. And if he wants to buy me a present, one of those Corvette convertibles would be entirely appropriate.

“Seriously,” she went on, “no matter how it goes, at least you tried. He’s lucky to have your love.” She reached out and wrapped Jenna in a fierce hug. “I take you for granted sometimes, but you’re the best sister anyone could have. Now before you see him, remember to change into that little outfit with the sexy cream blouse. And put the lip gloss on over the coral base.”

Jenna’s upper lip trembled. “Right. And don’t you forget to cut up Peanut’s carrots. He chokes if…” She couldn’t finish, could only give her beloved sister a misty smile. “I w-wish you were coming with me, Em. There’s a good chance this could end badly, and now you don’t even have any clothes.”

“I just want everything back to normal,” Emily’s smile was slightly sheepish, “so my sister can return to doting on wonderful me. And even if this visit doesn’t work out, selling my clothes wasn’t a waste. At least you’ll have tried.”

“You don’t think it will work?” Jenna stiffened. “Wally thinks that too, doesn’t he?”

Emily shook her head, so quickly it was clear she and Wally had talked. “He just said Burke has a tough reputation. But that’s related to business.” Em’s laugh sounded forced. “You’re not business. I’m sure he’s different with personal affairs.”

“But I’m not so sure he’s different at all.”

“Just get close to him,” Emily said. “Make him think with the part of his brain that isn’t business.”

“But what side is that?” Jenna flattened her palm against the knot of panic pinching her stomach. “Is it the right or left? I don’t know anything about that. Did you learn that in college?”

Emily gently pushed her toward the gate. “Just get on the plane. Most men would stare and not hear a word you’re saying anyway. Besides, you’ve always known how to handle a guy.”

“But I can only handle them when it doesn’t matter.” Jenna’s voice cracked. “And this matters. He matters so much—”

Emily shoved her into the moving line and Jenna stumbled forward, her eyes hanging onto her sister until Em was no longer in sight.

***

It wasn’t nearly as much fun flying alone. Nor was it as much fun flying economy. The man on Jenna’s right made several persistent attempts, but she was too tense for conversation. There was a good possibility she was risking hotel and airfare, along with her fragile heart.

Wally had confirmed Burke Industries now controlled Edge Technology in California, and that Derek Burke was the acting manager. The office address was close to the LA Airport but what if he wasn’t there? She had enough money for two nights’ stay, a couple cheap meals and some taxi fare. Wally had pressed a credit card in her hand for emergency purposes, but his concerned expression hadn’t been reassuring.

“Be careful, Jenna. LA isn’t like Stillwater,” he’d said.

She controlled a shudder and stared out the tiny window. At least she was seeing the country unfold. It was a clear day. That had to be a good omen.

The plane landed in LA exactly on schedule. Another good omen.

She watched and waited as the luggage carousel creaked in slow circles. A woman shouldered her aside to snag a bulging black suitcase covered with red stickers, and all around her, passengers grabbed bags, hugged friends and squealed at relatives. Eventually only a sprinkle of people remained.

She stepped back, checking the carousel number. Definitely she was in the right place and quite definitely, her bag wasn’t.

The disinterested man in the baggage booth stamped her claim form and placed it on a towering stack. “We expect the bags to arrive within forty-eight hours.”

“But that’s two days—”

“Next,” he called.

She drifted toward an exit, clutching her purse, slightly dazed as people rushed past. Everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going, everyone but her. The last airport she’d visited had been much nicer, much friendlier. Not nearly so intimidating. Of course, Burke had been by her side, and no one would dare lose his luggage.
I wonder what he’s doing now
.

Soon she’d know.

His office address meant nothing, simply a blur of numbers, but the taxi driver nodded and ushered her into the back seat, then zoomed away from the queue of yellow cabs. Jenna stared out the window at the backlog of traffic, the chaotic side streets, the looming office towers.

How can he stand it here
? It would be hard to find any nails to pound in this place; she doubted he’d be wearing a hard hat when she finally saw him.

“Here you go, lady.”

She paid the taxi driver too many of her precious bills, feeling a bit forsaken when he sped away in a rush of gas fumes. Burke’s building shimmered beneath the sun. It appeared to be made of dark glass and towered over many of its rivals. People rushed in and out, slender women and chiseled men, good-looking people with officious-looking briefcases, golden skin and haughty expressions.

She stared up, shielding her eyes. Did he actually run this thing? Three Brooks seemed small now, a tiny blip of enterprise, not very important at all except to the horses and town. But whatever they did in this ostentatious building, they couldn’t be helping animals. She set her shoulders and pushed open a thick glass door.

Her face immediately cooled as she stepped into the air-conditioned lobby. To reach the elevators, she had to pass between a cascading fountain and an imposing security desk.

A guy in a stained ball cap, delivery bag flapping, rushed past and almost knocked her into the bubbling water as he charged toward a swiftly closing elevator. The man at the reception desk ignored him and smiled at Jenna. “May I help you, miss?”

“Yes. Can you tell me what floor Derek Burke, Edge Technology, is on?”

The man’s attention shifted to a big screen then back to her face. “Edge has many floors but it’s restricted access. You’ll need an appointment.”

She faked a confident smile. “Can you call Mr. Burke? Tell him Jenna Murphy is here to see him.”

“Just a moment, please,” he said. She leaned forward, following his gaze, reading quickly. Derek Burke, floor fifty. So he was on the top. She eased back, waiting as the man lifted his receiver and addressed someone named Miss Higgins. His gaze flickered over Jenna twice before hanging up.

“I’m sorry.” He leaned back in his chair. “Mr. Burke is out of the office. You’ll need to call this number and make an appointment.” He handed her a card.

“But how long is he out of the office?” Her voice squeaked as she took the phone number. “Not for more than a few days, I hope?”

The guard’s smile faded to a tight line. “As Miss Higgins suggests, you’ll have to make an appointment.” He looked past her, nodding at a man in a light sports jacket and silk tie.

Dismissed, she jerked back, cold with panic. She couldn’t afford to stay for more than two days. Was he gone or just out of the office for an hour or two? And was he really out? Wally always told Frances to say he was out when he didn’t have time for visitors.

She glanced wistfully at the elevators. Looked like all deliveries were routed to the sixth floor. But Burke’s floor was on the top, and she couldn’t even see that elevator. The guard’s eyebrows narrowed in clear warning and she turned away, stepping back into the bright sunshine.

Now what?

She could check in at her budget hotel but her best bet was to see Burke now, while her only clothes were still relatively clean. Emily would have a fit if she knew her wardrobe plans for Jenna had already been scuttled.

“This is for traveling. This is for your first meet,” her sister had said with breezy confidence. “After that, it won’t matter what you wear.”

Yeah, right. Jenna snorted. Maybe tea would help. And she’d have a good vantage point from the little coffee shop across from the office tower.

“We don’t have lemon but we have fifty flavors of coffee and boba milk tea,” the waitress said, gesturing at an overhead chalkboard.

“Just plain hot tea, please,” Jenna said, staring at the confusion of items.

She sat in the only remaining chair by the window, intent on the people scurrying into Burke’s building. ‘Out of the office.’ Maybe that meant he was at a lunch meeting and would be back soon.

Please, please, please, make him come back soon
. Her body hummed with anticipation, her nose pressed against the glass. Another delivery guy swooped in on a shiny bike, muscled legs pumping as he hunched over his handlebars. Not a whole lot of people coming or going now. Mid-afternoon lull?

She sipped her tea, watching the office door and eyeing the creeping hands of the wall clock, but even so, she almost missed him. Oh, thank you, God. It was him, walking toward the building. Something twisted in her chest, and for a moment she stopped breathing.

Dark pants, white shirt, loosened tie. He looked so good she simply stared, drinking in the sight. His hair was longer and he seemed relaxed, even smiling at something his companion said. Not a lip twitch but an actual smile.

Odd.

She pressed her nose further against the window and studied his companion, a woman whose pretty coral suit seemed a tad too tight for office work. And those ridiculous heels. Be interesting to see how she managed the concrete steps.

Ah, ha. Not well. She bobbled on her right heel. Burke’s hand shot out, such a familiar, protective gesture that Jenna jerked back, spilling her cold tea. She leaped up, swiping at the brown blotch, frantically staring over her shoulder but the pair disappeared into the building.

Oh, shit. She sank back, squeezing her eyes in despair. He didn’t give away smiles, not those kind. In fact, he’d never even looked at another woman—not the entire time he’d been with her—not even when women flirted outrageously.

She sat numbly while people laughed and joked and came and went. What a wasted trip. Clearly people like her didn’t belong with people like him. She’d been delusional. Thank God he hadn’t seen her. She was too sick to move. Could only sit in a heartbroken daze.

A teenager with baggy pants pushed a broom around her feet. “We’re closing in ten minutes.”

Jenna glanced numbly at the wall. Seven o’clock already. Unbelievable. One thing about California, time passed quickly.

She stumbled from the coffee shop, glaring at the snooty office building. Silent now. No visitors for the security guard to turn away. Burke and his lady friend could have all the privacy they needed.

Hopefully they wouldn’t see her. Probably he’d left through another door. No doubt he had underground parking, a secure place for his fancy car, or SUV, or whatever model he drove now. She glanced down the alley. On the left side of the building, a small sign marked a parking entrance. Not that she cared anymore. Absolutely not.

Her hotel was only a ten-minute walk, an ugly concrete walk past aloof pedestrians and a shriveled lady who smiled gratefully when Jenna dropped some change in her plastic container. The air stunk, and Jenna’s ears rang from the blaring horns of a wall of Hummers, Jaguars and Escalades.