Behind the Pine Curtain (20 page)

“I’m really sorry.”

“No problem. And you’re right. Lee Ann will love it.” Kay took it with her as she retreated to her bedroom.

Jacqueline was sprawled on the sofa, eyes closed when Kay came back, dressed in faded jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Kay stared at her for the longest time, her eyes moving over her long legs to her waist, finally resting on her face. She looked so relaxed, so comfortable. And tired. Kay wondered if she’d been having trouble sleeping. Jackie had not said.

“What are you looking at?” Jacqueline murmured. She hadn’t opened her eyes, but she felt Kay’s presence.

“I was looking at you, of course.”

Jacqueline turned her head, smiling. “And?”

“And? I was wondering if you’d been sleeping okay. You look tired.”

Jacqueline sat up. “No, I’m sleeping fine. I was just thinking, not sleeping.”

“Oh? Want to talk?”

“Yeah, I do. But we don’t have time. Maybe after I’ve had a chance to talk to Greg and sort some of this out, I’ll feel better about it. Right now, I’m overwhelmed by it all.”

“How was your Uncle Walter?”

“He was okay, really. And I think he was sincere. If I’d been in his shoes, I’d be a little bitter, I think. But he seems content the way things are.”

“So, no alliance with your mother?”

“No. Actually, she called while I was there. He wasn’t very pleasant to her.”

“What’s next then?”

“I’m going to meet with the office staff on Friday. Greg was going to set it up for me. I want to see how everyone feels about me being there, for one thing.” She buried her hands in her hair. “Oh, Kay, my gut tells me to sell this thing and get on with my life. But, something is telling me not to. And I don’t know what it is.”

Kay sat down beside her, circling her shoulders with one arm. “Maybe you’re just genuinely concerned with the welfare of the workers. You suddenly feel responsible for them.”

“Yeah. That’s part of it. Did I tell you that my father left one million dollars to the fair city of Pine Springs?”

“No! You’re joking?”

“No. It’s supposed to go to the city park and for a new library.”

Kay smiled. “So, some good did come out of it.”

“Yeah, it did. I’m sure that threw my mother. But, knowing her, she’ll take credit for it.”

“And we both know she would never have done that.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, maybe you just need to give it time, Jackie. Sleep on it. Let it sink in.”

“You’re probably right.” Jacqueline sat up, feeling Kay’s arm slip away from her. “We should get going. I’m sure my jeans are dry by now.”

“Go check on them. I’ll call in a pizza order.”

“Don’t forget the kids,” Jacqueline reminded her.

“No. They like the cheese sticks.” Kay stood and pulled Jacqueline to her feet. “Go check your laundry.”

Thirty minutes later, they were pulling up to the pizza place, and Kay watched as Jacqueline walked inside, tall and straight.

Again, she thought what an attractive woman she was. Her blond hair was a little shorter and darker than it’d been in high school, but not by much. Just styled differently. But she was still athletic looking, fit. And tan. Kay assumed living in California, one wouldn’t have to worry about losing a tan during the winter months.

She was only slightly aware that she was picturing Jackie with an all-over tan.
What are you doing?
She had no idea. She only knew that she loved being in Jackie’s presence. She always had. Being around Jackie made her
feel
good. She couldn’t explain it. Actually, she didn’t
want
to explain it. She didn’t want to analyze anything. She just wanted to enjoy her time with Jackie, for however long she had. After that, well—

Her eyes were again drawn to the woman as Jackie walked back to the car, three pizza boxes piled high in her arms. Jackie stopped, her head tilted to the side as she met Kay’s eyes through the window. Kay realized she had stopped breathing.

Then Jackie gave a subtle wink, breaking the spell. Kay reached over and opened the door for her.

“This smells good. We may have to sample some before we get there.”

“Rose will kill you,” Kay said as she took the boxes from Jackie.

“Rose has too many rules.”

“Yes, she does.” Kay turned to Jackie, looking at her profile in the darkness. “You’ll want to talk to Greg alone, I guess.”

Jacqueline turned her head quickly and met Kay’s eyes. “Yeah, I mean, that’s okay, right? I’m not trying to keep anything from you guys, it’s just . . .”

“I know, Jackie. I was just wondering if I need to keep Rose and the kids occupied. You know how nosy she is.”

“Well, unlike most of the men I’ve met recently, I think Greg will share whatever I have to say with Rose anyway. It’s just, I’d like to talk to him without interruptions.”

“I understand. I’ll get a board game out so Rose and I can play with the kids.”

“Thanks, Kay.” Without thinking, Jacqueline reached across the seats and found Kay’s hand. She squeezed, feeling the light pressure as Kay returned the gesture.

Jacqueline relaxed as she drove through the deserted streets, turning off the main road only a few minutes later. They parked in the driveway next to Greg’s truck and the motion light came on immediately.

“No sneaking up, huh? What’s with everyone and motion lights?”

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but street lights are few and far between.”

Jackie nodded. “You’re right. I hadn’t noticed.”

“Besides, I’m sure there is some sort of alarm attached to the lights. Lee Ann will no doubt be waiting at the door.”

And she was, holding it open as Rose yelled at her from the kitchen to shut the door, bugs were getting in!

Jacqueline and Kay smiled at each other. “I really do love your sister, you know.”

“How could you not?”

Rose met them at the door, trying to keep Lee Ann and Denny inside.

“Thank God. They were driving me crazy. Not only were they waiting for pizza, but they were waiting for Aunt Kay and that pretty woman,”

Rose said.

Kay laughed and turned to Jackie. “You have a fan club already.”

“Great,” she drawled.

Jacqueline watched as Kay lifted Lee Ann into her arms for a hug, then quickly repeated the gesture with Denny. The twins, barely two, were already at the table, tucked into highchairs. The boy was . . . Harrison?

Hell, she couldn’t remember. But the girl was Emily. Right? She tugged on Kay’s arm.

“What?”

“Harrison and Emily?” she asked, pointing.

Kay smiled. “Emma.”

“Emma. Right.”

“Relax.”

“I am.”

“You don’t have to know their names. They don’t really talk much, you know.”

“I don’t want Rose getting on me for not knowing their names.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Rose demanded.

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

“Uh-huh. Up to no good, probably.”

“Hey guys,” Greg said. “I didn’t hear you come in.” He looked like he’d just gotten out of the shower.

“Just got here.”

“Good. You want a beer?” he asked.

“I’ve got tea,” Rose called.

Kay rolled her eyes. “I’ll have a beer.”

“Me, too.”

The pizza boxes were spread out on the table, and they all helped themselves, the two older kids reaching immediately for the cheese sticks. Jacqueline sat back, watching. Everyone looked so happy, so content. It was wonderful how Rose had managed to duplicate her parents’ household. Her kids were very lucky.

Kay watched Jackie, noting the thoughtful expression on her face.

Without warning, Jackie turned and captured her eyes. Kay was caught off guard by the intimacy she glimpsed there. The crystal blue of Jackie’s eyes held her, and once again, Kay realized she had stopped breathing.

The room receded, and Jacqueline was aware of her heartbeat as it drummed in her ears. Now, just like all those years ago, she had a nearly overwhelming desire to close the distance between them. An ache . . . a need . . . that was so profound, it was physically painful. But now, like then, she pulled her eyes from Kay, thankful her hand didn’t tremble as she reached for a slice of pizza. Amazing how one look into those blue eyes could bring back the intense cravings she’d had as a teen.

Jacqueline settled into the lawn chair next to Greg, the muted voices of Kay, Rose and the kids fading in the darkness.

“Sorry that we don’t have a study or somewhere to talk,” Greg apologized.

“I happen to think sitting outside on such a pleasant evening as this beats any study, Greg.” She cleared her throat. “I also know my father was grossly underpaying you, so I don’t expect a study.”

Greg looked away. “I’ve only been with the company eight years. I can’t complain.”

Jacqueline leaned forward. “Mrs. Willis tells me that my father trusted you completely.”

“I tried not to disappoint him. He was actually a fairly easy man to work for.”

“As you know, I am completely in over my head with this business,”

she said. “And whether I keep it or sell it depends on the people my father hired to run it. You’ve told me, and Mrs. Willis has told me, that the managers are all top-notch. But they need direction. I hardly think I’m the one to give it.” Jackie crossed her legs, her gaze resting on Greg until he finally met her eyes. “I think . . . I think you’re the best one to give it, Greg.”

“
Me?
”

“Yes. For one thing, you’re the only one there I even remotely trust.

Hell, you’re the only one I know.”

“But, Jackie, I’ve only been there eight years. They’re not going to take direction from me. Some of the managers have been with your father for years and years. They think . . . well . . . never mind.”

“They’ve already decided among themselves who is taking over?”

Jacqueline guessed.

“They have been speculating. They assume Mr. Lawrence will appoint someone as interim.”

“I’ve not actually discussed this with Mr. Lawrence.” She shifted in the chair, wondering why she just didn’t sell the damn thing and be on her way. “You said yourself, the managers were each experts in their own plants, yet none were knowledgeable of the whole operation. Mrs.

Willis tells me you were his right-hand man. Is that not true?”

“The last year or so, he had me more involved, yes. Like I said, purchasing and sales, both. He allowed me to see the big picture and what his goals were.” He leaned forward. “But Jackie, I hardly think he was grooming me for anything.”

“Why not? You’re young, bright. You’ve not been entrenched as a manager in one of the plants, which obviously limits your knowledge of the company.”

“I’m barely thirty, Jackie. Most of the managers are in their fifties. Mr.

Peterson is sixty-one. He’s worked with your father in some capacity for over twenty years.”

Jacqueline smiled. “Which is exactly why I don’t trust him.” She watched Greg for a moment, then continued. “How many of them are aware of this cattle feed thing you were telling me about?”

Greg shook his head. “Probably none. Whenever your father wanted to venture into something new, he didn’t announce it until he was ready to launch. I would assume Mr. Lawrence knew about it.”

“I’m guessing, Greg, that you actually helped him put his ideas together.

Am I right?”

“I worked with him on it, yes.”

“So, if we wanted to implement this latest idea of his, you think you’d be able to do it?”

Their eyes met.

“I think so. I mean, if I had—”

“The authority to make decisions, the clout to enforce them?”

Jacqueline stood, pacing on the tiny patio. “Greg, if you tell me you don’t want to do this, I’ll understand. But right now, you’re all I have. I don’t want to entrust this business to anyone else. I think you can do a good job.”

Greg stood, too, and walked out into the yard, facing Jackie. “I’d like to say that I’ll give it a shot, but the others, they’ll balk. I know them.”

“How can they balk? They’re not the boss.”

“Maybe you should run this by Mr. Lawrence first. He may already have some things lined up.”

Jackie smiled slightly. “He’s not the boss, either.”

Greg shoved his hands in his pockets. “I see you have your mind made up.”

“This whole situation is rather overwhelming to me, Greg. And I don’t want to let it control me.” She walked off the patio to join him in the yard. “So, in order to keep things running until I can sort it all out and decide what I’m going to do, I want you to take over. And I’m not stupid, Greg. I know this is a good old boy network here, and I know it won’t be easy for you. But I’ll have John make it plain to the others that everything goes through you, just like everything went through my father.”

“Okay. If you think we can do this, I’ll give it my best.”

“Good. Now, what are the chances of me gaining access to the company’s computer system?”

“Considering that I control the network, I’d say pretty good.” Greg said with a smile.

“Tomorrow morning, I’d like to log in and poke around a bit. Personnel files, payroll, that sort of thing.”

“From off site?”

“Yes. Can you call me in the morning and give me a quick tutorial?”

“Of course.”

Jackie grasped his shoulder and squeezed. “This is a good opportunity for you, Greg. I think you’ll do just fine.”

“Why do you think my husband is pacing?” Rose whispered to Kay.

Kay reached around Lee Ann to toss the dice, glancing out the window to watch the two shadows on the lawn.

“They’re talking business, I guess.”

“Yeah, but what? He was very evasive when he got home.”

“Mommy, it’s your turn,” Lee Ann said, nudging her.

“Sorry.” She looked at Kay. “You know something, don’t you?”

Kay shrugged. “Not my place, Rosie.”

“What do you mean, not your place? I’m your sister!”

Kay just stared at her.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot. Jackie
always
outranked me.”

“It’s not that,” Kay said. “It’s just, I don’t know how much she wants out in public yet. And I’m sure Greg will fill you in.”

“Public? I’m hardly public,” Rose insisted.