Jennifer's Garden (6 page)

Until she opened her mouth.  Crisp and curt, he bet she didn’t have a fragile bone in her body.  And it was clear what she thought of
him
.  He was a bartender trying to earn a buck on the side.  A guy who cut grass—not a professional designer, a man who created works of art; living, breathing masterpieces.  She may be good-looking, but dismissing him before he had a chance to explain?

That was unacceptable.  With a hard turn to the right, he closed the short distance to Dixie Highway and with an over-acceleration, punched the truck into the flow of traffic.

Yanking the cell phone from the clip on his jeans, he punched in Mike’s number.

He would leave that thorny job to someone else.

His call was answered on the second ring.  “Jax.”

“Hey Mike.”

“How’s it going?”

“Not so good.  I had my appointment with Dr. Hamilton this morning, but I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

“What do you mean?  The job isn’t that involved, is it?  Jennifer assured me she only wanted grass, a few plants and some flowers.”

“We didn’t get that far.  She refused my services.”

“
What
?”

Jackson chuckled now, his anger dimming with every mile he placed between himself and the good doctor.  “I know.  It’s hard to believe there’s a woman alive resistant to my charm,” he continued, his sense of humor buoyed by the familiar camaraderie of friendship.  “But I think we’ve found one.”

“What happened?”

“Seems she remembers me from last night, and isn’t convinced a bartender can handle the job.”

“Didn’t you explain?”

“She didn’t give me a chance.”

“That doesn’t sound like Jennifer.”

“Actually...”  He paused.  “She stopped me cold.”

“I don’t get it.”

Jax did.  She has an image of what she wants in a landscape architect and he didn’t match up.

“Let me talk to her.  I’ll see her at the hospital later this morning and we can straighten this whole thing out.”

“I appreciate it Mike, but don’t go to any trouble on my behalf.  I’ve got other jobs going right now.  I’m okay if I lose this one.”

“Hell, it’s not you I’m worried about!  It’s Jennifer.  She needs this job done in a hurry and there’s no one better to make that happen than you, Jax.”

Though pleased by the vote of confidence, he wasn’t so sure.  Dr. Hamilton was not going to be an easy woman to work for—or around—as the case may prove, especially under the pressure of time.

“Let me think about it, Mike.”

“Jax—I need you to do more than think about it.  She needs you.”

He laughed, and let go of the earlier insults entirely.  “She doesn’t need me.  There are plenty of good landscapers out there who can handle the job, but thanks for the good word.  I appreciate it.”

Mike spoke to someone on his end then said into the phone, “Listen Jax, I’ve got to run.  Tell me you’ll reconsider.”

Jackson took pause, ambivalence churning in his gut.  He wouldn’t be where he was today if it weren’t for Mike’s referrals.  And he was damn close to where he was going.

Because of this man.  “Okay.  If it’s that important to you, I’ll do it.”

Let’s just hope I don’t regret it
.

Chapter Five

Jennifer dialed Michael’s number on the way out her door, her stomach tumbling with nerves.  It was imperative she apologize for declining his recommendation—though she still couldn’t accept that Jackson Montgomery was the person responsible for Michael’s gorgeous landscaping.  His yard was incredible!  How was it possible?

Impossible.  The man who showed up at her door wasn’t a professional.  He didn’t carry a notebook or portfolio.  He wasn’t conducting a true business operation.

Something must have changed.  Michael’s yard had been done years ago.  There must have been a partner at the time, someone who made all the decisions, unbeknownst to Michael, for which this fellow took all the credit.

Frustration eased.  Poor Michael.  Trusting as a new fawn, he was out waving this Jackson’s banner, bringing him more and more clients to bilk without the first clue he was aiding and abetting a con.  She slipped the phone against her ear and awaited his answer.

Far be it from her to drown his good deeds with cold water, but she had no intention of falling prey to Mr. Montgomery’s swindle.

“Michael Kingsley.”

“Hello, Michael.”

“Jennifer—I talked to Jax.  What happened over there?”

So, he was a step ahead of her.  Her stomach cinched tight.  God only knows what his version sounded like.  But it was irrelevant.  Her task was to make Michael understand the underlying issue—the man’s obvious lack of expertise—and to do so without insulting him, her friend.  She would assure Michael the setback was not a problem.  She would find someone else.

A daunting prospect, one looming heavy on her mind.

“We didn’t get off to a good start, Michael,” she said, forging ahead, proud of the calm and professional ring to her voice.  “But it’s just as well.  It wouldn’t have worked out between us, though I appreciate your help with—“

“Why not?”

The million dollar question
, she mused.

“Jennifer.”  Michael’s voice picked up strength as he barreled forward, “Jax is the best in the business.  I’ve seen other jobs he’s done and he’s amazing.  He can finish your place ten times faster than anyone—and he’ll do it right, for a fair price.  Trust me, you need him.”

Bless his heart, he was only trying to help, but she didn’t need this Jackson.  If he could get it done, so could someone else.  Time constraints or not.  “I’m sorry, Michael, but I think I’d feel better if I knew I was dealing with a larger firm,” she said, hoping to defer any insult which he may take personally.  “Aurelio has a few names.”  Aurelio knew no one, but she would not succumb to the half-baked efforts of this Jackson fellow.  They’d just have to find someone.

“But please, don’t worry.  I’ll get it done. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your and Laurencia’s help.  It means a lot to me, really.”

“I don’t understand, Jennifer.  What happened?”

“Nothing happened,” she said, her discomfort mounting.

“The bartending thing?  It was a favor to me.  Jax’s a good friend of mine and offered to fill in when the catering company came up short on staff.”

Good friend
?  Surprise kicked at her chest.  Favor?

Michael rolled past her pause.  “He used to bartend for hotel banquets, back when he was establishing his landscaping business.  That’s not a problem, is it?”

“Of course not,” she answered, before realizing that is exactly what she had used against him.

“Your job isn’t that big, right?  You said you were only looking for a couple of small plants and flowers?”

“Yes, but...”

“He’s the guy, Jennifer.  Jax has contacts with an established nursery and can guarantee fast delivery—unless you wanted something special.”

“I don’t really...” she heard herself say.

“Then all he needs is an idea of how many plants you want.  He’ll take it from there.”

While she knew Michael’s aim was pure, she felt backed into a corner.  For her to say no now would most definitely cause offense, something she could not do.

Not to this man.  Her heart fell.  “You’re a lifesaver, Michael.”

“Anything for you, Jennifer.  You know Laurencia and I are there for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, but there was no pleasure in her gratitude.  Only ambivalence, tinged with regret.  “I know you are and I appreciate it so much.”  She paused, nowhere left to maneuver, to escape, she said, “I’ll call him.  He can stop back this afternoon.”

“Let me do it for you.  Will five work?”

“Fine.” 
Perfect
, she rued.

But four o’clock that afternoon found Jennifer getting ready to start another case.  And while she hated to cancel last minute, she had to reschedule.  From the darkened quiet of the cath lab control room, she dialed Jackson’s cell number.  Rubbing her forehead to ease the headache building within, she avoided eye contact with the staff on the other side of the glass partition.  Busy working to move her patient onto the operating table, what did they care she was skulking back, tail between her legs.

As she waited for him to answer, Jennifer felt her nerves rev up in anticipation.  If he chose to be cocky and shove an attitude her way—something he may feel entitled to do—it would only make matters worse.  Eating her words did not suit her well and had she been firmer with Michael this morning, she wouldn’t be in this position at all.

Nor would she be any closer to getting the job done.

“Jackson Montgomery.”

“Hello.  This is Dr. Hamilton calling.”

“Hello Dr. Hamilton.”

She detected no animosity in his voice, no gloating.  “I apologize,” she began with steady resolve, “but I need to cancel our appointment for this afternoon.  I’m still at the hospital and won’t be able to get away for at least another hour, probably more.”

“No problem.  Should I come by at seven, or hold off until tomorrow?”

She balked.  Laborers didn’t work on Sundays, did they?

Michael must have insisted, she thought at once, feeling a wave of obligation wash over her shoulders.  He knew she was pressed for time and must have compelled Mr. Montgomery to be available.   Jennifer winced from the quick stab of guilt.  She wasn’t the one pressed for time. 
It was her mother
.

Too tired to brush the despair from her voice, she agreed, “Tomorrow, if it’s all right with you.”  She expelled a sigh.  “Say around ten?”

“Ten it is.”

As Jennifer hung up the phone, she was struck by his professional tone, his willingness to accommodate.  Neither was consistent with his surfer boy image. 

Placing the phone in her pocket, she was tempted to call Aurelio and cancel their dinner tonight.  But she couldn’t.  It had been over a week since their last.

# # #

Aurelio reached over and squeezed her hand, the gesture warm, reassuring.  “It will be fine, sweetheart.  The yard will turn out better than you expect, you’ll see.”

Staring down at the gold-rimmed china, chunks of lobster covered in cream sauce, Jennifer wanted to believe him.  Hopeful, positive, he sounded so sure.

“Michael’s a stickler for details.  If he thinks the man can handle the job, then I’m inclined to agree.”

She glanced at him, and relaxed into her first real smile of the evening.  Michael was certainly particular with a penchant for detail.  “Of course,” she replied, willing the silky glow of the restaurant to ease her doubt.

Aurelio had made reservations at her favorite Chez Vendome, a Coral Gables institution, but its rich, indulgent atmosphere was no match for stress she felt over the wedding.

Aurelio smiled.  “You know what you want.  Communicate it to him and all will be well.  Trust me.”

Gazing into dark brown eyes, she sighed.  “Do I have a choice?”

“None.”  He laughed.  “Absolutely none.”

She tried to laugh with him.  Almost two years ago Aurelio Villarreal had walked into her life and changed it for the better.  He never wavered over the last year, during the worst of her mother’s diagnosis, and he wouldn’t waver now.  “None, he says.  Absolutely none.  Well, that is reassuring!”

But like it or not, Aurelio was right.  She had no choice.

“Michael hasn’t let you down yet, has he?”

“No,” she murmured, and cast her gaze down toward her plate.  That much was true.

But still.  Preparations for the wedding were crushing her calm, her mother’s condition providing the crank.  It was a lethal combination, but to admit as much made her feel like a heel.  Like a thundercloud looming over her big day, it undermined the joy she should be feeling and instead, made her feel like a schoolgirl wearing a new dress.  One who must continually glance over her shoulder in her rush to avoid the downpour, keenly aware of the emotional meltdown that would surely follow if she didn’t make it to class on time.

“Sweetheart, relax.  Everything will turn out, you’ll see.”

Jennifer dragged her gaze back to him.  Was she that transparent?

“Now listen.  I want to discuss the opening.”

Grateful for a change in subject, she brushed her own thoughts aside. 

“We’ve added a few artists to the list.”

“Really?”  An avid art collector, his latest venture was a gallery specifically geared to showcase new and upcoming talent.  Prominently located in South Beach’s art deco district,
Illuminations
offered the chance of a lifetime for budding artists.  Not only to display their work, but to meet Aurelio’s extensive clientele.

It was a priceless opportunity.