Tarzan & Janine (20 page)

“He’d be a fool if he didn’t,” Joe replied. “Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind a few grandkids around the place. When I retire, I’ll have loads of time on my hands. I wouldn’t like anything better than to teach my grandchildren how to fish.”

“Since when have you been fishin’?”

“I haven’t,” Joe said. “But that’s something I plan to rectify as soon as I turn over the dealership to Tanner.”

Beans snorted. “You’ll never give up the business. “It’s in your blood. You’d die without it.”

“But that’s the beauty of turnin’ it over to Tanner. I can get a work fix whenever I feel like it.”

Beans gave him a narrow-eyed glance. “That’s assumin’ he wants it.”

Joe’s chest deflated. “Quite right. Guess I won’t know until I ask the boy.”

“Yeah,” Beans said. “Aren’t they havin’ the World Wrestling match on at eleven?”

“As a matter of fact, seems I saw something like that advertised. Give me the remote.”

“
I’ll
drive.” Beans snatched the remote out of Joe’s reach.

Chapter Fourteen

Janine waited around the phone all morning for Tanner to call and finally climbed into the car. She would stop by the dealership to return the Jane outfit. That was as reasonable an excuse as any, she figured. Besides which, she wanted to gauge his reaction to the news that she’d be leaving for L.A. permanently. Would he be broken-hearted or relieved? If last night was any indication, his reaction would be the former.

Then why had he left without a word before daylight while she was sleeping? The adrenaline rush they’d both experienced after the runaway camel incident fired passions worthy of the Guinness Book of World Records. Janine’s skin warmed at the memory, and she stared at her reflection in her rearview mirror. No, she was still the same Janine, even after such mind-altering sex.

The muffled sound of Janine’s cell phone chirped from the depths of her purse. Would it be Tanner? Eager to answer, Janine kept one hand on the steering wheel, digging blindly with the other to locate the persistent device. Her hand was close because the vibrating battery was rattling her fingernails.

“Ah ha!”

Success was short lived when the light in front of her turned red, and she slammed on her brakes to keep from running through the intersection. She dropped the phone in the process and spent the length of the light fishing around on the floorboard for the pesky thing. It better be Tanner Pesky or she would throw it out the window after such an ordeal.

Taking a calming breath, she punched the receive button and smiled into the phone. “Hello,” she said in her sweetest, come-hither voice, anticipation making it slightly breathy.

“Janine, Monty here.”

Her heart plummeted into her stomach, and she fought to control the urge to hang up. Of all the people she least wanted to talk to right now, Monty was number one on the list. What a turnaround that was. For the past year, not a single day had gone by she didn’t race to the phone, hoping Monty called with the news she’d been waiting for—a part in a play, a reading for a movie script, an interview with a casting director.

What was so different about today?

She’d been away from Tanner for almost a week and last night’s reunion was absolutely magical. That’s what was different.

The thought of moving to L.A. had lost most of its appeal since she’d met a particular car salesman. Was it worth it to move all the way across the country just for a career? What about love, marriage, and raising a family? Her mother’s words made more sense now. Augh. Had she really thought that? After years of swearing off those institutions, was she seriously considering settling down with a car salesman?

“Janine? Are you there?” Monty asked, his voice rose to compensate for the sporadic static of cellular systems.

“Yes, Monty, I’m here,” she replied.

“Are you sitting down?” he asked.

Looking around the interior of her car, she smiled and shrugged. “Yes, Monty, I’m sitting.”

“I’ve got a bonafide offer resting here on my desk for you.”

“They want me for the commercial?” she asked, less than enthusiastic. If she was going to do commercials, she’d rather do them here with Peschke Motors.

“Nope.” Monty paused.

The hesitation went on so long he apparently waited for her to guess. Janine frowned. All the way to L.A. to audition for a commercial and they didn’t want her? Impatient to see Tanner and tired of playing games, Janine snapped, “I give up, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Janine, my girl, you’ve been offered a lead in a series.”

A series? Janine’s heart jumped into her throat and threatened to explode out the top of her head. Swerving to miss a cyclist, she struggled to get a grip on her emotions.

“A series?” she asked, stupidly.

“Yes, your very own series. Can you believe it?”

“No, it’s absolutely unbelievable.” Janine missed the turnoff for the dealership, she was in such a state of moronic delirium. She veered off the road into a restaurant parking lot, and took several deep, cleansing breaths before asking, “A lead part in a series?”

“Yes! Isn’t it wonderful? I’m so excited for you I can hardly stand it. I can just imagine how you’re feeling.”

“Frankly, I don’t know what to feel,” she whispered. “This is like the fulfillment of all my dreams, the pinnacle of my existence, the ice cream on the cake. Unbelievable…” She clicked off the phone and stared into space. Then for good measure, she reached across her chest and pinched the opposite arm. Nope, she wasn’t asleep even though she hadn’t slept most of last night because she and Tanner—

Excitement bubbled up inside. Inaction combusted into action, and she slammed her car into reverse, backing out of the parking lot and spinning a donut in the middle of the road to go back a block to Peschke Motors.

This news was too incredible to keep to herself. She had to tell someone. And that someone had to be Tanner.

* * *

Being with Janine last night had been every bit as terrific as he’d remembered from their last time together, which made getting up and leaving her before daybreak all the harder. Tanner had too much on his mind, and dragging Janine down with his concerns wouldn’t be fair. So he’d left early to return to his apartment to change into jogging shorts and tennis shoes. He needed activity to clear his brain and jogging usually accomplished that.

At twenty-eight years old, he should have his life figured out and a direction chosen. But he’d been lulled into thinking that direction had already been decided since the day he was born. There was no choice in the matter. He would take over his father’s business and that was that.

Tanner jogged through the streets of Austin, climbing hills and dodging stray cats. The more he ran, the more his muscles screamed. Strangely, the pain numbed, and with the numbness, a clarity of vision magnified his life into full-blown realization. The decision
wasn’t
made, he really had choices he could make in his life.

At the same time this epiphany occurred, the sun came up, spreading a bright orange light of hope across the city.

After spending years coasting on the expectations of others, Tanner realized he was the one who had to take control of his life. He had to make his own decisions, good or bad. With this in mind, he picked up the pace until he sprinted all the way back to his apartment. Barely winded, he took the steps two at a time, arriving at his door breathless but full of hope.

After a quick shower, he was back out the door and driving away to the dealership. He had work to do and no time like the present. Hitting the auto dial for his father, he waited while it rang three times. “Come on, Dad, pick it up.”

“Joe Peschke speaking.”

“Dad, could we meet at the dealership this morning as soon as possible?”

“I’m glad you called, son, I was just about to leave the house,” he said. “We have a lot to discuss.”

“Yes, we do,” Tanner agreed. “I’ll see you there in fifteen minutes.”

Twenty minutes later, Tanner had just completed his tenth lap of pacing around his father’s desk. What was keeping him?

Another glance at his watch, and he missed his father’s arrival.

“Well, son, I have to hand it to you. Last night was the best yet. I even saw the news report on CNN.” Tanner’s father smiled, shaking his head. “You’re the only person I know who can pull off a stunt like that. I’m proud of you.”

With his own thoughts on the tip of his tongue, Tanner paused when the impact of his father’s words sank in. “You’re proud of me?”

“Yes, I am. I have to admit I didn’t think you’d stick it out in the car business. I had been entertaining the idea of selling the store and retiring. Now, I’m glad I didn’t. With Scott as general manager and you as the marketing director, this place will be growing by leaps and bounds.”

“It will?”

“I have no doubt. Son, the business is yours.”

Tanner mentally staggered. The old feeling of carrying the weight of family expectations descended in full force. His dad was finally proud of something he’d done. How many years had he waited to hear those words? Twenty-eight, to be exact. Was the wait worth it?

“So what do you say, Tanner? Do you want the dealership?”

Tanner turned away and walked to the window where he stared out at the rows and rows of shiny used cars. All this could be his, all he had to do was say the word. The glow of his father’s approval shone down, temporarily blinding him as he turned to voice his decision.

“Dad, I...can’t.” Tanner’s head hung briefly in mourning for the short-lived appreciation his father’d had for him.

“Can’t?” Joe asked, a frown knitting his brow.

Tanner’s chin came up and his voice strengthened. “Dad, I love you more than perhaps you’ll ever know. I’m glad you think I’m worthy of running this dealership. But the truth is, I don’t like this work. Oh, I enjoy the commercials and advertising, but I’ll never make a good salesman or general manager and that’s what you really need. So, to make a long answer short...thanks, but no thanks.”

A sad look settled over Joe Peschke’s face for a brief moment, but soon disappeared. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed.”

“I’m sorry Dad, but—”

The older Peschke held up his hand. “Let me finish, son. I’m disappointed because I’d like to keep you around. But I never really thought you were happy here. So, given all that, I understand and support your decision one-hundred percent.”

“You do?” His voice shot high and he cleared his throat. “But what about your retirement? Are you going to sell?”

“As a matter of fact, I had a back-up plan. I wasn’t sure you’d want to stay so I asked around and found someone interested in runnin’ the shop on a rent-to-own basis.”

“Oh, really? And who is that?”

“Scott’s been itchin’ to own this place ever since I hired him as a snot-nosed salesman, fresh out of college. He’s got the drive and the business sense to make this store even bigger and better than I ever could have.”

Tanner nodded and smiled, thinking of his friend’s abilities and desire to succeed in a business that fired his passion. “He’s a good fit, Dad. I can’t think of a person better suited.”

“Glad you agree.” Joe slung an arm over his son’s shoulder. “What say you and I go get some breakfast?”

“I’d love to Dad, but I have some other unfinished business—”

“Tanner!” The call could be heard all the way through the showroom floor and into the back office. There was no mistaking that voice—Janine.

“Excuse me, Dad, that’s my unfinished business calling.” He didn’t even bother to look back as he headed out of the office to meet her.

“That’s okay, son. Don’t let her get away,” his father called after him, his chuckle following Tanner to the end of the hallway.

“Tanner Pesky, where are you?” she called.

Stepping out on the showroom floor, he answered, “Peschke. The name’s Peschke. What’s got you all fired up, pretty lady?”

Before she could utter another word, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a stranglehold.

“What’s wrong?” He held her close, inhaling her perfume and enjoying the close contact. The sensation might not last if she got and offer and moved to L.A.
Don’t borrow trouble, Tanner, old boy.

“Wrong?”

She laughed, the sound like music to Tanner’s ears.

Janine leaned back a little, and looked up into his face, a smile stretching from ear to ear. “It’s happened. I got a part in a real honest-to-god series.” She bounced up and down like an excited child.

A lead ball slammed into the pit of Tanner’s gut. He swallowed hard and pasted a smile on his face, pulling her close again on the pretext of congratulating her. If his eyes were a little moist and his voice a bit shaky, she wouldn’t notice this way. “That’s the best news yet,” he said into her hair, breathing in the herbal scent, committing its earthiness to memory. Memories soon would be all he had left.

“I was so excited I couldn’t wait to see you and let you know.”