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Nick fell asleep wondering how he could use what he’d learned about Lorna Hathaway tonight to his advantage.
Chapter Three
FROM: Coach1012@bayoucity.net
TO: SweetStuff@jamboree.net
DATE: 30 August
SUBJECT: Home Yet?
Hey, girl, it’s been a week since I’ve heard from you or seen you online. Thought you were only going to be gone a few days? Hate to admit it, but I’ve been a little worried. Hope nothing’s wrong. Everything here’s about the same, except the Little League season is finally over for our team. You know I love coaching, but I’m always glad when I get a break, especially when I have a season like this one has been. Those poor kids. They only won two games, came in last in their division. But I told them they’d be better next year and even better after that, so I don’t think they were too bummed.
Since the season ended, I’ve been working like a dog. We’ve had all kinds of problems here, but things seem to be okay for now. Anyway, if you’re back from your business trip and can make it online tonight, I’ll try to be there by eight. If not, I guess I’ll just have to wait until I hear from you.
Your buddy,
C.
Lorna felt a pang of guilt. She’d been so busy the past week, she hadn’t logged on to WordMaker since the night she’d told Coach she had to go away on business, nor had she e-mailed him. She decided to zap him a quick reply.
FROM: SweetStuff@jamboree.net
TO: Coach1012@bayoucity.net DATE: 30 August
SUBJECT: Re: Home Yet?
Hi, Coach. Sorry I’ve been gone so long. Things got hectic here and I’ve been so tired at night, I haven’t had the energy to read, let alone play WordMaker. This is the first time I’ve been on Jamboree in days. But I’ve got my life under control again—as under control as life can ever be!
See you later!
SS
She smiled to think he’d been worrying about her. Once again, she felt bad about not telling him she had relocated to Houston. He seemed like such a nice guy. Maybe she should tell him.
But even as she considered it, she knew she’d made the right decision. At least for now. Maybe one of these days, she’d take the plunge. But she was afraid once he knew they were in the same city, he’d suggest getting together. Even the thought of meeting him gave her a case of butterflies. She knew it was cowardly, but she wanted to hang on to her fantasy of him as a certain kind of person, and once they met, she’d finally have to face reality.
What if she couldn’t stand him? That would be awful because right now she treasured their friendship, and she’d hate to lose it.
Talking to Coach was like having a shrink. He was a safe place to vent or discuss things that bothered her because he didn’t know who she was and the things she said couldn’t come back to haunt her.
But if they knew each other—really knew each other—that would all change. Their relationship might end up being better, but it could end up being much worse. In fact, she could lose him altogether.
And that was what scared Lorna.
Right now Coach was important to her. Meeting him at night to play WordMaker and talk was something she could look forward to, especially when she was having a bad day. She didn’t want to lose that.
You really are a coward.
She bit her lip. How could she ever expect to fulfill her dreams and desires if she was afraid to take a chance? The question disturbed her, because she had never thought of herself that way. In fact, until Keith had left her, she’d never been a coward. She’d been adventurous and brave. She remembered how she’d bucked her entire family and followed her first serious boyfriend to Florida State, where he had a football scholarship, instead of going to an Ivy League school, as her mother had wanted, or the University of Texas, as her grandmother had wanted.
Unfortunately, when Keith walked out on her, he had taken a big chunk of her self-confidence with him. Suddenly, she’d questioned her entire self-worth. But she was getting better. She’d taken a big chance by moving to Houston, and soon maybe she’d be ready to take a chance on Coach, too.
She hoped so, because she knew it was time.
Later, over brunch with Claudia and John, Claudia said, “You’re awfully quiet today.”
Lorna blinked. She’d been thinking about Coach again and wondering if she should tell Claudia and John about him, maybe get their opinion of the situation. “Sorry. Guess I was daydreaming.”
John smiled. “Claudia does that a lot. Must be a female thing.”
“Excuse me?” Claudia said, jabbing him in the arm with her finger. “That sounds like a sexist remark.”
“Sexist? Did that sound sexist to you?” John asked Lorna with an innocent look.
Lorna grinned. Their playful teasing always amused her. “Well, since you asked…”
“Don’t tell me you agree with her?” he said.
In answer, Lorna only laughed.
“What’d you think about last night?” Claudia said, ignoring John, who was shaking his head in feigned disbelief.
“Except for seeing Nick DeSanto, it was a pretty nice evening,” Lorna said.
Claudia made a face. “Did you see that babe he was with?”
“I noticed her,” John said.
Claudia rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you did. I’m sure every man in the place did. How could they help it?” Turning back to Lorna, she said, “Nick DeSanto sure wasn’t very friendly.”
“Well, we didn’t exactly act overjoyed to see him.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Lorna wondered why she’d defended him.
“No, I guess not.” Brightening, Claudia said, “Enough about him. What’d you think of Jonah?”
“He’s nice.”
“Just nice?”
“He liked you a lot,” John said, chiming in. He reached for a roll and broke it in two.
Lorna sighed. “Look. The thing is, he’s too young for me.”
“He’s only two years younger than you are,” John pointed out.
“And he’s really cute,” Claudia added.
Lorna shrugged.
“He told me he’d like to see you again,” John said.
“Please don’t encourage him to ask me out. I’m sorry, but he’s just not my type.”
Now it was Claudia’s turn to sigh. “Lorna…”
Lorna swung her gaze to her sister. “I mean it. If he does call me, I’m just going to make an excuse.”
“We’re only trying to help. Since you’re new in town and all.”
“I know you are, but I don’t need help.”
After an awkward moment of silence, John reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “You’re right. You don’t. We should butt out.”
Claudia fell silent after that, and Lorna felt bad. She knew her sister only wanted her to be happy. But Lorna had to find happiness in her own way. Besides, she wasn’t unhappy. She simply hoped for a future that would yield something more.
Once again, her thoughts turned to Coach. Maybe she was being too cautious. Who knew? He could turn out to be perfect for her. Go ahead. Take another chance.
“You’re daydreaming again,” Claudia chided.
Lorna determinedly cleared her mind and for the rest of their time together, concentrated on participating in the conversation.
After brunch, Lorna said goodbye to Claudia and John—who were going to a photography exhibit John wanted to see—and headed for the Galleria, where she spent a pleasant couple of hours shopping. She hit Nordstrom’s, Neiman Marcus, the new Foley’s and several of the smaller boutiques. She even managed to find a few Christmas presents, although the holiday wasn’t for months. She was particularly pleased with the gorgeous James Avery crosses she bought for her nieces. She was sure the girls would love them. In a spurt of inspiration, she bought two extra crosses—one for Emily when she was old enough to wear it, and one for Claudia’s baby, in case she had a girl. And if she didn’t have a girl this time, she might in the future.
Or I might, Lorna thought. Just the thought gave her goosebumps. A little girl of my own… Lorna already knew that if she was ever blessed with a daughter, she would name her Diana after her great-great-grandmother Diana Morgan, who had been married to Jeremiah Morgan. Sometimes Lorna dreamed about her baby, imagining she’d even look like her ancestor, who’d had dark hair and eyes and had been a great beauty in her day.
At Neiman Marcus, Lorna bought a wonderful deep purple brocade jacket that would look beautiful on her grandmother and also found a wispy gold chiffon scarf for her mother. All in all, a satisfying afternoon.
After leaving the Galleria, she stopped at the supermarket and stocked up on groceries, then headed home.
By the time she’d put her groceries away, nuked and eaten some frozen lasagna, and finished reading the newspaper, it was nearly eight o’clock and time to log on to Jamboree. She was really looking forward to playing against and talking to Coach again.
She logged on and entered the games area. She hadn’t been listed for more than a couple of seconds when Coach sent her an invitation to join him.
Glad you made it. Ready to lose? he wrote in the chat box.
She grinned. Them’s fightin’ words, mister.
Put on your gloves, then.
He had the first turn and, as luck would have it, made a seven-letter word—Sponges—which gained him not only the value of the letters times two but a thirty-five-point bonus.
See? he wrote. Told you I was going to skunk you.
Lorna laughed. You may have to eat those words, you know. She looked at her letters: X, R, I, I, M, A, H. Smiling, she played off his E, making the word Mixer. It seemed only fitting since sponge mixers played an important part in the commercial baking business.
His next word was Raisin, which he played off the R in Mixer. Lorna shook her head. It was almost as if he’d understood the significance of the first two words in her life and was responding with one of the types of breads Hathaway was famous for. If she’d had the right combination of letters, she would have made the word Bread, but she didn’t. Besides, it would only have been a private joke and would mean nothing to Coach.
They played quickly after that, neither one taking very long to decide on a word, and less than thirty minutes later, as Coach had predicted, he came out the victor, but she beat him soundly in the next game.
Told you so, he typed. But then I’m not the type to gloat.
You’re not?, she responded, then why are you mentioning your win? Don’t know about you, but I call that gloating.
You’re right, he wrote back, I should just be happy I’m smarter than you are without rubbing it in.
Lorna laughed out loud. Oh, boy, those are really fightin’ words.
They played four games in all, and when they were finished, they’d split the wins, two and two.
Another? he wrote.
She looked at the clock. I’d better not. I didn’t tell you, but I’m starting a new job tomorrow and I want to get a good night’s sleep.
A new job at another company? he typed.
No, not another company, she wrote back. A new position.
So you got a promotion? Good for you, he answered.
Lorna didn’t want to lie. But how could she respond to his question truthfully without revealing more than she was ready to reveal? No, not a promotion exactly. Just something different.
Oh? he wrote. But I thought you really liked your job.
Lorna thought for a minute, then wrote, I just felt like I wanted a change.
It took him a few seconds to reply. I can understand that. We all need a change sometimes. In fact, I might be in for a big change myself.
Now it was her turn to say, Oh?
By now he had switched to instant messaging, writing, I think the PTB might be trying to run me off.
PTB? Lorna typed.
Powers That Be, he answered.
That doesn’t sound good, she wrote. As she had many times before, she wondered exactly what it was that Coach did. Yet she hesitated to ask him. After all, if he wanted her to know, he’d tell her. Just as if she wanted him to know, she’d be more specific about her job.
No, it’s not, he replied.
So what are you going to do about it?
I don’t know yet. Guess I’ll just play it by ear. See how things go, then figure out my game plan.
That’s smart, because you could be wrong.
Yeah, that’s always possible, but I don’t think so.
Well, good luck, she wrote.
Yeah, you, too. So do you think you’ll play Word-Maker again tomorrow night?
Probably, she replied.
I may have to stay at work late, but if not, I’ll be here. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about your first day at your new job.
They said goodbye, then Lorna fed Buttercup, fixed the coffeepot for the morning and prepared for bed. But once there, she couldn’t fall asleep. Her mind refused to shut down. She kept thinking about the next day and what might be in store for her, both with the job itself and her uneasy relationship with Nick DeSanto. Then she thought about Coach and their relationship and whether she should trust her instincts about him.
But most of all, she thought about the future and whether this move to Houston would bring about the changes she hoped for.
On Monday, Nick arrived at the plant before seven, determined to beat Lorna there. Although the office itself didn’t open until eight, he figured she’d show up early. Sure enough, at seven-thirty, Henry, the security guard who manned the main entrance, passed her through.
If she was surprised to see Nick already there, she hid it well. “Good morning,” she said.
“Good morning.” She sure looked different than the way she’d looked Saturday night. Today her outfit was all business—dark blue tailored slacks and a matching jacket over a conservative white blouse. If they’d been on halfway friendly terms, he probably would have said something to that effect. “Before we get started, let’s go up to my office and go over a few things, okay?”
“Sure.”
When they reached the office level, Nick stopped at the doorway to the kitchen. “Want some coffee? I’m going to grab a quick cup.”
“I’ve already had my cup for the day, but thanks.”
“Doughnuts? Fresh baked right here during the night.”
She shook her head. “Bad enough I’ll be smelling them all day long.”
“Is there a woman alive who isn’t watching her weight?” Nick said. He poured fresh coffee into his mug.
“It’s not that. I just eat too many sweets. A hazard of the business, I’m afraid.”
Nick mentally rolled his eyes. It was hard for him to reconcile today’s rigid demeanor with the woman he’d watched on the dance floor Saturday night. If he hadn’t seen her with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed they were one and the same person.
Once they were settled in his office, he handed her a stack of reports and a disk that contained all the information she’d need to access the financial records and any other pertinent data from their computer system. While they were going over the current inventory, he heard rustling noises in the outer office and knew Karen was setting up for the day. A few minutes later, she knocked on his door, then opened it.
“Nick,” she began, then stopped. “Oh, Miss Hathaway, I didn’t know you were here. I was just going to tell Nick that your temp has arrived.”
Lorna started to rise.
“Why not have Karen show her the ropes first?” he suggested. “I’m sure the temp’s got paperwork to fill out, and Karen can brief her on our computer system and where things are located.”
“Maybe Karen could show both of us these things at the same time,” Lorna said.
“Sure. I don’t mind,” Karen said.
Nick hated to admit it, but Lorna’s willingness to expose her ignorance in front of the temp produced another bout of grudging admiration. “Great. I’ll leave you to it. And Karen?”
“Yes?”
“Shut the door on your way out.”
After they were gone, Nick leaned back in his chair and wondered if he’d misjudged Lorna. Maybe she hadn’t come to spy on him. He had to admit she wasn’t throwing her weight around or acting like she owned the place, even if she did. He guessed only time would tell. It could be she was just biding her time before lowering the boom.
Until then, he decided, he would play if safe and never let his guard down.
By the time the day was over, Lorna was exhausted. She’d never imagined there would be so much for her to learn. Thank goodness Karen was so knowledgeable and didn’t seem to mind spending a good portion of her day showing Lorna, never mind the temp, the ropes.
In fact, the temp—whose name was Marilyn—was excellent. A no-nonsense type with terrific skills, she settled in as if she’d been there forever. By midafternoon, Lorna was ready to offer Marilyn the secretarial position on a permanent basis. Prudently, she decided to wait another day or two, just to make sure they were compatible.
Toward the end of the day, Phyllis McIntyre, the bookkeeper, came by to introduce herself. An elfin woman with short black hair and shrewd eyes behind bifocals, she impressed Lorna immediately.
“If you’d rather I work here in the plant,” she said, “I’d be happy to.”
“You don’t like telecommuting?” Lorna said.
“Oh, no, I love it, but after all, you’re the boss, and if you’d prefer me to be here, well, then I’ll come in.”
Her offer impressed Lorna, too. Most employees with the kind of deal Phyllis had would be loath to give it up. “I don’t have a problem with you working from home.”
After discussing Phyllis’s schedule and responsibilities, Lorna knew they were on their way to a solid working relationship.
Another plus during the day was how little she saw of Nick. If every day was like this one, she had nothing to worry about.
That evening, after a quick pick-me-up dinner of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, Lorna decided to take a bath and get comfortable before going online to Jamboree.
At 7:45 p.m., feeling much better, she logged on to her computer so she could check her e-mail before heading over to the games server. She smiled when she saw an e-mail from Coach in her inbox.
FROM: Coach1012@bayoucity.net
TO: SweetStuff@jamboree.net
DATE: September 1
SUBJECT: Change of Plans
Dear Sweet Stuff, I’m sorry, but I can’t play tonight. Something’s come up and I had to go back to work. I’ll probably be here half the night. Whenever I get a break, I’ll check my e-mail, though. I’m really curious about how your first day at your new job went. Things were really interesting here. One of these days I’ll tell you all about it. Anyway, right now I’ve got to go, but I hope to hear from you later.
Lorna was disappointed, but she had a good book to read. Maybe she’d just climb into bed and read until she got sleepy. First, though, she’d answer his post.
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