Читать книгу Her Tender Touch - Dara Girard - Страница 10

Chapter 2

She was all sugar and spice and arsenic. Judith Watson was a spiny woman and the head of the personal makeover division of Finishing Touches, Inc.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, touching her chest in dismay as she stared at Abby. The two women sat in the main sitting area that separated their offices.

“I know you’ve been stealing my clients,” Abby said, keeping her voice measured. She knew Judith was a snake, and she’d do her best to charm the truth out of her. “I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose,” she said, although she knew otherwise.

“I’m so hurt. I don’t know why you would think that, much less accuse me.”

“Several of my friends recommended people they know, and I wondered why none of them had come to my office or made an appointment. So I decided to do some sleuthing of my own, and discovered that at least three individuals did come to the office, but, somehow they were convinced to use your services over mine.” Abby knew it had been a bad idea to share the office space with Judith in the first place but had had no other choice.

At first, things had seemed perfect. The office was in a prime location, with excellent traffic and access to ample parking. As a corporate etiquette consultant, Abby knew location was critical, and for the potential clients she was seeking, they would need to be able to get to her office easily. And the price was right. The building was part of an incubation program, designed to help new entrepreneurial ventures. But Abby couldn’t afford on her own the only office that was available; it was too big. The former owner of Finishing Touches, Inc.—FTI—a company that specialized in image makeovers, had a large office with a small suite off to the side, and when Abby had seen the sign to sublet the small office, she had been thrilled.

Initially the arrangement had worked. Abby had gotten on well with the former owner, an older woman who’d given her tips about the business even though they each had a different focus, and they’d networked together. Abby worked with corporate business professionals because she had helped her ex-husband create a multimillion-dollar enterprise and learned a lot working with him. She had met him directly out of high school and fallen head-over-heels in love. He’d promised her the sun and the moon, and convinced her that she didn’t need to go to college; he’d make enough money to take care of her. She’d lived a Cinderella dream, and had enjoyed her charmed life. And while she’d worked long hours, she saw it as her duty as his wife to help and support him.

They had traveled the globe and met with millionaires and successful business entrepreneurs. Since her divorce five years ago, and after unsuccessfully looking for work, she decided to go into business for herself and use the skills she had developed. Her client list was growing, but not fast enough to cover her business and living expenses. Unfortunately for her, she’d signed a prenuptial she eventually regretted. If she divorced she would get no alimony, and the property was not to be shared—leaving her with just her wardrobe and the money she had in her personal account. She’d decided that this time she’d make sure she got paid for what she’d done for free in her marriage. She’d made her husband a success, and he’d repaid her by falling for his acupuncturist—and she had ended up with nothing.

Abby was determined she wouldn’t be bitter. Instead, she’d get her revenge. She’d make all those CEOs, COOs, CFOs pay for the knowledge she had, to help them develop the polish and right image the business culture demanded.

But then things began to go wrong. Very wrong. Judith wormed her way into being hired by Finishing Touches, Inc., eventually convincing the older woman that she could take over the tasks the former owner no longer wanted to do.

Abby had accepted the change, although it rankled her having to see Judith every day. A year later, the older woman suddenly retired. Unlike Abby, Judith focused solely on the superficial outer aspect of a person’s image, with no depth. But since she desperately needed the space, Abby didn’t care how Judith did things. She’d hoped to move out within another year since her division had been doing well, until recently.

That’s when she discovered that Judith had been stealing clients from her. “I’m really hurt that you would accuse me of doing these things,” Judith said.

Abby flashed a cool grin. “I know since Mrs. Frazier left that you’ve wanted this place to yourself. So I’ve decided I’m going to make that happen.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“But you can’t do that,” she said.

Abby stared at her, amazed by her passion. “Of course I can.”

Judith quickly gathered herself together. “I mean, we have an agreement.”

“That’s coming up for renewal.”

“You don’t need to be hasty about this. I’m sure there’s just been a misunderstanding somewhere.”

My first misunderstanding was that you were a decent human being. “No.”

“Abby, dear, I would hate for something small like this to break up the relationship we have. This is an excellent location and—”

“You’ll do well.” Abby was in no mood to listen to any more of Judith’s lies. She knew she was crafty, but to deliberately steal her clients? That was a new low, even for her.

“It was an accident. I wouldn’t have done that to you. You know how much I—”

“Cut it out. I hate when you do that,” Abby said in a tone that let Judith know she was on to her.

“Why don’t we start over? I have a couple of clients I haven’t been able to get to yet due to my busy schedule.”

“We have different clients. I don’t do personal image makeovers. You know I strictly work with business professionals. I’ll leave by the end of the year,” Abby said, then left and went into her office.

* * *

Judith watched her go with growing panic. Abby couldn’t leave. She couldn’t afford the space by herself, but she didn’t want to tell her that. Yes, she had been misleading several of Abby’s clients because, for some reason, things had slowed down and she wasn’t bringing in the amount of money she needed, and she had gotten desperate. She had to save face. Damn, she hadn’t thought she’d catch on so quickly. After Mrs. Frazier had left, the business hadn’t been doing well, and there was more interest coming to Abby. It didn’t make sense. Why did anyone need corporate etiquette over personal image makeovers? Besides, she didn’t see that much of a difference in what they did, and, fortunately, neither had the clients who’d come in for consultation. Since they shared the same office and computer system, it hadn’t been hard to access the main data system and change schedules.

Abby always acted so superior. Judith knew she was prettier, but Abby had a striking beauty that always got a second look. Judith was irritated that although Abby couldn’t afford her own office space, she acted as if she could buy the building if she wanted to. That had always annoyed her, but now she had to convince her to stay. When the phone rang she brushed her problems aside and put on her voice. “Finishing Touches, Judith Watson speaking.”

“How full is your client list?” a woman asked in a brusque tone.

“I never turn away business,” Judith said as pleasantly as she could.

The woman sighed. “You may want to with this one. He needs a major makeover, and might be difficult to work with.”

Judith lifted her brows, intrigued. “What do you mean by that?”

“He needs help fast, but I’m not sure he’s convinced yet.”

“And you are?”

“His mother. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good man and I don’t want to set him up for failure if you’re not up for it.”

Judith thought back to one torturous client she had dealt with. He’d caused her to lose twenty pounds over six months, and refused to pay her at the end because he did not feel that she had met his standard.

“If you’re interested, he’ll pay well. Money’s not a factor.”

Yes, she needed the money, but not at this rate. Besides, she preferred working with women more than men, and if his own mother thought he was difficult, Judith knew her time with him would probably be miserable. Why did Abby have to threaten to leave? Abby? Hmm. “Okay, is he in business, by any chance?”

“Yes, he runs his own company and has just started a new venture.”

“And his name?”

“Are you interested in taking him on?”

“No, but I know someone I can refer him to. A colleague I work with here in the same office. You can rest assured that I’ll be very discreet.”

“His name is Jason Ward.”

“One moment, please. I have another call.” Judith put the woman on hold, then quickly did an online search for Jason Ward. She saw that he’d been booted from his former company several years ago and had spent time in prison. She gave a low whistle. “I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Will that work?”

“I’ll let him know.” The woman disconnected.

Judith hung up the phone and couldn’t help a smile. She did a little dance in her office, then smoothed down her hair and clothes and walked over to Abby’s suite.

“I don’t want any hard feelings between us,” Judith said, entering and taking a seat.

‘“I don’t have any feelings at all,” Abby said, not looking up from what she was doing.

Judith fought not to grit her teeth. “I just got a new client, who I thought of referring to you, but if you’re not interested...” She began to stand.

“I didn’t say that.”

Judith leaned back, trying not to look too satisfied. She’d gloat later. “He’s very wealthy and starting a brand-new business. I know that’s your area. If you think you can handle him.”

“I can handle anyone.”

“Don’t be overconfident.”

Abby narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? I’m good at what I do.”

“He may be too much for you. I hear he can be a bit of a bully.”

“I can turn a tiger into a pussycat. Who is he?”

“Jason Ward.”

Judith watched her with interest. She could almost see Abby’s mind working and trying to place him. To her delight, she didn’t. “So, why does he need you?”

“As I said, he’s starting a new business, and while I can help him with his image, I thought you might be a better match, since you’re into corporate business and stuff. Besides, he’s offering a lot of money.”

“How much?”

Judith threw out a ballpark figure, just to get Abby interested.

“That’s a lot of money to pass up. And that’s not like you.”

“I’ll take the case if you want. I’m only telling you this as a show of good faith. I really hate you thinking that I was doing something so unethical, such as stealing clients from you. I mean, we are family and—”

“Fine,” Abby cut in, not wanting to talk about the tumultuous relationship she shared with her sister.

“Good, I’ll give him your number, but only on one condition.”

“What?”

“You’ll stay. If you can change Jason Ward in six weeks, I’ll cover the cost for your office suite for the next six months.” Judith knew it was a gamble since she wouldn’t be able to afford it, but she was already convinced Abby wouldn’t succeed.

“Okay.”

Judith smiled and held up a finger to indicate that she wasn’t finished. “But if you don’t succeed in changing him within six weeks, you’ll sign for another two years.” Judith knew she had baited Abby. Abby hated to pass up a challenge. “So, you’ll make sure he’s scandal-free and the darling of the business world by the end of six weeks?”

“You can count on it.”

* * *

Abby knew the snake was up to something, but she didn’t care. Jason Ward would be a coup for her. After Judith left, she looked him up on her computer and then gripped her hands into fists when his handsome face came on the screen. That Jason Ward! He would be a nightmare. The man who refused to wear suits, who only wore two colors, who cursed with a fluency that would make a sailor blush. Uncouth, uncultured and undeniably intriguing. A man who kept his private life guarded. And a man who reminded her of someone. Oh, no...the man from the restaurant!

Abby stood and kicked a chair in frustration. Outside, a late October wind brushed past her window. Judith had set her up for failure. But the fact that he was seeking help meant that he wanted a change, and in spite of herself, she was confident she could help him. Besides, a referral from him would open doors she could only imagine. Her unorthodox methods may be just what he needed. Abby could already see herself affording a new apartment and car. She wanted to regain the life she’d lost after her divorce, and Jason Ward was the key.