Читать книгу His Touch - Mary Baxter Lynn - Страница 7

Jessica sat at her desk in her office at city hall, her mind in an uproar. She had so many items on her agenda she didn’t know where to start. As a result, she simply hadn’t started. Instead she’d poured herself a second cup of coffee and was drinking it at leisure, something she rarely did.

Today, however, was going to be an especially difficult one, and she needed extra fuel to help her get through it. First off, she had a meeting scheduled with Councilmember Lance Saxon, her biggest adversary regarding the current brouhahas with the police and over the land annexation.

The bottom line was that Saxon didn’t like her personally or professionally. She suspected his disfavor stemmed from the fact that she was a woman. He couldn’t seem to surmount that hurdle and deal with her accordingly. He’d never said as much, of course—he had more political savvy than that. Still, she sensed his feelings. Like Porter, she had an uncanny knack for reading people.

Saxon was also outspoken and adversarial. Often she was capable of putting him in his place without losing her dignity or her professionalism, but there were times when he pushed her too far and felt the sting of her tongue.

She hoped this morning she could maintain her cool professionalism and make him understand once and for all her actions concerning the chief and the land. Since the controversy had occurred, Saxon had managed to swing several other councilmembers over to his side.

Not a good thing.

Jessica sighed, then took another sip of her coffee, letting her gaze wander around the room. Nice. Soothing. Smart. Those were the words that jumped to mind as her eyes touched on the mint-green and gold tapestry-covered chairs, the tall, full plants placed just right for the sunlight to perform its magic, and the artwork that adorned the wall, gathered from her trips abroad with Porter.

At the moment her office felt more secure than her home, as the office hadn’t been invaded by her nemesis. Jessica shivered, her thoughts reverting to her conversation with Veronica last evening and the decision she had made.

All morning she’d been regretting giving Veronica the green light on the bodyguard gig. Given more time, surely she could work through this situation on her own. On the other hand, the rose incident had frightened her to the core.

Someone hated her.

Enough to kill her?

Jessica gripped the cup so tightly she could see her knuckles turn white. She wouldn’t let this pervert win, dammit. She wouldn’t. Even if it meant having a stranger invade her life for a while. She could cope with that. But could the council? Should she even tell them?

Under the circumstances, what choice did she have? To date, the only one besides Veronica who knew about the threats was her assistant, Tony Eason, and even he didn’t know about this latest one. She dreaded telling him for more reasons than one.

“You’re here awfully early.”

“Ah, good morning,” Jessica said to the short but stout young man who all but fluttered into her room, dressed outlandishly, as usual. He had on a brightly flowered tie and salmon-colored sports coat. She winced inwardly at the combination but didn’t let on. “I was just thinking about you.”

Tony Eason smiled while shoving his small wire-rimmed glasses closer to the bridge of his nose. Once he’d removed his hand, his gray-green eyes peered into hers, something he always did, as if gauging her mood for the day.

He was single, in his early thirties, efficient and precise as a prim schoolteacher. The buzz around city hall was that Tony was gay. She discouraged and disapproved of such gossip when it pertained to anyone, but especially Tony. He was completely dedicated to her and the job, and she couldn’t imagine what she would do without him, and his sex life was no one’s business but his own.

“So how was your evening?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Uh-oh, what happened?”

“More of the same, only worse.”

Tony perched on the edge of her large desk, placing the folders he was carrying on his lap. “This has gone on far too long.”

“I know.”

“So what happened?”

Jessica filled him in, leaving nothing out.

“Lord a mercy, we’ve …you’ve got to do something.”

“I am.” She told him then about Veronica and Thurmon’s friend.

“Mmm.” Tony rubbed his smooth chin. “A bodyguard. Not a bad idea. I should’ve already thought of that.”

“How do you think the council will react?”

“They’ll be concerned.”

“Or tell me I deserve it.”

Tony lifted a sooty brow, too perfect to belong to a man. “Saxon, perhaps, but he’s a pompous you-know-what.”

Jessica smiled. “He thinks he’s right and I’m wrong. That’s his prerogative.”

“I don’t think you could please the man no matter what you did.”

Jessica smoothed a pleat on her coral Ralph Lauren slacks that had a matching jacket hanging on the coatrack. She had purposely dressed in what she referred to as high style. Although her outfit was tailored, it was also very feminine. Even though she worked in a man’s world, she never wanted to join that world. She was content with herself as a woman and what she’d accomplished.

“Porter would know how to handle Saxon,” she finally said, more for her benefit than Tony’s.

“If your husband were still mayor, there wouldn’t be anything to handle.”

“So you also think it’s me?”

“Sure do. He can’t get over the fact that a woman is running the city. I bet he chokes on that every meal. Pleasant thought, isn’t it?”

Jessica almost smiled. “Shame on you.”

“Ah, forget him.” Tony gestured with a hand. “Even if he doesn’t come around to your way of thinking, the others will. The city has too much to lose.”

“We’ll see. But never forget how much influence Saxon wields or how much money he has. Both are synonymous with power.”

“I’m betting on you.”

“In any event, I’m going to send each member a letter explaining what’s going on, especially since I’m getting a bodyguard.”

“That’s probably smart.” Tony paused. “So when’s this bodyguard supposed to come on duty?”

“I’m not sure. Could be any time now, I suppose. Thurmon and Veronica are in charge of the arrangements.”

“Meanwhile, do you think it’s wise for you to be alone? I can always bunk on your sofa.”

“Absolutely not, even though I appreciate the offer.” Jessica’s full lips thinned. “I’m not about to let this maniac totally rule my life.”

“You’ll be careful, though, won’t you?”

Jessica heard the anxiety in Tony’s voice and realized how foolhardy she must sound. Last night’s incident, in particular, was not something to be taken lightly. Still, it was hard to admit she needed anyone. She’d grown so used to taking care of herself that she resented the loss of that God-given right.

“I promise I won’t take any unnecessary chances. But I’m sure Veronica and Thurmon will see that I don’t, so you can rest easy.”

“Good.” Tony stood, then peered at his watch. “Since it’s almost time for Saxon’s appointment, I’ll let these files slide until later.”

“Not if they’re important.”

“Nothing that can’t wait until after he leaves.” Tony paused, his features becoming solemn and pinched. “There is one more thing. I debated about telling you.”

“Don’t ever do that.” Jessica came as close to snapping at him as she ever had. “What is it?”

“Dale Lipton. He’s thrown his hat back into the mayoral ring.”

Jessica groaned out loud. “That’s not good news.”

“And Saxon will be backing him. Count on it.”

“Oh, I know. Lipton and Saxon are not only good friends but business partners of sorts, or so I’ve heard.”

“No problem. You’ve got class and smarts. They have neither.” He massaged the top of his head. “Besides, you’ve already trounced Lipton once. You can do it again.”

“I won’t give in or up without a fight. Last election, he fought low and dirty.”

“But you didn’t, and that’s why you beat him.”

Tony grinned at the same time his glasses slipped down on his nose, making him look like a figure out of a comic magazine, especially as a twig of unruly hair was sticking up from the crown of his head. But she didn’t dare say a word. He would have a fit if he knew his hair was mussed.

“As soon as things in the office and in my personal life settle, we’ll find a new chief, then I’ll get started on my reelection plans.”

“I have several people in mind to manage the next one. Well-qualified people.”

“Good. We’ll get together on that soon.”

Tony headed toward the door. “Oh, something else.”

“What?”

“Since the council okayed that Zurich mayoral conference, does that mean I’m to make plans for you to attend?”

“Of course. It’s a chance I’d be foolish to pass up.”

“Well, with all this mess going on, I wasn’t sure.”

Jessica didn’t hesitate. “Now you are.”

“Great. I’ll buzz personally when Saxon arrives.”

“Thanks,” Jessica said with a downturn of her mouth.

Tony’s lips twitched. “Any time.”

Once she was alone, Jessica stood, walked into her bathroom and trashed her cold coffee. But instead of heading back to her desk and tackling the phone messages and mounds of paperwork, she went to the window and stared at the Dallas skyline.

Lovely city. Lovely time of the year. Her favorite, in fact. The flowers and trees were in full bloom. Everything looked and smelled fresh, especially after a cleansing rain shower like the one they’d had last night.

Now the sun was shining. Maybe that was a good omen.

She needed that. Since Porter’s death, she had made her career her life in an effort to soak up the loneliness that oftentimes haunted her. She knew she had been a good mayor. She had made things happen for the city—good things. She definitely earned more money than she was paid rather than being paid more than she earned.

Her goal was to continue to be the best, most conscientious mayor she could be, then seek reelection, a prospect that no longer loomed brightly. But it would, as soon as she rode out the current political storm. Because she felt so justified concerning her bold actions, she was determined to remain strong and unbending in her decisions.

The chips would just have to fall where they would.

Her buzzing phone jolted her back to the moment at hand. She crossed to the desk and pressed the button. “Yes.”

“Mr. Saxon’s here.”

“Send him in.” Jessica walked to the coatrack and slipped into her jacket just as the door opened and Saxon strode in.

“Morning, Mrs. Kincaid.”

He rarely showed her the respect of her title, which didn’t bother her. It merely showed how unprofessional and insulting he could be when it suited him. Today was apparently one of those days.

“Good morning,” she forced herself to say as politely as possible. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“I hope you’ll still feel that way after I leave,” he countered with his usual bluntness.

She ignored that and asked him to sit down.

Lance Saxon was of average height, with a balding head and jowls that shook when he made any kind of sudden movement. The circumference of his middle was also noticeable, indicating that he lived the good life to the max.

He took a seat, but by the time she sat behind her desk, he was standing again, seeming to tower over her, his nostrils flaring.

Keeping her emotions in check, Jessica smiled, then asked, “So what’s on your mind?”

“Oh, I think you know. But for starters, I insist you reinstate the police chief.”

Thirty minutes later Lance Saxon strode out of her office, but not before stopping, turning and firing off one more verbal round. “Rest assured, you won’t get away with your actions, Mrs. Kincaid.”

Though her legs were less than steady, Jessica had forced herself to follow him to the door with another smile plastered on her face. Now that he was actually leaving her office, her hand circled the knob so hard she experienced a wince of pain.

That was when she saw him.

Standing in her outer office, staring at her. A moment of panic seized her and held her motionless. Had her nemesis managed to get… No. The pervert harassing her wouldn’t look like this man.

Was that her bodyguard?

Most likely, she assured herself, feeling her stomach unknot. As far as she knew, she didn’t have any more appointments until after lunch. Where was Tony? Not at his desk, unfortunately.

“You’re obviously Jessica Kincaid.”

His low, rather rough-sounding voice had a strange effect on her nerves. She stiffened. “And who might you be?”

“Brant Harding, your bodyguard.” His lips twitched, as if he would have loved to smile, only his lips wouldn’t cooperate.

Jessica swallowed, suddenly at a loss for words. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but it wasn’t the likes of this man. For some crazy reason, she felt an instant visceral response. The first thought that came to mind was the word dangerous; with his dark, brooding looks, he reminded her of a stalking panther.

No man had ever struck her with such animal force, leaving her more than a little disconcerted.

Wetting her lips, she said inanely, “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“That’s obvious.”

She flushed, something she didn’t do often. “Won’t you come in?”

He strode into the room. Reluctantly she closed the door behind her, fighting off the insane feeling that she was sealing her doom.