Daddy's Choice. Doreen Malek Owens

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      Around noon Jane suddenly raised her head and said, “What’s that sound?”

      “Blessed silence. The crew is taking a lunch break.”

      Jane leapt up from the table and walked over to the front window, peering past a wad of padding to look out at the front lawn. “Oh, be still my heart! Blondie is taking off his shirt.”

      Carol scrambled over to the window and yanked the shade down to the sill.

      “Why did you do that?” Jane demanded, outraged.

      “Do you want him to see you peering out at him like some swooning teenager?”

      “Anyone is permitted to look out the window, Carol. You’re being ridiculous.”

      The phone started ringing, sparing Carol a reply. When she answered it she heard a sweetly feminine voice say, “Hi, this is Madeline, Mr. Kirkland’s personal assistant. Would it be possible for me to speak to him? I have to consult him about a business matter.”

      Carol put the caller on hold and headed for the door.

      “Where are you going?” Jane demanded.

      “The call is for Kirkland,” Carol said shortly. Before Jane could answer, Carol was out the door and down the steps, striding across the lawn, which was now covered with a layer of fine dust and large wood chips. Kirkland looked up from his sandwich as Carol stopped in front of him.

      “Help you?” he said.

      “There’s a call for you inside the house,” Carol said.

      He rose immediately, untying his T-shirt from his waist and slipping it over his head. He left the sandwich behind on the tailgate of his truck where he had been sitting. His men watched as he followed Carol back into the house.

      “Over there,” Carol said, pointing to the phone sitting on the kitchen table. Both women left the room as he leaned against the wall and spoke into the receiver, the call box under his arm.

      “I’ll bet it was a woman,” Jane muttered under her breath as she and Carol entered the living room.

      “She said it was a business matter,” Carol whispered back.

      “Huh. Monkey business.”

      “Jane…”

      “He put his shirt back on to come in here. Very gallant.”

      Carol opened her mouth to reply, then thought better of it as Kirkland joined them.

      “Thanks,” he said to Carol.

      She nodded. His attitude toward her was distant and businesslike; it was as if their shared dinner had never happened.

      “The mobile phone in my truck has been on the blink for the last couple of days. All I get is static. But I’ve got them working on it, you won’t be bothered again,” he added.

      “It was no bother,” Carol said.

      “Hi, I’m Jane Langley. How do you do?” Jane said, stepping forward and sticking out her hand.

      Kirkland shook it, glancing once at Carol and then back at Jane. “How are you?” he said to her.

      “Great. Seems like you guys are making a lot of progress on the house,” she said brightly.

      He nodded.

      “Construction must be an interesting business,” Jane observed.

      “It has its moments,” he replied shortly.

      “Do you work mostly in the summer?” Jane asked, emitting a flood of pheromones.

      “Outdoor jobs. In the cold weather I do plastering and flooring, that kind of thing.” He looked once more at Carol. “Well, I’d better get back out there. Thanks again.” He walked out of the house, and the front door closed behind him moments later.

      “‘Construction must be an interesting business,’” Carol chirped, batting her lashes, imitating Jane. “About as interesting as watching grass grow. Really, Jane, sometimes you can be embarrassing.”

      “At least I talked to him. You stood there like a floor lamp.”

      “Perhaps I’m reluctant to make a fool of myself,” Carol said.

      “Fine, Carol. You can play it cool if you like. I’m a human being even if you’re not, and I plan to try again.”

      “Then you’re not studying here with me. I am not going to have you panting after him every time you come to this house.” Carol turned her back on Jane to pour herself a cup of coffee.

      “You’re forbidding me to talk to him?”

      “Don’t be ridiculous.”

      “Then what? I can ask him out?”

      “Don’t you think that’s a bit forward?”

      “Don’t you think you’re a bit Victorian?”

      “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Jane, what are we arguing about? The man is probably married.” Carol put the pot back on the warmer and picked up her cup.

      “He’s not married.”

      Carol whirled to face her, the cup in her hand sloshing liquid. “How do you know?”

      Jane burst out laughing and leveled an accusing finger at her friend. “You are interested in him, I knew it!”

      “I’m interested in him, okay?” Carol said quietly. “You’re right. It’s utterly absurd. The man undoubtedly hates me because I tried to get him thrown off this job, but there’s just something about him…”

      “There certainly is, and I must say I’m relieved that you’ve noticed it. At school you were so glued to your books I wondered if you were preparing for a somewhat unusual legal career in a convent.”

      Carol sighed. “Jane, this conversation is getting us nowhere. I am starving and I’m going to make lunch. You may join me if you like, if you can stop talking long enough to chew.”

      Jane pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat. “I have one last thing to say.”

      Carol closed her eyes. “As long as it is the last thing.”

      “Now that you’ve met someone you want, go after him.”

      “In my own way, Jane. Not yours.”

      Jane held up her hands to indicate innocence. “I’ll be a fly on the wall,” she said meekly.

      “That’ll be the day. Tuna, grilled cheese, or turkey?”

      “Tuna,” Jane replied glumly, and hooked her СКАЧАТЬ