Holly
High maintenance. I’d called it the first time we met. Marty required a lot of attention. After I hung up on him, he tried to call back. I didn’t answer. Then another number popped up.
“What?” I asked, half laughing.
“You’ve been avoiding me, Marilyn.” I almost dropped my phone as I hurried to block the caller. Geez-Louise, how did he get this new number?
I shut the phone off and pulled out the dessert tray I’d stashed earlier in the day. After gorging on apple pie and strawberry shortcake, I went to bed.
Maybe it was the late dessert, the forty winks earlier, or all the changes Marty intended to foist on me. Or maybe it was the idea of some creepy guy getting my new number.
For whatever reason, I couldn’t sleep and suddenly had a love hate relationship with my phone, fearful of getting a call at the same time, unreasonably disappointed when Marty didn’t try again.
He’s working, idiot. Get real. I lighted a scented candle and stood in front of my kitchen window, drinking a cup of morning brew and studiously ignoring Marty’s sealed envelope on my counter.
The force of his personality was such, I felt his will, urging me to get on with things and open it; at the same time, I considered using the candle to burn it without reading the contents.
Who knows how long my schizoid-duel would have lasted if a knock on my front door hadn’t interrupted my meditations. I had no idea who could be visiting me that early.
I went from alarmed to pissed-off when I peered through the spy-hole and recognized Marty’s employee.
I’d never officially met the older woman waiting on the porch, but we’d encountered each other when I’d gone to Marty’s office to return his hundred dollars. She’d been the woman wearing purple tweed.
“Good morning,” she said as soon as I opened the door a crack. I decided, playing dumb was my best option, so I pretended to not recognize her.
“I don’t donate to religious solicitations,” I answered politely and edged the crack closer to closed.
“I’m Elaine, Marty’s personal assistant and your ride to the office. Marty suggested that I pick you up since you don’t drive.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes as she studied me. I didn’t bother to hide my scowl.
“I told Mr. Jones when we last spoke that I appreciate his job offer but I’m already employed. I’m sorry you’ve made a trip for nothing.” I started to close the door the final inch when she stopped me.
“May I use your restroom?” Cagy lady, she’d decided to prolong the agony. Nodding, I stepped back, inviting her to enter and then led the way to the bathroom off the kitchen.
Moments later, I heard her emerge from the bathroom, but remained at the window with my back turned, hoping she’d take the hint and just leave.
“Coffee isn’t good for the baby,” she said behind me, her voice laden with disapproval.
How old is too old to sass? My mother would have washed my mouth out for disrespecting an elderly woman. Elaine didn’t really come off as elderly, but I remained silent in Mom’s memory. Nevertheless, words fought to get past my lips.
“Before I make the trip back to the office, we need to talk.” She seemed intent on making me feel guilty. Not happening. I’d allowed her use of my lavatory. I didn’t invite her to spend the day with me.
“I’ve gone ahead and made an appointment for you to see Dr. Lily Spencer this week. It would have been better had I been able to speak to you first to confirm your availability. Since you’re now working for Smoke, Inc., we can adjust your schedule to fit your medical needs.”
I glared at her image in the window glass.
“I tried to call. You didn’t answer so I’m here.” She set her briefcase on the table and pulled a laptop from it. Reluctantly, I turned to face her.
“How did you get my number?”
“Marty, of course.”
“Did you give my number to anyone else?” My phone stalker had jarred me more than I realized.
“Of course not. Personnel information is strictly privileged.”
“I don’t work for Marty’s company so I’m not personnel,” I corrected her. “Thank you for your concern but I’ll make an appointment with a doctor I choose. I’d like you to go now.”
The truth was, I’d been stalling. I couldn’t even say why. I knew I needed to find a doctor and… Everything was just so complicated now. I could feel panic welling from the pit of my stomach. As soon as Marty’s quarterback left the field, I’d go to my closet. But she didn’t leave.
Instead, she shrugged off her jacket, draped it over the back of a kitchen chair, removed a cup from my mug tree, popped a pod into my Keurig, made herself a cup of coffee, and took a seat at the table.
“Marty’s paternity rights allow him to cover the baby’s healthcare needs, i.e. he’s covering yours.” Dragon-lady stared me in the eyes, daring me to argue.
Since I didn’t know whether I was being bullied with legal authority or just bluff, I kept my mouth shut. What I didn’t need was sued on top of everything else.
When I didn’t tell her to get out, she nodded and opened her laptop. “I’ll just go ahead and fill out your paperwork while I’m here today,” While I fidgeted, trying to decide what to do next, she focused on a form on the screen.
“All right,” I said. “What’s it going to take to get you to leave?”
“Birth date, name of parents, medical history, work history, number of siblings, social security number.” She rattled off those items quickly, flipped screens on her laptop, and waited expectantly.
“Birthday, October 20, 1988. No parents. No siblings. No medical history because I’m healthy. My work history isn’t pertinent.” I gave her the answers I wanted to share and reeled off my social security number before adding, “Now you can go.” My personal history didn’t belong to anyone but me.
Even so long after I’d lost everyone, I had to steel myself to keep from blubbering at the memory. I clenched my teeth and willed my eyes to remain dry as I stared at the woman demanding information.
“You’re an orphan?” Elaine had the finesse of a rhinoceros.
“Yes.” I most definitely was, and having been on my own since I was fourteen, I didn’t take to being interrogated by anyone, especially Marty’s secretary.
“How pregnant are you?” Her suspicious look spoke volumes.
“One hundred percent,” I answered pertly. Technically the possibility was a smidgen lower, but not by much. Elaine glowered at me.
Ah hah. Not my fan. Hmm… I had to think a moment. “Okay, two months, five days, three hours,” I looked at the clock, “and ten seconds.”
“Are you really? Do not do this to him if it’s not true. I won’t allow it.”
“You’re his personal security detail, right?”
“His office assistant. I’ve been with him for years,” she said stiffly. “He’s like a son to me. I…” She teared up. “Please don’t be stubborn and make me worry about you, which makes him worry about you, which takes his mind off what he needs to be doing—staying alive while he and the rest of the crew fight the fire.”
Well, okay, putting it like that I suppose that makes her a grandma of sorts. I sat across from her, gazing at this addition to the baby’s family. I was not inclined to like her.
Oh boy, the kid isn’t even here, and I already have surrogate in-law problems. “I wasn’t wrong. Marty is high maintenance.” I answered because I didn’t want Elaine crying in my kitchen.
“I only know what Garret, wearing his doctor hat, said, plus two pregnancy kits confirmed. I’m operating on the assumption that they were right.”
“Then you should already be following a healthy diet,” she answered, glancing at the mug next to me.
“I am,” I muttered sounding defensive. Then I remembered I was twenty-nine, she was a guest in my house, and I didn’t owe her any courtesy beyond what I’d already extended.
“Coffee is not…” Her words stuttered to a halt as she peered into the mug I pushed across the table. “That’s milk.”
“Yes, it is. You smelled coffee when you barged in because, before you helped yourself to a cup of what I can’t have, I’d already lit the java scented candle to supplement my morning milk break.”
“I’m sorry.” She stood, tendering her apology. I nodded my acceptance and silently willed her to be gone.
“The appointment with Dr. Spencer is tomorrow. Call the number on the back to confirm.” She handed me a card and added, “I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
If she’d offered instead of going all commando on me, I might have agreed. Also, her smug expression made me question her earlier teary-eyed look. She’d obviously learned her manipulation skills from Marty.
“I have transportation covered,” I told her. Which I did. I intended to catch the city bus.
“Who’s taking you?”
“I’ll walk to the corner and ride the bus. I want and need exercise and if you show up, you’ll be sitting in a car by yourself. Elaine, get a grip. Whatever you usually do for Marty, go back to doing it.”
She made unhappy noises, but I remained firm. I’d take myself to the physician Marty had chosen, and if I didn’t like that doctor, I’d find my own.
When she finally left, I locked the front door behind her and then for added protection from an ambush attack, locked the back door as well.
Between the poor sleep the night before and her conversation I was worn out again. But more than that, I was distraught. I could feel the pressure building inside me. I headed for the closet and opened the door. Things had been shifted around. I flipped on the light.
“I don’t believe this.” The closet had been fitted with a bench. It had a note pinned to the seat.
Holly, I’m not trying to intrude. I just want you to be comfortable when you come here to think. ~Respectfully, Marty.
I retreated to the kitchen, grabbed my phone, dialed Marty’s number, and walked toward the closet.
“You’ve invaded my personal space. You had a party in my backyard while I slept, your secretary showed up this morning to nag me about seeing a doctor, and now I find out you’ve even redecorated my…” I fumbled for the right term. Sacred retreat? Hiding spot? Mental therapy zone? “Stop. Just stop.”
“You found the bench,” he said as soon as I shut up. “I shouldn’t have messed with your think tank. I’m sorry. Won’t happen again.”
All the sizzle went out of me and I deflated like a punctured balloon. I should have hung up, but I could hear a lot of noise with an overlay of male voices in the background. “Where are you?”
“Helicopter transport.”
“Transporting as in, taking you to the fire?” I asked.
“Yep. You won’t be able to reach me soon. If you need anything, call Elaine.”
Great, one more thing to worry about. I frowned at the phone.
“So, do you like the bench?” He reminded me of the reason why I’d called him.
I stepped into the closet, closed the door, pulled the dangling cord to shut off the light, and sat on the padded bench. I couldn’t help myself, I giggled.
“You like it, right?” he growled in my ear.
“Where did you get the cushion?”
“Picked it up while I was waiting for… when I was grill shopping.”
I heard him switch gears. Okay, he’d been there waiting for me to get off work. I’d already surmised that. Marty wasn’t exactly subtle. But, since I’d rented him a room and he was currently flying away from me, the home invasion scenario didn’t really apply.
“So how dangerous is this job you’re on?” I drew up my legs and leaned my back against the side wall, squirming to make myself comfortable.
“On a scale of one-to-ten, with one being the least dangerous and ten being an inferno, this is a fifteen,” he answered casually. While I was digesting that, he attacked.
“Elaine said she had to pry answers out of you for the insurance upgrade. What the hell is the big deal? You need better insurance to cover the cost of that woman doctor I found for you. I don’t want you cutting corners on healthcare. That’s my kid you’re gestating.” Obviously, Elaine kept Marty informed via speed dial.
“You’re ruining the calming closet effect. All I want to do is reach through the phone and smack you upside the head. And I’m seriously rethinking our rental agreement.”
“What the hell is wrong now?” he asked gruffly.
“Are you related to Elaine? Because frankly, you share the same bossy gene.”
“No blood kin.” His rough laughter followed his admission. “But yeah, she’s a cross you’ll have to bear. And Jack is too. He’ll be by before long to stake his claim. The kid won’t be shy of babysitters and places to stay.”
“My baby will not be staying with anyone I don’t approve.” I didn’t want to quarrel but enough with the pushing.
“Elaine says your people are dead. That so?”
I blanched at his question. When I didn’t answer, he said, “Well are they?”
“Yes. I don’t talk about it so drop the subject.”
“Not before I get your promise to go see the new doctor and share any pertinent information needed.” Marty’s technique of getting what he wanted, kept me teetering on the edge of indecision. As he downplayed the dangerous nature of his work, he also focused his interrogation skills on me.
I fielded his subtle and not so subtle suggestions bordering on orders concerning the doctor. I considered telling him about my phone stalker, but, remembering Elaine’s reference to his dangerous work, I figured he didn’t need me yammering negatives in his ear since he was about to jump into a raging forest fire.
“I’ll see your suggested physician. But, if I don’t like the doctor, I’ll find someone else.” Having stated my position, I changed the subject. I’d tried not to think about Marty’s work. But, remembering Harley-Jane’s terror, I asked, “Is Gable okay?”
“Landed on his target and got us set up. Tell Janie he’s in the safety zone.” He laughed again, and I wondered if there was such a thing where they were.
“Take care,” I told him, eager to sign off and not think about Marty. But he had other ideas.
“Hey, I’ll call you tomorrow after your appointment. And I’ll see you when I get home,” he growled. “Meanwhile…” The deep timbre of his voice sent shivers up my spine. “Think about us in the kitchen, me touching you, and taking you to heaven.”
“Why?” I whispered as a blush heated my cheeks and a twist of desire pulsed in my core.
“Because when I get home, baby doll, I’d like to visit heaven again.” His gruff words made my insides clench remembering, or anticipating, I wasn’t sure which, probably both. “You going to think of me when you curl up alone in that big bed tonight?”
“Hmmm,” I managed as I headed upstairs, ready for later now.