CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Hope was working the lunch shift in the Howler three days after Macy’s photo shoot, and trying not to think about what Newman had told her. It had pretty much occupied her thoughts continuously. That was when they weren’t occupied by John Finch.
Hope realized just one day in of working with him, that he was a true professional. Each photo took time to set up. He demanded excellence, and that showed in his work. Not as tall as his cousin, he had the easy charm, but was quieter like Brad. What surprised Hope was that he was actually interested in her view point. There was very little arrogance in the man.
She’d remained focused when she was with him, and tried to push aside the worry of whether she was carrying a child or not. But it wasn’t easy. The uncertainty stretched her nerves to breaking point.
Could there even now be a life forming inside her? She had never factored on having children, at least not at this stage in her life. She had no money or security, and was living with her mother. The thought of a child should terrify her. Strangely, all she could think about was what it would look like.
“Can you pick up some supplies for me, Hope? The order didn’t come yet, and we need a few things.”
“No problem.” Taking the list from Noah, Hope headed out the door. The day was as it usually was in Howling this time of year, beautiful. She lifted a hand to Cubby, who was in uniform and talking to a group of teenagers with skateboards in their hands. She wondered if they’d been skating down the street.
Looking around, she could see no sign of Jay, which was a relief. He’d approached her yesterday, as she and John came out of the trails. How he’d known where they were, she had no idea. He’d then set about charming John, offering his help. Throwing about that easy smile Hope now loathed. John had said he didn’t need another photographer, but had taken Jay’s card anyway.
She didn’t know what to do about him or Wildlife, but was coming around to the idea of taking the legal action route when John Finch had once again left Howling.
“I couldn’t believe it when Jay told me you were here. That you’d have the cheek to work with a legend like John Finch.”
Hope looked at the woman who’d stepped out of a shop to stand in her way.
Casey Rae Linear was the spoilt youngest daughter of an investment banker. She worked very hard at looking like the rest of the conservationists who worked for Wildlife, but everyone knew she’d got the position because Daddy threw a great deal of money about.
Her hair was always styled to look messy, but Hope knew she paid a huge amount of money to look that way, because she’d once seen a diary entry with the name of an expensive salon on it. She wore cutoffs and a shirt tied under her breasts, exposing a vast amount of evenly tanned smooth stomach. The clothes, like the rest of her, were expensive, as were the boots on her feet that had been made to look worn.
“I was born here, Casey. So I have more rights to the place than you or Jay. John Finch respects my work, unlike you, so there’s nothing you can do or say to change that. Leave or stay, I don’t care. But don’t get in my face again.”
Hope saw the surprise. She’d always been polite around this woman, because she’d been her boss. Now she didn’t have to be.
“I’ll be speaking to him, or have my father do so. There is no way John Finch should ever have to work with someone like you, and I’ll make sure of it. You have no integrity, and you’re an alcoholic and a drug user. I never trusted you.”
Hope made herself smile. It was a stretch, but she managed it.
“Funny, I never liked you either. Spoilt rich bitch, what the hell do you know about conservation, when your father’s Learjet costs more than the entire fund raised for the whooping crane. You’re the fake, Casey, not me.”
Casey’s mouth opened and shut, but no sound came out.
“For the record, I didn’t lie, Jay did. Maybe you should watch your back. He may have you in his sights next.”
“Hope, how you doing today?”
A large hand settled on her shoulder, then Newman appeared at her side.
“Introduce me to your friend.”
“She’s not a friend.”
“Actually, I got that, but I was being polite.”
Hope looked up at Newman. He wasn’t smiling, but sending death rays at Casey, who was looking him over like he was stripped naked and posing for a centerfold. Hope didn’t like that look.
“Don’t be. This is Casey Rae Linear, my old boss.”
“The one who fired you?”
Hoped nodded. Newman had seen what was left of Hope in that bar. Seen the mess she’d allowed herself to become after Casey and Jay were done with her.
“Well now. The gentleman in me wants to shake your hand, Miss Linear, but seeing as Hope’s important to me, I’ll leave that pleasantry.”
“Oh, well, Hope deserved it,” Casey got out. “She fooled us all, so I’m sure she may be fooling—”
“I’d keep that thought in your head, if I were you, Miss Linear. Hope’s special to me and this town. I’ve known her since she was a child, and added to that is the fact that I’ve never had a reason to not trust her. You, however, I do.”
“You don’t know me, why would you mistrust me?” Casey spoke in a soft, sultry voice now. She flung back her curls and stuck out her chest. Hope had seen this particular movement plenty of times when there was a man around and Casey wanted to get him on her side.
“I’ve had business dealings with your father, Miss Linear.”
Hope swallowed her smile at Newman’s words. She didn’t need him to stand up for her, but had to admit it felt good.
“How dare you accuse my father of anything!”
“I don’t believe I said a word against him,” Newman drawled.
His hand had moved to Hope’s neck, fingers wrapping around the back. It was a gesture that was more than simple familiarity, and she should nudge him away, but the look in Casey’s eyes stopped her. The woman was shocked that someone seemed to want to be near Hope, and not her. Especially a handsome someone.
“Y-you inferred my father’s reputation was less than stellar!”
Casey had always had a flair for the theatrical.
“But I would never make such a rash accusation without first having all the facts, Miss Linear.”
Clever devil , Hope thought. She’d never been very good at thinking on her feet, but he’d managed to convey in a few words that Casey had fired Hope without first knowing all the facts.
The fingers on her neck moved, stroking her skin. Hope refused to react; instead she kept her eyes on Casey. The woman was uncomfortable, and the suspicion that Hope had always had about her and Jay reared its head.
“Perhaps if you hadn’t been sleeping with him, you may not have believed him so readily.”
The shock was not outrage at Hope’s insinuation, it was that she’d guessed accurately.
“Tut tut, Miss Linear. Perhaps the apple did not fall far from the tree.”
Color filled Casey’s cheeks as she struggled to regain some ground.
“How dare you insult my father! Hope was seen drinking, and using drugs, and she stole someone’s work. Her dismissal was justified.”
“But who saw her, and whose work did she steal, Miss Linear? It is Jay Herald’s word against Hope’s. She wished not to pursue legal action against you. But I think in light of what we’ve now learned, she should.”
“Legal action.” Casey looked like she’d sucked on a lemon. “She has no case, as I have proof of what she is capable of.”
“Proof supplied by Jay, Casey,” Hope said. “False proof because he drugged my drink and set me up. But seeing as he was sleeping with you and me, it seems your opinion of him is clouded.
“You’ll never win against me,” Casey said.
“I don’t know about that, because unlike you and your lover boy, I’ll actually have the truth on my side.”
“You’re lying!”
Hope made herself smile. “We’ll see won’t we.” She walked away then, and kept walking until she reached the grocery store. Only then did she draw in a deep, steadying breath.