He shouldn’t have let Janey go so easily. Moreover, he should never have gotten caught with Elaine in his arms. But he had, and he’d paid the price. He’d lost Janey and Robin.
And he was a damn poor loser.
The idea that Janey hadn’t and wouldn’t forgive him had festered all these years. He’d learned a hard lesson, though, and he was definitely smarter. When he got Janey back, he wouldn’t make the same mistake again. If he dallied, he would make sure he didn’t get caught. That way he would have his cake and eat it, too.
“Hey, Mayfield, whatcha doing in there?” A coworker stuck his head around the door. “Playing with yourself?”
“Go to hell, Kendrick,” Keith shot back at the big, burly man with a beard and mustache. “I can do what I please. I’m on my own time now.”
“So you’ve clocked out?”
“Yeah, not that that’s any of your business.”
Kendrick held up both hands and backed out of the doorway. “Hey, man, don’t be so touchy.”
“Get lost,” Keith muttered darkly.
Kendrick merely laughed. “I’ll be glad when you get that bug out of your ass. You’ve been hard to live with this entire month.”
Keith gave him another threatening look.
“I figure you’re not gettin’ any.”
“Get the hell out of my face or be prepared to get yours smashed.”
“All right already. I’m outta here.”
Kendrick swaggered off, though not before Keith saw the strange look he threw him.
Thank God he hadn’t seen the bottle, Keith told himself, or there would’ve been hell to pay. Or had he? The blood in Keith’s veins suddenly ran cold. Was that what that look had been about?
Nah, he was just paranoid. Still, he couldn’t let anyone get an inkling that he was drinking his breakfast and his dinner. The only meal he was eating was lunch.
So far, he’d managed to keep his drinking problem to himself. However, he was playing a dangerous game. Even though he was not on company time now, he was still on the premises. His boss wouldn’t take kindly to his drinking on the job. He would get fired in a heartbeat, which would be another big and stupid mistake.
If he had to work, he couldn’t beat selling cars. He was a natural at it, having sold two just today. If that pace kept up, he would be out of debt in no time.
To reward himself, he was about to get his little girl and take her out to dinner.
That reminder gave him the courage to walk away from the drawer that held the booze. Seconds later, he was in the bathroom, straightening his tie while scrutinizing himself in the mirror.
Not bad. At forty-five, he didn’t have a speck of gray in his dark hair. He was tall enough, and despite his penchant for booze his stomach was only slightly pooched. He had no complaints about his eyes, either; the whites didn’t look like a road map.
But the best thing he had going for him was his gift of gab. More often than not, he could talk his way into or out of anything. His features suddenly turned grim. He was going to need that gift and more to lure Janey back into his life.
But he had no doubt he would succeed—especially thirty minutes later, when he was sitting at a table at Chili’s Restaurant facing a smiling Robin.
They had just placed their orders for two bacon cheeseburgers, curly fries and colas.
“So how was your day, sweetheart?” he asked, realizing again just how important it was for him to get Robin on his side. Without her, he knew his chances of getting Janey back were slim to none.
“Great, Dad.”
“So you’re not having any problems keeping your grades up?”
Some of the light went out of her eyes. “Well, Trig’s starting to give me fits, but Chad’s promised to help.”
Keith’s eyes widened. “Chad? That’s a name I haven’t heard before.”
Robin’s cheeks turned rosy. “He’s the team quarterback.”
“And?”
She giggled. “And I went out with him the other night.”
“And he’s about the coolest thing on two feet.”
“How did you know?”
“Your old dad’s been there before.”
“I wish Mom saw it that way.”
Keep your cool, he cautioned himself. “She has a problem with your friend?”
“We haven’t really talked about him yet, but I don’t think she likes him.”
“Oh, I bet she does. She’s just being her usual protective self.”
“Maybe,” Robin replied, her expression still on the glum side. “Chad doesn’t think she likes him, either.”
“How many times have you been out with him?”
“Once.”
“Then give her a chance, okay?”
“Why are you taking up for Mom?”
He forced himself not to react. “For one thing, because she is your mother, and for another, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the young man.”
“Well, he’s drop-dead gorgeous.” Robin grinned. “And every friend I have is green with envy.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Oh, Dad, I’m so glad I came back. I wouldn’t be having nearly this much fun in Colorado.”
“How’s your mother adjusting?” he asked with what he hoped was casual concern.
Robin shrugged. “I’m not sure. The candy shop’s doing okay, I guess. Mom tries to shield me, but I know she’s had some problems.”
“Problems go with owning your own business. But if I can help, I’m around.”
“I just wish you lived with us,” Robin whined.
“Me too, sweetheart.”
His words appeared to stun her. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“You mean you still love Mom?”
“And you, too.”
“But what about Sabrina?”
He hadn’t wanted Robin to know about the other women in his life, but in a weak moment he’d given in to Sabrina’s demands and invited Robin to dinner. Only once. Consequently, he was taken aback that Robin still connected them.
“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” he lied.
“Good. I didn’t care for her much.”
“Me either.”
She giggled again, then her pretty face sobered. “Oh, Dad, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be a family again—you, me and Mom?” Tears welled up in her eyes.
God, he needed a drink, if for no other reason than to celebrate. His plan was coming together much faster and better than he could have imagined. He could barely contain his excitement. This was the first time his daughter had ever said anything like that to him.
Of course, he had the biggest hurdle yet to jump—Janey. But he was confident he