“Want me to check out a contractor to do the work? I think you’ll probably have to get a permit. I know a guy who can get you a permit today if you want it.” When she appeared skeptical, he said, “Don’t worry, ma’am. It will be perfectly legal. I wouldn’t mislead you.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t, Justin. Didn’t I tell you I’m a good judge of character? Please call your friend. I want to get this operation underway as soon as possible.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll get on that right now.”
Justin walked over to Park Avenue, flagged a taxi and settled back to contemplate all that had transpired that morning. He was rapidly concluding that Gina Harkness did not regard herself as a rich woman or, if she did, she didn’t plan to change her outlook on life. She went out in the street and bought coffee when she should have asked him to do it. She offered a man she’d seen twice a credit card. She was damned lucky to have hired him and not a swindler. The woman was way too trusting.
When he caught her ogling him, she’d almost lost her composure, but he had to hand it to her, the sistah could give lessons in cool behavior. She planned to give him an office, and he appreciated that. In fact, he needed it. But whoever heard of a personal chauffeur with a private office?
The taxi stopped at the address he’d given the driver. He paid, got a receipt and asked the man to wait for ten minutes, and in less time, he was back in the cab with an official permit enabling Gina to renovate her office space.
“You’re wonderful,” she said with a smile when he handed her the permit. “I don’t know how I’d get along without you. The manager of this building suggested a company for the renovations, and he’ll be here day after tomorrow. Gosh. I could never have gotten this far by myself.”
She talked on, but he was still at the point where she said she didn’t know what she’d do without him. “I’m flattered, ma’am. Thank you.”
When she narrowed her eyes, he suspected that she’d get down on him again about calling her ma’am, but whatever she intended went unsaid. The door opened and, without having knocked or rung the bell, a man who wore his tie too tightly knotted walked in.
“Who was the man who answered the phone while you were out? I can’t believe you went off and left your foundation to a stranger. You’re supposed to be—”
Justin looked at Gina. From her demeanor, he wouldn’t have been surprised to see smoke coming out of her ears. “Miles, what in hell do you mean by strolling in here and throwing your weight around. You have absolutely no authority to take me to task about anything. Who answers my phone is my business, and I want you to leave this minute.”
“You…you can’t speak to me that way.”
“Why can’t she?” Justin asked him.
Seeming to swell by the minute, Miles looked at Gina. “Who is this man? Is he the one who answered your phone?”
“This man is my chauffeur and my office assistant, not that it’s any of your business. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do,” Gina said as she saw Miles out.
“So he’s the executor of your friend’s estate. Something tells me he oversteps his authority,” Justin said.
“He tries to intimidate me, but that is not easily done. I suspect he thinks that Heddy should have left her estate to him, or at least to someone who’s white.”
“You may have a point,” Justin said. “But as far as the renovations go, remember that we pick up the car Wednesday, and that’s the day the builder comes. Did he say what time?”
“Ten o’clock. So we can pick up the car around two in the afternoon. This is perfect. I’m moving tomorrow, so we’ll be able to park in my building’s garage.”
She still hadn’t given him the building’s address, but he’d seen the address in the will. Of the chauffeurs working for residents in that building, he’d be the only one who didn’t wear a uniform. He’d bet anything on that. It occurred to him that he’d better buy a pair of glasses. In that building, he might be recognized.
He looked at his watch, saw that it was twelve-thirty and asked her, “What’s your policy about lunch? I’d like to find something to eat.”
When she didn’t answer, he saw that she was still angry and trying to control it. “Don’t let it get to you,” he said, and the minute he opened his mouth, her lips trembled as she fought back tears. “Please. He’s not worth getting upset about.” She turned her back to him and, man that he was, he rushed to her and drew her into his arms. He couldn’t help himself.
“It will be all right. We’ll find a way to stop him. Please, Gina, we’re in this together, and I won’t let him hurt you.” Soft and yielding, she snuggled to him as a lover would, and he wanted to squeeze her to him, to protect her and love her, but he didn’t dare.
“I…I’m sorry,” she murmured, but didn’t move out of his arms.
“I know. He was pretty rough, but you handled it well. Stay here. I’ll get you some water.” He stroked her shoulder, taking what he could get, before easing her away from him. When he returned from the water cooler, she was sitting at her desk with her head resting on her arms. He leaned over her and rested an arm across her shoulder.
“Do you feel like drinking this?”
Gina took the cup of water, drank it and put the empty cup in the wastebasket beside her desk. She didn’t look him in the eye, but found a spot past his shoulder and fastened her gaze on that. “He’s been harassing me ever since he read that will to me, and he’s becoming increasingly bold. Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Don’t mention it. If you’re all right, I’ll be back in an hour.”
He needed to get away from there. She’d nestled against him like a chick under its mother’s wing, or like a woman enjoying the protectiveness of her man. She felt as comfortable as if she’d been born in his arms. Soft. She was so soft and so feminine. True, she had a temper, but he didn’t mind that. He liked a woman with fire. If only he could keep his hands off her.
For nearly half an hour, Gina sat where Justin had left her. Her anger had subsided, but her fear that she might fall for her chauffeur had reached alarming proportions. Nobody had to tell her that he could be down on his luck, but if he wasn’t, he undersold himself and forfeited his potential. Some people only took what they needed from life and left the rest to the overachievers. He could be one of those. She shook her head. Maybe she would never understand him, and perhaps she shouldn’t try. But she had needed his gentleness and tenderness and hadn’t wanted to move out of his strong arms.
“I could love this man,” she said to herself. She remembered one of her auntie’s prayers: Lord, please don’t let me look at him with scales over my eyes. She heard the door open and busied herself with the papers on her desk.
He walked over to her desk. “What do you want to eat? I’ll be glad to get it for you.” And he meant it. In his present mood, he’d do anything for her so long as it was legal.
“You’re asking me to take advantage of you, Justin. You’re not a messenger or a gofer.”
“Forget about what I am. What do you want to eat? I can bring you a sandwich, a salad or a full-course meal.”
“All right. Surprise me.”
That sounded a little coquettish to him. “Other than coffee and scones, I don’t know what you like. Okay. What if I bring lasagna and a salad? What would you like to drink? Coffee?” She nodded, and