Operation Christmas (9 page)

Her mother sighed. “You’re stressing me out here. Traffic’s a mess.”

“Well, I’m pretty stressed myself. See you soon. Bye.”

She took another drink of hot coffee then dumped the rest. The sudden drama of being a one-car family, and late, hardly needed a caffeine boost. She turned at the sound of soft footsteps scuffing along the floor. Oh brother, she did not need this so early in the morning.

Grams entered the kitchen in her flowered housedress and scruffy old slippers. Ancient pink atrocities she wouldn’t throw out. Two pink rollers sat atop her head. “How come you’re still home?”

“The Mini broke down last night.”

“It never broke down when I took care of it.”

“You never had to leave it out in sub-zero weather.”
Or drive in bad weather.

“You staying home?”

“No. Mom’s coming.”
Eventually.

“Where’s my car?”

“Jess’s. It wouldn’t start last night.”

“How you getting to work?”

“
Mom
,” Madeleine repeated with more irritation than necessary.

Grams squinted at the wall clock. “She’s late.”

The grinding sound of the garage door opener made her toss on her coat. “Gotta go.”

“Tell Jess I’m sorry I got sick.”

“You don’t look sick to me.”

“Well I am...” Gram’s voice faded away as Madeleine closed the door that led into the garage. She hopped into the car. Her mother’s pinched face said it all. Christmas at the bakery had hit manic craziness. But really, why did her mom offer to drive her if it would wig her out. “Don’t stress, Mom. I’ll rent a car if it can’t be fixed today.”

“Maybe the new battery’s a dud.”

“I’ll have it checked.”

“You should have called your dad.”

“Jess is perfectly capable...oh forget it. I’m sorry. What more can I say?”

Her mom flicked her hand. “It’s okay.”

Well,
that
wasn’t true. However, Madeleine thought it best to button her lip. Her mother had enough pressure without them bickering, which didn’t stop her eyes from making periodic glances at the speedometer. Her next challenge would be her mother’s penchant for driving forty no matter the speed limit. At this rate, Madeleine figured she’d be thirty minutes late given the bad traffic. On past occasions when the Mini broke down, she’d only been five or ten minutes late.

“I hate that song,” her mom snapped.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
, beat through the radio speaker. “Would you find something else? I can’t search the radio and drive, too.”

“Gladly.” Madeleine opened the center console and pulled out an oldies Christmas CD. Nat King Cole crooned
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...
and suddenly, tension inside the car eased.

“That’s better. Did you get all the cookie tins shipped?”

“We did.”

“Did you skip supper?”

“No. Jess took me to Dickie’s. I thought I told you.”

“I don’t know. Maybe you did. It’s Christmas. I’m on overload.”

No argument there. The speedometer again drew her attention.
Mom. Please. At least drive forty-five.

Madeleine tuned her mind into Bing’s soothing voice and thought about the nice meal shared with Jess. That is once he resigned himself to the fact her mom would drive her to work—an obvious mistake.

It hurt to see disappointment cloud his face. She worried Jess would see her continued rejection as a reaction to his arm. He would be so wrong. She liked the guy and would date him if things were different. How could she convey the love she still harbored for Danny made her refuse his efforts to get closer? That each step in a new direction took her further and further from the life she once loved. Besides, Jess might say he only wanted a few dates, but she sensed something more. Her mom pulled up to the door of Computers That Work. “At last,” she grumbled.

“Don’t get sassy, young lady. I couldn’t help being late.”

“You know Kurt has a fit if I’m late.”

“He’ll understand.”

Not wanting to waste another second in making her mom understand the immaturity of her boss, or his marital problems, Madeleine shut the car door to sprint for the office. She blew a forgiveness kiss before going inside, where she pulled up short seeing Kurt at her desk, poking around at her computer.

Along with Derek who sat slouched in a chair with his feet propped on her desk.

“You’re late,” Kurt said and kept typing.

“I left a message on your voicemail. My car broke down.”

“Your car broke down three times in November. Get the thing fixed.” Kurt still didn’t look at her nor did he make any effort to move away from her computer.

“I did get it fixed. All three times.” She had the bills to prove it. “The mechanic can’t figure out what’s wrong.” She dumped her things on the floor and folded her arms across her chest. “Can I help you find something?”

He leaned back in her chair. “Where’s the last spreadsheet for expense accounts?”

“If you’ll move, I’ll email it to you. It’s not closed out for the month, but if you need it early, sure.”

Kurt stood. Derek followed suit and trailed after him out of the office. She knew what this meant. Kurt intended to alter something he didn’t want her to see. Well, she might look naive but she knew her stuff and would spot the altered entry once the file came back to her for a merge. She knew the figures inside and out.

Not that it mattered. Kurt owned the company and could change what he wanted. These two dot com wannabes were driving her nuts. And the way Derek undressed her with his x-ray eyes disgusted her. Then the jerk had the audacity to blow her a kiss over his shoulder as he strutted from her office. Unlike the sincere forgiveness kiss she’d blown to her mom, Derek’s said “kiss my butt.”

Somehow, she thought Derek’s new girlfriend would end their personal war. Guess not.

She made an exaggerated jab at the Send key.

Should she quit on the spot? Today, more than any other, Madeleine hated the job. Keeping the books and playing receptionist proved difficult, but coping with this made her angry and bad tempered. No, she wouldn’t walk out. She’d stew all day and make herself sick thinking about it. That’s what she’d do, her and her wishy-washy backbone.

If only Danny were here to talk her through the mess. Of course, she had her parents, who would tell her to quit. They’d also throw in a reminder that the family bakery always needed another pair of hands. And then there was Grams. She would gladly storm Computers That Work and smack Kurt and Derek about the ears with a fly swatter. Amused, Madeleine quirked up an eyebrow and blew out a soft sigh as she picked up her things off the floor and put them away.

Settled at her desk, she pulled her cell from her purse to key in a message to Jess:
Any news on the Mini?

Her work phone rang almost immediately.

“It’s Jess. The Mini’s in the warehouse. I’ll free up a mechanic sometime this morning to take a look at it.”

“No! I’m calling a tow truck.” She closed her eyes. “Oh, man. You didn’t deserve that. It’s been a rough morning, sorry, but I’m calling a tow truck. It’s not your problem. Thanks for trying to help.” She punched the End key.

Great! The backbone she needed for her boss stood up right when Jess called. How unfortunate he caught the brunt of her bad mood. She pulled out a telephone book giving the first tow service she found in the area her business.

One more shock came that morning when Madeleine found Derek’s new girlfriend in the break room. “Hi, Katie. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Oh, hi, Madeleine. I stopped by to see Derek.”

“You don’t work?”

“Not right now. But I’ll still do income tax returns for a private accounting firm I help out every year.”

“You’re an accountant?”

Derek stuck his head in the coffee room. “Katie, we’re ready.”

Katie avoided her eyes as she followed Derek to his office. The only repair tech with the luxury. He closed the door.

Unease crawled across Madeleine’s skin.

They intended to fire her.

When the phone started to ring, she ran to perform her receptionist duties. While Madeleine worked the phone, Katie left with a hand wave and a smile. That seemed innocent enough. Possibly the difficult start to the day made her overreact.

Besides, Kurt wouldn’t punish himself by getting rid of her when they had the company’s year-end close on the horizon. After that, Madeleine knew anything could go...especially, her.

She resolved to job hunt right after the holidays.

****

Jess paced his office. He knew it would be best to let things go with Madeleine. But he couldn’t. Panic trembled in her voice. What went on at that office of hers? The extra responsibility of receptionist that made her work late every night to catch up on her regular job was unreasonable. And there hadn’t been a single Christmas decoration in the office. Or was that boss of hers making advances?

Worse yet, had he, Jess the Aggressor, pushed too hard and Madeline snapped?

He ran a hand over his fresh haircut before resting it on his cell phone. Somehow he needed her to see he wasn’t trying to drag her off to bed. This wasn’t completely honest, and Jess knew it. Many restless nights were spent thinking of Madeleine’s soft body cradled against his. He wanted to make love to her until neither felt the pain they’d suffered. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Since losing an arm, he’d learned getting naked flushed out one’s insecurities. It would only take once to know if they could make it as a couple. But was he ready to find out?

He yearned for Madeleine to see past the man she still loved and notice him. Not as a replacement. Not as a disabled vet or a war survivor, but a man who craved normal. A man with needs and the desire to be loved both physically and emotionally.

Jess knew one thing. He had to be very careful going forward or she’d perceive him as some sort of perverted stalker. How could he make her see how easily she had opened his heart for the first time in many years? In fact, this felt like nothing he had ever experienced. Never had he felt more compelled to protect another person that wasn’t a fellow soldier or Crystal.

“Jess.” Nancy broke into the barrage of thought most guys would have labeled girl talk over cocktails. “Tamara’s on the phone. We had a nice talk about her taking over my job. Should I put her through?”

“Sure. Glad you talked before you meet.”

“Me too.”

He punched the blinking line. “How’d you know I was in trouble?”

“Trouble? Trouble’s your middle name.”

He laughed. “Girl trouble. Madeleine’s pretty much slammed the door in my face. Twice. Maybe more. I’m losing count.”

“Uh-oh. How’s this for bad timing. I called to see if you and Madeleine want to meet Jamal and me for dinner Friday night.”

“Can’t even ask her at this point. Although I’m having a hell of a time convincing myself to back down.”

“Want I call her?”

“And make her madder?”

“Uh-huh. You forget I’ve got an advantage. We agreed to go out sometime.”

“I doubt she meant on a double date.”

“It’s perfect, Jess. She won’t think I’m hitting on her.”

“I’m not hitting on her. I want to know her.”

“Uh-huh. I saw how you drooled over her Saturday night. You’re in over your head, soldier.”

“Won’t be the first time.”

“It is with a woman. So can I call?”

“Knock yourself out.” Jess suggested Tamara call Madeleine’s work number as he wasn’t comfortable giving up her cell without permission. No way. He wasn’t going that route and risk her jumping down his throat again. “Gotta run. There’s a tow truck out front.”

“Car troubles, too?”

“You might say. Long story. Will tell you another time.”

“Okay. I’ll be back at ya.”

“Can’t wait.”

Jess headed out the front door and told the tow truck driver to head around back to the dock. Once the Mini left his property, he felt pretty sure any hope of seeing Madeleine anytime soon was in the hands of the gods. He sent her a text that the Mini had left for the repair shop along with an apology for offending her in any way. That seemed a good start to pave the way for Tamara’s phone call. He got back a “thanks.”

At day’s end, when Jess hadn’t heard from Tamara, he made a quick call and got her voicemail. “What’s happening?”

Packing up to go home, she returned his call. “Hey, I didn’t have time to call her until I left the office.”

“And.”

“
And
, she was having a busy day too and sounded distracted, but from what I observed at the Christmas party I think she seriously likes you, Jess.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Of course it does.”

“How?”

“She still loves her husband.”

“
Forever!
” he squeaked. Damn, he never squeaked.