Taking Care of Business by Kathy Lyons

Author:Kathy Lyons [Lyons, Kathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781426874604
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-11-01T07:00:00+00:00

11

SAM FELT HER BODY TENSE, her shoulder actually vibrating with anxiety. They were both naked. Five minutes ago, they’d had something very different on their minds. But now, Julie held her phone to her ear and clearly found it difficult to breathe.

There was nothing he could do but stand around and wait. And pray. So he pressed a kiss to Julie’s shoulder, then grabbed a throw blanket off the couch to wrap around her. She flashed him a grateful smile.

“Mom?” he heard her gasp. “Mom, what’s going on? Is everything all right?”

Sam waited along with her, his breath held, his hands ready for anything. Whatever she needed. And then Julie sagged in complete relief.

“Oh! Oh. Um, yeah. I was, I was going to tell you soon.”

Sam released his breath. Okay, no traumatic situation at home.

Julie covered her phone to explain to him. “Mom called Karen about my birthday and found out about, you know, the business. When she couldn’t reach me on my phone earlier, she got worried.”

Sam nodded as she returned to her phone call.

“No, Mom. I was, well, I went out bowling. I figured I had to practice. You know, for when I come home.”

Her voice was steadying, her body shifting into a more relaxed stance. Reluctantly, Sam took his cue from her. He stepped away and grabbed his pants, pulling on the denim with swift movements. Then he reached for his polo, but connected with Julie’s hand instead.

She was still talking with her mother. Outlining exactly what had happened with her company. He knew he shouldn’t be listening, but couldn’t stop himself. She’d overextended. It wasn’t uncommon in small companies. His own would probably have folded at that stage, too, but he’d been in a different economy and a vastly different field.

“It’s okay,” he mouthed.

“Just a minute, Mom.”

“We can talk tomorrow,” he said once she’d covered the phone again.

“No!” She twined her fingers in his and tugged him close. “This won’t take long. Really. Just…can you stay?”

Of course he could stay. He was just trying to be respectful of her privacy. But he wanted nothing more than to spend time with her. All night long with Julie? He would sit through hours of a parental phone call for that.

“Sure,” he said. At her direction, he settled down on the couch. A moment later, she curled up next to him. He enfolded her in his arms as she continued to talk into the phone.

“It sucks, Mom, but I’m okay. I, um…” She glanced back at Sam and flashed him a smile. “I’m starting to feel better about it now. Really. And I swear I’ll pay you back—”

Silence.

“Thanks, Mom.” Her voice broke as she struggled against tears. Sam tightened his hold on her and she automatically tucked closer into his chest.

“I know,” she said in a quiet voice. “I’m just, well, I’m packing things up. I need to regroup. Figure things out.”

More silence as she listened to her mother. Sam found himself waiting for any clue from her. He heard the hitch in her breath and felt his chest grow wet.

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