[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Doris. The older woman seemed tired. So did Annabelle and
Evelyn. They would have a long drive back to Summerville.
"We won't press charges," Fred's voice echoed in the
confines of Jared's office. "We decided we don't want to."
Jared stood by the windows, sipping a cup of lukewarm
coffee. The caffeine didn't do much to revive him he didn't
think anything could at this point.
"We're okay knowing you took care of it, Jared," Fred's
voice echoed throughout the office again.
Jared walked over to him, tossing his empty Styrofoam
coffee cup in the trash. "You have every right to press
charges." He glanced at the assembled group. "All of you.
What George did was reprehensible."
378
KISS
by Catherine Chernow
"Like we said, you took care of it."
"She'll go to jail."
"That's fine by us!" Annabelle and Evelyn said in unison.
Jared gave them a thin smile. "I know. But still..."
"Look," Fred stood, stretching his tall frame. He walked
over to Jared. "I once told you it was my store to give away,
remember? That very first time you ever came into the Sweet
Shoppe."
"I remember," Jared replied, his voice soft.
"So, this," Fred swept his hand in front of him. "Is yours to
do with as you please."
Jared laughed. "It's not that simple."
"Yes, it is. Business is business, Jared. It's all in how you
treat people that gets you more business. That little blonde
lady, that assistant of yours, just didn't know how to treat
people. It's as simple as that."
Jared sighed. "I don't know anymore, Fred. I really don't."
"I think it is. So, like I said, we won't do anything. Once
we tell Kat, I'm sure she'll agree."
"Oh, I don't think Kat will agree to much of anything I do."
Fred laughed. "She'll come around, you'll see." Fred
glanced at Lilith and the assembled group. "Well, I think we
better head back to Summerville. We've got a good long drive
ahead of us. Harvey, you okay to drive?"
"I'm fine," he answered. "I got the ladies here," he
motioned with his head toward Doris, Annabelle and Evelyn.
"You just take care of yours."
Jared watched them gather their things. His throat felt
tight.
379
KISS
by Catherine Chernow
"You could come with us," Lilith told him. "You're more
than welcome, you know that, don't you?"
"Thanks, but no, Lilith. I've got some work to finish up
here."
She walked over to him. "Don't let what happened get
between you and Kat. Talk to her."
"She wouldn't listen to me, Lilith."
"Then I'll talk to her for you. I'll..."
He held up a hand. "Thanks, but no."
"Sometimes, you really don't know what's in a person's
heart, Jared." She looked at Fred and smiled. "And you can
overcome anything. Trust me. We know." Again she smiled at
Fred.
Jared stuck out his hand. "Goodbye, Lilith."
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye,
Jared. Come back to Summerville and visit us."
He felt like crying then. Just laying his head down on the
desk and bawling like a baby.
He shook Fred and Harvey's hand, said goodbye to
Annabelle and Evelyn ... and Doris.
When they left, he flopped into his chair by his desk and
shut his eyes. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he went over
the day's events in his mind. He hoped George rotted away in
jail.
It's how you treat people.
No truer words could ever be said, he thought. He gave a
small laugh. Maybe he'd let Fred Meyers write his speech for
the Annual World Food Summit. If anyone knew the secret of
good business, Fred Meyers did.
380
KISS
by Catherine Chernow
He got up and paced, thinking of Kat. Kat..Kat.
The look on her face, the utter devastation. What she must
have felt when she thought he betrayed her and her beloved
KISS! He loved that store, he loved everything about it. He
could have never, ever have done anything to harm KISS or
her.
No wonder she went back at him.
Everything changes.
Yes, everything did. He missed Summerville. He missed
her. He wanted her back, no matter what. Jared wanted the
haven her arms provided, the promise of sensual fulfillment
and life that KISS provided. He wanted that constant
affirmation in his life.
He wanted Kat in his life.
He shut his eyes, imagining the smell of her perfume,
seeing her long, trim body stretched out on the bed before
him. His she-cat. He could hear her purr.
Jared grabbed his jacket and flew out the door. He ran
past the darkened offices of the secretarial pool, down the
long hallway and into the lobby. Skidding to a halt by the
front door, he asked a porter, "Did you just see a group of
people leave here? Two men and some ladies..."
"Sure did. They're just getting into their cars now."
Jared flew out the door and into the parking lot. "Wait!"
Jared called out. "Wait, please!"
They all turned at the sound of his voice, their faces lit
with smiles their dear, sweet, friendly faces faces he had
grown to love. They beamed at him, like the welcoming lights
of Summerville, the ones he always saw at night down Main
381
KISS
by Catherine Chernow
Street. The arms of the town opened wide ... beckoning him
in...
The chirp of his cell phone stopped him in his tracks. He
looked down at the caller ID.
Dawn.
"Jared?" His breath caught. Held. He squeezed his eyes
shut at the sound of her pain-filled voice. "Jared, oh my ...
Jared."
He saw them all move toward him, Fred and Lilith, Doris
and Harvey, Annabelle and Evelyn, their smiles transformed
to looks of concern and worry.
Everything changes.
"Jared, Dad passed away. He died ... just a few minutes
ago. I turned my back just for a few seconds, to give him his
meds and ... he was gone."
Jared didn't realize he was crying in Fred Meyer's arms
until he felt Lilith pat his shoulder, her beautiful violet eyes
filled with tears.
[Back to Table of Contents]
382
KISS
by Catherine Chernow
Chapter Twenty-Two
The funeral for Samuel Thomas Martin took place on a
bright, sunny Monday morning. People from all across the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]