There was a knock on the office door. Delbert Logan stepped through the doorway. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Samuel looked up. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to tell you the sales figures are delayed a week. My secretary was out today, and the temp they got me is a bit slow,” Delbert replied with a smile. He turned to look at Samantha. “Samantha, dear, is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me.” She couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. He’d been instrumental in her doomed engagement, introducing her to Grayson and playing matchmaker. She only hoped this wouldn’t wreck her close relationship with her uncle.
He peered at her closely, his gaze focusing on her sympathetically. “Are you all right? I’ve been concerned about you since you ran away.”
Samantha bit her lip at his choice of words. No doubt Delbert thought she’d flipped her lid after Grayson’s infidelity, and her shocked reaction now didn’t help. “I’m fine, Uncle Delbert. Back at work, as you can see by my costume.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. We must have lunch sometime and talk it all out. If you ever need any help, come to me.” He cast a quizzical glance at Jake.
Samuel stood. “I’ll see you on Monday then, Delbert.”
“Yes, Monday,” Delbert stated before he walked out.
Samuel waited for Delbert to get out of earshot, then picked up another piece of paper off the desk, handing it to Jake. “Your staff found this behind Jennifer’s desk a few minutes before you arrived. It must have slipped back there without her noticing.”
Jake smoothed out the crumpled note. “Looks like a list of tasks. Pick up tickets. Meet with Jimmy. L.V.” He handed it to Tad. “Is this her handwriting?”
Tad frowned. “Yes.”
He glanced at Tad sympathetically. “Do you know a Jimmy?”
Tad shook his head. “No.”
Jake shrugged. “Maybe she ran off with him.”
Chapter 8
“Samantha, do you want pasta or an omelet for dinner?” Jake asked from the kitchen.
“Surprise me.” She stretched on the sofa and closed her eyes.
It had been an exhausting and troubling day between the Henderson party and the meeting with her dad. Jake had volunteered to cook dinner, and she’d gratefully taken him up on his offer.
“Here you go.” Jake stood in front of her. “I thought you could use this.”
She opened her eyes to find him holding out a glass of lemonade. He wore his clown costume, though he’d removed the big red nose and greasepaint. He had an annoying habit of sneaking up on her. She idly wondered if she could break him of it as she reached for the glass.
“You were right. Thanks. Thank you again for making dinner.”
“You’re welcome, Sunshine.” He bent down to place a quick kiss on her lips. “Dinner will be ready in half an hour. In the meantime, I’m going to get cleaned up.”
She watched him walk away, thinking that, despite his sometimes high-handed tactics, it was amazing how well Jake could fit into her life when he tried. But was it enough to build a relationship on, she wondered?
The shower started. A moment later, the doorbell rang.
She got up to answer it, stopping to peer out the peephole. Oh, good grief! Grayson stood on her doorstep, leaning heavily on the bell. Given the crazy afternoon, she’d forgotten to call and tell him not to come.
Maybe if she pretended, she wasn’t home, he’d go away.
He pressed the bell again for an extended ring.
Groaning in disgust, she pushed the sequence of buttons on the control panel that Jake had taught her to disable the alarm. Before Jake came out to see the commotion, she had to get rid of her ex. She didn’t have the energy to deal with two outraged male egos. Jerking the door open, she frowned at the man on her doorstep.
Grayson thrust a bouquet into her hand while flashing a suave smile. “Here you go, sweetie pie.” He stepped forward, forcing his way inside.
