“Will the jobs be here in Belkin?” Pat Jones from HR queried.
“That’s precisely the type of question I won’t answer at the moment. I’ll have better information soon.”
WEDNESDAYS WERE TRADITIONALLY slow. Bob helped for the first two hours, then George arrived for the six to eight shift, bringing with him a thermos of Dinah’s vegetable beef soup for her. The visitors may not have been abundant, but they stayed longer, even after George left.
“Hey Maria?” The high school art student looked up from the camera balanced on a tripod.
“Yes?”
“I have to close up for the night.”
“Oh my goodness. I totally lost track of time.”
“Happens to me all the time. If you need more time or want to try taking photos in a different light, let me know and I can arrange to let you in. The Winter Wonderland gets bathed in a beautiful pink light at sunset.”
“That would great. I played with the filters to try different color washes, like Mr. Mitchell said, but I like natural light best. I tried to mimic it with the lights, but I’d love to take photos at different times of day to see how my approximations compare.”
Claire chuckled. “Has Mr. Mitchell assigned you to photograph the same item from the same location every fifteen minutes to watch the light yet?”
“I did a sunflower. He hated it and said the stem was a better subject. I have to redo it in the spring when there’s more light.” Maria rolled her eyes.
“Or try on a full moon. Mike will get you and your portfolio where it needs to be for art school.” Claire’s own internship with him helped her get into school. It also cemented that she was not a gifted photographer unlike Mike and Maria. “Need a hand packing up the equipment?”
“Please.”
“James? Could you?” Claire looked around. He wasn’t there. Strange how quickly she’d grown to rely on his presence.
“I think it’s just us.”
“Weird, but no problem. I don’t want to touch your lights, but I’ll get the tripod and stands.”
As she helped sort various hunks of metal into a more portable carrying case, Claire tried not to scowl. James had made no promises or commitment to show up at closing time, and he had said maybe Wednesday, but his absence was a missing gumdrop on Santa’s workshop.
WHEN JAMES CALLED ON Saturday and asked her to breakfast on Sunday, part of her wanted to say no and ask where he’d been all week, but she agreed anyway. He pulled up in the rental car, which looked less shiny than it did a month ago.
“Where are we going? I have to be back by noon and you’re still banned from everywhere.”
He flashed her a grin. “You’ll see.”
“What’s with all the stuff in the backseat? It doesn’t smell like cleaning supplies.”
“You’ll see.”
“Your caginess is making me nervous. You aren’t going to kill me, are you?”
“Nah. I’d rather kiss you.”
“Maybe on the way home, if I’m still alive.”
A ringing phone commandeered the Bluetooth speakers “Hello, Father.”
“James. Danny’s announcement goes out tomorrow. I’m disappointed I haven’t heard a counter announcement from you.”
Claire couldn’t help but eavesdrop since the conversation blasted throughout the car. Maybe it was the audio quality, but the man’s words sounded cool and harsh. One of James’ hands gripped the steering wheel, and the other patted around the cup holders. He pointed at the glove box. When she opened it, he grabbed a bottle of Mylanta.
“I understood the latest deadline to be December 24th, which is a month sooner than the previous one of January 31st.”
“Danny is outmaneuvering you and ready to go. He wants the partnership. Do you?”
If James’ knuckles grew any whiter on the steering wheel, he’d probably break the thing.
“Lucky for you, I found someone to buy out that little company. All you have to do is sign the paperwork and do some layoffs.”
“How many?”
“All. The buyers want a clean slate and to bring in their own staff.”
“I have to go Dad. I’m in the car. It’s not a good time.” He punched a button on the dash. “Sorry about that.”
“Something wrong?”
“The partners keep changing the rules mid game.”
“What game?”
“Where my cousin or I will make partner, depending on which one of us can more successfully turn a profit.”
“What happens if you win?”
“I go back to New York as the victor.”
“And if you lose?”
“I go back to New York. That’s the expectation. And with what dad just said, he made a deal under which everyone loses.”
His jaw was noticeably tenser as he stared ahead, seemingly oblivious to the buildings on Main Street. She fought a shudder that couldn’t be dismissed as a chill. Since that day on the porch, she’d known he wasn’t going to stay.
“Good luck with that, if that’s what you want.”
“I don’t. That’s why I have a plan.”
Chapter 21
James parked outside of Jo’s Diner.
“Aren’t you banned?”
“I called ahead. One minute. I need to get.... here...” The paper handled sack threatened to burst from the weight, but he needed all the binders. Claire baited him with a side eye glance and arched brow but pretended not to notice. He held the door open for her.
“Hey there stranger.” Jo was in the kitchen rather than at the counter. “They’re in the corner. I’ll be over in a minute for your orders.”
“Good. Everyone’s here.” James put his hand on her lower back. She didn’t flinch, which was a good sign. He straightened his shoulders and pulled on a fake layer of confidence. He had one shot to get
