Peaches in Winter Page 10

  He turned to stare at her, raising his mocking eyebrows. “No?”

  She took a deep breath. “I don’t want anything to do with you. Stay away from me.”

  “Or you’ll what?” He leaned towards her. She smelled alcohol on his breath. She remembered the things he’d said to her at the office, when she told him not to feel her up. “A girl like you? You can’t even type. What else are you good for?” His mocking words had rung in her ears for far too long. They’d hurt, seemed to grind her into smaller pieces than she’d already been in. Nothing—that’s why Jimmy left her. That’s why she couldn’t be a real secretary—only prey for someone like Mr. Kidd.

  No. I am somebody. I’m somebody as real as he is! Realer because I’d never try to hurt anybody.

  She jerked back from him, wrinkling her face, and swatted down his big paw that was heading for her chest.

  “Try it, and I’ll scream. And I’ll tell everyone…e-every reporter…how you treated me…a-and my friend, Mary Elliot!” Her voice gained strength as she spoke, although she still stuttered over some of her words.

  The words she spoke did not take immediate effect on him. He was too intoxicated for that. She stepped back from him, glaring. She was a farm girl, a secretary, a good cook. Okay—so she was clumsy and not very bright. But she was bright enough to know right from wrong, and in some ways, that made her even smarter than Mr. Kidd. Because he either didn’t know, or else didn’t care.

  “Stay away from me, Mr. Kidd,” she said. “Don’t make me repeal myself.”

  He drew back, a broad grin overtaking his face. “Repeal yourself? Why you stupid girl, you can’t even—”

  Betty winced. “Repeat myself.” The wrong word had just slipped out. Again, she felt about two inches tall in front of his mocking laughter, aimed at her.

  “Repeat yourself,” demanded Jake. Betty turned to him in surprise and saw the murderous gleam in his eyes. She’d never seen him stand so tall…so…so fierce. And he wasn’t talking to her.

  He walked up to Mr. Kidd and grasped his collar. Spoke through his teeth. “Just go ahead and repeat yourself, mister. I’ll smash your face in.” He moved forward, muscling the shorter, heavier man in a hasty backward shuffle. “You dare to insult Miss Keene? Stay away from her, or you’ll hear from the police. Or else I’ll smash your face in myself.”

  With one shove, he pushed the drunken man backward. Mr. Kidd stumbled, almost falling. His eyes had widened, revealing fear. He tried to brush himself off and straighten his dignity, but it was already dented. “Arrogant pup,” he rumbled and walked off, shooting a disgruntled look back at Jake and then hastily averting his gaze. Jake’s glare was formidable.

  Betty looked at her would-be savior with wide eyes. “I had no idea you could be so fierce.” Her hands were shaking a little, and she felt perilously close to tears. She also felt wonderful. She’d stood up to Mr. Kidd—and Jake had stood up for her as well.

  Jake straightened his clothes and looked fiercely after Mr. Kidd. “I think we should leave this party, Betty. The tone of the guests has gone downhill.”

  Betty took a deep breath. “Yes. Let’s.”

  He held out an arm—courtly, gentlemanlike—and Betty hooked her arm through it.

  Together, they turned and strode toward the front door, their heads held high.

  ~*~

  Outside together, Betty suddenly felt shy. He’d been so defensive of her, so protective, but now she didn’t know what to say.

  “Thank you,” she settled on. “I-I didn’t expect to see him there.”

  Jake was silent a moment, and when he spoke, he didn’t say at all what she expected. “He was the one, wasn’t he?” asked Jake.

  “The-the one?” she repeated.

  “The boss who mistreated you. He…seemed to have no respect for women. Did he hurt you, or just frighten you? I’m sorry. If you’d rather I didn’t ask…”

  Betty’s heart thundered in her chest, but she realized she wanted very much to talk about it. Jake would understand. Surely, he wouldn’t blame her.

  “Yes. It was him. He-he made passes at me and-and didn’t treat me like a gentleman should.” She blushed, even in the darkness. She didn’t want to put into words the pinches, and leering winks, and the dirty, helpless way he had made her feel. “I-I didn’t like it. I told him not to. He said he was the boss, he would do what he wanted, and from then on, if I didn’t do what he said…w-what he s-said about…about passes at me…”

  She was getting bogged down. Miserably, she tried to get back on track. She took a deep, shuddering breath. “He said I had to…had to let him…or he’d fire me. He said I wasn’t good for anything else, and a girl like me had to know that. H-he said why did I think he hired me? It wasn’t because I could type.”

  She sighed, heavily. It was hard to say the actual words, but she was glad to let them out. “But I really didn’t know. Maybe I was foolish, but I really wanted to be a secretary—not what he…thought—not what he wanted me to be. He just decided, because of how I looked, that I must-m-must be…” She trailed off again and then gave her head a shake. “Anyway, when I wouldn’t go along with it, he fired me. And it was very hard to find another job, and I’m glad you hired me.”

  She snuck a look at his face. “Even though it seems that mostly all I do is cook and distract you. I’m very grateful that-that you treat me respectful and don’t… You’re…you’re not at all like him, and I’m really thankful!” she finished in a rush.

  Then she tried to look at him, in the dark. His face was hard to see, its expression mysterious in the dark.

  “Betty.” He turned to her, taking her hands. They faced each other on the cold sidewalk, not walking now. Betty’s breath made small clouds in the night air, and she realized she felt afraid; but she also felt something fluttering excited and hopeful inside, daring to come alive again. She hadn’t been sure that thing would ever come alive again, but now she hoped it might.

  “Yes, J-Jake?”

  “I’m sorry. You should’ve told me. Maybe something can be done…”

  Her heart stilled, and then she swallowed, and nodded. “The thing you can do is help my friend find a job because he fired her, too, for the same reason. I-I don’t know what else we can do. He’s awfully powerful, and I’m not, and you— Well, I don’t think what you said at the party will change anything. But I’m glad you did.”

  “That’s why you asked for a job for your friend…?”

  Betty nodded. She realized she was very close to tears and hoped they wouldn’t fall and ruin her makeup. Even if he wasn’t about to say what she’d been somehow hoping that he would….

  She turned and started the walk home.

  “Betty…” said Jake again, quiet and less certain of himself. He caught up to her and took her hand, gave it a warm squeeze. His hand felt big and safe, and Betty was cheered by the feel of it.

  “Yes Jake?” she asked shyly. She wished she could see his face; at the same time, she was glad he couldn’t see hers. She was sure the way she was feeling would be easily discerned by someone as smart as Jake. And then he would know how much she cared about him, and how disappointed she would be, if he didn’t care about her the same way.

  “I am glad you’re my friend,” he said in a rather awkward, quiet voice that was soft on her ears. “The only thing is, I don’t think I’m content with being your friend. I wanted to hurt him very badly for hurting you, and…well…I am trying to be good, Betty, but I think it’s only fair to say…I would very much like to kiss you. I would very much like to not be just your employer, or your friend, I’d…in fact I’d—”

  “Oh!” said Betty. And then she moved into his arms.

  It felt so natural and right, standing on her toes in the dark, kissing him.

  Kissing Jake felt just right.

  When they drew back from each other, she could see the starlight shining in his eyes. He looked very happy indeed. He pushed his hand back through his messed-up hai
r. Oh, she liked his hair. It did something to her insides, even messy. This time, she gave in to that desire and reached up to smooth it back.

  “Well,” said Jake. “Well!” Then he laughed and pulled her close in a triumphant, exuberant hug. He gave her one more kiss. Then he took her hand again, and they continued walking, two people grinning into the darkness so hard they almost lit it up.

  ~*~

  Jake whistled as he scraped the stubble off his chin, turning to face the mirror more from one side and then the other, giving himself an especially close shave. When he caught sight of his eyes in the mirror, they were twinkling.

  Last night, after their talk, and those beautiful shared kisses, he had dropped Betty off at her apartment. Her eyes had seemed to glow at him, so happy, so proud, so trusting. He hadn’t thought he could feel that good ever again, but Betty just brought him alive inside. It was a wonderful feeling, to realize she felt the same way; she really cared about him as well.

  This morning, bright and early, he’d called Matt about a job for Betty’s friend—and passed along the information about how Mr. Kidd treated his secretaries. Matt had the kind of contacts that could put the word around and perhaps even see him censured. And from the grim tone in Matt’s voice, when he’d explained why they left and why Jake had reacted so strongly to Mr. Kidd, he wouldn’t hesitate to use those contacts.

  Now Jake was shaving closely, hoping to look his best for Betty. His secretary…

  How could he let her be both his secretary and his girlfriend? Yet he couldn’t bear to fire her. Hmm…

  He was thinking on this, and smiling as a plan occurred to him, when the doorbell rang.

  He wiped the shaving cream off his face hurriedly and ran, almost a skipping run, to the front door. He yanked the door open and smiled down at—

  Not his beloved, but her ex-boyfriend. Holding a limp bouquet of carnations.

  Jake glowered. “I thought I told you—”

  “I know what you told me, but I love Betty, and I’m not giving her up,” the boy shouted, his face intense and angry. “Excuse me! I’m comin’ in. You’re not keeping her from me. Betty!” he called, pushing past Jake.

  Jake sighed. “She’s not here yet.”

  The boy, ignoring him, walked through the house, peering around corners and calling, “Betty?”

  Despite his annoyance, Jake had to resist the urge to laugh at the boy. It was like something from a comedy movie, the suspicious lover looking everywhere for his girlfriend. Ex-girlfriend, Jake reminded himself with a grim smile. Betty was his girlfriend now! At least—they hadn’t talked about it much—they’d both been too excited, and happy, and tired, and shy to put much into words yet—but the implication had been clear. They’d sat in the back seat of a cab holding hands the whole time and shared another delicious kiss on Betty’s doorstep. Then she’d released his hand, given him a lingering smile, and hurried into her apartment.

  Jake smiled again just thinking about it.

  “Jake, what’s going on?” Betty’s happy voice broke him from a glad reverie to a gladder present.

  “Betty!” he smiled at her and drew her toward him. She looked beautiful in her yellow dress, her hair still extra curly from the fancy things she’d done to it for the party. Though she wore little if any makeup, her natural color was lively and beautiful. She blushed a little when he smiled at her, though she looked delighted, too.

  “It’s your old boyfriend,” he whispered conspiratorially. “He’s looking for you—won’t believe you’re not here. If you want to wait around the corner, I’ll send him away.”

  At first, Betty looked alarmed, but that expression turned into resolution. “No, if he doesn’t believe me, I’ve got to tell him again.”

  Jake looked into her eyes. “You’re certain?”

  She nodded, and though she looked a little bit nervous and unhappy about it, he saw the strength in her gaze, that she meant to do this, even if it was difficult. He stepped aside to let her in and promised to stay with her.

  Betty marched into the house, taking off her gloves and coat. Jake took them, hung them up, and then shut the front door and hurried after her. He didn’t want to miss this—and besides, she might need his support after all.

  “Jimmy.” She stopped in front of the boy and took a deep breath.

  He’d been looking inside a closet—an unlikely hiding place at best. Now he straightened, almost jumping, and whirled to face them. “Betty! There you are!” He glimpsed Jake and scowled again. “Where was he hiding you? Never mind.” He moved forward and took her hands—or tried to.

  Betty pulled them away. “No, Jimmy. I told you—”

  “But baby, if you’ll just give me another chance!”

  “We’re through,” finished Betty. Her voice wobbled only a little. “I-I’m sorry, Jimmy, but I don’t want you coming around anymore. I told you how I feel. Please, respect that. I’m sure you have a good future, but it’s just not with me.”

  “But Betty!” He drew himself up to his lanky farm boy height. “You don’t…you can’t like being his secretary better than my wife!” He gestured to Jake dismissively. “And I want to marry you, not just make you type and cook for me! I’ll take good care of you, Betty. And I know you miss the country. Ride on back with me today. We’ll talk on the way, and we can get married as soon as the divorce papers come through. Or we can wait and be married in a few months, in the spring. I know you always wanted a spring wedding, didn’t you? Yeah, we’ll do that.” He seemed more and more pleased with himself as he spoke, as though he hadn’t heard a word Betty said.

  Jake, standing behind her, scowled. The guy had no manners. But something made him wait, instead of kicking the boy out. What if the question of marriage was enough? What if—

  “No, I’m sorry, Jimmy,” said Betty. “I know…I know you mean well, but it really hurts when you k-keep coming around like this. Please, go. Don’t come back. I-I have a new life now, and I’m-I’m happy.” Her voice was tremulous, but she sounded as though she really meant it.

  Jake relaxed subtly and stepped forward. “Okay, kid, it’s time for you to go. You heard the lady. Now scat.” He put his hands firmly on the boy’s shoulders, spun him around, and walked him toward the door.

  “But Betty!” the boy said, yet again. Jake opened the door, pushed him through, and slammed it shut. Through the window, Jake watched the boy gaping on the doorstep. He looked as though he could hardly believe it but was beginning to realize he would have to.

  Jake turned around and walked back to Betty. She looked close to tears. He took her hand. “You did well, Betty. You had to tell him so he understood. I think he’s finally starting to believe it now.”

  “I thought he did before.” She melted into his arms and leaned against him. Jake stroked the back of her soft hair for comfort.

  She leaned her face against his chest. “Oh, Jake, I wonder how long he’ll be able to upset me? Remembering…remembering how he—”

  “What, honey? What did he do?” asked Jake gently. He braced himself for something awful. At the same time, he couldn’t imagine that boy doing something really rotten. Thoughtless and hurtful, perhaps, but not downright cruel. He didn’t seem like the type.

  “He…uh—” She took a shuddering breath. “He said he loved me, and-and he got engaged to me, and then he broke it off and married somebody else. Now he says he loves me, and he left her, but how can I trust him ever again? Besides, if it’s just a fight, then-then they should make up. They got married. Even if they are getting divorced, they obviously liked each other once, and-and I don’t think…I couldn’t live with myself if—”

  Jake’s heart sank. “You still love him.”

  “No!” She drew back, gaping up at him, shocked. Tears clung to her lower eyelashes, and he was once again startled by how beautiful she was. She looked so innocent and pretty—and somehow she was that way inside, as well. So many people weren’t the same inside and out, but Betty seemed to be, both b
eautiful in body and beautiful in soul. It continually amazed him about her.

  “I-I love you, Jake.” She blushed. “I hope it’s okay to say that.”

  “Nonsense. Of course it is.” He laughed. “Because I love you more.” What silly things people in love said to one another, but it didn’t sound silly now.

  Surely a writer could do better. But—just now—the writer didn’t care. He bent and kissed his own true love and felt her relax against him, felt her sorrow, and doubt, and embarrassment turning into contentment and happiness.

  They belonged together now. Heaven help him, Jake didn’t deserve her, but they needed each other. And, now, they had each other.

  “Betty,” he drew back. “Will you marry me?”

  “Huh?” she said, blushing up to her cheekbones.

  He smiled to see her so flustered and went on quickly. “I’ll never cheat on you or change my mind about you. I earn a decent living, though I’ll never be rich. I’m grumpy in the winter and sometimes practically housebound, though you’ve been helping me with that, and I think I’ll do better next year. I do love you, you know, and not just for your cooking, or your help with writing.”

  “M-my help with wr-writing?” She blinked at him, looking confused.

  “Sure! Didn’t you know? I can’t write when you’re not here. But when you are—” He pulled her close again and smiled down at her before kissing her once again, lightly, on one side of her lips and then the other. “When you are here, the world opens up for me.” There, now that was the way a writer should talk to the girl he loved! Another light kiss, this time on her lips.

  “Oh.” Her mouth opened in a round O. She drew back after a moment. “So…I am a good secretary?”

  “Yes.” He leaned in for another kiss, but she pushed him away slightly, smiling.

  “So…you don’t want to lose the secretary, and you’re marrying her so she won’t leave?” Something danced in her eyes.

  “Uh—” said Jake, once again reduced to wordlessness by this woman he’d fallen so madly in love with. “I want to marry her because I love her,” he finally settled on.