“Luckily, that didn’t happen.You should know that Jewel didn’t press charges, so he’s already out.”Then Holt grinned.“But I have the feeling he won’t be able to get near her ever again.She’s got people watching out for her now.”He didn’t explain further on that subject.“And Jewel is fine.It wasn’t even a sprained wrist, just some bruising.”
“Thank goodness.”Her sigh of relief was real.
Then Holt took a deep breath, his eyes boring into her.“But I need to give you a little warning about Knox Turner.”
Her stomach roiled all over again.
“I certainly am not one to throw stones.”He pointed at his wedding photo, Ruby beautiful beside him.“There’s not a lot of VPs around here who can throw stones either.But I’ve heard that Knox Turner is a player.I just want to warn you about that.”
She opened her mouth and was finally able to say, “I understand.There’s nothing between us.That was just a fluke on Saturday.”
Holt sat back in his chair and folded his hands over his trim stomach.“I remember certain people around here making that same denial.But I’m not here to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do.I want only to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
She cleared the lump from her throat.“Honestly, I can take care of myself.”
Holt gave a hearty laugh and smiled.“You’ve certainly proven that.But love is a whole different kettle of fish.”
The lump immediately rose to her throat again.“This has nothing to do with love.”
“Whatever you say,” he said knowingly.“Tell me—” His voice was serious.“—are you really okay?That was a nasty thump you took into the table.”
She put her hand to her back without thinking.“I iced it over the weekend.I’m fine.”
“Well, I want you to take the rest of the day off anyway.”
She gasped.“But it’s month-end.”
“My colleagues and I can wait for the numbers.In fact, Clay can do an estimate as well as you can.So this is an order.Take the rest of the day off.And don’t even put it down as a personal day.It’s our thank you for going to bat for Jewel.”
She stood, feeling the dismissal in his tone.“Thank you.I really am okay.But I appreciate you giving me the time.”
“Then we’ll see tomorrow.”
She left his office on trembling legs.
Ruby smiled, and almost under her breath, she said, “He really is totally hot, isn’t he?”
Summer didn’t know whether Ruby was talking about Holt or Knox.But she said, “Yes, he’s totally freaking hot.”
Ruby laughed softly and winked.“If I were you, I’d get the hell out of here and call him.”
What on earthcould she do with the day?There were all the chores she needed to get done but never seemed to have time for.But it was such a gorgeous day, she didn’t want to be inside doing chores.Instead, on her way home, she stopped at the garden center and bought a flat of beautiful flowers and potting soil for three planters she’d bought months ago that were still sitting in the atrium.She’d planned to fill each of them with a variety of greenery and perennials like the pots she’d seen at the botanical gardens.
Would planting be good or bad for her back?It wasn’t that sore, but moving would certainly be better than lying on the sofa.
At the townhouse, she quickly changed into the old clothes she wore for housecleaning, then retrieved everything from the car.The gardeners who took care of the complex trimmed her front yard as well, which was mostly drought-resistant plants and a nice rockery, the cost included in her monthly HOA fees.But the atrium was hers to do with as she wished.Leaving the front door open, a lovely breeze blew through as she worked.She positioned the pots where she wanted them, filled each halfway with clay pebbles, then up to the top with potting soil.The task relaxed her after the weekend, and she felt only a slight twinge in her back.
She didn’t hear a car pull into her driveway and didn’t know anyone was there until, standing in the doorway, Knox said her name.
Startled, she let out a squeak before she turned.“What are you doing here in the middle of the day?”
“I’d heard Holt gave you the day off, and I was worried about you.”
She sat back on her haunches, her gloved hands on her thighs.“As you can see, I’m absolutely fine.”
The Knox problem had been mulling in her mind.The girls didn’t mind if she dated Knox, and the bosses at work didn’t care.Lee thought she should go for it.The only one who had a problem with the relationship was her.
“Have a seat.”She pointed at the bistro table with her trowel, watching him stride into her domain, powerful, graceful, beautiful.The day had grown warm, and as he peeled off his suit jacket, hanging it over the back of the bistro chair, she admired the muscled lines of his body.She almost felt all that warm skin beneath her fingertips, scented him, tasted him.
