Never Too Late Page 5

  “You got everything you wanted,” Jamie said watching Penni’s wife, Lori, frolicking in the pool with their two kids. Jamie drank greedily. Penni made perfect iced tea—just the right mix of lemon and sugar.

  “Speaking of beloveds…dare I ask where yours is?”

  “Shopping.”

  “Again?” Penni’s eyebrows went up. “You’re under financial stress and she’s out spending your money? Jamie—”

  “Our money, and it’s her way of having fun.” Jamie laughed at Lori and Travis, their ten-year-old, splashing each other.

  “She should be helping you.”

  “She’s never been involved in my business.”

  “And you’ve never had a problem like this. When the going gets tough, some people roll up their sleeves and pitch in, and some go shopping.”

  “I love her the way she is.”

  “Do you have to?”

  “Not listening,” Jamie said as she went over to the table and turned on the iPod. “Requests?”

  “Like there’s any choice. It’ll be another month before you’re out of your ‘Melissa mood.’ If there’s a more loyal fan, I haven’t met her. How many concerts?”

  “Forty-two.”

  “What’s the farthest you’ve gone?”

  “Atlanta.” Jamie flopped onto the chaise. Was anything better than lying in the sun? It had always been her instant ticket to relaxation.

  “How long’s it been since that concert?”

  “Twenty years.”

  “Do you ever think about that girl?”

  “Nope.” Her last image of Carly was looking down the length of her body—her breasts, the soft roundness of her belly, the triangle of blond hair—as she lay snuggled in Jamie’s arms. Jamie sat up, and sweat rolled down her chest.

  “But don’t you ever wonder what your life would be like now if—”

  “It was one night a long time ago. Fun. Meaningless.” Penni was so ridiculous sometimes. “My contribution to a straight woman’s education.”

  “I forget her—”

  “Carly.”

  “Oh, yeah. I always remember her as the Southern girl who broke your heart.”

  “She did not break my heart.” Jamie tossed her sunglasses on her towel and walked to the pool. She dove in and surfaced near Lori. “Your wife’s being a pain.”

  “You mean stubborn? Pushy?”

  Jamie picked up Travis and catapulted him into the air. “Exactly.”

  “She loves you. It’s her only defense and it’s a good one.”

  Jamie threw Travis until her arms ached and then returned to the chaise. She was just dozing off when something cold touched her shoulder.

  “You drink this stuff like water,” Penni said as she handed Jamie another iced tea, shoving Jamie’s leg over with her hip as she sat facing her. “Any luck hiring a new office manager?”

  “Interviewed three more this week. I wouldn’t trust any of them to wash my car. Betty’s husband is going to kill me if I don’t get her replaced soon.” Jamie’s attempted laugh came out strangled. “Maybe my standards are too high.”

  “Or maybe you’re just scared to trust anyone. How’s the rest of it going?”

  “Dismal. I can’t even count how many hours I’ve spent going through patient files or how many phone calls I’ve made to the insurance companies. And having to get together the documentation for the DA and IRS…” Jamie felt her good mood disappearing.

  “One day at a time.” Penni patted her thigh. “Aren’t your accountant and attorney helping?”

  “My attorney’s trying to keep the DA happy. My accountant’s working with the IRS. But neither of them can go through the patient files, and that’s the root of the problem. They wouldn’t know what to look for. And I got into this mess because I trusted someone else to run my business. I’m not making that mistake again.”

  “Why not hire a forensic accountant?”

  “No.” Jamie wiped sweat off her throat. “I’m not letting anyone go through my books until I’ve figured out what Marjorie did. I’m going to know everything there is to know about it so I’m not dependent on my next office manager.”

  “Has the DA decided to press charges against her?”

  “I don’t know.” Jamie rubbed the back of her neck, trying to loosen the knots that hadn’t been there two months ago. “I’m scared, Penni. I thought I’d resolve this quickly, but it keeps getting to be a bigger mess. What if I lose the business? My father would be so disappointed in me.”

  “You don’t know this wasn’t happening under his nose, too. Like mother, like daughter.”

  “I doubt it,” Jamie said with a snort. “You knew him. He was the most diligent, hard-working, responsible person imaginable.”

  “Scoot forward,” Penni said, sliding behind Jamie and digging her fingers into Jamie’s shoulders. “Lot of weight on these shoulders.”

  Penni’s hands froze, and Jamie opened her eyes. Sheryl was bearing down on them. “Don’t make a scene. Please?”

  “Jamie? You didn’t tell me they were coming over.” Sheryl smiled, but her eyes were like daggers.

  “I didn’t—”

  “We must have called after you left to go shopping,” Penni said. “How are you, Sheryl? Nice outfit.” When Sheryl stormed off into the house, she said, “Oops. Did I offend the wicked witch?”

  “I asked you not to call her that. This is her home. And her pool,” Jamie tossed over her shoulder as she hurried after Sheryl.

  “Can’t you get along with her for an hour?”

  “She hates me. I don’t want her here. I’ve told you that.” Sheryl banged a glass on the kitchen counter.

  “She doesn’t hate you. She’s my best friend, and she used to be your—”

  “Not since we bought this house.” Sheryl popped the top on a Diet Coke and filled the glass. “What business was it of hers—”

  “Please try?” Jamie put her hands on Sheryl’s waist.

  “I’ll be in my office until they leave.” Sheryl’s voice was as cold as the ice in the glass.

  “You deserve better.” Penni’s voice was gentle, and she put her arm around Jamie’s shoulders.

  “Can’t you try to get along?”

  “I tried for years, but when she made you sell your childhood home because of some ridiculous idea that being a lesbian is hurting her career…I can’t forgive that.”

  Jamie jerked away. “It’s not that simple. The house was old and drafty—”

  “And a block from her school.” Penni’s jaw muscles tightened. “If she gets this next promotion, are you going to have to buy another house for some other reason?”

  “Relationships are about compromise.” Jamie crossed her arms.

  “And where is she compromising?”

  “I need to go talk to her.”

  “And we need to be going. Thanks for the swim.”

  Jamie headed for Sheryl’s office. The day hadn’t gone the way she’d planned, but she intended to salvage the evening.

  Chapter Five

  Jamie let herself in the back door of the clinic. It was quiet as she turned on lights, started coffee, and checked her schedule for the day. She’d woken up restless and gone for a run, the first one in weeks. The only trace of Sheryl when she got back was the steamy bathroom, towels strewn across the vanity, and the new perfume Jamie tried to like. No note saying, “I love you” or “Have a great day.” It had been a while since she’d gotten one of those, and she missed them. So many ways they used to connect. She’d pick up flowers and a card on her way home. She felt bad about yesterday. Sheryl was right; she should have called to tell her Penni was there.

  She had an hour before her first patient and a stack of patient files to go through. Why couldn’t her week begin with great coffee and a hologram of Marjorie sitting across the desk answering questions about what she’d done and why? Instead, her father’s face stared at her from the picture on the corner of the desk. He was smiling that movie-st
ar smile that added to his charm, but Jamie always thought of him as stern and serious. He always had an answer, a certainty about what to do and the right way to do it, whether it was treating patients, tying the red ties that were his trademark, or building this clinic. What would be the right way, Dad, to solve this problem? She startled when a voice said, “Good morning.”

  Sara Michaels, her other associate doctor, stood shoulder to shoulder with Don in her doorway. He was lanky and blond, Sara almost his comedy-duo opposite, short and dark-haired and solidly built from years of weight lifting.

  “We wanted to catch you before you got busy,” Sara said as they approached Jamie’s desk.

  “What’s up?” Both had their hands in their pockets, like nervous kids approaching the principal.

  “We want to help,” Sara said. “You’re coming in early, staying late, interviewing during your lunch.”

  “It’s not—”

  “Our problem. We know,” Don said, his deep voice at odds with his build. “We worked with Marjorie, too. We should have noticed something was off.”

  “We can go through files,” Sara said. “Or let us take some of your patient load.”

  “I appreciate the offer.” Jamie stood and cupped Sara’s elbow, walking her to the door. “But it’s easier for me to deal with this myself.”

  “At least let one of us adjust you every week. You’re tired and stressed, two causes for subluxations and tight muscles.”

  “You sound like a textbook, Don. I’ll make sure I stay healthy.”

  Sara stepped into the hallway and then turned back toward Jamie. “Sometimes we can’t solve our own problems. Isn’t that what we do for our patients?”

  “It’s not the same thing.” It was her job to take care of her staff, not the other way around.

  “Remember when I strained my rotator cuff but I kept working out, and it just got worse until it hurt to adjust patients? And you worked on my shoulder but also chewed me out for ignoring the pain? Please let us help.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Jamie said. Returning to her desk she took a sip of coffee. It was terrible, but she hadn’t had time to go by Peet’s for more Kona. One of the songs from the concert was playing, and her eyes fell on Penni’s picture. She’d brought it in one day and plunked it down next to the one of her father “He’s gone, but I’ll always be here for you.” Jamie stared at the blue eyes full of mischief. Penni’s arm was draped over her shoulder, their hair blown back, the ocean in the background. They’d escaped for a day of goofing around at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. “Yeah, I know. You agree with them,” she murmured.

  “Don’t schedule anyone during your lunch,” Betty said when Jamie popped her head in her office to say good morning. “You have an interview.” Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up on Friday when I got her resume. I talked to her Saturday on the phone, and I like her. She ran a dentist’s office and has a great phone voice.”

  “Sounds promising.”

  “I don’t know how much longer I can hold Frank off. He threatened to pick me up after work on Friday and hold me hostage until we get to Oregon.”

  “Tell Frank one way or the other he’ll have you back in two weeks,” Jamie said. She needed to be realistic and lower her standards. If this woman was even moderately qualified she was going to get the job.

  “Renee Rapp referred her,” Betty whispered, as if afraid to jinx it.

  Jamie perked up. “Then I’ll risk being optimistic.”

  By the time Jamie settled down to the sandwich and iced tea Betty left for her, she was almost giddy that one of her problems might be solved before her lunch hour was up. She read the resume. It looked impressive, and Renee’s judgment was impeccable.

  Hearing a knock at her door, Jamie set the sandwich aside and rolled down the cuffs on her blue Oxford shirt, then moved to greet the woman she hoped would be her new office manager. Betty ushered in a well-dressed woman in an ivory linen suit with shoulder-length golden-blond hair. Jamie’s mouth went dry, and her skin felt as hot as if she were back in the heat of Atlanta. She stared into amber eyes she still recognized after all these years. She hesitated, then extended her hand as questions swarmed.

  “Dr. Hammond, this is Carla Grant. Can I get you anything to drink, Carla?”

  “I’m fine. Thank you, Betty,” Carla said.

  “Please, sit down.” Jamie motioned toward the chair across from her desk. Carly’s—no, Carla’s—voice still had the barest hint of Southern accent, and Jamie’s cheeks burned as random memories circled her. She searched for recognition in the eyes that had once looked at her with desire. Nothing. Just a polite smile. Carla didn’t recognize her. Why would she? It was one night—a straight girl’s experiment. But what was Carla doing here? Did Renee have any idea they’d once known each other? Of course not.

  Jamie picked up the resume and studied it, buying herself some time. There was no tactful way to end the interview. She could get through fifteen minutes. But explaining to Betty and Renee that she hadn’t hired Carla would be a problem. Realizing she’d left her iPod on, she reached behind her to turn it off. The song was one Melissa had played that night in Atlanta. When she looked back at Carla, there was no sign the song meant anything to her.

  “You ran a dentist’s office.” Jamie’s eyes drifted to Carla’s hands folded in her lap. The ring was right where it should be. She clenched her jaw. Yep, a straight girl’s experiment.

  “Yes, for thirteen years.” Carla uncrossed her legs and then crossed them again, settling her hands back in her lap.

  “Why did you leave?” Jamie’s voice came out sharper than she meant.

  “Dr. Rose died last spring of cancer.”

  “And since then?” Just ask a few questions and get this over with.

  “I got my daughter settled at college and decided the best antidote to empty-nest syndrome was to go back to work. I like being useful and I’m good at what I do.”

  This woman radiated poise and confidence. Was she really that innocent, shy woman in Atlanta? “Why aren’t you looking for a dentist’s office to run?” Did she already have a family when they met?

  “Renee Rapp said this job would be a perfect fit for me.”

  “How do you know Renee?” If they were just casual friends it would be easier to explain to Renee why she didn’t hire Carla.

  “We’ve been good friends since our daughters played soccer together. I’ve even been rooked into helping with a fundraiser or two. I’m sure you know how pointless it is to argue with her.”

  Jamie laughed in spite of her self-consciousness. “She’s about as subtle as a steam roller.” An argument was exactly what she’d get if she tried to explain to Renee why Carla wasn’t perfect for the job. Hadn’t she said she’d hire the next even moderately qualified applicant? No, this was crazy. Looking at the picture of her father she knew what he’d say—do what was in the best interest of the clinic. And Penni? She didn’t even want to think about that.

  “Our billing system is different from what you’re used to.” Maybe she wouldn’t want the job.

  Carla looked surprised before she said, “I had no trouble learning Dr. Rose’s. I’m sure I could learn yours.”

  Jamie tapped her pen on the desk. She didn’t really have a choice. This wasn’t personal. It was business. And what difference did it make if they had a past? Just one night and they’d both moved on. She was being ridiculous. With a competent office manager she’d get this mess cleaned up that much quicker.

  She cleared her throat. “Before you consider whether this is the right job for you, I need to tell you something. I fired my office manager last month. She’d been embezzling and committing insurance fraud. I’m under investigation. It’s not a pretty picture, and you may not want to get involved.”

  Carla’s eyes held hers and Jamie thought she saw anger. Then she looked over Jamie’s shoulder, as if lost in thought. When their eyes met again, there was only kindness. “I
’d like to help.”

  “When can you start?” There, it was done. Jamie looked at her father’s picture, pretending his smile signaled his approval.

  Carla hesitated. “Tomorrow morning?”

  “All right. Betty will show you the ropes.” She held the door open as Carla walked out, leaving a trail of perfume—a rich, sweet, flowery scent. Jamie closed the door. Her legs felt like jelly. Had she really just hired the woman who had—

  Betty burst through the door, her face one big smile. She squeezed Jamie’s shoulders as she kissed her cheek. “She’ll be perfect for you.” Betty wiped at the corners of her eyes as they filled with tears. “I’ll feel better leaving if I know you’re in capable hands.”

  “Tell Frank to plan for your departure.” Another reason she’d done the right thing.

  Rubbing the back of her neck, she sat and dialed Sheryl. “How’s your day, babe?”

  “Terrible. I can’t believe it. Those…those girls? The ones that paraded their relationship around campus last year? They apparently set a precedent because we have two gay couples this year that are demanding the same privilege.”

  “The district doesn’t think it’s a problem,” Jamie said carefully.

  “It’s not that simple. I’m going to get complaints from parents again, including the head of the PTA. He’s conservative and powerful and expects to get his way. Oh, why am I trying to explain this to you? You don’t understand the politics of having to make hard choices to get what you want.”

  “Sheryl—”

  “I’m going to get screwed again.”

  “I’m sorry.” Why were all of their conversations about work problems? “Look, I was calling to tell you I’m not working late tonight. How about if I pick up Chinese and we cuddle up and watch a movie?”

  “I’m meeting another principal for dinner to strategize how I should handle this. I can’t lose out on another promotion.”

  “You can strategize with me. We need to support each other. I hired a new office manager today. She ran a dentist’s office for thirteen years. Betty likes her and she’s a friend of Renee and I—”

  “I don’t need to hear her resume. Is she going to help you get your business problem sorted out?”