Page 22 of The House on Blueberry Lane

Velvet frowned. “By willing to work with him, you mean they gave him passing grades he hadn’t deserved.” No wonder Lenny’s father had told him he didn’t need algebra to play ball. “Now he expects the same thing to be done for his son?”

When Mr. Dunning didn’t respond, Velvet knew she’d gotten her answer. “Well, unlike those other teachers, I refuse to give any students a grade they don’t earn. I’m willing to tutor Lenny to help him get his grades up and offered to do so, but he needs to do the work, the same as all my other students. Giving him a free pass wouldn’t be fair.”

There was a long pause. “I just want you to know Al won’t make things easy for you.”

“For merely doing my job? Lenny either does the work like my other students or he’ll fail. It’s that simple.” And because Mr. Dunning had yet to say he supported her position, she felt the need to say, “And if I ever feel pressured to do otherwise, then I will submit my resignation.”

Mr. Dunning rubbed his hands down his face. “You won’t have to submit your resignation, Ms. Spencer. I will abide by your decision.”

When Velvet left the man’s office, she recalled he’d said that he would abide by her decision, but at no time had he said he agreed with it or would support her on it.

“YOU CAN SEND Mr. Crawford in now, Ms. Carter,” Jaye said.

“Yes, sir.”

Jaye remained standing when his office door opened, and Webb Crawford walked in. From the look on the man’s face, it was obvious he’d gotten annoyed at having been kept waiting. “Mr. Crawford,” Jaye said, offering the man his hand in a firm handshake. “What can I do for you?”

“First of all, Mr. Colfax, you can make sure I’m seen whenever I arrive.”

Jaye had to keep from laughing. Who in the hell did this man think he was? “I don’t see anyone without an appointment, Mr. Crawford, unless there’s an emergency. One that’s life or death.” He decided to add the latter just in case Webb Crawford figured his very existence constituted an emergency.

“Do you think the Crawfords aren’t important customers at this bank?”

Jaye shoved his hands into his pockets. “As far as I’m concerned, every individual who has an account at the Colfax National Bank is important. If you’re looking for preferential treatment because of the amount of funds in your account, then I suggest you transfer those accounts elsewhere.”

To prove he wouldn’t tolerate the man’s bullshit, Jaye walked behind his desk and sat down. “Now. Is there a reason you’re here or do you prefer to begin processing the paperwork to transfer your funds to another bank?”

Webb Crawford was staring at him as if he didn’t believe Jaye’s audacity. Well, he might as well not only believe it but get used to it. Respect was earned and not entitled. Evidently, somewhere along the way no one had ever told Crawford that.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on the man’s face. Then he sat down in the chair across from Jaye’s desk. “I like you, Colfax.”

It was on the tip of Jaye’s tongue to tell the man that he honestly didn’t give a royal damn if he liked him or not since the jury was still out as to whether Jaye liked him. So far, he didn’t. Steepling his fingers, Jaye studied the man and was tempted to suggest that he dispense with the bullshit. Instead, he prompted, “And the reason for your visit, Mr. Crawford?”

He noticed the man’s hesitation before he finally said, “I understand you’re living in one of the houses on Blueberry Lane.”

Jaye frowned, wondering where this conversation was going. “That’s correct. What of it?”

Again, the man paused. “You’re new in town so you might not be aware of how the single men in the cove handle our business.”

How the single men in the cove handle their business? Now Jaye had heard everything. “Such as?”

“Such as my ability to claim any woman that catches my interest and it’s understood that no other male can intrude into my territory.”

His territory? Jaye stared at the man, convinced he was joking. When Crawford’s expression indicated he was dead serious, Jaye said, “Maybe you should cut to the chase and tell me exactly what you are referring to.”

Webb Crawford leaned forward in his chair as if assuring he had Jaye’s absolute attention. “I understand you’re living in a duplex that’s under the same roof as a woman by the name of Velvet Spencer.”

Jaye kept his body from showing any reaction at the mention of Velvet’s name. However, he felt every nerve poised to snap. “And?”

“And I’m very interested in Ms. Spencer.”

Welcome to the club, Jaye thought while holding Crawford’s gaze. “Are the two of you engaged? Seriously involved? Dating?”

“None of those. However, I’ve let my interest be known to her.”

Jaye didn’t say anything for a minute and then he said, “I understand she’s been living here for a couple of years. At least that’s the information I received from the woman who is our landlord. I’d think you would have swept her off her feet by now...if you’re that interested in her.” He knew from Webb’s expression that he didn’t like anyone bringing up the fact he’d apparently struck out in pursuing Velvet.

“Currently, she’s playing hard to get, but eventually, I’ll wear down her resistance.”

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