Page 60 of Rebels and Roses

“I’ll call you later,” he said as he walked out of her door, leaving her hot and breathless in his chaotic wake. “Let’s meet for lunch.”

Was she ready to talk to him about being more? Would she have to give him an ultimatum?

Most importantly, was she ready to walk away if he turned her down?

Straightening her spine, she couldn’t ignore what needed to be done.

She and Cooper needed to have a talk. The kind of talk that he’d avoided for years.

Was it just lust? Or did they have something more? She had to know.

15

Cooper inwardly chuckled at the shocked expression of his father’s receptionist when he walked into the office. He hadn’t been there since he was about seven years old, so he couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t the same one, of course, but this one had to have heard the gossip in town about his relationship with Joel.

The young woman hopped to her feet and rounded the desk, her gaze darting over Cooper’s shoulder as if she expected a pink elephant and circus clown to be on his heels. Perhaps pigs flying in the parking lot?

“I was hoping to have a few minutes with my father.”

“Yes,” the woman said, but she was shaking her head no at the same time she’d answered in the affirmative. “What I mean is, I’ll have to check with his assistant first.”

“Tell Leigh that Cooper is here.”

Cooper knew Leigh Gabler well. She’d worked for his dad since she was just out of business school. She was a lovely woman, who was also efficient as hell, and vastly loyal to Joel Winslow. In other words, if there had been a dead body, shewouldn’t have asked any questions other than how deep to dig the hole.

The joke among Cooper’s siblings was that Leigh would work for Joel until her last day on earth. She’d never married, never had kids, and Winslow Industries was her entire life. As far as he knew, she didn’t even have any hobbies except the once-a-year three-week vacation she took to Boston to visit old friends.

The young woman hurried behind the big oak door without another word. Cooper knew from his childhood visits that the oak door led to Leigh’s office. To get to his dad’s even bigger and heavier oak door, you have to go through her.

And she wasn’t letting just anyone in.

“Cooper, how long has it been?”

Whatever Leigh was doing in the few hours a day she didn’t work, it must be healthy. She ought to look middle-aged, but she looked thirty. Maybe thirty-five. There wasn’t a trace of gray in her dark hair that she kept in a sleek updo while in the office. Her makeup was skillfully applied, her navy-blue suit perfectly tailored to her slim figure. The only sign of being over fifty were the bifocals perched on her nose.

“Many, many years,” he said, giving the woman a hug. He’d always liked her. She’d spent a lot of time at the house after his mother had disappeared, helping take care of the little details that popped up so they weren’t bothered. “You look exactly the same. Must be all that good, clean living.”

“Something you wouldn’t know anything about if half the stories I hear are true,” Leigh scoffed. “You’ve been a naughty boy, Cooper Winslow.”

“All lies,” he laughed. “Every single one of those stories. Lies. Seriously, you look amazing.”

“I took up running five years ago. I think it helps keep me young and active.” Leigh’s eyes narrowed, and she looked himup and down. “Since we’re being serious, I’m a bit surprised that you’re here. You say you want to see your dad?”

“If he has a few minutes.”

Cooper didn’t elaborate on his reasons, keeping his tone casual. He adored Leigh, but this wasn’t any of her business. Her loyalty would always be to Joel anyway. If she thought Cooper was going to upset her boss of thirty-three years, she wasn’t going to let him in.

“He’s on a call to the West Coast. Let me see if he can wrap it up and meet with you.”

“It won’t take long,” Cooper promised. “Just a few minutes.”

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Leigh disappeared behind the large oak door, leaving Cooper to his own devices. The fact was Cooper could clearly remember at least one particular visit to the office. He’d been seven and Zack nine. Their mother had taken them to the dentist, and then stopped at the office because she needed to pick something up.

Cooper and Zack had hung out in Leigh’s office while Lily had talked to Joel in his office. There had been raised voices, and bless Leigh, she’d tried to distract them so they wouldn’t hear. It hadn’t worked despite the woman’s best efforts.

When their mother had come back out, Cooper could see - even at his young age - the pity in Leigh’s eyes. She’d kindly ask Lily, who was holding back tears, if she could call anyone for her. Their mother had stiffened her spine, taken Cooper and Zack by the hands, and replied that she was fine.

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