Page 140 of An Engagement for Erica

Joel and Catherine had told him that since he’d started they’d done nothing more than give the same reports as they gave to Tucker. Tucker was making the decisions, which he knew, and no one was overriding anything.

That his grandfather had told them Tucker was the boss and to continue just sending reports.

Nothing more than his grandfather had said also.

He had to believe them.

Or more like he was believing his grandfather.

Which at the moment felt like the only person who had his back.

“That’s all you’ve got to say?” he asked. “I’m not sure what is going on with you.”

There was silence. “Nothing,” she said. “But it feels as if some bug crawled up your ass and you’re taking it out on me and I don’t appreciate it.”

“Me?” he said louder than he thought. “You’re the one that is more concerned about the reputation of your company thanthe man you’re in love with. Maybe it’s a good thing I know that now.”

“I’m going to hang up now, Tucker, before I say something I’ll regret. Or more like something you’ll take out of context because not just one bug but a whole swarm of nasty slimy things are making their way up your colon.”

She hung up on him before he could say another word.

44

LET HER GUARD DOWN

“TC,” Erica said on Thursday when her doorbell went off and she opened the door to see Tucker’s grandfather. “What are you doing here? Please come in.”

Talk about a shocking sight.

She hadn’t seen or talked to Tucker in two days and she wasn’t going to make the first move either.

She needed time to process his attitude from Tuesday and it appeared he was doing the same thing.

“Sorry to drop in like this,” TC said. “But I just came from the plant and thought I’d come say hi.”

She frowned. He was using his cane and walking well but had Michael standing next to him to guide him.

“I’m glad you stopped,” she said. “I wish I knew you were coming. I would have been more prepared. Please, have a seat. Can I get you something to drink? Either of you?”

“I’m going to wait in the car,” Michael said. “And give you two some privacy to talk.”

She wasn’t so sure what this was about.

“I can see by your face you’re confused about this visit,” TC said. “I wanted to talk to you about Tucker.”

She couldn’t believe Tucker would have told his grandfather about their fight.

She was still trying to figure out what the fight was really about.

Then she got thinking maybe he was having a bad day with the news getting out in the plant.

No, she didn’t like that she was the source of gossip, and maybe she could have phrased her words better. But when she talked with Tucker now, it wasn’t in a professional capacity.

It was as if she was talking to her other half.

And that meant she could let her guard down and speak what came to her rather than play Switzerland all the time.

Seemed to her, that she was better off standing in the middle though.

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