Page 12 of Saving Her Heart
"The board should probably know about your vendetta against Ms. Greene," Jax says. "The multiple false complaints you've filed. The harassment."
"How dare you?—"
"I'm just documenting everything thoroughly. For the official record."
Valerie's face turns purple. She grabs her purse and storms out, but not before pointing at me. "Five o'clock. Come prepared to be terminated."
A black Tesla pulls up to the curb. William Thornfield emerges, his silver hair gleaming in the morning sun. Unlike his wife's dramatic dishevelment, he's impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. "Valerie," he says, his voice carrying a subtle warning. "You're making a scene."
She deflates slightly. "William, this woman?—"
"Is doing her job." His gaze shifts to me, cold and assessing. "Though perhaps not for much longer." He turns back to his wife. "Come. We have that meeting with the insurance adjusters."
As they walk away, I hear him mumble, "Really, Valerie. A goat? You're losing focus on what matters here."
The Garden Club ladies are climbing down from their chairs, chattering about the excitement. Mrs. Patterson is actually laughing.
"Most exciting luncheon we've had in years!" someone says. "Did someone get video?"
"I need to get Gertie back to animal control," Jax says. "And properly secured this time."
"I'll help," Hudson offers. "Kate's waiting in the car, anyway. She says hi, Kendall. And that you should come to dinner soon."
They head out with Gertie, who's now wearing someone's fascinator along with the sun hat. I'm left standing in the destroyed community room, barefoot and defeated... again.
My phone buzzes. It's Charli.
Charli: Emergency meeting at Bean & Bagel in 20. Bring wine.
Then another text, this one from an unknown number.
Unknown: Building 3 has a major plumbing issue. Need you here ASAP.
Then another.
Unknown: The pool chemical balance is off. Residents complaining about green water.
I check the time. Four hours until the board meeting. Three other properties to check. A destroyed community room to somehow clean. And I still haven't picked an outfit.
Mrs. Patterson approaches me. "Dear, that young policeman seemed very protective of you."
"He was just doing his job."
"Honey, that wasn't his job face. That was his 'I want to bend you over the nearest surface' face."
"Mrs. Patterson!"
"What? I'm old, not dead. And that boy's got it bad." She pats my arm. "Wear the red dress to the board meeting."
"I don't have a red dress."
"Then buy one. Trust me. Men are simple creatures. Show a little leg, smile sweetly, and watch them fumble all over themselves."
She heads off to help with cleanup, leaving me standing there processing her advice. My phone buzzes again—this time it's a photo from Hudson. It's Gertie in the back of the animal control van, still wearing her stolen accessories, looking pleased with herself.
The caption reads:
Hudson: Jax says to tell you he'll be at the meeting tonight. For moral support.
