Page 17 of Saving Her Heart
And Declan. Apparently, this is a group chat.
Declan: Running Brad Hutchins' financials. You're gonna want to see this.
I smile despite everything. Kendall might think she's alone, but she's wrong. The whole town has her back.
She just doesn't know it yet.
Chapter 5
Kendall
The red dress was a mistake.
I can see that now, standing in front of my bathroom mirror, trying to convince myself that Mrs. Patterson knows what she's talking about. It's not inappropriate—knee-length, professional neckline—but it's definitely... red. The kind of red that makes statements I'm not sure I want to make.
My phone buzzes on the counter.
Charli: On our way. Whole crew coming for moral support. You've got this!
Then another.
Unknown Number: Final warning. Resign tonight or things get worse.
My hands shake as I delete the message. I should show it to Jax. He's right across the hall, probably watching my door through his peephole like the overprotective guard dog he's pretending not to be.
But what's the point? After tonight, I won't be managing this property anymore. Valerie's made sure of that.
I grab my purse and the folder of documentation I've prepared—three years of performance reviews, budget reports, and resident satisfaction surveys. My record is spotless, except for today. One morning of goat-induced chaos shouldn't erase three years of excellence.
Shouldn't. But probably will.
I open my door to find Jax leaning against his doorframe, obviously waiting. He's changed into dark jeans and a button-down shirt that brings out the blue in his eyes. His gaze travels down the red dress and back up, and I watch him swallow hard.
"Mrs. Patterson was right," he says, voice slightly rough.
"About what?"
"Red makes men stupid."
The compliment catches me off guard, and I feel heat creeping up my neck. "I should change?—"
"Don't." He straightens. "You look like you're ready to take on the world."
"I'm ready to lose my job in style, you mean."
"You're not going to lose your job."
"Have you met Valerie?"
"Have you met the rest of the board? Mr. Yamamoto thinks you walk on water. Mrs. Martinez credits you with doubling her property value. And Dr. Williams?—"
"How do you know all that?"
He has the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "I may have made some calls."
"Jax—"
"They needed to know about the threats. The vandalism. Valerie's vendetta." He pulls out his phone. "Speaking of which, did you get any?—"
