Page 15 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
Instantly worried he’d be recognized, Noel asked, “What kind of orders?”
“If they say you load certain parcels that aren’t showing on the invoices, just do it.”
Bart sidled up and his rough voice made them jump. “Hey, you two blabbermouths, get back to work.”
For the rest of the day, Noel kept his eyes open and his mouth shut, following orders and working like a dog. By the time he’d lifted and carried hundreds of parcels, loading them onto belts and into containers, his back screamed for mercy and his hands were sore.
He had a much healthier respect for the working man and became a clock-watcher as daylight eased into dusk.
Knowing he’d hit the jackpot for his cousin, the fact that the Jones’s were involved in the plant and even had a certain amount of power over the operations, his mind ran rampant with speculation.
Could they be using his father’s business as a way to transport drugs across the country? It wouldn’t be the first time the mob had infiltrated a legitimate small company and used it for nefarious gains.
It was one thing to conjecture, but he needed evidence. He had to get into that office and download files from their computers. And then he had to pass on that information to his cousin so if they stopped one of the trucks loaded with contraband, they’d have enough proof to make an arrest.
Suddenly, he worried about being recognized by the Jones boys. They’d surely remember him as the reason Ralph spent a night in jail. First thing he needed to do was get a pair of non-prescription eyeglasses, shave his head and grow his beard.
Chapter Twenty
Mary couldn’t wait for Noel to return to the house. He’d been gone all day, and she worried about his disappearance. He’d said nothing about returning to the city, but then why would he? They were just friends, and though her instincts were that she mattered, she had no right to expect more from him than he was willing to share.
When he finally arrived, she looked up from the counter where she’d been balancing her books and shock hit her hard. The man looked exhausted, like a working man who’d put in a day of physical labor and it didn’t sit too well. She rushed to his side. “Are you okay, Noel? You look bushed.”
Noel laughed and gave her a hug. “I am. Trust me, for a man who always thought he was in good shape; I’m woefully ignorant of what that really means. I guess a few hours a week at the gym really doesn’t equate with a day of physical labor.”
Totally stymied, even amused, Mary questioned him, her nerves a little on edge. “Where were you all day?”
Caught and not willing to lie, he answered, “At the Bradford plant. I had an old friend of my father’s arrange for me to get hired on there so I could find out why the business hit the skids and went into bankruptcy. Here, sit down with me and I’ll explain. My father and brother were in charge of that plant, among others. They’d managed it successfully until last year. Things happened in our family; bad health and relationship problems, which took their minds off their responsibilities. They weren’t focused on the everyday management like they would normally have been.”
“I’m so sorry, Noel. I had no idea.”
“After their accident, proof turned up that showed bogus bank accounts where my father had supposedly transferred money and withdrew it, taking it from the business, stealing from the stockholders until they claimed bankruptcy. They left a skeleton staff to keep it running until the court cases are settled.”
“And you want to prove their innocence.”
“Yes. I know a way that it can be done. I just have to be patient and bide my time. I’ll get the proof that they’re using the plant to transport drugs, and the same people in charge set up my family to take the fall.”
Mary’s instinct to protect kicked in, and she moved closer, putting her hand on his arm. “That could take months, Noel. They’ll have covered their trail well by then.”
He lifted her face to his and smiled gently. “I have to do what I can, Mary. So many people depend on the plant in this town for a living.”
His hands rubbed up and down her arms, and she shivered with delight, leaning into him, encouraging his advances. She wanted him to kiss her again, wanted proof that his lips were the instruments of magic she remembered.
As if he sensed her needs, he quickly pulled them into the office behind the counter and gathered her close, kissing her asif only she had the power to make him whole again, make him want to laugh, dream… live.
“Oh Mary, my sweet, sweet girl, you’re the woman I’ve prayed I’d meet one day. The one who makes my heart beat with joy every time I see your pretty blue eyes and gorgeous smile. You’re an angel, kind and sincere, caring and so loving… my dream girl come true. More than anything, one day I want you to share my world. And I want to share yours.”
Happiness flamed so bright that Mary clutched her chest, trying to contain her ecstasy. She stared into his beloved soft gray eyes, soaking in the earnestness that suffused his caring features. Love spilled over so that she was drowning in the fiery feelings. Flinging her arms around his neck, she kissed him hard and then again.
Swallowing the intoxicating emotions, not wanting overwhelming emotions to stop her from speaking with intelligence, she let him see her expression. “I’m so happy, Noel. Realizing you feel the same way about me as I feel about you is about the best gift a girl could get this time of year.”
He gently cradled her face and dropped tender kisses on both sides of her mouth before he plundered her lips once again.
Within a short time, both panting, both knowing they had to stop, they reluctantly pulled apart. Noel took her hand to lead her out of their sanctuary, and she stopped him with her question, “How long will this nightmare last, Noel, before we can get on with our lives?”
“That’s just it. There’s actually a deadline before the board members threaten to release the facts to the stockholders and the newspapers.”
“Seriously, a deadline…?”
