Page 4 of Loving Goldie

FORD

I couldn’t shakehow Goldie had looked during and after that phone call. I’m not sure how many times I had to talk myself out of making another trip by her desk to check on her. I’m sure she was more than capable of handling any situation. It was one of the reasons I was so drawn to her, but that didn’t make it any less frustrating for me when every fiber of my being wanted to protect her.

Walking out from the parking garage elevator, the sound of cursing rang through the air. It was Goldie. Instinct kicked in and I sprinted toward the sound coming to a halt when I found her standing in front of her ancient car, its hood up, her hands on her hips, looking pissed.

“Can I help?”

Without looking at me, she said, “Do you know anything about cars?”

I didn’t. But that wasn’t going to stop me from helping her. “I know enough that it’s better I let an expert handle this. But I can give you a ride home. I’ll call a guy I know to take care of this for you. Leave the keys under the front seat and grab your things. I’ll go get my truck and be right back.” I didn’t wait for her to agree. I just acted.

Ten minutes later, a silent Goldie sat rigid across from me. She hadn’t said more than a dozen words, but that was okay. I knew she was dealing with a lot from the mysterious phone call and now her car breaking down. I was just happy I was the first one to discover her.

“That’s it. The one with the red door, up on the left.” She already had her hand on the door handle.

I pulled into her driveway and was prepared for her to jump out as soon as I stopped, so I slowly eased onto her driveway. “I almost forgot. I wanted to talk to you about working with RJI. If it’s not too much trouble, could I come in for a few minutes?”

She was so cute, struggling not to be rude. I don’t think she had it in her. And I didn’t feel any regret at taking advantage of her good nature. The first phase of my plan was all about getting her to drop her guard and to see me as more than a boss, someone only to be seen at work.

“Hey, Mom!” A miniature version of Goldie came running out of the house, her unzipped coat flapping behind her.

I put the truck in park and switched off the engine and watched as Goldie jumped down from the truck, embracing her daughter. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at Mrs. Baker’s?” Standing on the porch was an older woman wearing a bright pink coat and matching knitted hat.

“Hi, Goldie. Sorry to worry you, but you weren’t answering your cell. My sister needs me to pick up a prescription and drop it at her place. I thought it would be quicker if I brought Lily Ann home. And before you lecture me, I’m perfectly fine walking down the sidewalk. I grew up here and I’ve navigated worse weather and streets than this.”

“Of course, Mrs. Baker, thank you. I had some car trouble. You must have called when I was negotiating with an engine that refused to start.”

I took that as my opportunity to join the group of ladies. Stepping out of the truck, I rounded the hood, standing a couple feet behind Goldie.

“Hi, I’m Lily Ann. Who are you?”

“Lily, that’s not very polite.” Goldie admonished her daughter.

“It’s okay, Goldie. It’s fine. I’m Ford Carter. I work with your Mom.”

The young girl skipped over to me and grinned. “Cool. Are you a bodyguard or something? You look like you could beat up bad guys.” Lily Ann bounced from one foot to the other.

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Not exactly. Although I was in the Army, and I looked out for my buddies all the time. Does that count?”

Her daughter’s jaw dropped, then she mouthed, “Wow!” Stepping forward with her hand out, Lily Ann solemnly said, “Thank you for your service.”

Gripping her delicate hand, I nodded, unable to speak for the sudden lump in my throat. No other person had ever made me react in such a way, nor feel more appreciated for my time in the military than the sweet sprite had.

“Is he staying for dinner, Mom?”

“Dinner, um no. Did you get all your homework done?”

I watched Goldie as she did her best to ignore me as she said goodbye to the sitter, threw her arm around her daughter’s shoulder, and walked her back into the house.

I followed. I hadn’t exactly been invited, but she hadn’t said goodbye yet either. Standing just outside the front door, I cleared my throat. Goldie shed her jacket, took her daughter’s, and hung them up in the coat closet before answering.

I could see the wheels turning in her head. I wasn’t giving up, though. “I won’t take too much time and you don’t have to ask me to stay for dinner.”

After another moment, she relaxed and waved me in. “Okay. But I really need to get her fed before she begs me for more time to read. I swear that girl would read non-stop from after school till bedtime, past bedtime, in fact, if she had her way.”

Nodding, not quite sure how to answer that, I took in the open concept main floor and instantly felt at home. The entire house was probably less than fifteen hundred square feet, but Goldie had made it feel warm and welcoming.

Standing on the opposite side of her kitchen counter, I watched as she began removing items from the refrigerator. “So, the new contract. We signed it today and need someone to be the lead scheduler with their in-house security department. Zak and I would like that to be you.”

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