Accidental Meeting (4 page)

“She’s
with me,” Bruce announced from behind Gary, moving to Abbey’s side.

“Oh,”
was all Gary said.

Abbey
wasn’t sure, but she thought Gary’s cheeks had turned a light shade of red.

“We’ll
meet you in the conference room when you’ve had a chance to assemble the other
department heads,” Bruce said then turned to Abbey. “Lead the way.”

Without
saying a word, Abbey hurried past Gary and headed for the elevator. Permeated
with guilt, Abbey slowed her pace to allow Bruce to catch up.  She pushed
the button and waited for the elevator to open.

Bruce
didn’t say a word until they were inside the elevator and the doors closed,
giving them privacy. “I was beginning to think we were in a race and I was
losing.”

“I’m
sorry.”

“You
never did say why you were fired.”

“Who
said I was fired?” Abbey felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “It doesn’t matter.”

A low
'ding' sounded when they reached their floor.

“Obviously,
it does matter.”

Abbey
ignored Bruce and stepped out of the elevator, heading down the hall towards
the conference room. He was silent following her, the carpet muffled the sound
of his shoe and the rubber tips on his crutches made no noise even on the tiled
floor. None-the-less, she knew he was there. Something inside her sensed his
presence. She set his briefcase on the conference room table and turned,
intending to close the door.

“I’d
prefer to sit at the far end of the table,” Bruce told her as he moved across
the room.

The
conference table was large enough to seat a dozen people, with only enough
space to seat one person on either end. The highest-ranking manager or
president of the company sat at the head of the table during meetings which was
where Bruce was headed now.

Abbey
closed the door, retrieved the briefcase and followed Bruce across the room.
She laid it on the table and pulled out the chair for him. Bruce handed her his
crutches and hopped the remaining step, taking a less-than-graceful seat.

“Why
don’t I pull this other chair out a little and you can prop your foot on it?”
Abbey moved the chair, then helped Bruce lift his right leg. “You really need
to be careful. You don’t want it to start swelling. I’ll remind you when it’s
time to take more pain pills.”

“Thank
you, Dr. Mom, but I think I’ll know when it’s time to take more.”

Abbey
chanced a glance at Bruce as she stood, not quite sure if he was teasing her or
being sarcastic. His expression gave little away concerning his mood—pain
etched his features. Even his warm, chocolate eyes had taken on an intensified
color. “Maybe you should have taken the rest of the day off.”

“Do you
always worry about other people?” His eyebrow arched. It was getting hard not
to smile every time it happened, which was quite frequent.

“Sometimes.
Those I care about.” Abbey gasped at her own words. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

A hint
of a smile tugged at Bruce’s lips. “I didn’t think so. After all, who tries to
run somebody over one day and then pampers them the next?”

Their
gazes locked, both staring in silence at the other. “You are an interesting
character, Abbey. I can’t make you out—yet. But I will.”

For the
first time Abbey saw a ‘real’ smile come across Bruce’s face. He was handsome
to begin with, but smiling—he was devastating, not just his high cheekbones and
strong
jawline
coupled with the warmth in his eyes
and a smile that revealed pearly white teeth, took her breath away. When she
realized she was staring, she hurried across the room and busied herself by
starting a pot of coffee.

The
department heads and office managers began to fill the room. It irked Abbey
when Stacey walked into the room. She should have been promoted instead of
Stacey, not let go after all her faithful years of service to the company. All
right, she reminded herself, you quit, but you had a good reason.

Absentmindedly,
Abbey prepared a cup of coffee for each member. "How would you like your
coffee, Bruce?"

"Black."

Abbey
filled a cup for him and set it on the table, then stood to his left in case he
needed anything else.

“I’d
like a bottled water,” Stacey said in a sweet voice, directing her comment
towards Abbey.

“Have a
seat please.” Bruce motioned to the chair next to him.

Abbey
was the only one standing, so obviously Bruce meant for her to sit down. She
obediently sat, ignoring Stacey’s request with great pleasure.

“Excuse
me, you forgot my drink.” Stacey reminded her in a demanding tone.

“I believe
you’ve worked here long enough to know where the water is kept.” Abbey forced
her sweetest smile. If she had to get Stacey a water, she'd have to resist the
urge to pour it on her.

“Can we
begin?” Bruce looked from Abbey to Stacey. “I don’t believe I caught your
name?”

"Stacey
De
Gruttola
."

Abbey
fumed, knowing her ex-coworker liked to use a sultry voice to charm men. It
worked with Gary and now she was trying to do the same with Bruce.

“And
what department do you head?” Bruce asked Stacey.

“I don’t.”
Stacey blinked. “I work in Gary’s, I mean Mr. Hartman’s office.”

“Then
I’m sure you’re capable of getting your own drink.” Bruce thumbed through the
contents of a folder. “Is there any particular reason you’re in on this
meeting?”

Stacey
stammered, at a loss for words.

Gary
came to her rescue. “She’s up for a promotion since my previous office
assistant was fired.” Gary shot an angry glance towards Abbey.

“Fired?
Hmm… that’s interesting,” Bruce said, looking at the file in his hand. “I find
it kind of odd that someone who was up for a promotion would suddenly be
fired.” Bruce paused, Abbey assumed he was contemplating his new revelation.
She was certain he knew she was that assistant.

Chapter Five

One
thing working nights afforded her was time to think. Abbey was glad Bruce
hadn’t pressed her about her past position at Abbot &
Ellingsworth
.
Bruce hadn’t seemed inclined to promote Stacey immediately either which pleased
Abbey. In her heart, she knew Stacey wasn’t ready for that promotion. Bruce had
told Gary that after a further review, he would determine where to go from
there. All week long Bruce reviewed files, asked to see reports and picked each
department apart with a fine tooth comb. Abbey could only assume that Bruce was
thorough and wanted to totally familiarize himself with the company he was
taking over.

By
Friday, Abbey could hardly think straight. She felt as if she met herself
coming and going. They’d scheduled her to work three nights a week at the
grocery store but since she was training, her boss had her work an extra day
this week. Catnaps in the evenings were not enough to sustain a normal human
being, although Abbey felt anything but normal after working two jobs all week.

When she
donned her smock and clocked in for a night of excitement, filled with the
sound of rustling cans as the stock person filled the shelves, she readied her
drawer for the few customers she would wait on during the wee hours of the
morning. Abbey yawned as she thought of the night that lay ahead.

Her
chauffeuring Bruce ended around seven in the evening and it still took Abbey
time to get home, talk with Monica and Eric for a few minutes before showering
and collapsing into bed, only to rise a few hours later to go to work at the
grocery store. By the time she made it home in the mornings, she had to get
dressed, scramble to eat breakfast and pick Bruce up for work.

Abbey
yawned as a male customer with droopy eyes, noticeable razor stubble, and
loaded with an armful of baby formula approached. He laid the cans down on the
conveyer belt and reached for his wallet, extending it to her. “Here, you might
as well take it all.”

“Excuse
me?”

“Just
kidding.” He withdrew his wallet and extracted two twenties to pay for his
purchase as Abbey completed the sale. “We’ve got triplets. They’re eating us
out of house and home and they can’t even eat solid food yet.”

Abbey
laughed.

“We’re
thinking it would be easier to hook up feeding tubes. At least we would finally
get some sleep." He yawned. "Sorry. It's already starting out to be a
rough night and right now it feels like they’re eating nonstop. You finish
feeding one and then it’s on to the next and the next. Then the vicious cycle
starts all over again.”

“I’m
sure it will get better.” Abbey handed him his change, letting her own words
sink in. That stood true for her, too. Things would get better. It was just a
matter of time. Thankfully she had this job until a better one came along.

“Have a
good night.” He waved as he left.

“You,
too.” Abbey waved in return.

It was almost
time for her to get off work when Doris came through her checkout line. “Good
morning. What are you doing here, dear?”

Abbey
smiled. As tired as she felt, she nearly retorted, “Working,” but caught
herself before commenting abruptly. “I just started work here this week. I’m
hoping to find another job when I have the chance.”

“I
thought you were working for Bruce?” Doris frowned.

“Well…
sort of. It’s not exactly work. I’m kind of helping him get around until he can
drive again.” Abbey shrugged her shoulders. “After all, it’s my fault he’s in
this mess.”

“It was
an accident, dear. You can’t blame yourself.” Doris reached over and gave
Abbey's hand a brief, endearing squeeze.

“But I
caused the accident. Even if I didn’t mean to, it happened.” Abbey forced a
weary smile. “How often does someone get a chance to make up for something they
did wrong?”

“Well…
it’s not like you intentionally did it, Abbey.” Doris stood clutching her
purse, her expression solemn.

“No, I
didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did and now it’s my place to make it
right.” Impulsively, Abbey reached over the check out and hugged Doris. “Thank
you for caring. I care, too. Bruce didn’t ask to be involved either and through
my… well, through everything that happened he became entangled in this mess.
The least I can do is try and help him until he’s better.”

“You’re
a very sweet, young lady.” Warmth filled Doris’ eyes.

Abbey
appreciated her concern. When she finished ringing up Doris’ purchase and
taking her money, Abbey waved goodbye then began closing out her drawer. All
she wanted was to fall into oblivion. No more work until Monday, only the
prospect of going to church on Sunday. The way she felt, she could sleep all
weekend—probably longer, but since she was supposed to sing a solo during
service, it wouldn’t be wise to miss church.

*                                 
*                                 
*

The
sun’s rays penetrated through pale flowered curtains, its brightness
intensified the fabric’s yellow hues. Abbey shielded her eyes with her forearm.
It was useless to try hiding from the sunlight. She groaned and rolled over to
bury her head in her pillow. “I hate mornings.”

But it
didn’t matter. Once she woke up, trying to lose herself to sleep again was
pointless. She was awake and it didn’t matter how tired she still felt or that
she could sleep late because it was Saturday. The sun reminded her that she was
missing the world outside and she had things to do. Abbey forced herself out of
bed and walked in a zombie like state to the bathroom to shower. The water’s
cool spray against her body helped to bring sensation back to her tired limbs.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door and Abbey moaned in response.

“Abbey,
is that you?” Monica asked.

“No. Go
away, it’s my clone.” Abbey didn’t even try to stifle her yawn.

Monica
laughed. “Does that mean you want me to make both of you something to eat?”

Abbey
moaned again. She was hungry but her body objected more that it was awakened of
rest. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest.

“I’ll
have it setting on the table when you come out.”

Instinctively,
Abbey nodded to Monica’s response, not that her friend could see through the
closed door. Words took too much effort. After her shower, Abbey wrapped an
oversized towel around her body and made her way back to her room to dress
before staggering into the kitchen. She plopped down in a chair at the end of
the table where a plate of scrambled eggs and toast waited for her. Propping
her arms on either side of the plate, Abbey tried to focus her eyes on the
little specks of pepper sprinkled across her eggs.

“Are you
going to eat it or stare at it?” Monica stood in the kitchen doorway with her
hands on her hips, frowning. “Maybe you should go back to bed.”

Abbey
sighed. “I can’t. It’s too bright out.”

“Try
hanging a blanket over your curtain rod. That’ll make it darker in there. I
used to do that when I worked nights.”

Abbey
nodded. “I remember. What time is it anyway?”

“It’s
almost two. Why? Did you have something planned?” Monica asked.

“No, not
really.” Abbey picked up her fork and sampled a bite of her food. “Thanks for
breakfast.”

Monica
snickered. “It’s after lunch.”

Abbey
sighed. Where had the week gone? “I need to do some laundry. Do you want me to
wash anything for you while I’m down in the wash room?”

“Ha,
you’ve got to be kidding. I think everyone and their mother is doing laundry
today." Monica sighed. "I ran downstairs earlier and every washer was
full and there were baskets of dirty laundry still lying around on the floor. There’s
no way either of us are going to get any laundry done around here today.”
Monica grabbed them both a cup of coffee and set one down beside Abbey before
taking a seat at the kitchen table. “Eric is playing at a
friends
house. He’ll be home after dinner. I think he saw me making stew and called
Jeremy to see if he could eat over there instead.”

“Great.”
Abbey sighed.

“Don’t
worry about it. I have dinner in the crock pot and thought I’d run to the
Laundromat and do a few loads. I’ll take yours with me. Why don’t you try and
get some rest? Oh, by the way, in case you’re having a craving for
chocolate
…
he called. Didn’t sound like he was in too good of a mood though.” Monica waved
her hand nonchalantly, got up and put her coffee mug in the sink.

“Chocolate?
I don't understand. Someone called? What does that have to do with chocolate?”
Abbey shook her head. All right, she might be tired but Monica wasn’t making
any sense.

Monica
laughed. “Bruce, I believe his name was. Well, he said it was something else like
Mr.
Harring
…”

“Harrington,”
Abbey finished for her. Her cheeks warmed. She shouldn't have told Monica about
his delicious brown eyes, because now she'd never hear the end of it. “Did he
say what he wanted?”

“No. I
told him you were sleeping. He said to have you call when it was convenient.”

What
could he want? Abbey’s mind raced over anything she did Friday that may have
upset him. She couldn’t think of anything she might have forgotten to take care
of for Bruce. Maybe he needed a ride somewhere. After all, Doris was off. That
had to be it.

After
clearing her breakfast dishes from the table, Abbey retrieved the cordless
phone from the living room and went to her room to call Bruce. By the sixth
ring she contemplated hanging up until she thought about how long it might take
him to reach the phone with a broken leg.

“Hello,”
resounded in her ear before, “
Umph
.”

“Bruce.
Are you okay?” Abbey’s heart pounded in her chest. Oh no, what if he had
fallen? Before she could calculate the length of time it would take her to
reach his house, he was back on the phone.

“I’m
fine.” Bruce’s sounded winded. “Just a little out of breath and I dropped the
phone on the couch when I was trying to sit down.”

“You
need to be careful. We can’t have you getting hurt again,” Abbey gently warned.

Bruce
laughed. “Why? Are you afraid that it would look like you were out to get me if
I happened to get hurt and you were somehow involved again?”

“Ah… I
didn’t…”

Bruce
chuckled again. “I’m teasing, Abbey. In fact, I’ve been quite impressed with
your driving this week. You haven’t come close to hitting anyone else. I may
have to hire you as a permanent chauffeur.”

Abbey
crossed her arms and scooted up next to her headboard. While it sounded good to
hear Bruce laugh, she wasn’t sure if he was laughing at her or with her. She
wasn’t about to ask him if he was interested in her as a chauffeur because he
felt she was a competent driver or because it would be safer sitting next to
her than being a target she might aim for.

“Did you
call to see about a ride?” Abbey said in a curt tone, immediately feeling
remorse for her harsh reply. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been up long and I’m a bit
cranky.”

“Are you
always cranky in… the afternoon? It must have been a late date last night.”

“Ha… um,
no. I haven’t been on a date in awhile,” Abbey stammered.

“I’m
sorry. I shouldn’t have intruded. Your private life is your business. I called
earlier to tell you that I had your check in case you wanted to come by and
pick it up.”

“My
check? What check?” What in the world was Bruce talking about? He wasn’t making
sense.

“Your
paycheck, Abbey. Would you like to come by and get it or should I hold it until
Monday?”

That’s
right, she hadn’t gotten her last paycheck from Abbott &
Ellingsworth
. Abbey hadn’t thought about picking it up when
she went to work with Bruce yesterday. The thought of seeing Gary turned her
sour. Running into him at work so far hadn’t been too uncomfortable because
Bruce was there and Abbey knew Gary felt intimidated by his new boss,
especially after the meeting. “I’ll swing by and pick it up if you don’t mind.”

“No
problem. I’ll see you when you get here.”

*                                                         
*                                                         
*

Bruce
looked at his watch for the umpteenth time since Abbey called. He still
couldn’t keep from wondering why she slept so late, especially if she wasn’t
out on a date. Heaven knows there was nothing on TV late last night. If anyone
would know, he would. The throbbing in his ankle had kept him awake last night
until he finally mustered up the energy to hobble downstairs and get his pain
medicine.

For some
reason it bothered him when he thought Abbey might have been out on a date. He didn’t
understand his relief at finding out that she wasn’t. Why should it matter to
him what she did in her free time? Bruce knew he had kept her too busy to look
for another job. Out of guilt, he knew he should pay Abbey for her time. Plus,
something about her being fired didn’t sit right with him. As far as he could
tell, Abbey had been an efficient employee at Abbot &
Ellingsworth
.
If she were irresponsible, she wouldn’t have stayed there for six years.
Something in this equation didn’t fit and he was determined to find out why.
Someone would eventually allude to what took place. People couldn't resist
gossip, or kissing up to the new boss.

Bruce
heard a car pull up in the driveway and pushed himself to his feet. Abbey was
the only person he was expecting but he hadn’t expected her this soon. Not that
he wasn’t happy to see her. Being cooped up alone in his spacious home drove
him crazy. Which was obvious if he was looking forward to seeing the person who
had caused this mess to begin with.