Sweet Talk Read online

  Val heaved a long sigh and then let the memory of Reed’s brash kiss shove other thoughts from her mind. She hadn’t been kissed for…how many years?

  “Too many to count,” she said in a whisper. Not that she wanted to be kissed. If she’d been longing for that sort of deviance from her rather staid lifestyle, she could have stood still today and let Kingsley take his best shot.

  In all honesty, it hadn’t been altogether unpleasant. His lips had felt rather nice on hers…for a few moments. Until she’d gotten past the shock of a pass she hadn’t been at all prepared to deal with. Once she’d realized the extent of Kingsley’s brass, she had pretty much gone ballistic.

  And she wasn’t proud of it. In fact, she was darned unhappy about it. He should never have put a hand on her…or a lip, damn him.

  A giggle suddenly welled in Val’s throat. Cursing him for putting a lip on her tickled her funny bone, apparently, because she was suddenly rolling around the bed, almost hysterical. It was one of those silly giggling attacks that had often occurred during her teens, as they did with most teenagers, but she hadn’t been so overcome in years and years.

  She laughed and laughed, and then she cried and cried.

  Obviously her emotions were out of control.

  And it was all Reed Kingsley’s fault, the big jerk!

  Reed went to his folks’ ranch for Sunday brunch. Russell, Susannah, and their adopted one-year-old daughter, Mei, were there, as well, and Carolyn wished out loud that Tag, Linda, Maura and Ash had joined them. A full house would have included Jeff Forsythe and his wife, Jilly, too, but Stratton and Carolyn both loved having any family at their table. “We’re expecting everyone to come for Thanksgiving,” Carolyn said firmly.

  Those at the table already knew where they would be spending Thanksgiving Day, and none of them could doubt that the rest of the family hadn’t already been put on notice, as well.

  The food today, as always, was delicious and plentiful, and the conversation was pleasant and easygoing, as it usually was when the family got together.

  Russell talked about the seasonal decorations at MonMart. “We took down the Halloween witches and goblins the day after the holiday and began putting up Thanksgiving turkeys and colorful cardboard Pilgrims. We’re also starting on the Christmas decorations, just to remind customers that December 25 is not that far off. We’ll go all-out on Christmas merchandise and decorations during the week of Thanksgiving, because as everyone knows, the day after the holiday is traditionally the best shopping day of the year. Right now the Rumor store is looking quite festive. I’m constantly in touch with the managers of our other outlets, and they’re all in sync.”

  They all chitchatted about that for a while, then Reed changed the subject. “I’ve been considering about holding a contest to name the park.” Off and on, in between long spells of thinking about very little besides Valerie Fairchild, he’d thought about the park project. “What’s everyone’s opinion on that idea?” he asked, his gaze wandering over the group.

  Carolyn’s eyes lit up. “I think it’s a wonderful plan!”

  Everyone agreed, and they began tossing suggestions around. There should be a prize, or perhaps more than one, something for the best name submitted and lesser prizes for two or three honorable mentions. And they must have impartial judges, people who truly cared about the park and would do their very best to choose the most appropriate name.

  “The winning name could be announced at the Christmas ball,” Carolyn said excitedly. “Reed, I really love your idea. Now, who would make good judges?”

  “None of us,” Stratton said firmly. “None of the Kingsleys.”

  “Well, of course not. Reed, how about Pastor Rayburn, for one? I think he would agree, don’t you?”

  By the time brunch was over the rules for the contest were settled upon and written down, and they had five names from which, hopefully, they would find three judges. They still had to decide on the prizes, but Reed was leaning toward gift certificates from MonMart.

  It had been a good morning, he thought to himself while driving back to his own house after everyone had said goodbye. See? You can get along, enjoy yourself and even be happy without Valerie Fairchild!

  He wholeheartedly hoped that was true. Hoped? Actually, what he was thinking felt more like a prayer.

  Val spent most of Sunday at the Animal Hospital. Jim and Estelle didn’t work on Sunday anymore, so all of the necessary chores, such as putting out food and fresh water for any pets in residence, had to be done by Val.

  But that took only a few minutes. The rest of her time was spent at her desk, where she finally reached the bottom of that daunting pile of unopened mail, bills to be paid, advertisements to throw out and trade journals to set aside for later perusal. She even gave the top of her desk a good polishing, and it looked great all clean and shining.

  After checking on the kenneled animals again, she locked up and went to the house. She’d been thinking of a shower, but she decided that a leisurely bath would do her a world of good. Even though she had accomplished a lot today, her mood was still down around her ankles, and she didn’t like herself very much. She was so looking forward to lunch with Jinni tomorrow. Maybe she would find the courage to unload the burden of her tasteless behavior with Reed on her sister, although talking about herself with anyone, even Jinni, still wasn’t easy for her. But Jinni was so much smarter about men than Val was, and would know what to say to make her feel better. In truth, Val had to forcibly stop herself from calling her sister on the phone today and yelling “Help!”

  That would be much too selfish. Jinni and Max were still honeymooning. Yes, Max’s son was undoubtedly in the house with them, but it was a huge house with plenty of breathing room for three people. Besides, it was almost as urgent for Jinni to bond with Michael as it was for her to strengthen the bond with her new husband.

  Resigned to waiting until tomorrow to talk to her sister, Val ran water in the tub and added bubbling bath beads. She quickly undressed and got into the tub when the water was only ankle deep. It crept up her body, hot and silky. She laid her head back and felt the kinks caused by unpleasant memories gradually relaxing their hold on her.

  She would never be as happy as Jinni was, but she could derive enjoyment from the little things—things like a clean, freshly polished desk and a hot bath.

  Val felt that way until she got out of the tub twenty minutes later and dried off. Catching her reflection in the bathroom mirrors, she lowered the towel and looked at her breasts. They appeared normal, but were they? She looked healthy—in spite of Estelle’s opinion that she was too thin. Was she destined to live with the fear of recurring cancer for the rest of her life?

  And also a fear of men because of that one terrifying incident and the painful aftermath of long-term therapy?

  For that was it, wasn’t it—the reason she couldn’t let herself like a man? Plain old fear? Combined with terrible memories?

  Trembling suddenly, she finished drying off and hurriedly pulled on a robe. She didn’t like looking at her body and very seldom did it. Gazing at herself without clothes always made her worry about that awful word, cancer, and then that worry opened her mental wounds. It had been drummed into her by the best clinical psychologists money could buy that she had faced her demons, that she was as healed as anyone could be after such a frightening experience and she should get on with a normal life.

  Well, she’d gotten on, all right, but was her life normal? The question was almost laughable. Val knew she wasn’t normal, not in the way Jinni was, for example.

  But maybe that was okay; for the most part Val put up a damn good front, giving everyone she knew the impression that she was a strong, organized and happily independent woman.

  Or she had until Reed Kingsley had decided to invade her safe little world.

  Jinni entered Val’s house at a quarter to one on Monday as she always entered any home or room—talking a mile a minute and hugging everyone in sight, which ha
ppened to be just one person today, Estelle Worth.

  Laughing, always happy to see Jinni, Estelle hugged her back and then complimented her on the stunning sweater dress she was wearing, along with her jewelry, stylish pumps and handbag. They were discussing famous clothing designers when Val walked in.

  Jinni hugged her sister, who was wearing a three-year-old pant suit. “That thing is not only years out of style,” Jinni said after giving Val’s outfit a quick once-over, “it’s way too big. You really have lost weight. How many pounds?”

  Val shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  “You don’t weigh yourself?” Jinni was clearly astonished. “I step on the scale every morning to make darn sure that great globs of fat didn’t sneak up on me during the night. Well, you look terrific, Val, but we have to do something about your wardrobe.”

  Val laughed and shook her head. “Jinni, you never fail to cheer me up.”

  “During lunch we’ll plan a shopping excursion. Ready to go?”

  “Ready,” Val confirmed. “We’ll see you later, Estelle.”

  “Have a good time,” she said, walking to the door with the sisters.

  It was a beautiful day but not quite warm enough to eat in the Rooftop Café’s outdoor dining area. They were greeted warmly when they entered the establishment, and Val recognized the hostess.

  “Mrs. Clayton, it’s good seeing you,” she said. “How is your little poodle, Buffy?”

  The woman looked enormously pleased. “Buffy is just fine. My goodness, do you remember all of the pets you see?”

  Val smiled. “Not all of them, but Buffy is…quite special.”

  Mrs. Clayton positively beamed. “She certainly is to me. Table for two, ladies?” She led them through the dining room, and different groups of diners said hello to Val—most calling her Dr. Fairchild—as they walked past.

  Seated at an excellent table, they scanned their menus. Then Jinni said, “It appears that most of the people in here recognize you. By any chance, are you becoming known as Rumor’s beloved animal doc? I’m not sure thirty-five is old enough to qualify you for that title.” She lifted her gaze from the menu and grinned teasingly.

  Val couldn’t help laughing. Jinni was such good medicine, always coming up with some off-the-wall remark. “What happened is that I put an announcement in the paper about my being back to work full-time. Everyone’s been really nice ever since.”

  “Well, that’s great,” Jinni said. She leaned forward and whispered, “Do you really remember Buffy?”

  Val whispered, too. “Buffy tries to take a bite out of me every time I see her, so yes, I definitely remember her.”

  “Saying so certainly made Mrs. Clayton’s day,” Jinni said wryly. “Doesn’t she know her sweet little poodle is a biter?”

  “People are practically blind to any faults their pets might have.” Checking the menu again, Val asked, “What looks good to you?”

  They finally made their lunch choices, and after ordering their food and a small bottle of wine they both liked, Jinni sat back and asked, “So, how was your weekend?”

  “It was just great,” Val said, hoping the lie didn’t show on her face.

  Jinni stared, then scoffed. “You never were a good liar. I thought of running over to see you at least a dozen times, but Max kept me busy, and when he didn’t require my time, Michael did. I’m not making excuses for neglecting you, Val, but—”

  “My God, I am not your responsibility. Jinni, if I started thanking you today and kept repeating the words until I had covered everything you did for me during my illness, I would still be mumbling ‘Thanks’ as I drew my dying breath.”

  “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that big a deal.”

  “It was to me, and you are to live your own life now and not concern yourself with mine. You have a husband and a stepson now, and they need you far more than I do.”

  The waitress appeared with the bottle of wine, which she opened at the table. “Would you like to try it before I fill your glasses?” she asked, her gaze moving back and forth between Val and Jinni.

  “Just pour it,” Jinni said. “I’m sure it’s fine. We both know this brand very well, and that particular year is especially good.” The wine was very good, and after a few sips Jinni returned to the conversation the waitress had interrupted.

  “Tell me all about your great weekend,” she said with one eyebrow raised dubiously.

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “Of course I believe you. I only want to hear what was so great about it. I’ll be happy to talk about mine after I hear about yours.”

  Val knew that she’d been neatly cornered, and she thought of devising a dramatic tale of exciting events just to throw Jinni off track. In truth, telling her high-stepping sister that she had derived a great deal of satisfaction from polishing the bare surface of her office desk wasn’t going to appease Jinni’s judgmental curiosity in the least.

  “Okay, the truth,” she said quietly. “I worked this weekend.”

  “All weekend?”

  “Well, yes. Practically. What else would I have done? What do you think I did every weekend before you moved to Rumor?”

  “I hope to God you did more than work!”

  “Well, I didn’t. Not much more, anyhow. Jinni, we’ve talked about this before. You know I live a quiet life.”

  “You live a boring life, and there’s no reason for it.”

  “Well, maybe I’ll put on a bikini top, a pair of short shorts and some glittery high heels and spend my weekends dancing at the Beauties and the Beat strip joint,” Val said dryly. “Would that make you happy?”

  “It would be better than dying on the vine in that pet hospital. Or dodging Buffy-bites.”

  “Dodging Buffy-bites?” Val started giggling. She covered her mouth with her hand and still couldn’t stop. This was her second fit of the giggles in two days, and she was embarrassed by it. Jinni merely smiled and watched her.

  She finally wound down and was able to gasp, “My gosh, what is wrong with me? I lost it yesterday, too.”

  Jinni sipped from her glass. “What set you off yesterday? Don’t get me wrong. I love seeing you laugh like that, but I’d also love to hear about yesterday’s big joke.”

  “I’m not sure it was a big joke,” Val murmured. She had to think a moment, and when she remembered why she’d fallen over on the bed giggling yesterday, her face got red.

  “Uh-oh, something’s up,” Jinni drawled. “Your face doesn’t get red for nothing. Now you have to tell me about yesterday for sure.”

  “It—it was really nothing,” Val stammered.

  Their food was delivered, and Val took it as divine intervention, pretended to be hugely hungry and started eating at once. But it wasn’t a minute before Jinni said casually, “I noticed the bouquet of flowers wilting on your dining room table. Who sent them?”

  Val had totally forgotten those flowers, which probably were very wilted by now. But there would be no fooling Jinni into thinking that bouquet hadn’t been very expensive and something she had whimsically bought for herself. So she couldn’t lie about it. Nor could she tell Jinni that it was none of her business. After everything her sister had done for her? Besides, Val had thought of talking to her witty, wonderful sister about Reed’s unwanted interest. If anyone could help her out with some advice on how to deal with a never-give-up guy, it was Jinni.

  Val drew a deep breath. “No one sent them. I mean, they weren’t delivered by the florist.” She took another breath, this one sounding nervous even to her own ears. “Reed Kingsley brought them to the house.”

  Looking utterly astonished, Jinni lowered her fork and stared. “Reed Kingsley?” she finally repeated questioningly. “He suddenly decided to bring you flowers for no good reason?”

  Val cleared her throat. “It…wasn’t that sudden. I mean, he never gave me flowers before but he’s been trying to…trying to…”

  “To what?” Jinni prompted, excitement building in her beautiful
blue eyes.

  “Well, he came by the clinic yesterday with two adorable kittens and kissed me, so that might clarify what he’s trying to accomplish.”

  “He kissed you?” Jinni sat back, looking positively floored. “And exactly how long has this been going on?”

  “Uh, since last spring,” Val mumbled.

  “Last spring! And you’re just now telling me about it? My God, girl, do you realize what a catch Reed Kingsley is? If he’s been trying to accomplish…well, whatever he’s been hoping to accomplish with you for that long a time, he’s serious!”

  “Yeah, right. What’s he serious about? Getting me into bed? I’m not interested!”

  “Well, you should be. I can’t believe this. What else has he done?”

  Val related the MonMart incident, which sent Jinni into spasms of laughter. “Oh, that is too rich.”

  “I’m surprised someone didn’t already tell you about it. I’m sure the whole town heard within ten minutes of it happening.”

  “Oh, what do they care? What do you care? Val, if I sat around and worried about other people’s opinions of the things I do and the way I live, I’d be dying on the vine, too. And, honey, that’s just not something I’m ever going to do.” And neither are you, if I have anything to say about it. Jinni smiled serenely at her sister, giving away none of the myriad ideas racing through her mind, or even that she was devising scenarios that would most certainly give Val something to do on weekends. “Isn’t this fun?” she said. “Let’s make a pact right now to lunch together every Monday. What do you say?”

  “I’d like that,” Val said quietly.

  “Great! Now, let’s talk about your wardrobe. Where should we go for our shopping spree?”

  Val smiled weakly. Jinni’s energy was sometimes overwhelming. She liked her clothes just fine. So what if they were too big now? She would probably gain some of that weight back, and then any new clothes she bought would be too tight.