Operation Revenge (19 page)

"Yes, sir." She left, closing the door behind her.

Simon set the bottle on the desk and swiveled his chair to face the computer monitor. In that moment, the phone on his desk rang. He reached out and snatched up the receiver. "What?"

"Do you answer the phone like that often?" Haley asked.

"I have a bitch of a headache and my knee is acting up," he told her. "I don't give a damn about being polite."

"I'm sorry you're in pain," she said quietly. "I wish there was something I could do to ease your discomfort."

"I'll be fine." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is there a reason why you called? Not that you need a reason, because you don't."

"I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be a little late getting home," she uttered. "I shouldn't be any later than six o'clock."

"Who ever makes it home first cooks dinner," Simon muttered.

"Then I'll take my time getting home," Haley stated.

He smirked. "I'm starting to think you only want me for my cooking."

"You found me out. " She laughed softly. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, sweetheart," he said warmly.

"Bye, Simon."

He hung up the phone and turned his attention toward the computer. He clicked on his email. Nothing happened. He tried again. Again, the program wouldn't open. Resisting the urge to throw the computer out the window, he took a deep breath and prayed for the strength to see him through the rest of the day.

. . . .

"Hello, dear," Marian said when Simon walked in the door, that evening. "How was your day?"

"It was hell." He shrugged out of his overcoat and suit coat. "Where are you going?"

"Betty invited me and the girls over for dinner and poker."

Simon arched an eyebrow. "Poker? I didn't know you played."

"There are many things you don't know about me, young man." She looked up at him. "How much money do you have on you?"

"Oh no." He shook his head. "You're not gambling my money away."

"Greedy," she mumbled.

"All right, Mrs. Wilcox," Dana said, descending the stairs. "I have your coat and purse. Hello, Mr. Wilcox."

"Ms. Nelson," he said. "Make sure she doesn't lose all her money."

"I'm not worried about your grandmother." She grinned. "I'm worried about her friends."

"I'm right here," Marian snapped. "Stop talking about me as though I weren't in the room."

"We're sorry." Dana helped the elderly woman on with her coat and then gave her her purse.

Simon bent down and kissed Marian on the cheek. "Have fun." He opened the door and then closed it behind them.

"Hey, man," Daniel said, coming down the stairs. "You just getting home?"

"Yes. Are you leaving?"

"That's the plan." He snickered. "The old bat told me to take a hike. According to her, you and Haley need to have some alone time."

Simon rolled his eyes. "You don't have to leave."

Daniel slipped on his coat. "Actually, I do. I have plans." He winked at his brother. "You two have fun."

"Get out of here." Simon left the foyer and headed to the kitchen. He found Haley, standing at the counter, cutting a loaf of crusty bread. She had put her hair up in a ponytail and rolled her sleeves to her elbows. As he drew near, he glanced down and saw her feet were bare. The sight of her sent a warm feeling coursing through him and he forgot all about his hellish day. "It looks like I got out of making dinner."

"That's all right." She smiled at him. "I'll get even."

"I'm sure you will." He moved toward her. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You can take the chicken parmesan out of the oven." She arranged the bread in a napkin lined basket and placed it on the island. "It should be done. I guess I had better go upstairs and let everyone know dinner is ready."

"It's going to be just the two of us." Simon fetched the oven mitts from the counter, put them on, and carefully removed the hot dish from the oven. "Gran is spending the evening with friends. Daniel has plans of his own. Close the oven for me."

Haley moved behind him and shut the oven door. "Daniel can have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow then. Since it's going to be just you and me let's eat at the island." She retrieved plates, utensils, glasses, and napkins. Once she put them down, she seized a bottle of white wine from the refrigerator and joined Simon at the island. She poured them a glass of wine and sat back. "So how's your head? Is the headache gone?"

"Yes, finally." He handed her a plate of food and then prepared one for him. "This looks delicious. I should be late more often."

"I think not." She unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. "When you're not here the house feels empty," she admitted in a low voice.

Simon gazed at her. She was staring at her plate, her cheeks flushed. A smile played at his lips. It had been a long time since he had seen a woman blush. He had a strong urge to tease her about it. Instead, he bit his tongue. He was afraid that if he teased her she would stop sharing with him. That was the last thing he wanted. "It felt that way before you moved in. I hated coming home."

"And now?"

"Now I can't get home fast enough."

Just then, the phone rang. Haley put her fork down and moved to get up.

"Let it ring," Simon growled softly, furious with the caller for intruding on his time with Haley. "If it's important they'll leave a message or call back."

"Okay." She picked her fork up.

"How was your day?" he asked, raising a forkful of chicken parmesan to his mouth.

"It was fine." Briefly, she filled him in on the conversation she had with Mr. Warner. "He told me if Chad bothers me he will call the police and have him arrested. Then he will fire him," she finished.

Simon swallowed his food. "As long as the security guards are keeping an eye on you I don't think Chad will bother you. I want you with me, but since that's not going to happen, Mr. Warner's plan is the next best thing."

"So you're all right with it?" Haley said carefully.

"I'm all right with it," he said.

"I'm glad."

Simon raised his head and stared at her. She had sauce on her chin. He grabbed his napkin and reaching out dabbed at her chin.

"I must be a mess," she murmured.

He touched her cheek with his index finger. "You're beautiful." She blushed. "Have dinner with me Saturday night."

"I have dinner with you every night," she croaked.

He smiled crookedly. "I mean out, as in a restaurant."

"I'd like that," she whispered, gazing into his eyes.

His heart skipping a beat, Simon stared back.

Chapter 20

On Saturday morning, Haley woke feeling as though her limbs were made of lead. Her body ached from head to toe, her throat was sore, her nose was runny, her eyes were watery and she felt like she was on fire. She lay there, trying to find the strength to get out of bed. Ridding herself of the heavy covers, she scooted toward the edge of the bed and slowly swung her legs over the side. She sat up carefully, and once she thought it was safe, got to her feet.

Haley gingerly made her way to the bathroom. By the time she got there, she was worn out and her legs were trembling. After relieving her bladder, she washed her hands, splashed cold water on her flushed face, and made the long walk back to her bed. She was halfway across the room when the strength she had fought so hard for left her. Her legs giving out on her, she sank to the floor.

Weak, Haley crawled the remainder of the way. When she reached the bed, she rested her head against the mattress and closed her eyes. Never had she felt as tired in her life as she did at that moment. If the world were to end at that very minute she didn't think she could summon enough energy to care. Just then, there was a knock at the door. In a voice that was hoarse, she called out, "Help."

The door opened and Daniel entered the bedroom. "What are you doing on the floor?"

"Help me," she croaked.

He moved to the bed, bent down, and grasped her under the arms. Hauling her to her feet, he sat her down on the bed. "Damn." He touched her forehead. "You're burning up. Hold on." He hurried from the room.

Haley reached for a tissue from the box on the nightstand and blew her runny nose. She leaned over and tossed the used tissue in the small wastepaper basket she kept under the nightstand. Wishing she had some hand sanitizer, she tried not to touch anything with her germy hands. The last thing she wanted was to spread the germs. She gripped the edge of the mattress and stared at the carpet.

Simon marched into the room, followed by Daniel. Both men had a worried expression on their faces. "Daniel told me you're running a fever." Taking a seat beside her, Simon laid his hand against her cheek. His hand was cool and felt heavenly against her heated skin. Sighing, she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "Daniel, get me a wet washcloth, a glass of water, and the Tylenol."

"Got it."

"Sweetheart." Haley opened her eyes and looked at him. "Open up for me. I want to check your temperature." She opened her mouth and he inserted a digital thermometer. "It won't take long." He brushed the hair back from her face, his eyes filled with sympathy.

Daniel came back with the items he was asked to fetch. He put the Tylenol and glass of water on the nightstand and handed Simon the washcloth. "I think it's best if I get out of here. She could be contagious."

"Wash your hands," Simon told him.

"All ready did," he answered. "If you need anything let me know."

"I will." Simon pressed the washcloth to Haley's forehead and held it there. When the thermometer beeped, signaling that it was done, he removed it from her mouth and glanced at the tiny display screen.

"What is it?" she muttered.

"One hundred and three." He put the thermometer aside. "The Tylenol should bring your fever down." He handed her two tablets and the glass of water. Once she downed the pills she handed him back the glass. "Tell me what your symptoms are." He listened intently as she listed her symptoms. "Sounds to me like the flu. I heard on the news that it's going around."

"You shouldn't be in here," Haley whispered. "I'm contagious."

Simon smiled. "I never get sick. I've always had a strong immune system." He rose from the bed. "Besides you need someone to take care of you. Lay down." With his help she was soon lying down and covered with a light blanket. The washcloth was placed on her forehead. "Do you think you could eat something?"