Not Quite Dating(51)

“Good choice, Ms. Mann.”
Monica stepped out of the car and followed the dealer and her sister around the lot.
When Jessie found the car with all the requirements, Mr. Gravis handed her the keys and let her drive off the lot by herself.
Both Monica and the dealer stepped into the shadow of the building.
“So, Mr. Gravis, do you mind telling me what the real story is here?”
Mr. Gravis glanced her way and the smile on his lips faltered slightly. “It’s just as I said. There was a fire, and the dealer—”
“Dealership is responsible. Yeah, I heard that, but I’m having a hard time believing it. Where is Jessie’s old car now?”
“We towed it out of here.”
Isn’t that convenient?
She wasn’t buying it.
“Towed it where?”
Mr. Gravis shuffled his feet. “I’m not sure. Junkyard, I guess.”
“So if my sister left anything in the glove compartment…”
“Oh, we removed all of her personal items. No worries there.”
Yeah, right!
“Sometimes good things happen to good people,” Mr. Gravis said. “Your sister seems like a deserving sort. Between you and me, I think my boss is being very generous. Must be the Christmas spirit.”
Monica narrowed her eyes. “Christmas spirit?”
“Yeah, ’tis the season and all of that.”
She dropped it. She didn’t buy his crock of crap for nothing. But she dropped it.
A few minutes later, Jessie drove back into the lot and stepped out of the car. She smiled, but there wasn’t any real joy in it. It tore Monica up to see her sister so down.
“I like it. It has everything.”
“So shall we fill out the paperwork?”
Jessie nodded.
Two hours later Monica stood beside Jessie as she sat in her new car. “Christmas came early this year,” she said, trying to cheer Jessie up.
“I can’t believe this. Jack is going to flip…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes fell to her lap.
“Try and think of the good things going on right now. No more broken-down cars or broken heaters. I’ll bet you won’t even have to roll the windows down on this car to get the air to start working.” Her other car was a pile of junk. It was nice to see it go. “Hey, I’ve got some errands to run. Are you going to be OK if I make it home in a few hours?”
Jessie smiled at her. “I’m a big girl, Mo. I’ll be fine.”
Monica reached into the car and hugged her sister. “I say we take a road trip the first chance we get.”
“Danny is going to be so excited.”
“See, that’s it. Think of the good things.”
Yet as Jessie drove away, Monica knew she was already in tears or near them thinking about Jack.
In her car, Monica drove straight to The Morrison and parked along the street to avoid having to tip the valet. She walked past the marble columns and massive glass doors as if she knew exactly where she was going. Inside, she found the signs pointing toward the lounge. Only a few people were in the bar, none of them Jack. Monica returned to the lobby and found the restaurant. At nearly one o’clock, the lunch crowd was in full swing. The hostess at the desk asked if she wanted to be seated.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m looking for a friend who works here.”
“Who are you looking for?”
“His name is Jack Moore.”
The hostess had the oddest expression on her face that Monica had ever seen. “Can you wait here?”
“Sure.”
Maybe Jack had told the friends he worked with about Jessie and they were watching out for him. Monica thought of what her fellow students might do to help if she were in Jack’s shoes.
Monica didn’t have to think about it long before an older woman walked up to her, smiling. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Yeah, I’m looking for Jack. It’s kind of important or I wouldn’t be bothering him at work.” Monica realized that her showing up at his place of employment might look bad for him, so she started to explain herself. “He doesn’t know I’m coming.”
“It’s OK. We’re not as stuffy as we look. What’s your name?”
“Monica. He’ll know me as Jessie’s sister.”
The lady wrote down her name. “Jack isn’t working today, I’m afraid. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll get him the message.”
“Really? I mean, that’s nice of you.”
“You did say it was important.”
“Right. It is. Very important.” Monica gave her cell number. “Will Jack be in tomorrow?”
The lady seemed puzzled by the question. “I’m not sure. We allow our employees to switch schedules a lot during the holidays. Honestly, I’m really not supposed to reveal personal schedules.”
“Of course. I understand.” Monica held her hand out to shake the other woman’s. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Monica. Have a merry Christmas.”
“You too.”
As Monica left the hotel, she was sure a set of eyes watched her leave. For the second time that day, she thought the Christmas spirit had flown over the people of Ontario and they were all just a little too eager to help.



Chapter Fourteen


Jack pushed his horse into a fast run, enjoying the cool air hitting his face. His head cleared for the first time in days. With that clarity, reason and regret wiggled in.
He’d messed up bad with Jessie. He should have kept his trap shut about marriage and given the girl more time for him to grow on her.