Danny's War (Rolling Thunder Series Book 3) (11 page)

“Oh, Danny, that would be fabulous.”

Chuckling into her ear he said, “I’m happy you approve. Who do I line that up with?”

“I can help you with that. You just need to tell me when your schedule will allow it and I’ll set it all up.” For the first time all day, Tammy’s mood lightened.

“Okay. How about I look at my schedule and tomorrow night after I’ve had my way with you, we can discuss it, ‘cause for the life of me, I can’t concentrate on anything else but you right now.”

Tammy’s heart beat rivaled the wild beat of the AC/DC song playing on her radio, fast, hard and pounding. “Stop it. You’ll have me walking into a dinner meeting with wet panties and hard nipples.”

Listening to him groan through the phone indeed made her panties moist. She pulled into a parking space, throwing her car into park. She started to perspire and the thoughts racing through her mind right now were definitely carnal.

“Geez darlin’, what you do to me is sinful. Come over after dinner, I can’t wait.”

“AH, THERE SHE IS.”

Tammy heard this as she walked into the bar area of the Washington. Seeing Sally, Zeke and another man, who looked like Zeke, Tammy walked toward them while letting out a slow, soothing breath.

Zeke stood and motioned for her to join them as the other man, presumably Isaiah, also stood. “Ms. Tammy Davis, meet my brother, Isaiah Hamilton. Isaiah, Tammy Davis.”

As Tammy shook Isaiah’s hand, she noted the smirk on his lips as his gaze bored into hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hamilton.”

Isaiah laughed. “Isaiah, please.”

Tammy nodded and looked at Sally, deciding to throw her a bone and change the atmosphere from earlier, Tammy smiled at her. “As usual, Sally, you look beautiful.” She’d changed into a beautiful cocktail dress and was wearing heels. A new look for her. Tammy felt a bit uncomfortable still wearing the same black and tan dress she’d worn all day; there simply was no time to change. She wondered when Sally found the time.

Sally actually preened. “Thank you, Tammy.”

Of course, there was no in-kind offering of platitude. Oh well. A waitress appeared and Tammy ordered a glass of Riesling as she removed her jacket.

“Tammy, we were just discussing some of the issues at Stateside with Isaiah. We’ve heard very little today on your ideas, and as I understand you’ll be taking over the directorship from Sally early next year, Isaiah and I are both interested in your thoughts.”

Trying to hide her surprise and at the same time, calculate the danger in entering into this conversation, Tammy sipped the wine that was just placed before her. Licking the sweet taste from her lips, she said, “Until recently, we weren’t having financial issues. Unfortunately, Stateside is just another casualty of the recent government budget cuts, which seem to happen all too regularly to veteran related initiatives. Once the government is finished with its soldiers and Marines, it seems to be more than willing to wash its hands of the fact that these men and women risked life and limb to protect what the very politicians, who readily cut them out of their budgets, hold so dear. It’s a grand idea to support veteran causes while running for office, but, once elected, it seems as though the usefulness of the cause is no longer valid.”

Isaiah raised his eyebrows, while Zeke narrowed his eyes. Sally sat stone silent, surprise registering on her face.

“So, you’re a true supporter of veterans’ rights are you?” Zeke all but growled.

“Yes, I’m a staunch supporter of veterans’ rights. Until you spend day after day with the men and women who’ve fought at great risk, I think it’s hard to understand. The bureaucrats who thought nothing of cutting our funding never even came to Stateside to see what we do there. Not a phone interview, not a request for budgets, nothing.”

Isaiah started laughing. “Wow, you’re a spirited little thing aren’t you?”

Zeke sat in stony silence as Sally seemed to fume. Setting her wine glass on the table, Sally jumped into the fray. “You’ll have to excuse Tammy’s exuberance in this area; her boyfriend is a disabled veteran.”

Tammy’s narrowed eyes focused on Sally, her lip curled. “He’s not a label. He’s an amputee, but willing and able to work and is a contributing member of society. While you so quickly want to label him or anyone else as disabled, please remember what he’s given up for you and yours.”

Sally blanched. Tammy’s breathing was rapid, her nails digging into her tightly-curled fist. It was simply too much. A whole day of this crap was more than she could tolerate. If she lost her job, so be it. Sally’s sudden change in demeanor because of a wealthy pretty face was a hard enough blow. But no one was going to dis Danny or anyone else she loved and get away with it. Tammy’s spine straightened. She stared at the slightly beige color of the wine and the simple shape of the glass it was in.

Isaiah chuckled. “Nothing wrong with being passionate about your job.” Taking a drink, he set his glass on the coaster before him and said, “Or those you love.”

Tammy’s eyes flicked up to Isaiah’s and she watched his steely gray eyes as he watched hers. Isaiah’s eyes were lighter in color to Zeke’s but just as disconcerting. Both men seemed to be trying to look into her soul and find her secrets.

Zeke finally seemed willing to enter into the conversation. “So, the sole issue is the government funding. You’re able to continue until either the end of February, which is what, four more months? Or if you find a benefactor or possibly a new owner to take over. Is that how you see it?”

“Yes. We do a phenomenal job with budgeting. We’ve always been on a tight budget. Many of our nurses volunteer several hours per week to ensure our veterans have adequate care. Our visiting doctors are voluntary in many ways, only getting paid what Medicare or Medicaid will pay them, which is much less than they normally make in private practice. Our cafeteria manager does a remarkable job shopping for bargains and making do with what’s available. The major concern moving forward, financially, is that we’re now in need of new windows and doors and the roof will need replacing in the next year or so. We can probably find volunteers to help with labor costs, and maybe even some of the supplies could be donated, but it will still be a huge expense and money we don’t have. I’ve looked at moving to a different building to try and manage our expenses better, but that would be a costly undertaking as well. I couldn’t see a way to manage the expense of moving and justify it to staying and repairing.”

Zeke looked directly into Tammy’s eyes, “Why don’t you raise the rates on your residents?”

Tammy’s sharp intake of breath caused them all to stare at her. “Many are living only on Social Security or Disability. They couldn’t afford a raise in rates.”

“Then they should find another place to live.”

“There aren’t other places to live for these folks. Nothing habitable. Those low cost nursing facilities are horrible.”

“You aren’t running a home to afford a cushy lifestyle just because these men and women served in the armed forces. No owner owes them anything. Good business sense and compassion simply don’t mix.” Zeke’s voice took on the sternness of a father chastising his errant child.

Tammy’s hackles were raised. She heard Sally chuckle under her breath and Isaiah sat with a smirk on his face.

“It appears you’re an idealist, Ms. Davis,” Zeke said with sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Idealists do not make good business partners.”

And there it was.

“THERE’
S MORE TO LIFE
than making money. Sometimes, just doing the right thing is much more important.”

At Zeke’s raised eyebrow, that stupid perfectly groomed insolent arrogant arched eyebrow, Tammy realized she may be making the biggest mistake of her life. She could blow this whole thing.

“Your table is ready. If you’ll follow me, please.” Saved by the waitress. Tammy slowly stood, smoothed her dress, set her purse strap on her right shoulder and reached forward to grab her drink. As she did Sally leaned in, piercing Tammy with her eyes. “You’d better get your temper under control, girl. We need the money these men can provide. Got it?”

Breathing deep and letting it out slowly, Tammy nodded. The men stood back and allowed Tammy and Sally to precede them into the dining room. As they reached their table Zeke stepped forward and held Tammy’s chair for her to sit. “Thank you,” Tammy whispered.

Watching Isaiah help Sally with her chair Tammy rotated her stiff neck. She just wanted to get home to Danny. For the second time tonight, she realized how much he meant to her already. Losing herself in her menu offered her a few moments to calm down and redirect her thoughts. They needed this money. Stateside would close without it. But working with Zeke on a daily basis would be awful.

“So, allow me to tell you a bit about our ideas for Stateside,” Isaiah offered. “As you’re aware, we have several nursing type facilities but nothing like Stateside. However, we aren’t in the business of not making money.” Watching Tammy’s reaction seemed incredibly interesting to Zeke.

“We’re mostly interested in Stateside because, as you know, we have nursing facilities under our Farnham Real Estate Holdings, now Hamilton Real Estate Holdings. A variety of assisted living facilities and other nursing type facilities. We aren’t in the Green Bay area as of yet and the location appeals to us. With our current holdings, we’ve been able to negotiate contracts with food vendors, toweling, and bedding vendors as well as medical staff and supplies to make it more affordable to run these types of facilities. The condition of the building is a bit of a concern, but as with all of our other ventures, we can negotiate reasonable costs for windows, roofing, etcetera, and we own construction companies. Sending one of our crews here isn’t as costly as you having to hire it out.”

Tammy cocked her head to the side while addressing Isaiah. “So, you want into the area and you’re looking at a facility that’s not making money because?”

Isaiah briefly glanced at Zeke before continuing. “Quite simply, the price is right.”

“So you intend to purchase it, not just become a benefactor.”

“Yes.”

Tammy sat and mulled this over. Something didn’t quite seem right. It still didn’t make sense. Even with their holdings, they probably could offer cost savings in places she couldn’t negotiate, but not enough to make it a fabulous investment.

The remainder of the meal was quiet small talk which Tammy didn’t participate in. She smiled when appropriate, nodded when addressed and said very little while the other three chatted amongst themselves. Wondering if she would still have a job in a few months, her mind wandered often.

As their meal ended Tammy stood slowly and said, “Good night and thank you for dinner.”

She turned and left the dining room when Zeke caught up to her. “Please allow me to walk you to your car.”

“No thank you, that isn’t necessary.”

“I insist.”

Closing her eyes for a moment Tammy straightened her posture and allowed Zeke to help her with her jacket. He rested his hands on her shoulders much longer than appropriate. Tammy quickly pulled away and began walking to the door, Zeke in step with her.

“There’s no need in fighting this, Tammy. Take it for what it is. While your ideals are admirable, they aren’t realistic in this world. We want you to stay with Stateside for the time it has left and then we’ll find something else for you in one of our other companies. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of, provided your work is good and we can count on you.”

“What do you mean by ‘the time it has left’?”

Zeke took a deep breath. His eyes never wavered from hers. Looking into his eyes, noticing the steely gray had light flecks of deeper blue, surrounded by dark lashes and dark brows, she also saw coldness. When he spoke, she noticed the tightening of his jaw and realized he was working to maintain some control. Apparently, he was used to getting his way.

“These places come and go, I’m sure you’re aware of that. You’re smart, succinct, and level-headed. Even you must know that as times change, so must places such as Stateside.”

Pushing through the door and allowing the cool night air to clear her head and wake her up, Tammy bit her lip to fight the tears threatening to fall. As they reached her car, she hit the key fob button and unlocked her door. Zeke quickly reached forward to open the driver’s door for her. “Goodnight, Tammy. It was nice seeing you. I’ll be in the office first thing in the morning.”

“Yes. Thanks.” Tammy climbed into her car and inserted the key in the ignition. Zeke still stood in her open door, watching her every move. When he made no attempt to step back, she looked up at him. “Is there anything else you need?”

Pressing his lips together for an instant Zeke looked deep into her eyes. “You have no idea do you?” He stepped back. “Have a good night, Tammy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Zeke closed her car door. Tammy turned the key in the ignition, and reached across her chest to pull the seatbelt in place. She looked behind her to see that the coast was clear and slowly backed out of her parking spot. As she put her car in drive, she looked up to the left and saw Zeke standing on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets watching her drive away. Tammy could have sworn she saw regret on his face, but then again, it was probably her imagination.

On the drive to Danny’s house, she fought the tears that threatened. How could she go to work tomorrow and face Gerry or any of the residents, for that matter, knowing in a few short months, these men and women would be uprooted to God only knew where? Her back and neck were so tight she thought she would break in two with the wrong move. What a shitty day.

Pulling into Danny’s driveway felt…great. Just as she put her car in park, the garage door opened. Surprised, she looked up to see Danny walking toward her. Damn, he looked good. The t-shirt stretched tight across his chest accented the ridges beneath. He was wearing gray sweatpants and no one wore them like he did. Barefoot… sexy! She pushed the button to roll her window down. Danny reached in, grabbed the back of her head and pulled her toward him while instantly claiming her mouth. Realizing she was white-knuckling the steering wheel, Tammy reached up with both hands and held his head. Accepting his kiss fully and giving him as much as he was giving was like a salve to her wounds.