Darling Jenny (13 page)

'Till tomorrow,' he agreed softly, bending his head to touch his lips to her forehead. They felt cold to her skin and she barely repressed a shudder as she hurried out the Lodge door.

'Are you going to lunch now, Jenny?' the plump-figured switchboard operator asked.

'Uhuh,' Jennifer confirmed, kneeling down to take her bag out of one of the drawers and discreetly apply a fresh touch of lipstick to her lips. 'Just a quick bite. I won't be long.'

'I bet!' Carol exclaimed with a short laugh.

'What's that supposed to mean?' Jennifer gazed curiously at the smug expression on her working partner's face.

'Listen, if I was having lunch with a dream of a guy, you can bet it would take me an hour just to eat the salad!'

'What are you talking about?'

'Before you came on duty this morning, this gorgeous hunk of a man stopped at the desk and asked what time you went to lunch, and I told him,' Carol replied, tilting her brown head to the side at Jennifer's blankness. 'You met him yesterday when he arrived from the airport. I assumed you were having lunch with him, aren't you?'

'No,' answered Jennifer, shaking her head in puzzlement. Brad hadn't mentioned anything about lunch.

'You just didn't think you were,' the other girl teased. 'Boy, you are really lucky having a handsome man like that in your pocket.'

'Handsome is as handsome does,' Jennifer retorted. 'Don't let the good looks fool you, Carol. In some cases, it really is only skin deep.'

'If I had somebody like that, he could use me as a doormat any time he wanted,' Carol asserted, rolling her eyes expressively.

'Tell me that after some guy has wiped his feet on you,' Jennifer responded.

'Talking about Apollo—' Carol gestured sideways with her head towards the man approaching the counter.

'Hey, Jennifer. How about lunch with me before I hit the ski slopes?' Brad suggested gaily. His gaze roved admiringly over Jennifer's grey and black plaid skirt with its matching black jacket.

'Brad, I—'

'I'm sorry, Jenny won't be able to,' Logan interrupted. She turned in surprise. With his catlike quietness she hadn't heard him walk up.

'Why not?' Brad's face was mottled with disbelief.

'It's a policy of the Lodge that guests and employees don't socialize in public,' Logan stated firmly. 'Whatever company you and Miss Glenn keep will have to be after she's off work.'

'What's the harm in two people eating a sandwich together?' Brad retorted argumentatively. 'Surely this is a special case. I've travelled clear from Minneapolis, and I'm leaving in two days!'

'There's a table reserved especially for the staff which assures them prompt service and prevents the problem of tardiness. As to making an exception,' Logan glanced cynically at the growing indignation on Jennifer's face before smiling regretfully at Brad, 'I just don't see how I could do it. I'm sure any case would be a special case in the eyes of the person requesting it.'

'And that's your final word?' Brad asked, shoving a clenched fist in the pocket of his blue ski jacket.

'Yes, it is. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.'

With a condescending nod to each of them, Logan returned to the private offices behind the reception area. Jennifer exchanged a puzzled glance with Carol before turning, astounded and angry, back to Brad.

'He's got to be one of the most pompous, dominating 'His eyes burned with a black flame as he stared at Jennifer.

'I agree,' she interrupted, 'but it's the policy just the same. It's just as well. I only have time for a quick lunch anyway. I'll see you tonight, Brad.'

'Right, and with no intrusions from him!' he snapped loudly before stalking angrily out of the lobby.

'What was all that about?' Carol whispered as she glanced fearfully towards the offices in case Logan should pounce out at them again. 'I've never heard any objections raised before about the staff eating with a guest. We usually just invite them to the staff table.'

'I know.' Jennifer's lips were pressed firmly together. 'I think I was just made the exception, and I'd certainly like to know why!'

'Are you going to ask him?' Carol breathed in astonishment.

Jennifer hesitated. She had no inclination to see Logan alone, but still…'If the opportunity arises,' she answered. 'First I'm going to lunch.' Jennifer gazed around the throng of holidaymakers, some donning gaily festooned caps to emphasize their high spirits. The small combo in the far corner of the room blared forth a popular tune as couples crowded on to the floor, laughing and shouting at one another, caring nothing about the melody, only that it was in rhythm with their bounding spirits. It was strictly an informal affair with dress varying from ski outfits to cocktail dresses and dark suits and ties. Her own dress fell somewhere in between, with its simple lines of white chiffon fitting the bodice tightly while the skirt of accordion pleats curled at the hem, lending it an air of ethereal innocence. The jade necklace around her neck glittered brightly against the white dress.

The clinking of ice brought Jennifer's attention around to the dark-haired man holding out a glass to her. She smiled her thanks to Brad as she accepted the drink. He had set himself out to be as charming and urbane as possible, the personification of politeness and solicitude. He had rarely left her side the entire evening, although she was amused by his straying glances at the younger, more attractive females at the party. Although there had been several opportunities for them to slip away, Jennifer was grateful that Brad hadn't pushed the point. She needed to be surrounded by the noise and gaiety, to take refuge in the merry revelry. Her eyes trailed over the crowd, seeking out Logan and finding him amidst a group of Dee Dee's party. He was listening attentively to the vibrant blonde, yet he seemed to be holding himself apart from them. 'Suffering their attentions with that lordly air of his,' Jennifer thought cynically. That was a totally unfair remark, she chided herself. What did she expect him to do?

Her eyes misted brightly with pain as she watched her sister make her way towards Logan, touch his arm, and become the recipient of his warm regard. Sheila was breathtakingly lovely tonight in a dress of burgundy red velvet with her raven hair in ringlets of sophisticated curls atop her head. Their discussion was brief as Sheila nodded agreement with something Logan had said before walking away. Jennifer's heart ached painfully at his lingering glance on her sister's retreating form.

Brad touched her elbow, tearing her attention away from the scene, and suggested that they dance. She let herself be swept into the pulsating dancers, willing the music to drown out her thoughts. Later as a dreamy ballad echoed through the room, Jennifer clung tightly to Brad. Her eyes closed, her senses unaware of the way her fingers curved tenaciously into his shoulder, while her head rested lightly against his chest. Brad's steps stopped suddenly, and Jennifer's head moved away from its comfortable place as she stared blankly into Logan's sardonic face.

'No objection to an employer cutting in, is there?' His eyebrow raised over a cynically questioning eye.

Brad grimly consented and stepped away from his stunned companion. Jennifer stiffened as Logan's hand touched her waist. She held herself apart from him, her hand resting tensely against his shoulder while the other was captured in his firm grip. Her feet became incredibly awkward as she stumbled to follow his simple steps. She found she could look anywhere but into his face.

'If you can't relax, we might as well sit this one out,' Logan said sharply.

'Duty dances never were my line,' Jennifer managed to retort sarcastically, aware that her cheeks were flushed and her heart was beating at an erratic pace.

'I'm beginning to wonder just exactly what your "line" is.' Logan's hand gripped her elbow determinedly as he manoeuvred her off the floor towards a dark, uninhabited corner of the room.

'What about you and your edict about guests and employees?' she asked scathingly, secretly knowing her barbed words could never inflict the pain and heartbreak on him that she was feeling.

'I was under the impression that you wouldn't want the presence of the man you said had made unwelcome advances. It seems you have forgiven him.' Jennifer was surprised that Logan's face could have such an aura of savage ruthlessness about it.

'I've forgiven him,' she murmured. Of course, she'd forgiven him because she didn't care any more. He didn't matter to her, but how could she possibly tell Logan that?

'How gracious of
you!' Logan removed a cigarette from his jacket pocket and snapped a gold lighter to it angrily. 'Does that mean you'll be leaving on Sunday?'

'No, it doesn't,' Jennifer replied sharply.

'Surely that would make the reconciliation complete?'

'There hasn't been one yet. And if there is—-' Jennifer paused. Her mind raced over the possibility. Could she dare wrap herself in the deception of a relationship with Brad? Would it cloak her with an armour to protect her from Logan? One thing was certain, if she didn't close the door with Brad, at least in everyone else's eyes, she would have a perfect alibi for leaving when the time came for her to go. 'If there is, I wouldn't leave right away. I wouldn't want to be swept away by my emotions. I'd want time to think about it. Plus, I wouldn't want Sheila to be caught in the lurch by my desertion.'

'It's amazing how a woman can be so cold-blooded and analytical in the face of a powerful emotion like love. Aren't you tempting fate by withholding such a morsel?' His eyes raked her body thoroughly, sending a wave of colour into her cheeks. 'What if he finds some one else who isn't as coolheaded as you?'

'I'll take my chances,' she replied evenly.

'You can't possibly be in love with him! There would be nothing to think about. You don't even know what love is!' Her heart and lungs came screeching to a halt as Logan's hand forced her chin upwards before she could twist away. There was no masking the anger and contempt in his eyes. 'Enjoy your victory in bringing him to heel. But you are not going to marry him!'

'Why, you pompous, interfering…! I'm not Sheila, Logan Taylor! And I'm not going to allow you to run my life!' Jennifer exclaimed angrily, even though deep in her heart, she knew without him she would have no life, only an existence.

'You are not going to marry him,' Logan said firmly, calmly and coldly.

'It's none of your business what I do.' Even to her own ears the words sounded weak and ineffectual, but it didn't matter. Logan wasn't there to hear them. He was already mixing with a group of laughing people on the side of the dance floor.

Silently she watched him, her eyes smarting with unshed tears. She saw him stop beside Sheila before encircling her sister's waist with one arm and whisk her out on the dance floor, an enchanting warm smile on his face as he gazed down at her. Jennifer felt as if she was stepping off the lowest rung on the ladder.

'I've asked her to dance three times, and she's refused me every time.' Dirk spoke up from Jennifer's side.

She turned a pair of startled eyes on him, believing herself alone in the wasteland of merrymakers. His bleak, gloomy expression matched hers as they stared together at the dancing couple.

'I can't even ask "How are you?", but what she doesn't get that chilly expression on her face that says she'd like to turn me into a snowman,' Dirk grumbled, running a hand through his dark hair dejectedly.

'I think the secret is don't ask,' Jennifer sighed. She glanced at him sadly. Too many times she had seen Logan and Dirk standing side by side and Dirk always came out second best. She sympathized with his futility at competing with Logan Taylor. 'Why don't you go cut in on them?' she suggested softly. 'After all, Sheila's not about to make a scene in the middle of the floor.'

It would be a small victory for Dirk, Jennifer thought, but in the end he would pay the same price as she, when Sheila walked down the aisle to Logan. All the little baffles and skirmishes would not change the final outcome, and Logan would be the victor.

Jennifer watched as Logan relinquished his partner to Dirk, his eyes gleaming in triumphant hope, but she turned away before Logan's searching eyes could possibly meet hers. Brad would be looking for her by now. She derived solace from that thought. Without him as a crutch this evening, she would have turned tail and run. Slowly, she made her way through the crowd until she could see his dark head bending courteously towards one of the older people in the group. When he finally saw her, his dark eyes sparkled brightly at her.

'Jennifer.' He reached out a hand and drew her into the circle of his arm. He nuzzled her red-gold hair for a brief moment before excusing himself from the group. 'It's almost the witching hour. Can't we bring in the New Year alone?'

Why not? she thought to herself. The laughter, the music, the noise, were all compounding the strain of the evening. She made no protest as Brad led her out of the room down a vacant hallway.

'Do you have any idea how much I wanted to be alone with you all evening?' Brad murmured, imprisoning her against the wall with his arms.

'Please, Brad, don't,' Jennifer protested as he sought to take her in his arms.

'I don't blame you for pushing me away.' Brad's hand caressed her cheek lightly. 'What I did that night was unforgivable—I know that. Can't you give me a chance to make it up to you?' Jennifer turned her face away from him, fighting the nausea of the memory and the odour of alcohol on his breath now. He removed his hand from her cheek, his pleading eyes searching her face. 'I was drunk and angry that night. I admit that you were nothing more to me than another girl. I told myself I was glad that you'd gone, that there were plenty more where you came from. Then you began to haunt me. No matter what I did, or where I went, I couldn't get you out of my mind. Come back with me.'