Dara Girard - Her Tender Touch

* * *

Judith watched her go with growing panic. Abby couldn’t leave. She couldn’t afford the space by herself, but she didn’t want to tell her that. Yes, she had been misleading several of Abby’s clients because, for some reason, things had slowed down and she wasn’t bringing in the amount of money she needed, and she had gotten desperate. She had to save face. Damn, she hadn’t thought she’d catch on so quickly. After Mrs. Frazier had left, the business hadn’t been doing well, and there was more interest coming to Abby. It didn’t make sense. Why did anyone need corporate etiquette over personal image makeovers? Besides, she didn’t see that much of a difference in what they did, and, fortunately, neither had the clients who’d come in for consultation. Since they shared the same office and computer system, it hadn’t been hard to access the main data system and change schedules.

Abby always acted so superior. Judith knew she was prettier, but Abby had a striking beauty that always got a second look. Judith was irritated that although Abby couldn’t afford her own office space, she acted as if she could buy the building if she wanted to. That had always annoyed her, but now she had to convince her to stay. When the phone rang she brushed her problems aside and put on her voice. “Finishing Touches, Judith Watson speaking.”

“How full is your client list?” a woman asked in a brusque tone.

“I never turn away business,” Judith said as pleasantly as she could.

The woman sighed. “You may want to with this one. He needs a major makeover, and might be difficult to work with.”

Judith lifted her brows, intrigued. “What do you mean by that?”

“He needs help fast, but I’m not sure he’s convinced yet.”

“And you are?”

“His mother. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good man and I don’t want to set him up for failure if you’re not up for it.”

Judith thought back to one torturous client she had dealt with. He’d caused her to lose twenty pounds over six months, and refused to pay her at the end because he did not feel that she had met his standard.

“If you’re interested, he’ll pay well. Money’s not a factor.”

Yes, she needed the money, but not at this rate. Besides, she preferred working with women more than men, and if his own mother thought he was difficult, Judith knew her time with him would probably be miserable. Why did Abby have to threaten to leave? Abby? Hmm. “Okay, is he in business, by any chance?”

“Yes, he runs his own company and has just started a new venture.”

“And his name?”

“Are you interested in taking him on?”

“No, but I know someone I can refer him to. A colleague I work with here in the same office. You can rest assured that I’ll be very discreet.”

“His name is Jason Ward.”

“One moment, please. I have another call.” Judith put the woman on hold, then quickly did an online search for Jason Ward. She saw that he’d been booted from his former company several years ago and had spent time in prison. She gave a low whistle. “I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Will that work?”

“I’ll let him know.” The woman disconnected.

Judith hung up the phone and couldn’t help a smile. She did a little dance in her office, then smoothed down her hair and clothes and walked over to Abby’s suite.

“I don’t want any hard feelings between us,” Judith said, entering and taking a seat.

‘“I don’t have any feelings at all,” Abby said, not looking up from what she was doing.

Judith fought not to grit her teeth. “I just got a new client, who I thought of referring to you, but if you’re not interested...” She began to stand.

“I didn’t say that.”

Judith leaned back, trying not to look too satisfied. She’d gloat later. “He’s very wealthy and starting a brand-new business. I know that’s your area. If you think you can handle him.”

“I can handle anyone.”

“Don’t be overconfident.”

Abby narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? I’m good at what I do.”

“He may be too much for you. I hear he can be a bit of a bully.”

“I can turn a tiger into a pussycat. Who is he?”

“Jason Ward.”

Judith watched her with interest. She could almost see Abby’s mind working and trying to place him. To her delight, she didn’t. “So, why does he need you?”

“As I said, he’s starting a new business, and while I can help him with his image, I thought you might be a better match, since you’re into corporate business and stuff. Besides, he’s offering a lot of money.”

“How much?”

Judith threw out a ballpark figure, just to get Abby interested.

“That’s a lot of money to pass up. And that’s not like you.”

“I’ll take the case if you want. I’m only telling you this as a show of good faith. I really hate you thinking that I was doing something so unethical, such as stealing clients from you. I mean, we are family and—”

“Fine,” Abby cut in, not wanting to talk about the tumultuous relationship she shared with her sister.

“Good, I’ll give him your number, but only on one condition.”

“What?”

“You’ll stay. If you can change Jason Ward in six weeks, I’ll cover the cost for your office suite for the next six months.” Judith knew it was a gamble since she wouldn’t be able to afford it, but she was already convinced Abby wouldn’t succeed.

“Okay.”

Judith smiled and held up a finger to indicate that she wasn’t finished. “But if you don’t succeed in changing him within six weeks, you’ll sign for another two years.” Judith knew she had baited Abby. Abby hated to pass up a challenge. “So, you’ll make sure he’s scandal-free and the darling of the business world by the end of six weeks?”

“You can count on it.”

* * *

Abby knew the snake was up to something, but she didn’t care. Jason Ward would be a coup for her. After Judith left, she looked him up on her computer and then gripped her hands into fists when his handsome face came on the screen. That Jason Ward! He would be a nightmare. The man who refused to wear suits, who only wore two colors, who cursed with a fluency that would make a sailor blush. Uncouth, uncultured and undeniably intriguing. A man who kept his private life guarded. And a man who reminded her of someone. Oh, no...the man from the restaurant!

Abby stood and kicked a chair in frustration. Outside, a late October wind brushed past her window. Judith had set her up for failure. But the fact that he was seeking help meant that he wanted a change, and in spite of herself, she was confident she could help him. Besides, a referral from him would open doors she could only imagine. Her unorthodox methods may be just what he needed. Abby could already see herself affording a new apartment and car. She wanted to regain the life she’d lost after her divorce, and Jason Ward was the key.

Chapter 3

As Jason rode the elevator, he kept asking himself why he had allowed his mother to make the appointment. She had reminded him that it was time for him to work on his professional demeanor.

“You have to get a handle on your temper,” she had said to him when he’d changed his mind about the consultation. She had been trying to help him rein in his temper since the day she had adopted him. “I wish there was a man in the house to show you how to behave sometimes.” Jason had resented her insinuation that he needed a man to show him how to be one. But he knew he needed help.

Sure, he could make money, but SENTEL was the second business he had lost. He remembered the recycling business he’d started with a friend during high school. It had done well, financially, but his temper and mood swings had caused them to break up. He started SENTEL, Inc. after the tragic loss of his girlfriend, Gwen, and had had that stolen from him. Although the members of the board listed his personality as a reason for his dismissal, he knew there was more. In addition to his temper, he knew he also lacked tact. But he hadn’t been tactless with that Armstrong woman.