Mary Baxter - His Touch

All morning she’d been regretting giving Veronica the green light on the bodyguard gig. Given more time, surely she could work through this situation on her own. On the other hand, the rose incident had frightened her to the core.

Someone hated her.

Enough to kill her?

Jessica gripped the cup so tightly she could see her knuckles turn white. She wouldn’t let this pervert win, dammit. She wouldn’t. Even if it meant having a stranger invade her life for a while. She could cope with that. But could the council? Should she even tell them?

Under the circumstances, what choice did she have? To date, the only one besides Veronica who knew about the threats was her assistant, Tony Eason, and even he didn’t know about this latest one. She dreaded telling him for more reasons than one.

“You’re here awfully early.”

“Ah, good morning,” Jessica said to the short but stout young man who all but fluttered into her room, dressed outlandishly, as usual. He had on a brightly flowered tie and salmon-colored sports coat. She winced inwardly at the combination but didn’t let on. “I was just thinking about you.”

Tony Eason smiled while shoving his small wire-rimmed glasses closer to the bridge of his nose. Once he’d removed his hand, his gray-green eyes peered into hers, something he always did, as if gauging her mood for the day.

He was single, in his early thirties, efficient and precise as a prim schoolteacher. The buzz around city hall was that Tony was gay. She discouraged and disapproved of such gossip when it pertained to anyone, but especially Tony. He was completely dedicated to her and the job, and she couldn’t imagine what she would do without him, and his sex life was no one’s business but his own.

“So how was your evening?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Uh-oh, what happened?”

“More of the same, only worse.”

Tony perched on the edge of her large desk, placing the folders he was carrying on his lap. “This has gone on far too long.”

“I know.”

“So what happened?”

Jessica filled him in, leaving nothing out.

“Lord a mercy, we’ve …you’ve got to do something.”

“I am.” She told him then about Veronica and Thurmon’s friend.

“Mmm.” Tony rubbed his smooth chin. “A bodyguard. Not a bad idea. I should’ve already thought of that.”

“How do you think the council will react?”

“They’ll be concerned.”

“Or tell me I deserve it.”

Tony lifted a sooty brow, too perfect to belong to a man. “Saxon, perhaps, but he’s a pompous you-know-what.”

Jessica smiled. “He thinks he’s right and I’m wrong. That’s his prerogative.”

“I don’t think you could please the man no matter what you did.”

Jessica smoothed a pleat on her coral Ralph Lauren slacks that had a matching jacket hanging on the coatrack. She had purposely dressed in what she referred to as high style. Although her outfit was tailored, it was also very feminine. Even though she worked in a man’s world, she never wanted to join that world. She was content with herself as a woman and what she’d accomplished.

“Porter would know how to handle Saxon,” she finally said, more for her benefit than Tony’s.

“If your husband were still mayor, there wouldn’t be anything to handle.”

“So you also think it’s me?”

“Sure do. He can’t get over the fact that a woman is running the city. I bet he chokes on that every meal. Pleasant thought, isn’t it?”

Jessica almost smiled. “Shame on you.”

“Ah, forget him.” Tony gestured with a hand. “Even if he doesn’t come around to your way of thinking, the others will. The city has too much to lose.”

“We’ll see. But never forget how much influence Saxon wields or how much money he has. Both are synonymous with power.”

“I’m betting on you.”

“In any event, I’m going to send each member a letter explaining what’s going on, especially since I’m getting a bodyguard.”

“That’s probably smart.” Tony paused. “So when’s this bodyguard supposed to come on duty?”

“I’m not sure. Could be any time now, I suppose. Thurmon and Veronica are in charge of the arrangements.”

“Meanwhile, do you think it’s wise for you to be alone? I can always bunk on your sofa.”

“Absolutely not, even though I appreciate the offer.” Jessica’s full lips thinned. “I’m not about to let this maniac totally rule my life.”

“You’ll be careful, though, won’t you?”

Jessica heard the anxiety in Tony’s voice and realized how foolhardy she must sound. Last night’s incident, in particular, was not something to be taken lightly. Still, it was hard to admit she needed anyone. She’d grown so used to taking care of herself that she resented the loss of that God-given right.

“I promise I won’t take any unnecessary chances. But I’m sure Veronica and Thurmon will see that I don’t, so you can rest easy.”

“Good.” Tony stood, then peered at his watch. “Since it’s almost time for Saxon’s appointment, I’ll let these files slide until later.”

“Not if they’re important.”

“Nothing that can’t wait until after he leaves.” Tony paused, his features becoming solemn and pinched. “There is one more thing. I debated about telling you.”

“Don’t ever do that.” Jessica came as close to snapping at him as she ever had. “What is it?”

“Dale Lipton. He’s thrown his hat back into the mayoral ring.”

Jessica groaned out loud. “That’s not good news.”

“And Saxon will be backing him. Count on it.”

“Oh, I know. Lipton and Saxon are not only good friends but business partners of sorts, or so I’ve heard.”

“No problem. You’ve got class and smarts. They have neither.” He massaged the top of his head. “Besides, you’ve already trounced Lipton once. You can do it again.”

“I won’t give in or up without a fight. Last election, he fought low and dirty.”

“But you didn’t, and that’s why you beat him.”

Tony grinned at the same time his glasses slipped down on his nose, making him look like a figure out of a comic magazine, especially as a twig of unruly hair was sticking up from the crown of his head. But she didn’t dare say a word. He would have a fit if he knew his hair was mussed.

“As soon as things in the office and in my personal life settle, we’ll find a new chief, then I’ll get started on my reelection plans.”

“I have several people in mind to manage the next one. Well-qualified people.”

“Good. We’ll get together on that soon.”

Tony headed toward the door. “Oh, something else.”

“What?”

“Since the council okayed that Zurich mayoral conference, does that mean I’m to make plans for you to attend?”

“Of course. It’s a chance I’d be foolish to pass up.”

“Well, with all this mess going on, I wasn’t sure.”

Jessica didn’t hesitate. “Now you are.”

“Great. I’ll buzz personally when Saxon arrives.”

“Thanks,” Jessica said with a downturn of her mouth.

Tony’s lips twitched. “Any time.”

Once she was alone, Jessica stood, walked into her bathroom and trashed her cold coffee. But instead of heading back to her desk and tackling the phone messages and mounds of paperwork, she went to the window and stared at the Dallas skyline.

Lovely city. Lovely time of the year. Her favorite, in fact. The flowers and trees were in full bloom. Everything looked and smelled fresh, especially after a cleansing rain shower like the one they’d had last night.

Now the sun was shining. Maybe that was a good omen.

She needed that. Since Porter’s death, she had made her career her life in an effort to soak up the loneliness that oftentimes haunted her. She knew she had been a good mayor. She had made things happen for the city—good things. She definitely earned more money than she was paid rather than being paid more than she earned.