An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [63]
“I think you do. I’m going to make an appointment for you and ask for the first available opening. We can’t have you walking around looking as if you’re going to faint at any moment.”
Julia barely heard her. She walked farther into the hallway to the elevator and rode down to her brother’s office.
Jerry stood when she walked in. “Julia! Sit down. You look like you’re about to keel over.”
If her brother was commenting on her appearance, she must resemble yesterday’s oatmeal. “I’m fine,” she lied.
“Do you need a glass of water?”
She shook her head. She hadn’t come to discuss her health.
“I’m getting you one anyway. You look dreadful.”
Julia pinched her lips together to bite back a cutting commentary, and didn’t succeed. “How nice of you to say so.”
Jerry chuckled and left his office, returning with a paper cup of water. He insisted Julia drink it, which she did. To her surprise she felt better afterward. But then, it was probably impossible to feel any worse.…
“I imagine you’re here to find out what Alek said,” Jerry murmured. “He claims he confronted Roger and told him to leave you alone. I wish I’d done it myself.”
“I talked to Roger myself.”
Jerry froze and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You talked to Roger?”
“This morning.”
“What did he say?” Jerry demanded. “Never mind, I can guess.” He started pacing then as if holding still was more than he could manage. “Naturally he wasn’t going to tell you what Alek actually said. What did you expect him to say, anyway? That he was shaking in his boots with fear? How could you do anything so stupid?”
“I…”
“I thought you were smarter than that!”
“Roger claims Alek tried to strike a deal with our strongest competitor,” Julia said, trying hard to control her temper.
“I don’t believe that for a minute.”
Neither did Julia, not really, but she was so desperately afraid. She needed Jerry to confirm her belief in Alek, needed the reassurance that she wasn’t making the same tragic mistake a second time.
“Don’t you realize you’re playing directly into Roger’s hands? This is exactly what he was hoping would happen. He wants you to distrust Alek. You certainly made his day.”
“I…hadn’t thought of it like that,” Julia admitted reluctantly. She was a fool not to leave the detective work to Rich Peck.
“You contacted Roger even knowing the kind of man he is, and expected him to tell the truth. You’ve done some stupid things in your time, Julia, but this one takes the cake.”
Julia bristled. “The cake came three years ago, Jerry,” she reminded him. “Complete with frosting, don’t you remember? That was when I trusted Roger, when I believed in love and loyalty.”
“You believe Alek, don’t you?”
“Yes…” She did, and yet she had no confidence in her own judgment.
Jerry’s eyes narrowed. “Then why’d you contact Roger?”
“Because I hoped…I don’t know, I thought he might let something slip.”
“He did that, all right, another pile of doubts for you to deal with.” He rammed his hand through his hair. “Why on earth would you do anything so asinine?”
“I wish you’d quit saying that.”
“It’s true. Now are you going to believe in Alek or aren’t you?”
With all her heart, she wanted to trust her husband, but she’d been badly hurt before. She’d zealously defended Roger, even when faced with overwhelming proof of his betrayal. Her faith in him had nearly destroyed her family.
“I take it you didn’t fire him, then?” she asked.
“No. I won’t, either. If you want him out of here, then you’re going to have to do it yourself. I believe him, Julia, even if you don’t.”
“Jerry, please, try and understand. This is like waking up to my worst nightmare. Don’t you think I want to believe him? So much that it’s killing me.”
“I can see that.” He sighed. “Just leave it for now, Julia. Time will tell if he’s being honest with us or not. For the record, I’m sure he is.”
“I can’t let the fate of the company ride on your instinct and your friendship with him. I can’t take that kind of risk. I have no