Coveting Love (Jessica Crawford) by Victoria Schwimley Page A

He knows that. I have been in constant touch with his assistant, Daniel Wheeler. He knows every decision I have made concerning this matter. In fact, I think I’ll call Daniel right now.” She picked up the phone and dialed the number Daniel Wheeler had left for her. She knew it well by now. The phone still had not been answered after many rings. Amy gestured toward the phone. Jessica shrugged. Finally, she hung up.
    “ What is it?”
    “ I’m not sure.” She rummaged through her desk drawer and found Daniel’s business card. “Here, I’ll try his cell phone.” She dialed the number and after numerous rings, it went to voice mail.
    “ Hello, you have reached Daniel Wheeler, personal assistant to Mr. Phillip Stewart. I am unavailable to come to the phone, please leave a number and I’ll return your call.”
    Jessica hung up without leaving a message. “Something’s going on.”
    “ What do you think he has up his sleeve?”
    “ I don’t know, but I have to find out. We’ve worked too hard on this project to let him spoil it.”
    “ Oh, be careful. Phillip Stewart is a dangerous man. If he wants to, he can ruin you. I’m scared for you, Jess.”
    “ So am I, but what else can I do?”
    “ What is your plan?”
    She looked at Amy and frowned. “I don’t have one. Wait, I know!” She snapped her fingers and picked up the telephone. Amy was staring in expectation, shaking her head back and forth. “Stop shaking your head at me. I have a friend who knows someone who works for the rat. Perhaps he might be able to get me some information.” She waited while the phone rang. “Yes, I would like to speak to Jason Carmichael,” she said into the receiver. Her smile faded. “I see—No, no message. I’ll call back.”
    “ What’s wrong?
    “ He’s on vacation for a month. He’s unreachable, but his secretary will gladly take a message,” she added with sarcasm.
    “ Come on, Jess. She’s only doing her job. She probably has a canned script for callers. What are you going to do now?”
    “ I don’t know; it looks as if I’m on my own with this one.”
    Amy sighed. “And I thought I had problems. At least my life is not in danger.”
    “ Don’t exaggerate. I hardly think my life is in danger.”
    “ I don’t know…From what I’ve heard about your Mr. Stewart, I wouldn’t want to be up against him.”
    “ Hey, I almost forgot to tell you. I heard from Brandon.”
    Amy perked up. “You did, what did he say?”
    “ I didn’t actually talk to him. There was a note on my door when I got home last night. He said he would call me today.” She frowned. “I was hoping he would call me this morning. Come on, I’ll tell you about it over lunch. I’m starving.”
    They were laughing together as they exited the building. As they passed through the doorway, Jessica bumped into a man. She raised her head to apologize and stared directly into Brandon’s eyes.
    “ Excuse me, miss—Jessie!” he exclaimed, interrupting his own words. “It’s good to see you. Did you get my note?”
    “ Yes, I did, but I thought you were going to call me.”
    “ I was, but I couldn’t get to a phone all morning. Didn’t you get the roses I sent?” He noticed her puzzled expression. “I guess not.”
    Suddenly, she laughed. “Better late than never,” she said, pointing toward the door.
    Brandon turned to see a deliveryman walking into the lobby. He was carrying the roses he had sent her. He signaled him over, reached into his pocket for a tip, and personally handed the bright bouquet to Jessica. She pulled the card from its holder and read it. She glanced at Brandon and smiled.
    “ I would love to have lunch with you.”
    Amy, taking her cue, excused herself and ran to catch up with the rest of the group, headed for the deli, as usual.
    Brandon placed his hand on Jessica’s arm and led her from the building, where he had a car waiting for them.
    She admired his taste in cars as he helped her into a brand