“I’m concerned with a possible conflict of interest. With Owen being a client, it could be perceived as inappropriate for him to be considered for the executive director position.”
“The board asked him that very question yesterday. His response was he intended to work with Equest in the Dallas area for his therapy. I guess you haven’t received the request to transfer his paperwork yet.”
Rats. So much for playing Switzerland and remaining neutral with the simple excuse.
“There’s also the fact that I’ve read his medical files.”
“We’re not asking you to divulge anything confidential,” Helen countered.
Did the woman have a comeback for everything? Carly closed her eyes to regroup and braced herself to reveal the one reason she hated using. “Considering our past romantic relationship,” Carly said, hoping the board president would think high school rather than the recent past. “I’m not sure how objective I can be.”
“We’ll take that into consideration.”
Three strikes and she was out. She closed her eyes and saw Owen’s face bright with excitement when he talked about the job. Considering that and how he cared deeply for disabled veterans, shared her agency vision, and brought a needed perspective, she realized Owen was the best person to carry on her grandmother and mother’s legacies. “I think with his background and skills you’d be a fool not to hire Owen.”
*
As Owen saton his couch after Ryder’s graduation watching the Texas Rangers’s game with his dad, he couldn’t decide whether he was grateful or ticked about not seeing Carly at the commencement. He couldn’t count how often he’d picked up his phone to call her, to plead with her to see him to see if they could find a solution, only to throw his cell down in disgust. He refused to beg. He’d tried that in high school, and she’d stomped on his heart. This time he wouldn’t make the effort. Not for a woman who’d once again said she didn’t love him enough to fight for them.
“Did you see that play? Can you believe it?” his dad said from his spot in the massive black leather recliner.
“Yeah, pretty spectacular.”
“Spectacular? The Blue Jays shortstop let the ball go between his legs. What game are you watching? I’m watching the Rangers versus Toronto.” His dad pointed to the big-screen TV on the far wall.
“Guess I missed it.”
“What’s with you? Did you hear about the Horses for Heroes job? Is that it?”
Owen nodded. “The board president offered me it this morning. Word around town is the other candidate turned it down.”
“Is that why you’re out of joint, because you were second choice?”
“That doesn’t bother me.”
Considering his lack of nonprofit experience, he’d been thankful to be considered. What mattered was he’d gotten the job and would have the opportunity to implement his ideas for the agency.
“If it’s not the job, that leaves woman trouble.”
“That’s not it.” After all, how could he have woman troubles when Carly wanted nothing to do with him?
How could he have been so wrong about them again? He’d seen them as a team both at Horses for Heroes, making a difference for disabled veterans, and in life. He saw them sharing life’s ups and downs while watching their children grow.
Change in plans. That happened in life all the time. He sure as hell knew that.
A suicide bomber hadn’t done him in, and Carly wouldn’t either.
His phone rang, and his heartbeat sped up.Come on Carly, give me a reason to hope you haven’t given up on us. If you would, I’d move heaven and earth to make you and me work.
He glanced at the screen, but unfortunately it was the wrong Maddux. Damn, he wasn’t only a fool, but delusional. When the hell would he quit thinking Carly would call?
“Hey, graduate. What’s up?”
“Owen, I’m in trouble.”
“Where are you?”
Chapter Sixteen
