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Catherine waited until he was beside her to reply in a husky whisper. “Yes, but I had things under control.” Yet even as she made that claim, tears stung her eyes. She quickly brushed them away. “He tore up the book Violet took with her. How can anyone be so mean?”
While she’d stubbornly denied it, she was obviously shaken, and Luke slipped his arm around her shoulders to offer an encouraging hug. “I warned you not to become involved with Violet, but I’m sorry Ford caught you out here alone. I swear I could kill that sorry son of a bitch.”
Catherine relaxed against him. Lean and tough, he was as solid as a concrete wall, and yet she could feel the anger coursing through him. There were a few cars in the parking lot, but she wouldn’t be embarrassed if one of their owners found her in Luke’s arms. Still, she wasn’t so lost in romantic daydreams that she could ignore the bitterness of his tone.
She glanced up and recoiled at the dark threat glowing in his eyes. “Forget Ford,” she advised, “and concentrate on teaching the young men you can reach how they should behave toward women, and teach the girls what every woman has a right to expect.”
“You know where kids are supposed to learn that wondrous ideal?”
Catherine nodded. “At home with loving parents, and these kids have neither.”
Luke sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly. “Right, and that’s a lot to overcome. Fortunately, snakes like Ford Dolan have a way of coming to a very bad end on their own, so I won’t go looking for him. But the next time you’re here, let me walk you out to your car.
“Brooks is a common enough name that I doubt Ford can find your home telephone number, but if you receive any threatening calls, let me know immediately. I won’t let him intimidate you. Now are you sure you feel well enough to drive yourself home? I could drive your car and have Dave follow in mine.”
While it was a thoughtful offer, Catherine knew he would do the same for any volunteer. Determined to look out for her own welfare, she took a firm grip on her keys. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
This time, she succeeded in unlocking her door. Luke swung it open for her, then closed it and waved as she drove away. She’d reached the freeway before she remembered the new carpet in his office. With the confrontation with Ford to distract her, it was no wonder she’d failed to mention it, but she hoped he would laugh when he saw it rather than call her to complain.
Luke cursed as he crossed the parking lot. He was furiously angry with Ford Dolan for daring to upset Catherine, but he was even more disgusted with himself for not being there to prevent it. As he entered the office, he paused at Pam’s desk to explain what had happened.
“If Ford Dolan comes around here again, call the police.”
“I’ll be real happy to,” Pam replied. “Your messages are on your desk.”
“Thanks.” Luke took a couple of steps toward his office, then stopped to stare. “What the hell? Where did the new carpet come from?”
“It was on sale next door,” Pam informed him with a beguiling grin. “It’s woven from synthetic fibers and designed for use in high traffic areas, so it should wear like iron. How do you like it?”
The rug was a deep russet that blended perfectly with the newly painted walls. “I like it fine, but how did it get from next door in here?”
“Half a dozen of the boys carried it over. They looked like ants stealing peanut butter logs from a picnic. You know how they’re made with celery? Then Dave installed it.”
Luke nodded. “I know what peanut butter logs are. You can add raisins and call them frogs on a log if you like, but since when does Dave know how to lay carpet?”
“Since today, I guess. It looks like a professional job to me.”
“That it does, but I think you’re leaving out a significant detail. Was Mrs. Brooks behind this?”
Pam fluttered the papers on her desk in an apparent search for a missing document. “Nick said it was his idea, but she paid for it. She picked up a donation receipt just as you’d suggested. And by the way, she brought in a few other rugs for the hall.”
“What will the woman think of next?”
“Well, since you asked, now that you’ve classed up your office, mine could sure use a coat of paint. Shall I suggest it to her?”
“No, I’ll pencil it in on my calendar
for the weekend.” Luke entered his office and then called over his shoulder. “Now the furniture in here looks like hell.”
“It always did, you just didn’t notice. If you like, I’ll keep an eye out for something better at a yard sale.”
“You do that.” Luke thumbed through the stack of messages piled on his desk. Several were from generous, but talkative, contributors, and he was in no mood to chat with them now.
“No mayhem to report?” he asked.
“None, sir, it was a remarkably calm day, as it always is when you leave me in charge,” Pam claimed smugly.
Luke glanced up at the clock. He had only a few minutes before the afternoon group session began, and he doubted he would be very effective. He scrubbed his hands through his hair and decided it needed to be cut, but he just never seemed to have the time.
