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Inside the modern, industrial structure, which had been decorated in an upscale Western theme, he walked over to the huge reception desk and asked to see Ace Colton. He’d read in the local paper that Ace would be there today to meet with the board.
The young woman behind the counter looked him up and down before pushing her fashionable eyeglasses up. “I’m sorry, but he is no longer employed here.”
“I understand. But I’m aware he’s in the building and I really need to talk to him.”
Expressionless, she studied him. “Do you have an appointment?” she asked politely.
“No,” he drawled, leaning in confidentially. “But I have a feeling he’ll be open to seeing me. Why don’t you check, if you don’t mind.”
Though she sniffed, the corners of her pink-painted lips fought a smile. “Your name?”
“Jake Anderson.”
She froze. Her eyes went wide. “Yes, of course,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll just let him know you’re here.”
Turning away, she quietly spoke a few words into the phone. When she hung up, she dipped her chin and pointed toward the elevator. “Second floor. He’s expecting you.”
“Thank you.” As Jake started for the elevator, the doors opened. Ace Colton stepped out, a guardedly optimistic look on his handsome face. Jake froze, swallowing hard. He wasn’t sure how to act, what to think. In fact, his first instinct was to back the hell away and claim this entire situation must have been a colossal mistake.
Ace, however, apparently had other plans. “You must be Jake,” he said, shaking hands. “I heard you were in town and I wondered when we would meet.”
Jake nodded, somewhat at a loss for words. “Is there somewhere we can go and talk?” he asked. “Somewhere private?”
“My thoughts exactly,” Ace replied. “Since it’s way too early to go to a bar, how about we grab some coffee at Java Jane’s?”
“Sounds good.” Though Jake had expected this meeting to be awkward, to say the least, Ace’s relaxed, casual demeanor had a way of dissipating any tension.
“Do you mind if I drive?” Ace asked, jingling a set of keys.
“That depends,” Jake responded. “Whether I have to cram myself into some kind of sports car or not. I have a really nice truck.”
After a second, Ace laughed. “It’s a Porsche. Does your truck have a lift kit?”
“Yep.” Jake grinned back at him. “F-250. Custom everything. It’s new. I special ordered it, and I’m pretty proud of that truck. This drive here was the first road trip.” Plus, though he’d never admit it out loud, driving would help him regain some semblance of control in an admittedly crazy situation.
Ace pocketed his keys. “I’m in. Lead the way.”
He whistled when he caught sight of Jake’s pickup, the paint gleaming in the sun. “Nice.”
He actually liked this guy, Jake thought. “Thanks.”
They drove a couple of blocks. Ace pointed out the coffee shop on the right, and they parked. Neither man got out immediately.
“Are you as weirded out by all this as I am?” Jake asked.
“Yeah,” Ace said. “I’ve got to tell you up front, I’ve never liked Micheline. But this, this takes the cake.”
“That makes two of us,” Jake replied, not bothering to keep the bitterness from his tone. “Let’s go inside.”
Side by side, the two men walked into the crowded coffee shop. “What’ll you have?” Ace asked. “I’m buying.”
“Just coffee,” Jake answered. “Thanks.” He looked around, impressed by the cleanliness and warmth of the place.
“Here you go,” Ace said, handing him a coffee. “Now to find a place to sit.”
Jake grimaced. “I’ve scanned the entire place. There are no empty seats.”
“There’s another room in the back. Follow me.” Moving with the confidence of a local, Ace led the way through the crowd. They passed through a doorway into a smaller, less crowded room. “Perfect.” Ace made a beeline for a couple of overstuffed armchairs near the window. “My favorite spot.”
