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Jaz holed up in the file room with her shoes off and the radio belting out an upbeat tune. She sang under her breath as she sorted through folders according to type of help offered previously and how recent. She came across Kenny Donnelly and paused. She’d known he worked in construction, and he had offered many hours playing ball with the kids, organizing games. Of course, a lot of it had to do with forced community service, but still, she remembered he was pretty good with them. He spoke to them on their level.
On impulse, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed his number. He picked up on the third ring, and Jaz explained what she was looking for.
“I don’t know anything about business, and the only reason I helped you out was because I got bagged and was forced to.”
She sighed. He answered just as she expected, but it was worth a shot. Oddly enough the best person for the job that she knew might be Allen, but there was no way she’d ask him after what happened earlier.
“Well, thanks anyway, Kenny. It was worth a shot. I guess I—”
“Wait.”
She paused, wondering if he’d changed his mind. “Yeah?”
“I might know somebody.”
Suspicion kept Jaz silent. Kenny didn’t have the tone of someone who wanted to do what he could to help. His words had made that clear. Instead, he sounded more like the cat that had eaten the canary, as if he was getting excited thinking he was going to screw someone over. She opened her mouth to tell him she wasn’t interested in playing games.
“His name’s Torrian,” Kenny said. “I’ll give you his phone number.”
The name struck an immediate cord although she wasn’t sure why it should. Just because Tor’s name had the same beginning sound as this person, it didn’t mean they were one. At the same time, Tor had said he grew up in the area. Better to find out for sure. A little voice inside told her to forget about Cinderfella and move on. Curiosity and the pleasant memory of talking to him kept her on the line.
“What’s his last name?” she asked.
Kenny seemed hesitant, and her stomach knotted.
“Donnelly,” he groaned out, and she almost laughed.
“Your brother?”
“Cousin.”
She would never have guessed. The angry man with perpetual dirt beneath his fingernails versus the more refined, seemingly cultured man who she’d enjoyed a fun night with. Thinking about it, she realized they did have the same coloring and bone structure, but their personalities were strikingly different. Tor hadn’t mentioned he had a cousin she might know, and in her dealings with Kenny, he hadn’t said anything either. For some reason, she had assumed he didn’t have family. Many of the people in the community were as big on family as she was, which was one of the things she loved about them all.
“Okay, I’ll call,” she said. “Thanks, Kenny.”
“Whatever. Just don’t bother me with any more charity crap. I’m not interested!” He disconnected the call after passing along the number. Not even a have-a-nice-day.
Jaz sat up straight, laid her phone down, and then paced the small room. Why did her stomach knot even more? This was about the kids, not about her. Yeah, right. You want to hear his voice again.
“One freaking night. Not that big a deal, Jaz. Pull it together, girl.”
The pep talk did nothing to calm her nerves, so she snatched up the phone and dialed before she chickened out. Unlike his cousin, Tor answered on the first ring, but he sounded distracted. “Donnelly.”
Her heartbeat kicked into high gear. Well, that confirmed his name, and she would know those sexy, deep tones anywhere. “Hey, Tor, how are you?”
The line went silent.
“Um, hello? Are you there?”
“Jazara.”
This was the first time she’d heard him say her name full out. She liked it and decided to return the favor. “Yup, it’s me, Torrian. I got your name and number from your cousin, Kenny.”
“What else did my cousin tell you?”
Her mouth fell open. She expected a couple different reactions—surprise, curiosity, maybe even interest. Definitely not anger. “Whoa, it’s not like that,” she rushed to assure him. I told you the night of the party, I’m not into chasing men. This has to do with work, charity actually.”
Her assurances didn’t calm him. “What did he tell you about me, Jaz?”
