Castle's Fortress. Rhonda Lee Carver

Thanks for holding the doors.”

      Stepping into the lobby of Castle Security, she eased her tension with several deep breaths, in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. The breathing exercise did nothing to suppress the quivering in her stomach. It didn’t relieve the dryness in her throat, either.

      All the mantras recited and relaxation practices known to humankind couldn’t alleviate her anxiety over the impending meeting.

      There was no turning back now. Fall moved ahead with forced confidence to the reception desk. “Excuse me.”

      The woman sitting behind the desk glanced up from the flat computer screen. Her lips parted into a friendly but mechanical smile. “May I help you?”

      “Fall Winters, here to see Mr. Castle.”

      The pretty blonde walked an acrylic-tipped finger down the open appointment log. Fall cleared her throat, drawing the receptionist’s attention. “Uhhh, you won’t find me in your book.”

      The smile disappeared from her face. “I’m sorry, Ms. Winters, but if you don’t have an appointment, Mr. Castle can’t see you.”

      Fall’s mood soured. She’d been prepared for a scheduling conflict. Her raw nerves hindered her ability to think clearly, but she refused to leave. She’d driven nine hours to meet with Jake and she wasn’t leaving until she saw him. One way or another. “Look, Ms., uhhh...” She searched the desk for a nameplate.

      “Ms. Holbrew.”

      “Ms. Holbrew, I know you’re only doing your job, but it’s important I see Mr. Castle.”

      Ms. Holbrew’s red lips turned down at the corners. “Like I said, Ms. Winters, if you don’t have an appointment, Mr. Castle won’t see you.”

      Fall leaned in closer, grateful for the empty lobby. It meant she wouldn’t have an audience for the act she was about to unfold.

      Fall made a quick check of the woman’s fourth finger of her left hand. The absence of a wedding ring gave her the opening she needed. “Let me ask, Ms. Holbrew, have you ever put your heart and soul into a man just to find out he’s nothing but a scoundrel in snakeskin boots and a fancy suit?”

      A flicker of understanding flashed through the receptionist’s kohl-lined eyes. Fall guessed most women had their hopes and dreams crushed by a man once or twice. The question was, would Ms. Holbrew be willing to break the rules for the sake of female sympathy?

      “I shouldn’t say this but...” With a check over her shoulder for privacy, Ms. Holbrew continued, “My boyfriend and I broke up two weeks ago. The bastard had a wife and kept it a secret for six months. The rat!” Anger pinched her delicate features.

      A sliver of guilt hit Fall. She’d only wanted to connect with the woman, not open old wounds. Fall hated to lie, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

      With a sigh, Fall painted on a compassionate expression. “I get you, girl. Men can be as low-down as the ground we walk on.”

      “Are you saying that Mr. Castle is a womanizer? He’s always been so nice and professional. Not like a few of my previous bosses who couldn’t keep their eyes above my neck.” She patted her deep cleavage for effect.

      “Jake Castle is the biggest womanizer I think I’ve ever met. He told me he loved me. He made me promises.” Giving a dramatic flip of her hair, Fall sniffed back bogus tears. “He broke up with me. He told me women are like flowers. Why pluck just one when you can have a bouquet?”

      Mouth parting, Ms. Holbrew crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, that dirty, two-timing, snake in the–”

      The door behind the desk area opened. Fall’s heart tripped a beat. “Shh.” She brought a finger to her lips to stop the receptionist’s verbal tirade.

      The businessman passed the desk, glanced at Fall and gave her a curt nod in greeting. “Hello, Mr. DeWitt.” Ms. Holbrew fixed her lips with a perfect, obligatory smile.

      Fall blew out a breath. Not Jake.

      “Good day, Ms. Holbrew.” The man waved a hand as he headed toward the elevator.

      Ms. Holbrew wrinkled her nose as the elevator doors closed. “If we’re talking jerks, Mr. DeWitt is cream of the crop. His poor wife must have been hopeless to marry him.”

      Fall nodded, refusing the urge to glance at the clock on the wall. Time wasted. “I must see Jake. I need closure, something he didn’t allow me when he dumped me.”

      One corner of Ms. Holbrew’s mouth kinked. She pushed back her chair, got up and came around the corner of the desk. With a motion of her finger for Fall to follow, she opened the closed door.

      Fall stayed close behind the tall woman, feeling like a burglar as they headed down the hall of offices.

      Ms. Holbrew slowed her steps, looked at Fall and whispered, “His secretary’s office is here.” She pointed a slender finger to her right. “She’s in the staff meeting with Mr. Castle. Otherwise, we’d never get past her. She has a nose for mischief and runs her schedule and office like a well-oiled machine.”

      They moved down the hall again. Fall was so involved in looking over her shoulder for onlookers, she didn’t see Ms. Holbrew come to a stop. Fall bumped into her and bounced backward.

      “Here it is.” Ms. Holbrew gave a quick nod.

      Fall looked at the mahogany door and read the gold nameplate: Jake Castle.

      Ms. Holbrew tossed a look both ways down the corridor. “He’ll be in the meeting for another fifteen minutes. If he asks how you got in, tell him the receptionist wasn’t at her desk.”

      “Will do.” Opening the heavy door, Fall gave her cohort a thumbs-up sign and a wink. She’d bet a month’s salary Jake wouldn’t be concerned how she gotten into his office, as much as why she was in New York.

      She quickly closed the door and leaned against the cool wood. The shred of victory sent tingles through her. But now came the biggest hurdle.

      An image of Jake formed. Deep green eyes, dark hair, wide smile. A mixture of the scrawny boy she remembered as a kid and the unclear, black and white picture taken of him a few years back for the local newspaper. The Marietta Gazette had done a write-up on him, spotlighting his commendable efforts in making a difference in the lives of area families. Although he no longer resided in the town, he’d been the major contributor in funding a homeless shelter. He’d also shelled out thirty grand on college scholarships for teens of low-income families.

      In the story, he’d boasted of his success. In fact, his exact words were, “Life couldn’t be better.” Judging by his posh office, he’d accomplished what he’d always wanted. Pretty, shiny toys and a large bank account.

      From the glass-topped desk with its sleek wooden legs, to the burnished brown Italian leather furniture and the expensive framed art hanging on the walls, Jake’s office reeked of sophisticated tastes.

      Fall glanced down at her clothes. She wondered if she were underdressed in her off-the-rack cotton sweater and black slacks. Then she chastised herself for the shallow thought and pushed it out of her mind. If Jake Castle didn’t like her department store clothes, he could shove it. She wasn’t here to please her old friend.

      She wrinkled her nose and sighed. She could try to deny it, but she did care what Jake thought, even after all these years. Perhaps she cared a bit too much. They’d had a special friendship, one that went beyond two kids having fun. He’d been the only one she’d shared a profound connection with and remnants of that bond remained.

      Neither time nor money could erase history.

      When taking a deep breath, her lungs filled with the smell of leather, wood, and something else. An earthy fragrance of men’s cologne. Every nerve in her body tingled alive in awareness. It was the scent of Jake. It had to be.

      A