Page 128 of Clara Knows Best

Hewasgoing with his gut instinct, and he felt good about it—mostly. “I’m choosing Clara.”

“Thought you might,” she breezed. “Are you quitting?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to miss this place,” she warned.

“I know.”

Finally, she looked up. “That girl did a number on you.”

“Yeah, she did.”

“Good,” she said roundly. “I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this before, but you deserve to be happy.”

His mouth opened and closed.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, go on up there and give Grisham the shock of his life.”

He hesitated. “You know, if you ever felt like taking a pay cut and moving to a dead-end border town to work in a building that wouldn’t look out of place on Disneyland’s Main Street—”

“I’ll think about it,” she said airily.

He was still reeling from that answer when he got out of the elevator on the administrative floor. She’d actually think about it?

“Is Dr. Grisham available?” he asked the secretary.

“He’s expecting you, Dr. Flores. Go right in.”

He forgot to thank her until he’d already gone through the doors, and by then it was too late.

“Jesse. What’s the word?” Grisham asked directly.

“I’m turning you down,” Jesse said. “And giving my two weeks’ notice. I love working here, but I have to go see about a girl.”

Grisham leaned back in his chair and regarded him with fascination. “Where?” he asked finally.

“Little nothing town called Romeo in the Trans-Pecos.”

“Way out west? You’re not planning to stay there forever, are you?”

“As long as she’ll let me.”

Grisham considered for a long moment. Then he said, “How far away is that, by air?”

“Hour and ten.”

“Maybe…we could work something out.”

“I’m listening,” Jesse said instantly.

53

She was halfway to Valentine when Hart called with news.

“Got our buyer,” he said.

“Did we get asking?” she asked quickly.

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