Chapter Seven
Glad that Mary had come with them, it still took time to persuade Josie’s Dad, Steve, that Noel was an honorable man and meant what he said… that his help came with no strings.
Though the name Bradford held some stigma because of the recent events, in the past, it had been respected, as had his father and brother.
When Noel stepped into the shabby apartment and first saw the man hobbling painfully around the tiny room, sympathy swelled for the honest-eyed bloke.
“Please listen, Steve. It’s like the girls explained.
I was able to stop Ralph tonight, but who knows what will happen the next time he gets into the hard drugs and loses his mind.
Don’t you think it’s better to remove Josie from temptation?
You’ll be safe at my place in the city, and there’s plenty of room. ”
Steve dropped his cane and slumped onto the chair. “I don’t know what that sicko wants with my daughter anyway. She’s not his type, and she’s only eighteen. I know he’s the younger of the two Jones brothers, but still, he’s gotta be twenty-five.”
Miserable, Josie’s youthfulness disappeared to be replaced by hard-eyed resentment. “It’s because he knows I don’t want to be with him. I’ve refused all his advances. So, he tries forcing me.”
Mary piped up, “It’s the challenge. Those stoners love what they can’t have.”
“She’s right, honey.” Steve looked at Mary. “Do you think we should take the hand held out to us?”
“Yes, Steve, I do. Grab this chance, it won’t come around again.”
Noel added another incentive. “If it’ll make you feel any better, I can always find you a job once you’re back on your feet. Where did you work before your accident?”
“I was a superintendent at the Bradford Factory, in charge of the warehouse and loading docks.”
“Then you’re just the man my lawyers will want to talk to.
It’s recently come to my attention that my brother and father were instrumental in bankrupting the firm.
I’ve been in such a daze over their deaths that believing that nonsense for a minute shows I was out of my mind.
There isn’t a possibility in the world that my family would hurt their employees or steal from them.
I think it’s fate that we found each other, Steve.
Rather than me giving you charity as you so succinctly mentioned when we first arrived, I’d like to hire you as a consultant. ”
***
Exhausted after helping Steve and Josie settle, Mary returned to the large living room with the stupendous view in Noel’s New York penthouse.
She hesitated to intrude until she saw that Noel had passed out in a comfy chair, his head twisted awkwardly.
He twitched as if caught up in a terrible nightmare.
Not willing to leave him to suffer or awaken with a crick in his neck, she approached and shook him gently.
“Noel, please wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”
When Noel’s gentle gray eyes opened… unfocused, and full of horror, she recognized the affects from his dream.
“I’m sorry, Mary. I must have dozed off.”
“Please don’t apologize. You’ve been super tonight. I don’t know what we would have done without you there.”
“It boggles the mind. That animal needs a cage.”
“Well as we explained on the drive here, he’s protected by his big brother. And they’re both protected by the thugs they’ve hired. Duggan is the big boss and everyone jumps when he’s in the room.”
“Seriously, that man scares me. He’s toxic.”
Mary laughed. “His meanness scares me too. I hate it when he pushes people around. And Ralph’s not much better. Poor Josie, she’s been trying to stay out of his way ever since he first saw her weeks ago. I’ve hidden her more times than I’ll admit.”
“She’s a beautiful girl. Her Hispanic heritage has given her a lovely face. I see the attraction. I just don’t see how he thinks a girl so young is fair game.”
“Because he’s a sicko. He’s tried messing with some of the other younger girls before Josie arrived home to look after Steve. Thankfully, they came to me, and I was able to give them a safe place to stay until he sobered up.”
“Unbelievable.” Noel shook his head sadly. Changing the subject, he added, “You have a wonderful place there in Bedford Falls. A close friend mentioned your name and as soon as I saw the lighted sign, it drew me. I had to go inside.”
“Thank God you did. I don’t think we could have stopped Ralph tonight. Josie would have had more injuries, maybe worse, because she wouldn’t have given in to his vile demands. And Steve would have nothing left to live for.”
“It’s unthinkable. Lord knows, I understand the pain of losing someone you love. I’m just thankful I listened earlier to some good advice and was there to help.”
Not understanding his reference to listening, and not wanting to intrude, Mary changed the subject.
“I support a lot of youngsters, many who just need a safe night from arguing parents or a place away from the streets, a shelter until they find a job and get back on their feet. But in Josie’s case, we’ve been a refuge, somewhere to hide. ”
“Then I for one am thankful you have your doors open.”
“Not for long, I’m afraid. When my aunt left me that old boarding house, I knew there was a huge need in town for a safe haven.
But I’ve pretty well gone through most of the money in renovations and paying for the upkeep.
The county is zapping me with such whopping taxes; I don’t know how long I can hang on. ”
Noel reached over to place his hand against her cheek, his gaze drawing hers. “Please tell me you take donations.”
“Yes, of course. Right now, we’re only able to exist on the help from others.”
“Then I’ll be happy to make a huge donation. But only on one condition.”
Mary stiffened. With men, there’re always conditions. Hadn’t she learned her lesson with the man she’d been engaged to for almost ten years? He’d played that game with her to hold off their wedding.
First, he needed to graduate from medical school, which she worked two jobs to help him pay for.
Then he decided to specialize and chose sports medicine.
More money, more time. Next on his obstruction list - the clinic and a fancy office.
By the last year, she’d begun to lose patience and had laid down an ultimatum.
That was when she’d found out he was having an affair with his new secretary and oops, so sorry, he was in love… for real.
“Mary? Mary? Did I say something wrong?” Noel, concerned over her lack of attention, appeared upset. She couldn’t blame him. She’d zoned out.
“No, sorry. It’s me. I have a thing about a man making conditions.”
He appeared to rethink his remark and shrugged. “Okay, this is what I was going to suggest. But you can certainly say no if you wish. I’ll go along with your decision.”
Not knowing how to deal with such reasonableness, Mary smiled. “Then let’s hear what you were going to say.”
“I need a place to stay in Bedford Falls for a few weeks so I can nose around and check into some of the details that Steve mentioned tonight about the strange activities at the distribution factory. I want to visit the bank manager and the local law office, really study why the firm went into bankruptcy. The board has no idea what occurred at the town level, and I think it might have something to do with what’s been happening to all the businesses in town.
Would you let me stay at your place for that time? ”
Overwhelming relief flooded and Mary couldn’t help letting him see the truth. She’d been terrified of what would happen when she returned home, and she had no option but to do so. Now, at least, with him by her side, she wouldn’t feel so alone.
“Of course, you can stay. As my guest. No charge. I’m just thrilled to have a friend with me when I go back.”
Noel grinned, leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I’ve been told that I’m a very good friend.”
A whiff of fresh air clinging to his clothes was delightful as were the tingles that attacked her body. With her stomach fluttering, her lower muscles tightening and her heart singing, she stood, smiled and fled to his guest room.