The Man Behind the Pinstripes

If Becca wasn’t already indebted to Gertie Fairchild, she was now.

Gertie shot a pointed look at Caleb. “Perhaps if you dropped by more often you’d know what’s going on.”

Caleb directed a smile at his grandmother that redefined the word charming.

Not that Becca was about to be charmed. The dogs might like him, but she was … reserving judgment.

“I see you every Sunday for brunch at the club.” Caleb’s affection for his grandmother wrapped around Becca like a thick, warm comforter, weighing the scales in his favor. “But you never talk about yourself.”

Gertie shrugged, but hurt flashed in her eyes so fast Becca doubted if Caleb noticed. “Oh, it just seems like we end up talking about you and Courtney.”

“Well, I’m here now,” he said.

Gertie placed her hand over her heart and closed her eyes. “To dash all my hopes and dreams.”

Becca’s gaze bounced between the two. “What do you mean?”

Caleb touched Gertie’s arm. “My grandmother is being melodramatic.”

Opening her eyes, Gertie pursed her lips. “I’m entitled to be a drama queen. You don’t want our pet products.”

No. No. No. If that was true, it would ruin … everything. Gertie wouldn’t go forward with the dog products without her company backing them. Becca forced herself to breathe. “I don’t understand.”

Gertie shook her head. “My grandson, the CEO, and his closed-minded cronies at my company believe our dog skin care line will devalue their brand.”

“That’s stupid and shortsighted,” Becca said.

Caleb eyed her as if she were the bounty, a half-eaten mouse or bird, left on the porch by an outdoor cat. “That’s quite an opinion for a … consultant.”

“Not for a dog consultant.” The words came out more harshly than Becca intended, but if she couldn’t change his mind she would be back to living in a singlewide behind Otto. Otto, her parents’ longtime trailer park manager, wore stiletto heels with his camouflage, and skinned squirrels for fun. “Do you know how much money is spent annually on pets?”

“Billions.”

“Over fifty billion dollars. Food and vet costs are the largest portion, but analysts project over four billion dollars are spent on pet services. That includes grooming. Gertie’s products are amazing. Better than anything on the market.”

Gertie nodded. “If only my dear husband were still around. He’d jump on this opportunity.”

“Gramps would agree with me.” Caleb frowned, not a sad one, more of a do-we-have-to-go-through-this-again frown. “Fair Face is not being shortsighted. We have a strategic plan.”

Becca forced herself not to slump. “So change your plan.”

“Where’d you get your MBA?” he asked.

Try AA degree. “I didn’t study business. I’m a certified veterinary technician, but my most valuable education came from The School of Hard Knocks.”

Aka the Idaho Women’s Correctional Center.

“As I explained to my grandmother, the decision about manufacturing the dog skin care line is out of my hands.”

Caleb’s polite tone surprised Becca, but provided no comfort. Not after she’d poured her heart and soul into the dog products. “If the decision was all yours?”

His hard, cold gaze locked on hers. “I still wouldn’t manufacture them.”

The words slammed into Becca like a fist to her jaw. She took a step back. But she couldn’t retreat. “How could you do this to your grandmother?”

Caleb opened his mouth to speak.

Gertie placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’ll help Becca understand.”

He muttered a thank-you.

“This decision is in the best interest of Fair Face.” Gertie sounded surprisingly calm. “It’s okay.”

But it wasn’t.

Becca had thought that things would be different this time. That she could be a part of something, something big and successful and special. That maybe, just maybe, dreams could come true.

She should have known better.

Things never worked out for girls—women—like Becca.

And never would.

CHAPTER TWO

A FEW MINUTES LATER, Becca stood where the grass met the patio, her heart in her throat and her back to Gertie and Caleb. Dogs panted with eagerness, waiting for the ball to be thrown again.

And again. And again.

Playing fetch kept Becca’s shoulders from sagging. She would much rather curl up in the kennel with the dogs than be here. Dogs gave her so much. Loyalty, companionship and most importantly love. Dogs loved unconditionally. They cared, no matter what. They accepted her for who she was without any explanations.

Unlike … people.

“Come sit with us,” Gertie said.

Us.

A sheen of sweat covered Becca’s skin from the warm temperature, but she shivered.

Caleb had multi-millions. Gertie had hundreds of millions. Becca had $8,428.

She didn’t want much—a roof over her head, a dog to call her own and the chance to prove herself as a professional handler. Not a lot to ask.

But those dreams had imploded thanks to Caleb Fairchild.

Becca didn’t want to spend another minute with the man.

She glanced back at her boss.

“Please, Becca.” Gertie’s words were drawn out with an undertone of a plea. Gertie might be more upset about Fair Face not wanting to take on her new products than she acted.

Becca whipped around. Forced a smile. Took a step onto the patio. “Sure, I’ll sit for a few minutes.”

Caleb was still standing, a tall, dream-crushing force she did not want to reckon with ever again.

Walking to the table, she didn’t acknowledge his presence. He didn’t deserve a second look or an “excuse me” as she passed.

Gertie had to be reeling, the same as Becca, after what he’d said.

I still wouldn’t manufacture them.

Becca’s blood boiled. But she couldn’t lose it.

She touched Gertie’s thin shoulder, not knowing how else to comfort her employer, her friend. The luxurious feel of silk beneath Becca’s palm would soon be a thing of the past. But it wasn’t the trappings of wealth she would miss. It was this amazing woman, the one who had almost made Becca believe anything was possible. Almost …

“I’m so sorry.” A lump burned in her throat. Her eyes stung. She blinked. “You’ve worked so hard and wasted so much time for nothing.”

Gertie waved her hand as if her arm were an enchanted wand that could make everything better. Diamonds sparkled beneath the sun. Prisms of lights danced. If only magic did exist …

“None of this has been a waste, dear.” Gertie smiled up at Becca. Not the trying-hard-to-smile-and-not-cry of someone disappointed and reeling, but a smile full of light and hope. “The products are top-notch. You said so yourself. Nothing has changed, in spite of what Caleb thinks.”

He gave a barely perceptible shake of his head.

Obviously he didn’t agree with his grandmother. But Gertie didn’t seem deterred.

That didn’t make sense to Becca. Caleb was the CEO and had final say. She sat next to Gertie. “But if Fair Face doesn’t want the products …”

“You and I are starting our own company.” Gertie spoke with a singsong voice. “We’ll manufacture the products without Fair Face.”

Our own company. It wasn’t over.

Becca’s breath hitched. Her vision blurred. She touched her fingers to her lips.

The dream wasn’t dead. She could make this work. She wasn’t sure how …

Gertie had always spoken as if working with Fair Face on the products was a done deal, but if going into business was their only option that would have to do. “O-kay.”

“Your consultant doesn’t sound very confident,” Caleb said to Gertie. “Face it, you’re a chemist, not a businesswoman.” He looked at Becca. “Maybe you can talk some sense into my grandmother about this crazy idea of hers.”

Becca clenched her hands. She might not know anything about business, but she didn’t like Caleb’s condescending attitude. The guy had some nerve discounting his grandmother.

Forget jade. The color of his eyes reminded her of cucumbers or fava beans. Not only cool, but uninspiring.

Change and taking a risk weren’t part of his vocabulary. But they were hers. “Makes perfect sense to me. I’m in.”

“Wonderful.” Gertie clapped her hands together. “We’ll need an advisor. Caleb?”

A horrified look distorted his face, as if he’d been asked to face the Zombie Apocalypse alone and empty-handed. He took a step back and bumped into a lounge chair. “Not me. I don’t have time.”

His words—dare Becca say excuse?—didn’t surprise her. The guy kept glancing at his watch. She’d bet five bucks he had his life scheduled down to the minute with alarms on his smartphone set to ring, buzz or whistle reminders.

“You wouldn’t leave us on our own to figure things out.” Gertie fluttered her eyelashes as if she were some helpless female—about as helpless as a charging rhino. “You’ll have to make the time.”

His chin jutted forward. Walking across burning coals on his hands looked more appealing than helping them. “Sorry, Grams. I can’t.”

Good. Becca didn’t want his help any more than he wanted to give it. “We’ll find someone else to advise us.”

Gertie grinned, the kind of grin that scientists got when they made a discovery and were about to shout “Eureka!” “Or …”

“Or what?” Becca said at the same time as Caleb.

“We can see if another company is interested in partnering with us.” Gertie listed what Becca assumed to be Fair Face’s main competitors.

Caleb’s lips tightened. His face reddened. His nostrils flared.

Well played, Gertie.

Becca bit back a smile. Not a scientific breakthrough, but a way to break Caleb. Gertie was not only intelligent, but also knew how to get her way. That was how Becca had ended up living at the estate. She wondered if Caleb knew he didn’t stand a chance against his grandmother.

“You wouldn’t,” he said.

“They are my formulas. Developed with my money in my lab here at my house,” Gertie said. “I can do whatever I want with them.”

True. But Gertie owned the privately held Fair Face.

Becca didn’t need an MBA from a hallowed ivy-covered institute to know Gertie’s actions might have repercussions.

Caleb rested his hands on the back of the chair. One by one, his fingers tightened around the wood until his knuckles turned white.

Say no.

Becca didn’t want him to advise them. She and Gertie needed help starting a new business. But Becca would rather not see Caleb again. She couldn’t deny a physical attraction to him. Strange. She preferred going out with a rough-around-the-edges and not-so-full-of-themselves type of guy. Working-class guys like her.

Being attracted to a man who had money and power was stupid and dangerous. Men like that could ruin her plans. Her life. One had.

Of course, Caleb hadn’t shown the slightest interest in her. He wouldn’t. He would never lower his standards. Except maybe for one night.

No, thanks.

Becca wanted nothing to do with Caleb Fairchild.

Caleb was trapped, by the patio furniture and by his grandmother. This was not the way he’d expected the meeting to go. He was outnumbered and had no reinforcements. Time to rein in his grams before all hell broke loose.

He gave her a look, the look that said he knew exactly what she was doing. Too bad she was more interested in the tail-wagging, paw-prancing dogs at her feet. No matter, he knew how to handle Grams. Her so-called consultant was another matter.

Becca seemed pleased by his predicament. She sat with her shoulders squared and her lips pursed, as if she were looking for a fight. Not exactly the type of behavior he would have expected from a consultant, even a dog one.

He would bet Becca was the one who talked Grams into making the dog products. Nothing else would explain why his grandmother had strayed from developing products that had made her and Fair Face a fortune.

It had to be Becca behind all this nonsense.

The woman was likely a con artist looking to turn this consulting gig into a big pay off. She could be stealing when Grams wasn’t paying attention. Maybe a heist of artwork and jewelry and silver was in the works. His wealthy family had always been a target of people wanting to take advantage of them. People like Cassandra. Grams could be in real danger.

Sure, Becca looked more like a college student than a scammer. Especially wearing a “No outfit is complete without dog hair” T-shirt and jean shorts that showed off long, smooth, thoroughbred legs.

She had great legs. He’d give her that.

But looks could be deceiving. He’d fallen for Cassandra and her glamorous façade.

Not that Becca was glamorous.

With her short, pixie-cut brown hair and no makeup she was pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way. If he’d ever had a next-door neighbor whose house wasn’t separated by acres of land, high fences and security cameras.

But Becca wasn’t all rainbows and apple pie.

Her blue eyes, tired and hardened and wary, contradicted her youthful appearance. She wasn’t innocent or naïve. Definitely not one of the princess types he’d known at school or the social climbers he knew around town. There was an edge to her he couldn’t quite define, and that … intrigued him.

Worried him, too.

He didn’t want anyone taking advantage of Grams.

Speaking of which, he faced his grandmother. “It’s not going to work.”

Grams glanced up from the dogs. The five animals worshipped at her feet as if she were a demigod or a large slice of bacon dressed in pink. “What’s not going to work, dear?”

A smile tugged on the corners of Becca’s mouth, as if she were amused by the situation.

Caleb pressed his lips together. He didn’t like her.

Any consultant with an ounce of integrity would have taken his side on this. But what did he expect from a woman who wore sports sandals with neon-orange-and-green toenail polish to work? He bet she was covered with tattoos and piercings beneath her clothing.

Sexy images of her filled his mind.

Focus.

He rocked back on his heels. “If you partner with one of Fair Face’s competitors, the media will turn this into a firestorm. Imagine how the employees will react. You’re the creative influence behind our products. How will you reconcile what you do for one company with the other?”

“Animal products for them. Human products for Fair Face.” A sheepish grin formed on Grams’s lips. “It was only a thought.”

A dog tried to get his attention, first rubbing against Caleb’s leg then staring up at him. Seemed as if everyone was giving him the soulful-puppy-look today. “A ploy.”

Grams tsked. “I can’t believe you think I’d resort to such a tactic.”

Yeah, right. Caleb remembered looking at what colleges to attend and Grams’s reaction. Naval Academy, too dangerous. Harvard, too far. Cal Berkeley, too hippy. She’d steered him right where she’d wanted him—Stanford, her alma mater. “I’m sure you’d resort to worse to get your way.”

That earned him a grin from Becca.

Glad someone found this entertaining. Though she had a nice smile, one that made him think of springtime and fresh flowers. An odd thought given he had little time to enjoy the outdoors these days. Maybe it was because they were outside.

“I shouldn’t have to resort to anything,” Grams said. “You promised your grandfather you’d take care of us.”

Something Caleb would never forget.

That promise was directing the course of his life. For better or worse given his grandmother, his sister, Fair Face and the employees were now his responsibility. He grimaced. “I’m taking care of you the best way I know how.”

Grams rubbed a gray dog named Blue, but she didn’t say a word.

He knew this trick, using silence to make him give in, the way his grandfather had capitulated in the past. But Caleb couldn’t surrender. “Grams—”

“Gertie, didn’t you mention the other day how busy Fair Face keeps your grandson?” Becca interrupted. “It might be better to find someone else to help us, since Caleb is so busy.”

Whoa. Becca wanted to be his ally?

That sent Caleb’s hinky-meter shooting into the red zone. No one was that nice to a total stranger. She must want him out of the way so she could run her scam in peace.

“Good idea,” he said, playing along. Maybe he could catch Becca in a lie or trip her up somehow. “I’m not sure I’d have a few minutes to spare until the baby product line launches, if then. You know how it is.”

“Yes, I do.” Grams tapped her fingers against her chin. “But I like keeping things in the family.”

So much for taking her formulas to a competitor. “You wouldn’t want me to ignore the company, would you?”

His grandmother’s gaze narrowed as if zooming in on a target—him. “Who’s trying to guilt who now?”

He raised his hands in surrender. “Fair enough.”

“Maybe Caleb knows someone who can help us,” Becca said.

He would rather his grandmother drop this whole thing, but once Grams saw what starting her own business entailed, she would decide retirement was a better alternative. He would get someone he trusted to advise them, someone to keep an eye on Becca, someone to steer his grandmother properly. Caleb would still be in control, by proxy. “I’m happy to give you a few names. I know one person who would be a good fit.”

“I suppose it’s worth a try,” Gertie said.

“Definitely worth a try.” Enthusiasm filled Becca’s voice. “We can do this.”

We? Us? Caleb straightened. Becca acted more like a partner. He needed to talk to his grandmother about what sort of contract she had with her “consultant.” Something about Becca bothered him. She had to be up to no good. “I’ll text you the names and numbers, Grams.”

“Send Becca the list. As you said, I’m a chemist not a businesswoman.”

“Will do.” Caleb glanced at his watch, bent and kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I need to get back to the office.”

Grams grabbed hold of his hand. Her thin fingers dug into his skin. “You can’t leave. You haven’t had any cake.”

The carrot cake. Caleb had forgotten, but he couldn’t forget the pile of work waiting for him on his desk. He checked his watch again.

“Gertie baked the carrot cake herself. You need to try a piece.” Becca’s voice sounded lighthearted, but her pointed look contained a clear warning. Caleb had better stay if he knew what was good for him.

Interesting. The consultant was being protective of his grandmother. Usually that was his job. Becca’s concern could be genuine or a ruse—most likely the latter—but she was correct about one thing. Eating a slice of cake wouldn’t take that long. No reason to keep disappointing Grams. He could also use the opportunity to ask his grandmother for more information about her dog consultant.

Caleb placed his arm around his grandmother. “I’d love a piece of your cake and a glass of iced tea.”

Dogs raced around Becca, jumping and barking and chasing balls. She stood in the center of the lawn while Gertie went into the house to have Mrs. Harrison prepare the refreshments.

Playing with the dogs was more fun than sitting with Caleb on the patio. Becca saw no reason to make idle chitchat with a man eager to eat his cake and get out of there. At least, she couldn’t think of one.

She much preferred four-footed, fur-covered company to dismissive CEOs. Dogs were her best friends, even when they were a little naughty.

“You’re a mess, Blue.” Becca picked strands of grass and twigs from the Kerry blue terrier’s gray hair. “Let’s clean you up before Gertie returns.”

Dogs—no matter a purebred like Blue or a mutt like Dozer—loved to get dirty. Gertie didn’t mind, but Becca tried to keep the dogs looking half decent even when playing.

Blue licked her hand.

Bending over, she kissed his head. “Such a good boy.”

“You like dogs.”

Becca jumped. She didn’t have to turn around to know Caleb was right behind her, but she glanced over her shoulder anyway. “I love dogs. They’re my life.”

His cool gaze examined her as if she were a stock he was deciding to buy or sell, making her feel exposed. Naked.

Her nose itched. Her lungs didn’t want to fill with air.

He stepped forward to stand next to her. “Your life as a dog consultant?”

“Gertie came up with that title,” Becca said. “But I am a dog handler, groomer and certified vet tech.”

“A jill of all trades.”

That was one way to look at it. Desperate to make a living working with animals and to become a full-time professional dog handler was another. “When it comes to animals, particularly dogs.”

Snowy and Maurice chased each other, barking. Dozer played tug-of-war with Hunter, a thirteen-inch beagle, growling. Blue sat at Becca’s feet, waiting. “I need to put the dogs in the kennel.”

Confusion clouded Caleb’s gaze. He might as well have spoken the question on his mind aloud.

“Yes, Gertie has a kennel.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Your face.” Becca almost laughed. “I’m guessing you don’t play a lot of poker. Unless you prefer losing money.”

Caleb looked amused, not angry. That surprised her.

“Hey,” he said. “I used to be quite good.”

“If the other players were blind.”

“Ha-ha.”

“Well, you don’t have much of a poker face.”

At least not with his grandmother. Or with Becca.

He puffed out his chest. “We’re not playing cards. But you’re looking at a real card shark.”

She liked his willingness to poke fun at himself. “I believe you.”

“No, you don’t.”

Heat rushed up her neck. “Okay, I don’t.”

“Honest.”

“I try to be.” He wasn’t talking about poker any longer. She picked up one of the balls. “It’s important to play fair.”

Caleb’s eyebrow twitched. “Do you have a good poker face?”

“You realized I didn’t believe you, so probably not.”

“No aces up your sleeve?”

“Not my style.”

“What is your style?”

“Strategy over deceit.” Becca couldn’t tell if he believed her, but she hoped he did. Because he was Gertie’s grandson, she rationalized. “That’s why I’d never sit at a poker table with you. You’re too easy to read. It would be like stealing a bone from a puppy.”

“A puppy, huh?”

“A manly pup. Not girly.”

He grinned wryly. “Wouldn’t want to be girly dog.”

His gaze held hers. Becca stared mesmerized.

Something passed between them. A look. A connection.

Her pulse quickened.

He looked away.

What was going on? She didn’t date guys like him. Even if she did, he was too much of a Boy Scout. And it was clear he didn’t like her. “I have to go.”

“I want to see the kennel.”

“Uh, sure.” But she felt uncertain, unsettled being near him. She pointed to the left. “It’s down by the guest cottage.”

Caleb fell into step next to Becca, shortening his stride to match hers. “How did you meet my grandmother?”

She called the five dogs. They followed. “At The Rose City Classic.”

He gave her a blank stare.

Funny he didn’t know what that was, given Gertie’s interest in dog showing. “It’s in Portland. One of the biggest dog shows on the West Coast. Your grandmother hired me to take Snowy into the breed ring. Ended up with a Group third. A very good day.”

Blue darted off, as if he were looking for something—a toy, a ball, maybe a squirrel.

Becca whistled for him.

He trotted back with a sad expression in his brown eyes.

Caleb rubbed his chin. “I have no idea what you just said.”

“Dog show speak,” Becca said. “Snowy won third place in the Group ring. In his case, the Non-Sporting group.”

“Third place is good?”

“Gertie was pleased with the result. She offered me a job taking care of her dogs, including the fosters and rescues, here at the estate.”