Free Home Is Where the Heart Is (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page B

have to buy. Nino’s has wonderful pizza and pasta. And their cannoli is the best you’ll ever taste.”
    Lindy almost laughed aloud. These Mayberrians sure did love Italian food. You’d think Nino’s was the only restaurant in town. “Sounds good. Seven o’clock work for you? We can meet there. And I’m buying; no arguments.”
    Bernie’s smile was appreciative. “Thanks. And FYI, Andy hasn’t come out of his office since I arrived almost two hours ago.”
    “Andy?”
    “Your plant manager.”
    “Oh.” Lindy grimaced sheepishly. “Guess I should’ve known that.”
    Bernie did a one-shoulder shrug. “You have a lot on your mind. I’m going to start setting up those interviews for you. If I don’t catch you before you leave, see you tonight.”
    “Looking forward to it.”
    The vivacious brunette turned and strode purposefully back into her office. Lindy made a quick stop in the restroom on the way, strangely anxious to meet...Andy. Geez, she still couldn’t believe she’d forgotten to ask the guy’s name.
    The door to his office stood slightly ajar. Lindy grasped the knob just as a string of loud curses rent the air. Something struck the door with such force it slammed shut, startling her. The distinct crunch of shattering glass was quickly followed by the pungent smell of...booze?
    Lindy leaned off to the side before throwing the door open. Getting beaned in the head with something wasn’t exactly high on her priority list. She took a cautious peek inside, her gaze zeroing in on the middle-aged man leaning over the desk, palms braced, chest heaving. He looked up suddenly, brow raised as if startled to see her.
    “What the hell is going on in here?” she demanded, nose wrinkled in disgust. She stepped gingerly around the broken glass, not wanting to slip in her high heels. This was Matt’s brilliant plant manager? A stinking drunk?
    “Who are you? Get the hell out of my office!”
    Infuriated, Lindy didn’t even ask for an explanation. “No, you get out. You’re fired, effective immediately.”
    When he simply stood there, gaping at her in bleary-eyed silence, Lindy added, “Please don’t make me call the police to escort you out of here, because if I have to, I will. Just grab your personal items and leave.”
    Realization dawned on who had witnessed his drunken meltdown; remorse flared in his red-rimmed blue eyes. “I’m sorry...I know how this looks, but...”
    His face crumbled as he tried to explain, his demeanor having done a complete one-eighty. But Lindy didn’t need to hear his excuses. What did it matter anyway? No way could she keep him in their employ after what she’d witnessed. She couldn’t think of a bigger no-no, as far as Spalding Industries was concerned, than drinking on the job. Luckily for Andy it hadn’t been her father who’d walked in on his little tantrum; he’d have called the police immediately and asked questions later.
    “I can call you a cab if you need one, but that’s the limit of my patience.” Lindy glanced down at the broken glass and shook her head with regret. She met Andy’s gaze, reluctant to have to explain things to Matt. He’d really been proud of this hire.
    Andy straightened and dug into his front pocket. “I have my car.”
    “I don’t think you’re in any condition to drive.”
    Belligerence bubbled back to the surface and a scowl darkened his otherwise handsome face. Andy must have been at least in his fifties considering he’d ran the plant all those years ago, though he didn’t look a day over forty. “`Course I can drive! I only had a few—” he hiccupped “—mouthfuls.”
    Lindy was doubtful of his ability to drive, and she certainly wasn’t going to let him risk hurting himself or someone else. “Either I call you a cab or I’ll call the police to escort you home. Your choice.”
    He eyed her with utter contempt. Not that Lindy didn’t understand his anger, but once he sobered up he’d realize he had no one to