Free Christmas Star (Contemporary, Romance) by Roz Denny Fox Page A

sandwich—arsenic on whole wheat.”
    Ignoring her sarcasm, Clay stayed on the freeway for several miles, then left it and drove two blocks, finally pulling into the parking lot across from the building where she worked. Letting the engine idle, he reached for his hat.
    “No need for both of us to get wet,” she said quickly. “You wouldn’t want to spoil me, now would you?” Gathering her things, Starr hopped out. The long drop jarred her teeth.
    Clay’s hand hovered over his hat for a moment. Leaving it, he shrugged expansively. “Suit yourself.”
    “Ta-ta,” she murmured sweetly, shutting the door hard enough to rattle his windows. She seethed as she dashed through the rain, never giving a thought to using her umbrella.
    Clay watched her join a group of women on the walkway. It surprised him to see that even at a distance she stood out. At first he dismissed it as merely her rich auburn hair, which made a dazzling crown of color among nondescript browns and blonds. But it was more than her appearance, he decided when she sailed blithely into the old brick building. Few women could have resisted taking a final peek to see if he’d gone or stayed. She didn’t.
    Starr Lederman had class, he’d give her that. Either she didn’t care if he dogged her footsteps or she didn’t have anything to hide. Tapping his lips with his thumb, he wondered whether to revise his assessment. But maybe the lady just played one helluva game of poker. Clay’s fingers drummed on the steering wheel in time to the hammering of rain on the roof of the Blazer. She was up to something. He’d bet his last dime on it. Question was, what? Yesterday his brother had acted damned odd, too. Where most men would have denied an affair if confronted, Harrison seemed almost pleased. Was he covering some greater sin?
    Maybe he should pay his own visit to that social worker, Clay thought. If Starr intended to call for an appointment, it might be smart for him to swing by social services now. Yes, he’d do that.
    * * *
    S TARR STOOD at the window in her boss’s office on the fourth floor and observed Clay McLeod’s departure. Two fingers strayed to her lips, and as his vehicle disappeared, her stomach unknotted. Behind her, the steady rise and fall of her boss’s words started to make sense. “It will reflect well on the department that the university chose you for this special project.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Starr said before Mr. Jensen launched into one of his long-winded speeches. “I really hate asking another favor today.” And she meant it, too. Yesterday when the school called, Starr had hated having to leave her desk piled high. And then her late lunch with Harrison... “I wouldn’t ask for time to visit Mrs. Manning if there was any other way,” she said after explaining her need to see the case worker.
    The white-haired man nodded. “Go now. I’ll explain to Dr. Ellsworth.”
    Starr thanked him again and used his phone to call a cab. The element of surprise might just work to her advantage with Wanda Manning.
    Less than a half hour later Starr thought perhaps she’d been right. Wanda flew out of her private office the moment the receptionist announced Starr’s arrival. Wanda even sent the receptionist on a break and sat at the woman’s desk. Always before, Starr had been kept waiting for hours.
    “To what do I owe this unscheduled intrusion?” Wanda asked.
    Left to stand, Starr realized the speed with which she was being seen was all that had changed. “My job is taking me out of town over SeLi’s Christmas break. I’d like permission for her to go with me.”
    “As if you hadn’t already had it approved by Judge Forbes.”
    Starr’s smile slipped. The senator must have called the judge, even though she’d asked him not to. If she’d only known, she could have saved herself a trip.
    “Since you’re here,” Wanda said, “I want you to know that I’m opposed to everything about this idiotic scheme of yours.