Rogues Angels Presents a Cliffhanger from A Wife for Jay Prescott

Do you ever get distracted when you're talking to someone on the phone? Here what happens to the hero in A Wife For Jay Prescott.

     The phone rang again and still no answer. Knowing she occasionally had trouble walking, Jay didn’t hang up.

     “Hello.” Her warm voice broke the silence.

     “Hi. Mimi. I’ve only a few minutes, but I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

     “Nothing new here. How was your trip?”

     “Good. I almost froze. Never realized New York winters could be so cold.”

     “It’s been quiet around here. You were away on business and my friend, Peggy, had an emergency trip to California to see her new grandchild. He was seven weeks early.”
     Be prepared for the unexpected. He could easily hear Lillian’s soft-spoken words. Would her voice haunt him as much as her legs?

     The silence on the phone line lengthened before Jay realized his grandmother was waiting for a reply. “That’s good.”

     “She called last night. A baby boy named Eric, after Peggy’s late husband.”

     “Bet she’s happy,” he answered absently.

     “Jay, what’s troubling you? You don’t sound like yourself. What’s on your mind?”

     “Nothing.” Ever since he was a child, she knew when something disturbed him. Their routine was always the same. She’d ask what was wrong, he’d say nothing, and by the end of the conversation she’d know all about his problems. She was a crafty woman, but she wouldn’t extract any information from him today. He knew all her tactics.

     “Jay, I’d like to see my great-grandchildren before I’m gone.” Her voice sounded different, troubled. Her statement didn’t resemble her usual pestering request, “I want you to get married.”

     “What are you trying to say, Grandma?” Jay sat up straighter in his soft leather chair. He knew she wasn’t as active as she used to be but he wasn’t prepared for her filing health. She meant everything to him an he’d do anything for her. “Have you seen a doctor lately?”

     “Yes, dear. I see one once a week.”

     “Once a week!” The muscles in the back of his neck tightened. “What’s wrong with you?”

     “Dr. Mason plays bridge with us.”

     Jay released an audible sigh. “Mimi, you had me worried.”

     “I’m fine. My hip doesn’t always cooperate, that’s all. Back to you, Jay. What do you want to tell me?”

     Jay glanced down at the yellow legal pad on his desk. If he focused on something else, she wouldn’t weasel out of him what was on his mind. “I won’t be able to stop by on Sunday. I have to finish up some paperwork here at the office.”

     “You work too hard, Jay…”

     A knock on his office door distracted him for a moment. He placed his hand over the mouthpiece. “Come in.” Steve wanted a meeting, so Jay knew he’d have to end his phone conversation. “Grandma, I have—“

     A discreet cough drew his attention to his office door and the woman standing there. She wore a familiar-looking linen suit and silk blouse, yet she had long strawberry blonde hair. Her sexy smile also looked familiar. Confused, Jay glanced down at ankles. He’d recognized those ankles anywhere. His gaze returned to her face. Without the wig, glasses, and wrinkles she was obviously –“A young woman,” Jay muttered to himself.

     “You have a young woman.” Mimi squealed. “How delightful! Why didn’t you tell me right away? What’s her name?”

     Bewildered by the woman across the room, Jay only heard half of what his grandmother said and answered her without thinking. “Lillian Ross?” he whispered in disbelief.

     “Bring her by for Sunday dinner.”