Best Foot Forward Read online

  Relief flowed over Danna’s face, and she gave Grace a grateful smile. “Would you please? It’s just that I’m—”

  “Yes, I know—you’re new.” Grace thought Danna ought to have learned something during her month-long term as the receptionist, but she kept the opinion to herself. She could hardly criticize the flighty girl, when she had a tendency to make such crazy blunders, herself. She located the substitute schedule and the phone number for Danna. But at her panicked expression, Grace decided to make the call herself.

  “Hello? Is this Brian Taylor?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Harbinger Elementary. I know you’re scheduled to substitute at eleven o’clock, but I’m hoping you can come early.” At his hesitation she added, “It’s kind of an emergency.”

  “Uhmm... I could probably be there by ten.”

  Grace sucked in a deep breath and held it. Ten o’clock would have to do. “Okay, thanks so much.”

  Danna was still regarding her with wide eyes. “Where are you going?”

  “To the hospital.” Grace held her hand to her throat, feeling the rapid pulse in her neck. “And I wish I already had that sedative they’re giving me. I need it now.”

  The door opened behind Danna, and the principal peered outside. She frowned when she saw Grace and stepped to the desk, shutting the door behind her.

  “What’s wrong, Grace? You’re white as a sheet.”

  “Oh Ms. Garcia, I’m such an air-head! I thought my appointment was for one o’clock, but it’s really at eleven. I just called to get my sub to come early. He said he could get here by ten.”

  “Grace, your hands are shaking. Don’t fret about this—I’ll cover your classroom as soon as I handle a few things up here. You don’t have to wait until ten o’clock to leave.”

  “Thank you so much! I’m so nervous about getting there on time. If I’m late I won’t have time to get checked in and get the sedative. I want to make sure it has time to work before they give me an IV. I’m so afraid of the needle.”

  She chuckled. “Poor Grace. I don’t know how you’re going to handle having children.”

  “I may have to adopt,” said Grace, only half-teasing.

  “You’re having surgery?” asked Danna. “What are they doing to you? You don’t look sick.”

  Ms. Garcia stopped her. “Danna, all health issues are private. You aren’t supposed to ask these questions unless you need to know. And if anyone shares health information with you, you’re not allowed to give that information to anyone else. Do you understand?”

  Danna started blinking rapidly, and Grace thought she might start crying. She decided to diffuse the tense situation with humor. “It’s okay, Danna. You might as well know. I’m having plastic surgery.” She winked at her principal. “The next time you see me, you won’t even recognize me.”

  Ms. Garcia played along with her. “Yes, I’m hoping you’ve decided to go with a bigger nose to balance out those cheek implants you’re getting.”

  “The breast reduction is going to be the best part,” Grace chuckled. “It’ll be so much easier to find clothes to fit.”

  Ms. Garcia placed a hand on her arm. “Seriously Grace, I’ll be praying for you. I’m sure everything will be fine. And who’s your sub?”

  “I’ve never met him. His name is Brian Taylor.”

  “Brian’s great—he’s quite intimidating. He used to be in the marines, and he’s great with discipline. He’s about six foot four and he’s built like a cinder-block.”

  “I’m sorry I’m going to miss him.” She remembered her abandoned classroom and gasped. “Yikes! I’ve got to get back to my classroom. Thanks so much, Ms. Garcia.”

  On her walk back to class, Grace began to feel guilty Brad wouldn’t hear about her biopsy until after it was over. After all, he hadn’t really done anything wrong. She couldn’t even be angry with him about the Kara (a.k.a. Leanne) situation since she’d already broken up with him when they went to the baseball game together. She retrieved her phone and entered a text with trembling fingers. Call me when you get a chance. I have something important to tell you. She thought for a moment. They hadn’t really talked in a month—he was probably angry with her. And I’m sorry! There—now he would know she was taking the blame. She pressed send before she could chicken out and made sure her phone was in her pocket where she could feel it vibrate.

  Adrenaline working overtime, she took a few deep breaths to slow her heart and squeezed her hands into fists. She couldn’t wait to take that sedative.

  *****

  Kara checked the schedule again. Brad Gates wasn’t due to arrive until noon, but Josh Branson was already here. This was her best opportunity to get the scoop on Brad and his girlfriend. She’d been laying low for a month since Brad had been giving her the cold-shoulder, but she was almost certain he and Grace had remained estranged. She was dating another doctor, but he wasn’t as brilliant or good-looking as Brad. Plus, she was almost certain he was more interested in her connections than he was in her. She didn’t mind using her father’s wealth and influence to her own ends, but it was unflattering to think the man wasn’t spellbound by her looks and personality.

  She found Josh alone in the lounge. He regarded her with wary eyes as she approached him. He’d certainly turned out to be more astute than she’d realized. She’d have to be careful—throw him off-track.

  “Dr. Branson, I wonder if you might give me some advice. It’s about...” She put on her most tentative face. “It’s about a guy.”

  “Why me, Dr. Dickson?” His expression was inscrutable. “Why not ask one of your girlfriends for advice?”

  “To be honest, I don’t have any girlfriends. Girls always distrust me—they think I’m going to steal their boyfriends or husbands.” Her laugh was humorless. “But look at me. I’m thirty-two and still single. If I were going to steal a guy, don’t you think I would have done it by now?”

  Apparently disarmed, Josh chuckled. “Okay, I’ll do my best to help. But I’ve been told I’m not that great at understanding women—at least, not all of them.”

  “I don’t need help understanding women... I need help understanding men.” She flashed her smile-of-gratitude, which he accepted and returned. Men were so easy to manipulate.

  “Well then, fire away.”

  “There’s this guy I like, but it seems like I always do everything wrong with him. I know he’s attracted to me, but he holds himself at a distance.”

  Josh frowned. “Are you sure he’s not married or otherwise attached?”

  “I’m sure he’s not married, and I don’t think he’s attached. I’ve backed off, but I just can’t stop thinking about him. I really wish I understood... I thought you could help me learn what I did wrong with Brad, and that might help me with this guy.”

  He sat back, crossing his arms over his chest, and let out a heavy breath. “Kara, you never had a chance with Brad. He’s in love with Grace. But barring that, you were too aggressive for him. Some guys like that, but not Brad. And then there was the matter of you lying and keeping the flowers Grace brought him. I doubt he’d ever forgive you for doing something like that.”

  “It was just an impulse, and I regret it now. I know I shouldn’t have done that, but I thought it might be my only chance. He’s dating Grace again, right? I hope I didn’t do any permanent damage.” She tucked her chin down and gazed at Josh through her lashes. Did he buy her story? She needed Josh on her side if she was going to bag Brad. “I really wish I could make it up to him. If he and Grace wanted to move back to California, I’d still be willing to put in a good word for him with my father.”

  His brows arched high on his forehead. “Really? You’d help him get a job even if he wasn’t with you?”

  “Of course I would—he’s highly qualified. Do you think he might be interested in moving? He and Grace?”

  Josh scratched his chin. “It’s crazy, but I think he might actually consider it.”

  “So they�
�d be interested in moving to California? And they’re dating again?” She held her breath. Was it too late?

  “Well, yes and no. They’re not quite back together yet, but that could change by the end of the day. And I think Brad may have changed his mind about the position in California.”

  She almost sagged in relief. She still had a chance at Brad. Josh narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t you say this was about some other guy?”

  “It is. I want to know how to get his attention.”

  Josh cocked his head. “What if the two of you aren’t meant to be together?”

  “I can’t accept that answer.”

  “I have to admit, I know how you feel.”

  “Just tell me... If it were you, what would it take to get your attention?”

  “Nothing you did would work on me.”

  Kara reeled at the insult, but kept the anger out of her expression.

  “Someone else already has my attention,” Josh explained. So he was in love with another woman—that’s why she hadn’t been able to manipulate him. She wasn’t losing her touch after all.

  “But this is a great guy—I don’t want to lose him. You have to help me.”

  “I don’t know. Hmmm... Somehow showing him some kind of selfless love. You know...” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Like staying up late to make cookies for him. Or taking care of him when he’s sick. Or if he saw you doing that for someone else, he’d know you were that kind of person. To be honest, Kara, a lot of people think money and power are your only motivations. You need to show him that’s not the real you.”

  Her mind churned as she turned over possible actions. She might only have a day to make herself look selfless for Brad.

  At her silence Josh added, “I hope I haven’t offended you by saying what people perceive about you. That doesn’t mean I share their opinions.”

  Kara waved him off. “No, that’s okay. I’m used to it, having grown up in my family. It’s never bothered me before now.” In fact, she was surprised he felt the observation might be an insult. She’d always been taught money and power were the ultimate goals in life, and she’d met very few people in her life who weren’t similarly motivated. And she’d certainly never dated such a man.

  Now she realized why she’d been so attracted to both of these men. They were genuinely unselfish—a rare commodity. She wanted to kick the door, realizing she was probably too late. But if she couldn’t snag Brad or Josh, she’d at least be more prepared before the next good one came along. She was convinced this type of man would spoil her like no other. And she enjoyed being spoiled. Although not well versed at attracting altruistic men, she wouldn’t be satisfied with less, now she realized they existed. She always got what she wanted, and she enjoyed a good challenge.

  *****

  Brad was on route to Grace’s school when he received her text. Thrilled she’d finally communicated with him, he immediately called her back. But the busy signal in his ear indicated she still had him blocked in her cell phone. He almost screamed in frustration. What could she mean by her message? Why was she sorry? Was it something she’d done or something she was going to do? He hurried down into the subway station only to find he’d just missed the train and would have six minutes to wait for the next one.

  By the time he arrived at Harbinger Elementary, having run from the station to the school, he was drenched in sweat. He’d have to shower before he went to work.

  “Excuse me.” He caught the attention of a young woman behind the front desk, gasping for air as he spoke. “I need to see Grace Marshall.”

  She looked him over. “Are you Brian Taylor?”

  “No, I’m Brad Gates. Doctor Brad Gates—Grace’s boyfriend. Who’s Brian Taylor?”

  “I didn’t think you were him. He’s supposed to be coming in this morning, and evidently he’s pretty scary-looking. He’s like huge and strong, six-feet-six inches or something like that.”

  “Is he the guy that’s been bothering her?”

  “Uhmm... I don’t know.”

  “Never mind. Can you let me in?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Grace just left.”

  “She left? Did she know this Brian guy was coming here?”

  “Of course she knew he was coming. That’s why she left. Well, Ms. Garcia told her she could leave early. She’s covering her class for her.”

  “Where did she go?”

  “She’s gone to her surgery appointment.”

  The heartbeat, which had just begun to slow, picked up its pace again. “Surgery appointment?”

  The girl’s face paled. “You didn’t know? Oh, please don’t tell anyone I told you. I could be fired. Ms. Garcia just told me not to share anyone’s health information, but you got me so rattled with all your questions.”

  “You can tell me—I’m a doctor.”

  She studied him with furrowed brows. “You don’t look like a doctor.”

  “Look, here’s my ID card.”

  She examined the card, comparing him to the picture. “I guess that could be you.”

  “Of course it’s me! It’s my picture. Now tell me where Grace has gone.” With great difficulty, Brad kept his voice even.

  “I’m not stupid, you know. People can fake ID cards. How do I really know you’re a doctor?”

  “Please.” He paused, reading her nametag. “Please, Danna. I need to know where Grace is. It’s a matter of life and death.”

  “How do I even know you’re her boyfriend? If you were her boyfriend, you’d think she would have told you she was having plastic surgery.”

  “Plastic surgery? She actually said that? That’s where she’s going today?”

  Danna’s eyes welled with tears. “You don’t have to yell at me. It’s not my fault.”

  Brad took a deep breath and unclenched his fists. He spoke in a soft, low voice. “Danna, I’m sorry I yelled, but I’m worried about Grace. Can you please tell me where she went?”

  She sniffed. “I don’t even know. She just said her appointment was at eleven.”

  He groaned, checking the time. It was nine-thirty. He still had time to stop her if he could find her. “I can’t believe she’s really doing this.”

  “It’s probably your fault, you know.” Danna’s lifted her chin as she spoke the harsh accusation. “If she was secure in your love, she wouldn’t feel the need to change.”

  “That’s so not true! I love her just like she is. She’s beautiful, and I don’t want her to change. But you’d better call the police before this stalker shows up.”

  “What stalker?” she asked, with wide eyes.

  “Brian Whatever-his-name-is. He’s stalking her.”

  “He is?”

  “Never mind! I’ve got to go stop Grace before she makes a huge mistake.” He ran outside to flag a taxi.

  “Where to?” asked the driver.

  “I don’t know yet,” Brad said, pulling out his cell phone as another text came in from Grace.

  Please call me soon. I need to tell you something before you find out from someone else.

  He dialed her number, cursing when the expected busy signal sounded in his ear. “Just drive toward Mercy General Hospital for now.”

  He called Olivia, reaching her voice mail. “Please call me about Grace and, if you talk to her, tell her to call me. She still has my number blocked.”

  He covered his face with his hands, mumbling his frustration, before trying Spencer’s number. Again he left a message. The pattern continued through all four of Grace’s siblings. He called Josh, planning to leave a message, and was surprised when he answered the call.

  “What’s up?”

  “Josh, have you heard from Grace?”

  “No, but I thought you went to see her at her school this morning.”

  “I did but... You won’t believe it when I tell you.”

  “Tell me what? What happened? She wouldn’t talk to you? Or they wouldn’t even let you in the school to see her?”

  “No. She le
ft the school to go to a surgery appointment—a plastic surgery appointment.”

  “There’s no way, Brad. Did you get this story from Ben? Because I think he may have been kidding us about that whole thing. Grace would never—”

  “The girl at the front desk at her school told me. And she specifically mentioned plastic surgery.”

  “Okay, now hold on, Brad. This couldn’t be happening without her family knowing about it. Maybe she’s just going for a consult. I don’t believe she’d ever have the nerve to do something like that, even if she was actually crazy enough to consider it.”

  Brad felt his tight chest ease a bit. “You’re right. She couldn’t possibly be having the surgery today. She’s probably just going for a consult. I’ve still got time to talk her out of it. She texted me and asked me to call her, but she still has me blocked. Can you call her and ask her to call me or unblock me or both?”

  “What did her text say?”

  “Just that she wanted me to call her and she was sorry and she didn’t want me to hear something from someone else. I assume she’s planning to tell me about this crazy plastic surgery idea. I know I’ll be able to talk her out of it. And at this point, I don’t care what kind of promise I made to Ben. She’s going to tell me about this stalker. I think the guy has figured out where she works now.”

  “How do you...” Josh’s voice cut off, and Brad heard muffled voices in the background. “Brad, I gotta go. Bad accident. Multi-car. You should come in early.”

  The phone disconnected.

  “Hey Mister,” said the cab driver. “You decide where you want to go yet?”

  If he’d had anything but half-inch stubble on his head, he would have pulled all of his hair out. He grunted, “Just take me to Mercy General.”

  Out of desperation, he called his brother, but again was forced to leave a message. He growled into the phone, “Ben! You told me you had talked Grace out of this stupid plastic surgery. She has an appointment somewhere this morning at eleven, and if I find out it’s anything more than a consult, I might take a scalpel to your neck. Not only that, but it appears her stalker has discovered where she works. So all bets are off—I’m not keeping anything a secret anymore!” He hung up, feeling a little better. He always felt a better after yelling at his brother—it was quite satisfying. Not as satisfying as doing it in person, but still satisfying.