Mixed Signals

  Chapter 6

  The smell in the men’s bathroom was enough to make Rachel want to gag. She’d been hanging out for nearly twenty minutes waiting for Mr. Stanley’s arrival.

  “All old men have to pee as soon as they see a bathroom,” Susan had told her.

  Pinching her nose, Rachel locked herself into a stall and hoped she was right. To be on the safe side, Susan planted herself at the dock, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Stanley family coming back from their cruise. She promised Rachel she’d physically drag him there if she had to.

  “She’s in here.”

  Rachel recognized Susan’s voice.

  “Rach? We’re here.”

  The door hinge creaked and Rachel peeked through the crack.

  “Miss Peters! What is going on?” George had his suit jacket draped over his arm and sported a fresh tan.

  “Oh, George!” Rachel threw her arms around his neck and cried until no more tears would come, and by the time she’d finished her abbreviated version of the story, George had agreed to help.

  “So, you two gals aren’t bi?” He waggled a finger back and forth between them. “Then why in heaven’s name did you present yourselves that way?”

  “We didn’t have dates,” Susan sniffled. “So we went together as a couple so we could get in.”

  He shook his head and ran a hand over his eyes. “I need some time to figure this out without giving myself away.” Smiling, he brushed the disheveled hair from Rachel’s face. “I’m on the straight and narrow now, thanks to you, and I’m loving every minute of it. I feel like a free man.”

  Rachel blew her nose. “At least this mess helped someone.”

  “I’ve gotta get back before they come looking for me,” said George, “but this is what I want you to do. Go home and pack some things. I’ve got a few business deals planned while I’m up in Maine, and I’m going to need a traveling secretary.”

  “Ryan’ll be furious,” she whispered. “He basically fired me.”

  George tossed his jacket over his shoulder. “I still own this company, and if you want to keep your job, Miss Peters, I suggest you be ready by ten this evening. The plane leaves at eleven-thirty. I’ll send a cab to pick you up.” He glanced at Susan and winked. “That goes for you, too, young lady.”