Page 28 of A Girl Like Janet

The main-floor receptionist buzzed Janet early Tuesday afternoon.

“Christy Karle is here for an interview with Mr. Edwards.”

“Thanks, Gladys,” Janet said, her body poised yet tense. “Send her up, I’ll meet her at the elevator.”

“The latest applicant?” Reese questioned, leaning against the wooden doorframe with a lackadaisical expression.

“Yes,” she confirmed avoiding his gaze. “She comes highly recommended.” She paused, lowering her gaze. “They all have,” she

added shakily.

“You could stay,” Reese suggested softly.

Janet was so shocked she glanced up sharply at him. For an instant it was hard to breathe as the pain gripped her heart.

“You and I have always worked well together.” His voice was dangerously persuasive. “We’re a business team.”

Janet noted that he qualified the exact nature of their relationship: the office. Unflinching, her eyes met his.

“No!” she replied bitterly. She would be crazy to even consider his suggestions. It was difficult enough to sever her ties

with Reese, but the decision had been made easier for her after the discovery of the caricature.

He shrugged, his eyes expressionless, his face a proud mask. It was as if he had made the obligatory offer and her response

didn’t really matter. “Fine,” he said crisply and retreated into his office.

Janet was at the elevator when the metal doors glided open. The lone occupant stepped forward and Janet had to hold her breath

to keep from gasping. Christy Karle was a petite, beautiful blonde.

“Miss Montgomery?” she questioned.

Janet swallowed tightly. Christy’s voice was sweet, low and utterly feminine. The hair, the body, the voice—all rolled into

one neat package. Odds were, Reese would hire her on the spot.

“You must be Christy Karle,” Janet said, fighting to keep the quiver out of her voice. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you

to Mr. Edwards’ office.” She knew she sounded stiff, unfriendly, but until after the shock waned it was unavoidable.

Reese stood as Janet escorted Christy into his office.

“Mr. Edwards, this is Christy Karle,” Janet introduced the young woman and noted how Christy moved forward confidently and

shook Reese’s outstretched hand. Nothing would have induced Janet to check his expression. She was all too aware that his

face would be intent with interest, even amusement. To Reese, Christy Karle would be like a dream come true. Without a doubt,

Janet realized that Reese was going to hire this woman. Janet watched as the svelte young woman lowered herself into the chair

opposite Reese. Feeling gauche and ugly, Janet awkwardly left the room and closed the door. Determinedly she swallowed the

hard lump in her throat and sat at her desk, intending to go about her business. A blonde! Janet wanted to scream with frustration.

Instead she buried her face in her hands and took in giant breaths to control the overwhelming force of jealous hostility.

Past experience had taught her she was incapable of handling such deep resentments without God’s help. Although Janet was

aware that there could never be anything between Reese and herself, she had continued to pray for him daily. Part of her prayers

had centered on his relationship with his father. Although it had been extremely painful in the beginning, she had also prayed

that Reese would someday discover the true meaning of love the way God intended, with the right woman.

The process of attempting to relinquish her deep feelings for him had begun months before, but to actually see the woman who

would take her place in the office, and very likely in his heart, was almost more than she could handle.

Less than ten minutes later Christy Karle stepped out of Reese’s office, a brilliant smile lighting up her cobalt blue eyes.

“I got the job.”

“Congratulations.” Janet smiled weakly.

“Everything went so smoothly,” Christy breathed out softly. “The employment agency warned me that Mr. Edwards is a stickler

for detail, a real bear. They’ve certainly got him wrong. He’s great.”

“I think the word’s ‘wonderful,’” Janet chided mockingly under her breath.

“He didn’t test my shorthand skills or give me a typing test. Just a few basic questions.”

“I’m pleased everything went so well for you,” Janet said without sounding the least bit delighted.

“He said I should start right away.”

“Fine.” Janet stood, vacating her desk seat. “You sit here so I can explain the computer operating system.” Janet wheeled

another chair around to her desk. “One thing... you aren’t allergic to gold, are you?” Janet was thinking of the shining

bracelet this girl would probably receive in the next few months. Three months, possibly four, longer if she was smarter.

“No, why?” Christy’s blonde head quirked at an inquiring angle.

“No reason.”

That afternoon and the next morning proved that if Janet had hand-picked a replacement herself, she couldn’t have done better.

Christy Karle was perfect, much to Janet’s dismay.

Courtesy demanded that Janet invite Christy to lunch with her and Gail.

The petite blonde smiled her appreciation. “I’d like that.”

As Janet made the introductions, Gail was giving her roommate sympathetic looks. “This is your replacement?” she asked under

her breath as they waited for Christy to freshen up before heading for the small café where they regularly ate lunch.

Janet couldn’t do anything more than nod.

“I don’t believe it.” Gail’s hands were clenched at her side, her eyes glinting with anger. “I’ve heard of some low tricks,

but this really takes the cake.”

“It’s all right.” Janet didn’t know why she felt like she needed to defend Reese.

“No it isn’t,” Gail murmured in a low breath. “And not only is it unfair to you, what about Christy? She’s like a defenseless

lamb walking into the slaughterhouse. Someone should tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Christy came out of the rest room and arched delicately shaped eyebrows in question.

“About the awful food in the cafeteria,” Janet said almost desperately. “Be warned.”

The look Christy gave her told Janet she wasn’t fooled. Her blue eyes narrowed as if she would have liked to ask more. Hurriedly

Janet and Gail led the way out the door.

Five minutes after Janet arrived the next morning, Christy walked into the office. She wore a pleated floral dress and her

long blonde hair curled away from her face. She was so attractive that for an instant Janet couldn’t tear her eyes away from

her. The knowledge that Reese wouldn’t be able to either brought a throbbing pain to her heart.

Janet had already put on the coffee and together they sorted through the mail.

“I’ll take it in,” Christy volunteered.

“I usually take in a cup of coffee for Mr. Edwards at the same time. He probably won’t notice, so just set it on a bare corner

on his desk. If there is one,” she added with a half laugh.

Christy took in the coffee and mail as Janet sorted through a list of items her replacement would need to familiarize herself

with.

A light bubble of laughter drifted from the room, followed by Reese’s chuckle. Janet’s eyes rounded with hurt as heated waves

of jealousy washed over her. When she had taken in the morning mail, Janet considered herself fortunate to be given a curt

nod of acknowledgement.

Friday afternoon, Reese called Janet into his office. “Sit down,” he ordered without looking up from the file he was studying.

Janet sat on the edge of the chair, ready to spring upward with the slightest provocation. Suddenly she realized this was

probably the last time she would be in this office, or sit in this chair.

“How have things gone with Christy?” he questioned after a couple of minutes, leaning back as he focused his attention on

her.

“Very well,” she replied primly, resenting the fact Reese and Christy had come to using first names so quickly. “I believe

in time Miss Karle will prove to be a valuable asset to Dyna-Flow. She’s conscientious, reliable, honest and a hard worker.”

Only God knew how difficult it was for Janet to praise her replacement.

Reese nodded, his look thoughtful.

Janet stiffened, knowing what was coming. Reese would crisply express his regret at her leaving and offer her best wishes.

Janet didn’t know if she could bear to listen.

Slowly she stood. “Is that all?”

Reese’s look added grimness to the taut features. “No.” He also rose, opening the front desk drawer. “I wanted to personally

give you this.” He handed her a plain business-size envelope.

A frown creasing her brow, Janet accepted the envelope.

“It’s your check.”

Resentment immediately widened her eyes. “But I’ve already been paid. The check arrived the first week I left.” She swallowed

convulsively.

“I thought you would object. That’s the reason I decided to personally give it to you. Your coming back to train Christy these

past weeks has made as smooth a transition as possible. I want to express my appreciation.”

Indignation shot crimson color into her cheeks. “No.” She placed the envelope on his desk. “It’s not necessary.” She drew

in a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I appreciate the thought, but I can’t accept it.”

Reese walked to the other side of the room. Janet’s gaze followed him, but she wasn’t capable of studying him for long without

betraying her love. When he turned around, she quickly glanced away.

He stood with his hands in his pockets as Janet had seen him do a thousand times before. His features were unreadable, but

when he spoke to her his voice was filled with some emotion she didn’t recognize. “It’s such a little thing. I’d like to see

your last day here pass without an argument. Won’t you take the check, Janet?”

He was right, it was a little thing. And it could be several weeks until she located another job. Her hands were still clenched

in front of her as she decided. Was it any different from the bonus he’d given her at Christmas?

“Janet?” he questioned softly.

Her lips trembled slightly as she met his gaze and gently nodded her head.