Vegas Heat by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

or years. Simon, do you know what the hell you’re doing? You waited this long for Fanny, what’s the harm in waiting a little while longer? Ultimatums never work for the person issuing them. We both know that. What in the hell ever possessed you to do that?”
    “I could see it all sliding away, little by little. I figured it was better to get on with it. I don’t like parts of things, little bits of this or that. When two people love each other they should be able to work together to make a good life. Like you and your wife. Fanny had her mind made up before I got up to bat. I don’t want to talk about this, Jerry.”
    “You still haven’t told me where you’re going. You’re going to write and call, aren’t you?”
    “Sure.”
    “You really are going to stick a pin in the map. Jesus, Simon, that’s not romantic at all. It’s stupid. Why don’t you just get in the truck and drive till you run out of gas? That makes a little more sense. Simon...”
    “Don’t fall apart on me, Jerry Right now I feel like I was put together with spit and chewing gum. I need ... I need to walk out of here all in one piece. We’ll always be best buddies. We both know that. I’ll be in touch. Finish up Fanny’s business for her. All the wheels are in motion. She wanted it all done by the close of business today Get rid of the damn map on the wall. Okay, buddy, let’s get this show on the road.”
    The banners and streamers were colorful, his employees shouting, “bon voyage” as champagne corks popped. Shrill whistles and hoots of “You’re going to hate retirement,” rocked against the walls. “Speech, speech!”
    “C’mon, I’m not a speech maker. Thanks for your loyalty and for the good job you’ve done all these years. I’m going to miss all of you. End of speech.”
    Someone said, “Jerry went to get something for you.”
    “It better fit in my Rover.”
    “Oh, it will fit,” Jerry said, leading two small dogs into the room.
    “This is Tootsie and this is Slick. They’ve had all their shots. They’re hale and hearty. Total weight is a little over six pounds. Slick’s the heaviest. Tootsie, as you can see, is delicate. We were going to get you one of those man dogs so you could call him Duke or Spike, but these little beauties beckoned. They’re called Teacup Yorkies. They’re trained and both have been neutered. They understand one command; freeze! They’re seven months old. Say something, Simon.”
    “I guess they’ll fit in the Rover,” Simon said as he nuzzled the tiny dogs under his chin. “This wasn’t in my game plan.”
    “I know,” Jerry said. “I put their gear in your truck. You might have to pile your stuff on the top. Listen, I gotta go,” Jerry said with a catch in his voice.
    Simon bit down on his lower lip. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks, everyone. I’ll send a postcard.”
    The clock in the lobby said it was 1:10 when he walked toward the doors that led to the underground garage. At 2:20 he drove onto the New Jersey Turnpike, heading south, Tootsie and Slick nestled in his lap.
     
    Fanny slipped from her bed, her eye on the digital clock on the nightstand. Her suitcase stared at her like a single malevolent eye. Last night she’d pulled it out and then replaced it in the closet seven times. Then she’d cried herself to sleep. She’d woken at 2:30 and called Bess and said, “I’m going. I’ll be in touch.” At 3:05 she’d called her again and said, “I changed my mind.” It was now 4:25.
    Fanny’s eyes were wild as she looked around her studio. Her little corner of life. Empty. Daisy whimpered. “As much as I love you, Daisy, you aren’t enough. Get your stuff and pile it up by the door. We’re going to New York! I’m not giving up Simon for anyone.”
    She was a whirlwind then as she stripped off her clothes while dialing the airport to have the Thornton plane readied for her trip. “Don’t even think about telling me it can’t be done? You do it!” She showered,