by SJ McCoy
~ ~ ~
Chelsea woke early on Saturday morning and rolled over in bed to stare at the ceiling. Her first thought was to wonder what Grant might be doing today. Her second was to scold herself. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking about him at all. She dealt with him at work as much as she had to—and no more. Monday morning had proved to her that she couldn’t be trusted around the guy and that she needed to stay away from him. Now she was safely away from him for the weekend, she couldn’t allow her mind to stray back to him.
She got up and went to make coffee. What she should be wondering about was what she was going to do with the day. She didn’t have any plans, and she didn’t really want to make any. She might ignore the fact that it was Saturday and go to work. She often did, and it’d be nice to be there and not be on her guard the whole time in case Grant walked in. To be fair, she was only on guard against him personally. He hadn’t been a problem at all professionally. He worked quietly and efficiently. He went about the place unobtrusively, and whenever she saw him talking with any of the staff, they were smiling and chatting openly with him. He won people over, despite their initial suspicions about him and his purpose in being there.
She took her coffee outside to sit on the little deck behind the cottage. Maybe she would go in. She’d read somewhere that, in workplace studies, just the fact of being observed made productivity go up. She knew she’d been getting more done—and the whole team had been working more efficiently—while Grant had been around. She’d even talked to a new distributor and was hoping that she might be able to make a deal with them that would really help.
She should check in with her parents at some point over the weekend, too. She hadn’t talked to her dad all week. He’d kept his word and backed out to leave her to it. She had a few months before Grant’s work would be done, and she’d have to face the music. She took a sip of coffee. What she should really do today was get serious about figuring out how she could buy Zosca. The more she thought about it, the more she knew that was the way to go. Even if she and her dad could agree on how to run the place, she’d rather go out on her own. It was time for her to be her own person—her own boss in every sense. Maybe she’d call Smoke and talk to him about selling her shares in Hamilton-Groves. She didn’t want to raise the subject with her dad or Cameron until she was sure that was what she wanted to do.
Her phone rang, and she hurried inside to get it. “Hey, Cam. What’s up?”
“Hey, little sis. I Just wanted to check in with you. I haven’t managed to catch up with you this week; it’s been a crazy one for me. I was worried about you. How are things going? Is Grant giving you any trouble?”
“No. It’s fine thanks. I’m avoiding him as much as possible. And besides, since Dad and I reached our agreement that this is more of an assessment period, Grant’s not making any changes. He’s just documenting what changes could be made.”
“Good. I knew Dad had changed his remit, but I didn’t know how you’d feel about him being there at all.”
“I’m not thrilled, but it’s better than it could be.”
“I guess.”
“How about you? How come you’re calling me on a Saturday morning? I thought you and Piper would be busy with wedding planning stuff.”
He chuckled. “Nope, not this weekend. She’s wriggled her way out of it. They had some panic of not enough pilots at Summer Lake, so she’s gone back there to help out.”
“Oh, so you’re all on your lonesome?”
“Yep. Do you want to go for breakfast at Molly’s?”
She smiled. “I’d love to. It’s been too long since we did that.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No, thanks. I’ll meet you there. I might go to the office for a few hours afterward.”
“Okay. How long do you need?”
“I’ll see you there in about thirty minutes?”
“Great, be as quick as you can. I’m hungry.”
Cameron was already there when she got to Molly’s. He’d claimed a corner table on the little terrace outside and was sipping his coffee.
“Don’t be mad at me, but I already ordered,” he said as she sat down opposite him.
“I’m not mad, as long as you ordered for me, too?”
He grinned. “You bet.”
Chelsea grinned back at him. Breakfast at Molly’s had been a thing for them since her junior year of high school. Cam had been back from college, and she’d been having boyfriend troubles. He’d taken her out for breakfast to talk about it away from prying parent ears.
Molly appeared with a pot of coffee and a smile. “I just love that you two are still so close.”
Cameron grinned at her. “I just love that you took this place over and we can still get the same great breakfast.”
Molly laughed. “It was my destiny to take this place over. My dad named it after me. I can’t imagine ever having gone anywhere else or done anything else. Just like you couldn’t imagine not working at Hamilton-Groves.” She refilled his cup and poured one for Chelsea. “I’m not so sure about you, though, Chels. Are you going to stick around and make Zosca your own, or are you going to leave us and go out into the world?”
Chelsea smiled. “I’m going to stick around. I think it’s time I made the commitment to Zosca and to myself. It’s time for me to grow up and get on with it.”
Cameron raised an eyebrow at her, and she nodded.
“I’ll go check on your order,” said Molly.
“You’re going to buy it?” asked Cameron when she’d gone.
Chelsea nodded. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “I am. It’s time. I’ve talked about going out on my own for a while now. Zosca was supposed to be a training ground for me and a project that Dad and I could share. I think I’ve learned enough, and one of the things I’ve learned is that Dad and I don’t see eye to eye enough to share.”
Cameron laughed. “I could have saved you both a lot of stress and told you that before you started.”
She laughed with him. “I think we all knew it, but I’m still glad I did it.”
“Good. I worried for a while that it might cause a rift between the two of you.”
“No. I’d never let it do that. Dad wouldn’t either. I was hurt and angry at him when he told me he was bringing someone in. I didn’t talk to him all weekend, but I don’t know, maybe it’s because of everything that happened with Smoke, but I won’t ever let anything come between us. Family’s more important than business.”
“It really is, but that’s easy for me to say. I guess, out of the three of us, I was the lucky one in that I naturally tend to see eye to eye with him on most things.”
“You’re just the good son, that’s all.”
He laughed. “I’m not. At least I don’t do it intentionally. It’s just that I tend to think like Dad does.”
“I’m glad you do, for everyone’s sake; you’re like the peacekeeper.” She smiled. “You’re the only one of the three of us who’s living the life they wanted for us. You’re running the business, settling down with a wonderful girl and getting married, doing everything right.”
Cameron smiled. “I’m just doing what’s right for me, and I’m lucky that it falls in line with what the folks think is right. It’s not as though you’re doing anything wrong, though. You just see the world a little differently.”
“I care too much; that’s my only problem. It’s not like I’m not smart enough. I could do everything Dad wants. I could run it his way, and it would probably be easier, but I don’t want to. Maybe I’m greedy. I don’t just want Zosca to be a financial success—I want it to be more than that. I want to make great wines, and I want it to be a great thing for the people who work there.”
“I know. I think you’re wise to go out on your own. I know you’ll be successful, whatever you do.”
“Aww, thanks, Cam. That means the world to
me.”
He smiled. “I thought it went without saying, you’re awesome.”
She laughed. “Yeah, of course, I am.”
They were quiet for a moment while the server brought their food.
“What do you think of Grant?”
Chelsea stopped with her fork poised above her plate. “What do you mean?”
Cameron laughed. “Don’t go all defensive on me. Your personal life is your business. I only meant in a work context. Do you think he’s going to be useful?”
She waited a moment for her heart to stop racing. “I do. I’m staying out of his way as much as possible. It seems best after, well, you know … after the way we started out.”
Cameron laughed. “Yeah. You two sure started out with a bang. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Chelsea rolled her eyes.
“Sorry. It’s just that I talked to him on Monday about maybe bringing him in to work with me on a couple of projects. He seems like a good guy, and he has a great reputation for seeing what needs fixing and making it happen.”
“He is a good guy, and from what I’ve seen so far, he’s good at what he does.”
“But …?”
She shrugged.
“But you don’t think I should work with him?”
“Only because I’m kind of hoping to see him leave as soon as possible. I’m already kind of counting the days until he’s done. If he’s working with you, he’ll be around a lot longer.”
Cameron’s lips twitched into a smile. “What’s the hurry? I thought you said he’s a good guy. I mean, I can see it being awkward in the beginning, but surely after a couple of weeks that’ll wear off, and the two of you can get on with business.” He chuckled. “No more getting down to the other business.”
She blew out a sigh. “Stop it.”
“Why? I’m genuinely curious. Why would you be in such a hurry for him to leave unless … ah!”
“Ah, what?” She scowled at him.
“You like him, don’t you? You’re not just avoiding him because you’re embarrassed about last weekend. It’s because you like him.”
She blew out her cheeks. “Don’t be silly. I mean, yeah, he’s a good-looking guy and everything, but he’s not my type, not as a person. He’s all clean-cut, business suit, corporate type, and that’s not me. I’m more attracted to …”
Cameron raised an eyebrow. “Losers?”
“Ouch! That’s not nice. Take it back.” She glared at him. “I was going to say free spirits, more creative types.”
Cameron smirked. “Yeah, sorry. Losers was a bit strong, but also true.”
She made a face at him. “I will admit that I like him, okay? But given the circumstances, I’m not going to do anything about it.”
“But you’re tempted, and that’s why you’re so eager for him to leave—before you give in to said temptation?”
She hung her head. “It sucks that you know me so well.”
Cameron shrugged. “What can I say?”
“You can say whatever you want, as long as it’s a different subject. I don’t want to talk about it because I don’t want to think about it. My plan is to just get through the next few months while maintaining a safe distance from Mr. Dawson.” She didn’t like the way he smiled. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing bad, I promise.”
She pursed her lips. “If you really want to work with him after he’s done at Zosca, then that will be up to you.”
He smiled that weird smile again. “Maybe, but I have a feeling you’ll want a say in it.”
She shrugged. “I thought we were changing the subject.”
She was glad that Cameron let it go and started talking about the house he and Piper had bought in Summer Lake. He kept encouraging her to go up there to visit. She might just do that when she got time. She’d really liked it there when she’d been for Smoke and Laura’s wedding.
Chapter Ten
Grant checked himself over in the mirror. He looked fine. He didn’t really feel like going out, but Antonio had insisted—and had promised that it was fine if he wanted to leave after dinner. He planned to. It seemed Antonio liked the idea of making their Saturday night out a regular event while Grant was in town. It’d be fine by Grant as long as it was a case of eating dinner and catching up. He wasn’t looking to find a girl to take home—not unless it was Chelsea again. Damn. He needed to stop thinking like that.
He let himself out of the room and headed for the elevator, determined not to think about her while he was in there. His determination was no match for the memories that crowded his mind. It never was. He could even smell her perfume as he remembered the way she’d kissed him back so eagerly.
He nodded at the girls behind the reception desk on his way out. They smiled and whispered to each other. He wished Antonio hadn’t shown such an interest in them—they seemed to have the idea that there’d be a double date happening at some point. Grant tried to be friendly but wished he could just spell out for them that he wasn’t interested.
He’d told Antonio he’d meet him at Muse. The walk would do him good. He’d been getting plenty of exercise in the hotel gym, but it wasn’t the same as a stroll in the fresh air. When he got to Muse, the Maître D’ greeted him with a smile and a warm handshake. “Mr. Dawson, it’s good to see you again. Antonio asked me to give you his apologies; he’s running a little late. However, I’ll show you to your table. Mr. Hamilton is already here.”
Grant frowned to himself as he followed the guy outside. Why would Mr. Hamilton be dining with them? He hoped there wasn’t a problem. He hoped even more that he didn’t want some kind of progress report. Grant could give him one, but he wasn’t prepared, and it wasn’t what he’d had in mind for his Saturday night. He let out a chuckle when he saw Cameron sitting at the table. Of course, he was also a Mr. Hamilton.
The Maître D’ smiled. “Here we are, Mr. Dawson.”
Grant smiled back. “Please, call me Grant, and what’s your name?”
“Rodney,” the guy said with a smile.
“Thanks, Rodney. It’s nice to meet you.”
Cameron smiled as Grant took a seat. “Hi. I hope you don’t mind me crashing your dinner. Piper’s away this weekend, and when I called Antonio, he asked me along.”
“Not at all. I’m glad you’re here.” Grant smiled but had a feeling he wasn’t pulling off a genuine smile. He felt bad about that. He had nothing against Cameron. He liked the guy, but he was Chelsea’s brother. What would Cameron think if he knew what Grant had been doing with her this time last week?
“How’s it going at Zosca?”
Grant nodded. “So far, so good.” He smiled. “In some ways, I feel as though I’m working with my hands tied behind my back. I can document changes, but I can’t make any.”
“That’s got to be tough.”
“Yeah. I’m trying to use it as an exercise. I tend to come in all guns blazing and get straight down to the tough stuff. Maybe I’ll learn something by having to wait and observe for so long first.”
Cameron laughed. “Maybe. I tend to think of it as like ripping off a Band-Aid. If you have to do it, you may as well get it over with.”
Grant laughed with him. “It sounds like we’re of the same mind there.”
“Yeah, but Chelsea isn’t. She’d rather take her time, try to figure out which way will be least painful.”
Grant nodded. He didn’t know what to say. He’d hoped Chelsea’s name wouldn’t come up tonight. That was a bit unrealistic, but he’d hoped anyway. “Yeah. In this situation, I’m glad I’m not getting straight down to business. I think she’d hate me if I were doing my usual job here.”
There was an odd gleam in Cameron’s eye. “I don’t think she’d hate you, but she wouldn’t be too pleased. She’d fight you every step of the way.”
“I can imagine.”
“Hey, guys.” They both looked up as Antonio came to join them. “So
rry I’m late. And what am I missing?” He looked at Grant. “Who’d fight you every step of the way? Have you found some feisty little mare?”
Grant pressed his lips together, but Cameron answered for him. “You don’t know? Grant’s working with Chelsea.”
Antonio looked from Cameron to Grant and back again a couple of times before he burst out laughing. “You’re here to rescue Zosca? Seriously?”
Grant nodded. “I told you I couldn’t tell you who my client was.” He looked at Cameron, but Cameron just grinned at him.
“It’s good to know that you’re serious about confidentiality, but sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Antonio grinned at them as he sat down. “Damn, you’re in for a rough ride. Is she giving you a hard time? What kind of start have the two of you made? Chelsea’s a sweetie, but damn, if you get on the wrong side of her …”
Grant shrugged. He didn’t want to explain the details—of what was going on at Zosca or what had gone on between him and Chelsea.
Cameron laughed. “I think they got off to the best start.”
Grant swung around to look at him. Did he know? By the look on his face, he did. Was that what all those snide smiles had been about earlier?
“But the whole working together thing could be getting in the way.”
Antonio looked confused. “In the way of what? I thought that’s what you’re supposed to be … wait, what?” He turned to look at Grant. “What kind of start did the two of you get off to?”
Really? Antonio wanted him to spell it out? In front of her brother? Cameron seemed to know already, but still, Grant didn’t think any guy would ever want to hear I slept with your sister spoken out loud.
Antonio’s eyes grew wide. He, too, turned to look at Cameron. “What are you saying?”
Cameron laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the Sicilian here. I’m not going to come after anyone. What Chelsea does is up to her.”
Antonio looked at Grant. “So, you and Chelsea? You …? When …? How …?”
