by Tara Randel
He bit back a retort because he knew she was not leaving until her mission was complete.
“Fine. Let’s head to this...location.”
“Excellent. Grab some paper and your measuring tape and we’ll be on our way.”
Judge Carmichael swept his arm toward the door in a grand gesture. “After you,” he said to Grandmother.
“Aren’t you a gentleman,” she preened.
Reid rolled his eyes as he snatched up his cell phone and other items before following the two work disrupters.
His grandmother’s phone rang and she fished it from her purse. “Yes?” She nodded briskly. “Thank you.”
Once on the sidewalk outside the building, Reid turned to head south, but Grandmother headed north.
“Grandmother, wait,” he said, jogging to catch up with her. “You said you wanted the sign on south Main. You’re going in the wrong direction.”
She regarded the two men. “Coffee first. I haven’t had a cup yet.”
“I find that hard to believe. Alveda has a fresh pot going before you get up in the morning.”
“Today she was busy,” his grandmother replied, her pace picking up speed as the three headed to Sit A Spell.
Reid counted to ten in his head while reluctantly following his grandmother.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind another cup,” the judge announced.
Reid followed, scrolling through his phone to read over his prepared notes for the day. This little outing would push his schedule back an hour at least.
“Here we are,” Grandmother said as if Reid had never been to the coffee shop before. “The usual, Reid?”
“What?” He looked up. “Sure.”
“Stay off that thing,” his grandmother ordered before she and the judge disappeared inside.
Shaking his head, Reid typed in a few ideas that had been percolating in his mind. He vaguely registered the cars moving up and down Main Street, barely acknowledged the conversation around him as people went about their daily routines. Until he heard one particular voice that made his senses come alive.
“Reid? What are you doing here?”
He glanced up, surprised and pleased to see Heidi. “Hey, stranger.”
She sent him a furtive glance. “You’ve been the busy one, not me.”
Right. “Looks like not too busy for a coffee break.”
“With your grandmother?” Heidi motioned her head over her shoulder. “Ran into her inside.”
“She’s got a project she wants me to handle.”
Heidi laughed. “She does know you’re running a large company, doesn’t she?”
“Apparently that doesn’t matter.”
“She does get her way.”
He drank Heidi in, taking pleasure in the way her soft hair curled over her shoulders. The sunlight highlighted the brown strands, her amber eyes sparkled, eyes only for him. She wore a striped blouse and navy skirt with matching shoes, the picture of professionalism.
But most of all, he liked that she made him feel like he could do anything. That he was more than just his father’s son. His own man. More than a placeholder, until his father realized Reid was on his side, not out to take his place. Heidi had always had faith in him, no matter if it was a school event or a family issue. He couldn’t imagine her not being a part of his life. He needed to make time to be with her.
“So, what is your grandmother’s grand plan?” she asked.
“A Golden welcome sign.”
Her eyebrows arched high. “A what?”
“There’s a town council meeting and she wanted me to come up with specs to present a new sign to the members.”
“I’m surprised we don’t already have a sign.”
“There was one at each end of the business district years ago, but they were old and weathered, so someone tore them down. Grandmother’s decided it’s time to replace at least one of them.”
“Knowing Mrs. M., she’ll get it done.”
“But in the process, she’s cutting into my time at Masterson Enterprises.”
Heidi frowned. “I’m sure you can make it up later, whatever needs to be done.”
“I already have two meetings I can’t miss.” And an important call to a bank that he should have already made, plus checking in with the contractors handling various jobs in progress.
“Reid.”
His mind had jumped ahead. If he returned to his desk in thirty minutes, he could still make the call. Catching the others would be a bit more tricky...
“Reid!”
He blinked. Focused on her. “Yeah?”
An annoyed expression crossed her face. “Chill.”
He blew out a breath.
“You can spare some time for your grandmother. The other things will be there when you get back.”
He knew that. Tucking the work details away, he refocused. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“I wouldn’t think you’d need reminding.”
She sounded ticked.
“You know how caught up I can get.”
A shadow passed over her eyes. “I do.”
Before he could apologize for the little time they’d had together lately, his grandmother and the judge returned.
“Oh, good, Heidi.” She handed Reid his coffee. “Reid told you about the sign?”
“Yes. I think it’s a great idea, Mrs. M.”
“Good, because we could use your input, as well.”
Heidi’s eyes went wide. “I’m not really the creative person here. You should ask Serena.”
Grandmother’s lips pursed. The universal sign that whether you liked it or not, Gayle Ann Masterson’s agenda came first.
“Um...I’m early for my shift so I suppose I can spare a few minutes.”
Reid had to hide a grin when Heidi gave in.
“Wonderful. Let’s make our way to the location.”
Reid waited until Heidi fell into step behind his grandmother and strode along beside her.
“Sorry about this.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad your grandmother included me. Makes me feel like a true part of the town.”
“You are a true part of Golden.”
She shrugged before taking a sip from her cup.
Over the last few weeks, he’d gotten used to the chatty Heidi. Where was the plucky woman who’d insisted she be Reid’s intern? When she didn’t respond to the conversation, he grew concerned.
He nudged her arm with his elbow. “You okay?”
“Sure. I have a busy day myself. I’m meeting with a new client.”
“That’s great.”
“It is. So, I could really use a new home office to work out of.”
The house. The one he personally hadn’t been working on since returning to Masterson Enterprises. Guilt made his face hot.
“One of the guys will be there for the final inspection,” he told her.
“And then?”
“We move on to the sale.”
“Which you’ll be a part of, right?” she pressed.
“Lisa is handling the paperwork. Other than signing off, I’m not really needed.”
She sent him a side glance. “You’re going to let me finish up on my own?”
“No,” he backpedaled. “I can do whatever you need.”
“I need you to walk through this process with me,” she said in a voice of steel.
“Heidi, it’s not a big deal. You’ll be fine.”
“It is a big deal, Reid.” She puffed out a breath. “I’ve never done this before. It’s a huge step and I thought...no, I’d hoped, we’d do this together.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right.”
Her gaze turned pleading. “So, you’ll be there for me?”
How could he r
efuse her? He took hold of her hand and laced her fingers in his. “Yes. I will.”
He felt her relax.
“Here we are,” Grandmother announced a few blocks from the coffee shop. From here, the businesses ran north; family homes spread out in the blocks south and farther into the hills and valleys beyond.
He sent Heidi a reassuring glance, then dropped her hand. Withdrawing a pencil from his shirt pocket, he asked, “What did you have in mind, Grandmother?”
“I want it to be on this original spot.” His grandmother pointed to an overgrown lot that had been vacant for years. “I’ll need the vote from the council, but this is a perfect location.”
Reid agreed. He found a better view, visualizing how to best display the sign.
“It doesn’t need to be very large,” she went on, “but I do want visitors to know that they’ve entered our town.”
On paper, Reid drew a rectangular shape and posts that would lift it off the ground.
“Although I’m not sure about the design.”
“Why not make it a contest, Mrs. M.?” Heidi suggested. “Ask the folks in town to come up with ideas.”
Grandmother turned and grinned. “I love that. The more we involve our townspeople in the decisions, the more excited they’ll be.”
“From the Chamber of Commerce reports, business has been growing,” Heidi added. “A lot of my clients have seen an increase in sales.”
Grandmother clasped her hands over her heart. “I’m so pleased to hear that.” Her eyes twinkled. “And since you’re so good with numbers, why don’t you and Reid team up? Between the two of you, we’ll have a firm estimate in place that will make the council happy.”
Reid frowned. “I thought you were paying for it?”
“Well, let’s see,” his grandmother said, switching her attention to the judge. “Do you foresee any legal troubles?”
“I’ll do a record search on the lot. See if there are any obstacles to placing it there.”
“Not to worry. I know the owner.”
Reid narrowed his eyes. “Grandmother?”
“Yes, it’s me, okay?” She continued the discussion as if the admission was not important. “We’ll clean up this area, erect the sign and add lovely landscaping. The first thing anyone entering the town will see is a pretty welcome to Golden.”
Heidi sidled over to Reid. “You didn’t know?”
“My grandmother owns more property that I’m aware of. Besides, she doesn’t run her business through Masterson Enterprises, so I can’t keep up with her.”
“I like her style.”
Reid met Heidi’s amused gaze. “I like your style too.”
Her eyes widened, then she looked away.
Why did she seem so unsure about them? “Well, I do.”
She pointed discreetly to where his grandmother and the judge were deep in conversation. “You don’t want Mrs. M. to hear.”
“What if I don’t care?”
A frown creased her forehead. “Are you sure? Because you and I were just starting to figure this thing out and then you went AWOL.”
Guilt made his breath catch. She was right. “I’m sorry, Heidi. You have every reason to be upset with me.”
Her angry expression eased.
“Just because I promised to fill in doesn’t mean you aren’t important to me.” He had to work hard to not be a carbon copy of his dad, chained to the office all hours of the day. Reid liked where things were going with Heidi. Liked that he could enjoy a warm spring day with a beautiful woman who got him. “Let’s take our time, but along the way I’m going to compliment you if I feel like it.”
A half smile appeared, and his heartbeat took off.
“Is this a new, improved Reid?”
“What can I say? Working at the office has been good for me.”
“I can see that.” Her smile grew more confident. “I was hoping we might get together one night this week. I want to walk through the house one more time, see if I missed any last upgrades before the final inspection.”
“We could do that.”
The excitement gleaming in her eyes was contagious. “What works for you?”
“I have a meeting tonight.”
“And tomorrow night we’re with the kids at the community center.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. I know I have some other things going on.”
“But we can meet before the inspector comes out, right?”
“I’ll have to call you. Set up a time when I can get away from the office.”
Her smile slipped. “You just said you’d be there for me.”
“I will. We can work around my schedule.”
A car honked behind him. Reid turned to see his brother behind the wheel. He waved and when he turned around, Heidi’s smile had disappeared.
“I don’t think that works for me,” she informed him.
What had happened? One moment she was happy, and now? He wasn’t sure. “Why not?”
“You seem more interested in your family business than the fact that time is running out on my house.”
“Heidi, it’s a house. It’ll be there.”
She drew in a breath and he realized his mistake.
“I forgot. You flip properties and then you get out.”
“Heidi...”
“I get it.” She glanced up the street. “Serena’s waiting for me. I’ll call your office and set up an appointment.” She turned on her heel and started to walk away.
“Heidi, wait.”
She spun around, her face blank of emotion, and walked backward a few steps. “I get it, Reid. You have important things to do.” Then she rotated, making her way to the store.
As he watched her cross the street, his heart pounded. Why did the family business and time with Heidi have to be at odds? Couldn’t he have both?
CHAPTER TWELVE
“WHERE IS HEIDI GOING?” Gayle Ann asked her grandson. By the dazed expression on his face, he wasn’t happy about her leaving so suddenly.
“She had to get to work.” He stared at Heidi’s retreating form, then focused on her. “I need to leave too.”
“Not until you get those measurements.”
With a scowl, Reid handed the pad and pencil to the judge, took out the tape measure to check the distance and asked, “Is this about the size you want?”
“Yes. It’ll be visible, but not pretentious.”
He called out some numbers, which Harry jotted down, then the tape measure zipped into its case. “Is that it for now?”
They’d finished town business, yes, but what about the dark cloud hovering over her grandson? Had she miscalculated by insisting Reid return to Masterson Enterprises? Thrown a permanent wrench in the relationship between Reid and Heidi? “Reid, what happened to Heidi? Why did she—”
Harry reached over to touch her arm. “I think your grandson has all the information he needs to get started.”
Gayle Ann searched his gaze, then turned to Reid. “You will get the specs to me before the meeting, won’t you, Reid?”
“Yes. I’ll go get started.” He gathered his things, clearly distracted. “Anything else?”
“No. Go on.”
With a nod, Reid strode away in the same direction as Heidi, but not with Heidi. Oh, dear. This wasn’t good.
Gayle Ann stood next to Harry, watching the angry steps of her grandson.
“I don’t like this. Not one little bit.”
“Obviously something happened there between them.”
“I thought suggesting they work together again would help them see they’re going to lose each other if they don’t focus on their relationship. Maybe I can do more...”
“May I say something, Gayle Ann?”
She glanced at the judge, hoping he had an idea. �
��Please.”
“I think you’ve done enough.”
“What? Not nearly.”
He took one of her hands and squeezed it in his. “You’ve done what you can. It’s up to them now.”
“But the matchmaking... They aren’t together.”
“I’m not an expert at this matchmaking business, but I do know how to read people. It’s up to Heidi and Reid to determine if their relationship will work. You can throw them together all you want, find ways to keep them in each other’s path, but unless they work at this, it won’t happen.”
Gayle Ann pursed her lips in frustration. “They belong together.”
“I agree. After watching them, I believe they know this too.”
She sent him an imploring look. “So, I just give up?”
“You continue to be the wonderful grandmother you are, but let Reid figure out how he feels about Heidi and what to do about it.”
Her heart sank at the idea of the two young people missing their chance. “I don’t want him to lose Heidi because he puts the family business first. His success won’t mean anything if he doesn’t have the love of his life by his side.”
“He needs to come to that conclusion on his own.”
Deep down she recognized the wisdom in Harry’s words. She just didn’t like it much. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I am. Now how about we head back to town and get something to eat. You look like you need to regroup.”
He placed her hand in the crook of his arm and they began to stroll down Main Street. Her mind whirled, coming up with scenarios to prove to the young couple they had a future together. But Harry was correct in his observation. Unless Heidi and Reid were convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were the love of each other’s lives, nothing Gayle Ann said or did would matter.
All she could do now was hope the events she had set into motion would come to the desired conclusion.
* * *
“AM I BEING too clingy?” Heidi frowned. “I am being too clingy.”
She sat on one end of the couch in her small living room later that night while Alveda sat on the other, scratching Mr. Whiskers’s head. The older woman had stopped by to drop off another batch of homemade cat food.
