by Crystal Dawn
He could see the guy relax as if the weight of the world had slid off his shoulders. Who was this Jessica? Turning his attention back to Caro, he waited to see what she had to say.
“She’s my oldest sister. The company has been her interest since she went to work with dad as a tween. Her degree is in business and she’s smart like Mom.” Caro explained.
“Did I ask that out loud?” He asked.
“No, Channing. I read your confused expression. Don’t worry. Everything will fall into place and Jessica will do most of the work. I always knew someday she would run the company.” Caro admitted.
“Why would she be running Jerry’s company?” he asked.
“I thought you would understand being a business man. Dad took over the company, one that’s been in our family hundreds of years, for about a month and he’s in the red so far even he knows he’ll lose it if he continues to be in charge. Mom will only help if he lets Jessica take over. Had Gramps lived long enough to retire, Jessica would have been put in charge then. Dad has no head for business. It never mattered before. He did certain things that required a family representative more than business ability.”
“What about you and the other siblings?”
“We all own shares in the company. She’s the only one that wants to work in it. It’ll be back in top shape in no time.”
“That’s good because your mom has plenty to do.”
“And a lot of it’s for you.”
“That’s her business and I appreciate it.” His cell phone beeped. It was a text message.
When he read it, he cursed. “Sorry. My brother and sister just arrived at my house and none of the bedrooms are furnished. You wouldn’t want to help a guy out, would you?”
“What do you need?”
“I need someone to pick out nice furnishings for six upstairs bedrooms. Things that a male or female would like well enough. We can order it on line and see if they’ll deliver today.”
“Sure. I like to shop. Want to use my computer?”
“Sounds good.”
“Follow me.” Caro said. Her computer was set up in the family room.
Once she had it up, she went to the local furniture store site. First she checked for sales and they had a big one going on. Caro was fast and decisive. She picked beds, two dressers, and two night stands. A small desk went in half the rooms and a chair went with it. The other three rooms had a bench. The total was much less than he expected and she put it on his credit card with a special request for delivery today. Once it all went through, she called them and discussed the delivery and they agreed to get it there as quickly as possible.
He was extremely appreciative and handed her a hundred dollars. “You’re quickly becoming one of my favorites.” She said as she slid the hundred dollars into her pocket.
“I hate to, but I need to get home now.”
“I’ll tell Mom you had to go when she’s done with Dad. It’ll be okay. There’s only past memories between them. She hasn’t had romantic feelings for him in years.”
“Why did she stay?”
“I think it was for us. Once I was grown, she was going to leave. Their relationship had gone cold, but she would never have hurt any of us. She thought leaving before I was grown would be wrong. Dad was the one that didn’t care.” Caro explained.
That was something he could understand. No matter who she’d settled with, it wouldn’t have worked. She was always meant to be his.
Chapter 5
Life Goes On
“What were you two in here getting so chummy over?” She asked.
“Channing just needed some help. He was going to ask you to help him pick put some furniture, but you were busy. Company arrived at his house so he had to go.” Caro explained.
“Company?” She didn’t want to ask, but she couldn’t help herself.
“One of his sisters and a brother. They came early so he had to get the rooms upstairs furnished.”
“Oh.” Well what else could she say? She’d heard he had a lot of siblings. Few cheetah couples were as fertile as his parents.
It was time to get busy since her day had been completely upended. Caro didn’t have a place to clean so they both went to the coalition house to help with the work. “We thought you were taking a holiday.” Steve commented.
“Not a planned one. Just some family issue with the business. How is everything going?”
“It’s always slower when you aren’t here, but everyone is working hard.”
Once she and Caro entered the house, she could see they had been working. The exterior was done except for the siding and windows which were being outsourced. Inside. It was beginning to take shape with all three floors in place. Now the wood floors and the tile in the bathrooms were going in. None of the bathroom or kitchen parts were in place so she and Caro went through the place listing what was needed.
Caro went outside and called her sister to put in the order. She put on her tool belt and started on the drywall. Working hard, she was startled when someone touched her on the back. “What’s up?”
“It’s late and everyone wants to go home.” Caro replied.
“Someone should have come to get me at quitting time.” She said.
“No one wants to upset you. Besides, you were getting so much work done.” Looking around She saw the room was almost completed.
Putting everything down, she was ready to go. “Come on, Everyone.”
As soon as she and Caro got in the truck after putting up her tools, everyone else got in. “So did you work things out with Jessica.”
“She was shocked, but recovered quickly. It wasn’t hard to get her where she could access the needed information. In no time she saw what had happened and began to repair it. The truckload of supplies will be down here tomorrow. They’ll unload at the needed sites.”
“I know they’ll need more business. Mom is planning another apartment complex. Four more buildings should do some good. I’ll add what’s needed for the repairs on the new house and who knows what else we can do.”
“Jess knows you’ll do all you can and she said she’s already negated a few of our dad’s mistakes.” Caro admitted.
She was glad Jessica thought she could work things out. That company was her children’s heritage. It would support their Grams who was now a widow and in declining health. Her ex-husband often irritated her, but rarely was he mean. Now except for putting in a few orders with Jessica, she would have little to do with that company. Her oldest daughter would repair most of the damage.
Her attention would be on things down here. She needed to work on the farmhouse, the coalition house, the projects Channing had given her, and her mother’s projects. It was overwhelming, but at least she had Steve on the coalition house and others that stepped up on the other projects. Otherwise she might never complete them.
They made it to Ariel’s and everyone lined up for supper. Yes, they were late, but Cook had just refilled several of the tubs with food. It was Italian food and they all dug in. This food was good and she ate more than usual. So much was on her mind she could barely keep up with it. For some reason Channing was the thing she thought of the most. That made no sense but she worried about him and missed him.
Tomorrow she would see him but for now she needed to put him off her mind. Once home she got to work on her computer going through things then closed it. Now she put on food for the gang here in crock pots. Someone, probably poor Caro, had bought groceries. Bless her for all the help she gave.
Now it was time to shower, sleep, and hope for a better day tomorrow. Sleep came easily which was always a surprise. In the morning she woke before the alarm and was up and at it. Thankfully Hazel would be there to help keep them on track. The guys found her intimidating, but once they knew her they would find she was a teddy bear. Okay, not really.
It was amusing to watch the guys around her as they all worked. She was worth two of any of the average guys and they knew it. Once the coalition house
was done, Hazel would take charge of the crew and start on the next project. It would be the clowder house, officially. Apparently the lynx shifters were mainly bobcats.
Some of these names might seem amusing, but the cat shifters didn’t find them funny in the least. The bobcat shifter who represented all the lynx under the bobcat umbrella as well as any other of the smaller cat shifters too small in number to have their own place, would soon make an appearance. Next, the cougars and jaguars would either join forces or not. These cats were known for one thing, none of them seemed able to make a decision.
Seb had been the best and they said Titus was fine once he’d been found. Once they finally decided, they came in like a tide not concerning themselves with needs like jobs and housing until they arrived. She wasn’t sure if it was arrogance or a lack of understanding of the needs a person had.
Arriving at Ariel’s, she enjoyed her breakfast and Hazel was there to meet her. Although she’d offered her a room in the house they were raised in and their mom had offered her a room at her new house, Hazel stayed at Ariel’s for now. That was okay and probably made things easier for Hazel.
Once breakfast was done, they headed to the coalition house. Everyone jumped out of the crew truck and pulled tools and whatever they needed out to get to work. Someone would be here soon to put up the exterior siding. The guy was out of Harrison and his crew was quite good. Ariel was excited because she thought he might expand to roofs.
She looked over at the picnic bench and saw Channing with another male. Perhaps his brother? No time to worry about that now. They started on the top floor so once it was done, it could be occupied. A stairway went in outside and an elevator would go on one end of the building on the inside. Things were moving along. Soon it was lunch.
As she moved to get to her truck, Channing waved her down. “Hey, Channing. What’s up?”
“Can I take you to lunch? This is my brother Hector.”
“Hello Hector. I suppose we can meet at Sara’s.” Now she hurried on her way. The truck was full of her crew including Hazel.
“Who is he?”
“The one we’re building for. He’s the Cheetah leader.”
“Not a bad looking guy. He looks a bit primitive, but I bet that would be good in the sack.”
“OMG, Haze. Don’t say shit like that.”
“Why not? You want more sophisticated go for the guy with him. Both are hunky dory.” Hazel grinned.
“I’m glad you approve. You get to sit at the table with us.”
“Now come on Sis. You know I don’t do cordial. I’m rough around the edges.”
“So is Channing so you’ll fit in.” They pulled into Sara’s and it was packed. Her guys would be stuck outside on picnic tables but they were used to it.
Sara hurried to the dining area and cleared off a table for her and Hazel. Channing and Hector joined them. Their food was brought out quickly even though they hadn’t ordered. It was perfect as usual. One of Sara’s talents was she always knew what people wanted. The talent took a lot of energy to use, so she didn’t always bother.
“This is excellent.” Hector said with a moan of appreciation.
“Tell us something we don’t know.” Hazel said as she elbowed him.
“Hazel, this is Hector. Watch it Hector, she’s rougher when she knows you.” Viv explained. “Now what is going on, Channing?”
“I have a lot of people arriving and I wondered how everything was going.”
“It’s in target and you already have completion dates. Did you take my advice?” She asked.
“I did and those places are already bought, but most need work. Some only a little, but a few need more.”
“Maybe you need to get some handyman skills.” Hazel suggested.
“Find me some handymen. I can pay easier than I can do it myself.” Channing explained.
“Ariel has everyone we know tied up. But she did find a potential roofer.” Viv said. She handed him a card. “I heard you had a window and door guy coming in.”
“I do. He’s going to do the coalition house than see about anything else. I’m getting a big tent set up for his workers and they’ll work in the area as long as it pays good.”
“A big tent?”
“It will be divided up into living spaces including an area plumbed for a bathroom. Ariel thought it was a good idea.” Channing said.
“I can’t wait to see it.” Haze giggled.
“What did you really want?”
“I’d like to ask you out for Saturday night.” Channing said.
“Okay.” He looked up, probably to see if the sky was falling and she giggled.
“Where do I pick you up at?”
“I’ll meet you at the coalition house. What time?”
“Can we go at five?” He asked.
“Sure. I’ll see you then.” It made no sense, but she wanted to go out with him. Why fight it?
Everyone was done eating so they all headed back to work. Channing and Hector didn’t go when they did. Maybe the brothers had something they needed to discuss. After all, Hector had just moved here and needed to acclimate.
Everyone loaded up and her sister just stared at her. “What?”
“I can’t believe you agreed to a date. What is this, high school?” Haze chuckled.
“We’ll see what it is when you start on the prowl with a shifter on your heels.”
“Never happen.”
“Just keep saying that and maybe if you repeat it enough it’ll be true.”
“Why not just fuck him and see what happens?” Haze asked.
“Why not have a chance to dress up, have a nice meal, and be treated like a lady? That’s whether you feel like one or not?” She asked.
“Not nice. I’m a lady when I feel like it and the guys know better than to treat me like I’m not.”
“You mean cause you’ll hurt them bad?”
“Exactly. Fuck with me, I’ll fuck with you.” Haze insisted.
“I just have this odd feeling that your time is coming.”
They made it back to the work site and they all got out and got on it. The progress was amazing and they would get done early. That bonus would be outstanding. It would give her enough to pay for the bathroom and kitchen supplies she had ordered early. Costs for that had come out of her savings which she hated to touch.
Now they got back on their work until the day was over. Supper at Ariel’s was always a blast. Haze stayed behind and she drove home. The house she’d bought was progressing slowly, but it had been cleaned and she was on the new roofer’s list for roof and metal siding in a week. She and Caro along with a few volunteers would work a couple hours tonight. Since it was a remodel, it wouldn’t take the time a new build would. Her personal estimate was two months before it was done. Now that Haze was here, she couldn’t help but wonder is any other siblings would come back to the nest.
No, she didn’t think so. It was amazing that she and Haze had come back especially at this time in their lives. There was no reason to think this would happen to any of her other siblings. Thinking through everything she felt sure she and Hazel were all that would return home.
Time moved quickly because she had so much work to do and now it was the end of the day on Saturday. The coalition house would be done sometime during the week to come. She dropped everyone off at Ariel’s and went in for a quick snack. She was too hungry not to grab a bite.
“Good luck on your date.” Ariel said and her face turned red as all her workers turned to look at her. Why was nothing ever a secret round here?
She didn’t answer and just hurried home. They’d knocked off at three, plenty early for her to get ready. Haze would be in charge tomorrow so she could stay out late if she wanted to. Now that she was home, she hurried to look her best. Since he wanted to go early, she was sure there would be some walking. That made high heels a bad idea. Instead a pretty top, tight denim short skirt, and sneakers. It made her feel like a young girl again, but she looked
good. Light makeup and her hair down but in curls, a few pieces of her favorite jewelry, and she was ready to go.
Her denim bag matched the skirt as she took her leys to her SUV and went out the door. It was a good thing no one was here to ask any question. She drove with a purpose until she got to the coalition house. Although she was early, Channing was here waiting for her. Getting out, she grabbed her purse and locked her car before heading to him.
He was visible through the windshield and his eyes were on her the whole way. Channing hopped out just before she got there and opened the door for her. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
“Thank you.” Apparently he planned to be playful and romantic. She didn’t mind one bit.
Once he took off, they headed to Berryville which surprised her. But once they got there, he headed to Eureka. It was astonishing that he’d had time to pick up knowledge of the area. Eureka Springs was a town that drew tourists in many ways. There was the Passion Play which she had seen several times as a child and she thought everyone should see it at least once regardless of their beliefs because it was so moving.
In the Victorian age which was represented by many of the houses in town, the hot springs had lured in many people for their touted health benefits. The town still had several first class spas. There were music shows, at least two she remembered that were still open. A large music theater that had once operated had closed years ago. Onyx cave also drew in intrepid explorers as they were guided through the cave. Those were just a few of the attractions that still drew tourists into this incredible town.
There were several amazing restaurants like Bubba’s BBQ, Devito’s for Italian food, and the Bavarian Inn for German food just to name three. Maybe Channing had heard a little about the town and knew she could guide him to all the best places. She’d worked there as a maid and later as a dishwasher when she’d been a teenager. The time to rediscover this wonderful place hadn’t been available so she was glad to do it now.
He pulled in downtown and parked along the street where others did. “I hoped a few stores might still be open.”
