Whitney in Charge

by Craver, Diane

  “It doesn’t sound like something you’re springing on us just because of the skydiving,” Regan said with a thoughtful look.

  Shannon’s hazel eyes widened. “I can’t imagine what you want us to do.”

  Pushing her plate away from her, Whitney rested her arms on the table. “I don’t want to go back to New York to be a producer again, you know that. I’m not the same person any more. It doesn’t interest me but…”

  Regan glanced at Shannon. “This is where we come in to help our little sister.”

  Whitney sighed. “That’s one way to look at it.”

  “Spit it out,” Shannon urged.

  Whitney grinned at the obvious interest in both their faces, even if Regan attempted to feign indifference. Enjoying her moment of having them on the spot, she stood and headed to the coffeepot. “Would either of you like more coffee?”

  Both chimed in together, “No.”

  Whitney refilled her cup and carried it to the table, sitting again before she finally said, “I think we should go into business together.”

  “Doing what?” Shannon asked.

  “I don’t know. But I thought we can discuss ideas that might interest us.”

  “I’m not sure I can devote enough time to a full-time business.” Shannon frowned. “With the classes I teach during the week at the university, and all. Nights won’t work either because Tim has to leave after dinner a few times a week to go back to school. And I want to be home when Caitlyn and Brandon aren’t at school. I don’t want them to get into trouble.”

  “They’re good kids,” Whitney said.

  Shannon shrugged. “I know but they’re teenagers.”

  Her sister’s feelings didn’t surprise her. Shannon had said before that parents assumed teenagers could fend for themselves but they were wrong. If she wasn’t home, Caitlyn’s boyfriend might decide to spend more time at their house, or they’d experiment with drugs and get into the wrong crowd.

  Whitney leaned closer to Shannon, understanding her need to keep an eye on her kids. “We can put Caitlyn and Brandon to work. I know Brandon’s only thirteen, but I can see him contributing in some way to our business. And I know Caitlyn isn’t crazy about working in a fast food place like most teenagers.”

  Shannon nodded. “That’s true. If she worked for us, I won’t have to drive her to a job. I want her to wait until she’s seventeen or maybe eighteen before she gets her driver’s license. It’s going to be hard though since so many in her class have their licenses already.”

  Regan asked, “Do you want to put Lily to work too?”

  “Not now. Maybe in about ten years if it all works out.” Whitney wiped her lips with a napkin. “Okay, I think we better start brainstorming some things we could do.”

  “I’m all for us talking about doing a business together, but I should mention we’re thinking of having another baby,” Regan said.

  Another niece or nephew for me to love would be wonderful. “I think we can allow you maternity leave.”

  Regan grinned. “Paid?”

  “Hey, I want benefits too,” Shannon said.

  “Here’s a benefit…skydiving lessons.” Whitney hid her smirk by walking to the sink and rinsed her plate before placing it in the dishwasher. As she turned back, she noticed Regan staring at something outside. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m enjoying the view. I don’t think Casey will want to buy this house if he sees what might be in the backyard for me to watch.”

  Chapter Two

  Whitney and Shannon joined Regan at the door.

  “I thought Nate was a hottie but this guy’s even better looking,” Regan said.

  “Hey Regan, you think we can get a refund from the guy at the skydiving place?” Shannon asked while gazing at the new man outside. “Who needs to go looking with this gorgeous man just a short distance away?”

  Regan turned slightly from the view. “When did he move in?”

  Whitney knew better than to comment too much on her new neighbor. Her sisters might take it upon themselves to rush over and tell him that she was available. But crap, did he have to be shirtless and have broad shoulders? If he always worked in his yard like that, she’d have a hard time not staring at him.

  “I think it was last week when I noticed the moving truck. Would you two married women stop drooling?” She took another glance and he waved. “Great. He sees us watching him.”

  Regan raised her eyebrows. “Since you haven’t mentioned this good-looking guy to us, I guess you haven’t met him yet?”

  “This is the first time I’ve seen him,” Whitney admitted.

  A small, black-haired boy ran from behind the house. That answered the question whether he was a family man, or not.

  “I wonder if his son is Lily’s age,” Regan said.

  “Don’t forget little boys usually have mothers.” She better remind her sisters of this fact before they made wedding plans for Mr. Hottie and her.

  Shannon moved away from the screen. “If there isn’t a wife, you’re wonderful with kids.”

  “First Nate the Skydiver, then Jack the Paramedic…is my new neighbor now Bachelor number Three?” Just because the new neighbor was male and attractive didn’t mean she was interested in him as a prospective boyfriend.

  “Let’s find out if there is a wife around.” Regan pulled on Whitney’s arm. “Come on. We better hurry. He’s pushing the lawn mower into the shed.”

  “I’ll go. But you two have to quit acting like I’m a hopeless old spinster. I managed to get married once, and I don’t need help in getting dates again.”

  Shannon rolled her eyes. “You haven’t gone on any, have you?”

  “No, and the reason is because I’m not ready to date.”

  Shannon opened her mouth to argue, but stopped mid-breath at the ringing of her cell phone. Whitney sighed in relief. She shouldn’t have to elaborate on why she wasn’t going to date. Not now and maybe she’d never date anyone. Losing Rob had been too painful.

  Shannon glanced at her caller ID. “I’m sure you two can fill me in later about the new man. I better get this. It’s Caitlyn.”

  Opening the screen door, Whitney said, “Let’s get this over with. At this rate, we’ll never go into business together.”

  Regan and Whitney crossed the yard to the neighbor’s. As they approached, the boy stopped kicking his ball and said, “Hi.”

  Whitney smiled at him. “Hi. You have a good kick.”

  The boy looked at them carefully. “My daddy knocks people out. You two should be easy. The fat ones give him problems.”

  Regan laughed. “Is he a boxer?”

  She heard a chuckle and turned to see Mr. Hottie walking around the corner of the house. And he was probably the boy’s father. “Hello. We’re neighbors. I’m Whitney Benson. And this is my sister, Regan Dunn.” She grinned. “And please don’t knock us out.”

  As he walked toward them, she noticed how thick his black hair looked and she liked his warm brown eyes. He had a great tan. She wondered if he worked outside in construction or something.

  “Hi. I’m Ben Spencer,” he said as he took her extended hand in a firm grip, not shaking it but just holding it. “This is my son Adam. I guess I better work on teaching him to say anesthesiologist.” He turned to look at the boy. “Adam, I never said fat patients but said overweight ones are harder and more risks are involved for surgery.”

  “That’s a relief. I’d hate to think you were a violent person living next door to my single sister,” Regan said.

  Whitney was going to throttle her sister. How could Regan be so obvious? She hurried to speak, hoping to keep Regan from saying something even more embarrassing, like asking him if he was single. “I hope you like living here. It’s a nice neighborhood.”

  “I liked our other house better,” Adam said with a scowl, bouncing the ball off the ground.

  Whitney nodded. “It takes time to get used to a new place. I still miss where I used to live.”


  “How old are you, Adam?” Regan asked. “I have a daughter Lily and you two might like to play together.”

  “I’m six.”

  “Lily’s six too,” Regan said. “You’ll have to meet her. Do you go to Clark Elementary?”

  Ben ruffled Adam’s hair. “I’m having Adam finish first grade at his old school since it’s close to the end of the year.”

  Why didn’t he put a shirt on? The sweat glistened off his strong muscled upper body. She was as bad as her sisters wondering if he had a wife or not. “I guess we better let you get back to your yard work. Maybe sometime we can have you, your wife, and Adam over for a barbecue.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Regan said. “Adam can meet Lily so he’ll know someone when he starts the new school next year.”

  Adam glanced at his dad and Ben patted his son on the back. “I’m divorced. Adam’s mom lives in Seattle.”

  “It must be hard on you and Adam to have her so far away.” Whitney wondered how a mother could move so far away from her son. Obviously, Ben had custody unless Adam would go live with his mom next school year.

  “She’s remarried but she’s looking forward to having Adam stay a couple of weeks this summer.”

  Adam picked up his ball and held it. “Can I go swimming in your pool?”

  Ben frowned. “Besides working on Adam’s vocabulary, I better teach him not to invite himself over to your place.”

  “Daddy, you said it first. Remember, you said it’d be nice to go swimming in their pool.”

  Ben sighed. “Kids. Would you two like something to drink?”

  “Thank you, but we can’t stay any longer.” Regan smiled at Ben and Adam. “It was nice meeting you both.”

  Whitney glared at her sister in confusion. First, it was hurry up and meet the neighbor…now it was run away back to the house. She wished Regan would make up her mind.

  She wasn’t going to leave until she made sure Ben knew they were welcomed to take a dip in the pool. “You two are officially invited to swim as soon as I open it,’ she said before Regan turned and ran off. “It depends on the weather but I’m hoping it’ll stay warm and I’ll open it sometime in May.”

  However, she wouldn’t be opening it for Mother’s Day weekend. That was when their mother had always had it ready for swimming. It’d be too painful. All of them loved swimming, but their mother had loved it the most.

  “If you need any help,” Ben said smoothly, “I’ll be happy to give you a hand.”

  “Thanks. Talk to you later,” Whitney said, then followed Regan back to their house.

  Shannon was putting the cups in the dishwasher when they entered the kitchen. “What did you find out? Is he married?”

  “He’s divorced,” Whitney said, realizing her obsessed sisters would do everything in their power to hook her up with Ben.

  Shannon raised her eyebrows. “You two didn't stay away very long.”

  “Yeah, Ben offered us a drink but Regan said we couldn’t stay.” Whitney turned to look at Regan. “You insisted we go meet the neighbors. Then you wanted to leave. What’s going on?”

  “I didn’t think you should overdo it.” Regan grabbed a dishcloth and started wiping the table. “You were starting to come on too strong. We don’t want you to scare him away.”

  “I was coming on too strong?” Whitney gasped.

  Regan ignored her, continuing on. “I think we should go shopping soon.”

  Shannon gave an interested glance. “Shopping for what?”

  “Whitney invited Ben…oh yeah, his name’s Ben Spencer, and his son’s name is Adam. She invited them over to go swimming. Whit needs a new suit.”

  “I thought of a perfect business for you,” Whitney said.

  “What is it?” Regan asked.

  “A wedding planner or a dating service. Shannon and I won’t have to do much and can just watch you in action.”

  Regan shook her head. “It wouldn’t be profitable. I can only handle one stubborn person at a time.”

  “I’ll admit meeting Ben was a nice interruption,” Whitney said, “but let’s get back to our business.”

  Shannon rubbed her chin. “It’s fun to think about having a business and to throw out ideas, but let’s be realistic. It’s not a good time for us to start one with the bad economy.”

  “Well, people need to be entertained during bad times,” Whitney said, “so we can start a girls’ band.”

  Shannon laughed. “You have to be kidding. I think to have a band we might have to be able to play instruments. You’re the only one who used to be in the high school band, and clarinet isn’t exactly a ‘girl band’ kind of instrument.”

  “Whitney can sing though,” Regan said. “If you hadn’t been one of my bridesmaids, you could’ve been my soloist for the wedding.”

  “Okay, Whitney has a great voice, but I don’t see a group of women in their thirties starting a band,” Shannon said in an irritated voice. “What made you think of a band when Regan and I can’t play any instruments?”

  Whitney shrugged. “I’ve always had a secret desire to be a drummer in a band. Crazy, I know. But I picture myself sitting behind these awesome drums. And when there’s a break in the music, the lead guitarist shouts, ‘Take it Whitney.’ And the spotlight’s on me.”

  “I’d never have guessed you wanted to be a drummer. But now that you mentioned it, I can see you with drumsticks in your hands.” Regan tossed the empty containers into the wastebasket.

  Whitney asked, “What are your secret desires? Come on, don’t be shy. I told you mine.”

  “I have one.” Shannon took a breath before continuing. “Don’t laugh at me.”

  “I know,” Regan declared, her mouth breaking into a wide, teasing grin. “You want to be a professional clown. You were great when you dressed up as a clown at Lily’s birthday party.”

  Shannon shook her head. “Nope, not a clown. After Tim and I saw the movie Wild Hogs, we talked about getting a cycle. Tim hated it when I made him sell his when Brandon and Caitlyn were small.”

  “Hey, we want to know your secret desire, not Tim’s,” Whitney said, tapping her fingers on the table.

  “I’m getting to it,” Shannon said. “I don’t want to ride on Tim’s cycle. I want my own.”

  She couldn’t visualize Shannon on a cycle instead of driving her van since she drove the kids to so many places. Could Shannon handle a cycle? She’s so tiny. “Cool. I wonder if a cycle shop might be a good business for us.”

  “And we can have our girls’ band play for the cyclists,” Regan said, glancing at both sisters. “I’m kidding.”

  “What’s your secret desire?” Shannon asked Regan.

  “That’s easy. When Whit asked for our secret desires, I immediately thought of sex. Ladies, I want more sex. Don’t worry. I don’t mean with other men. I love Casey but the nights he has to stay at the station are lonely. I hate he works a twenty-four hour shift. So I can only have more sex if Casey quits being a fireman. Then he’ll be home every night.”

  Shannon nodded. “I’d like Tim to be home more. A high school principal puts a lot of hours in. At least Casey has four straight days off a week.”

  “Not always,” Regan said. “He has overtime sometimes when the department needs him to help cover the shifts.”

  “I thought you liked being a firefighter’s wife. You’ve always said how proud you were of Casey saving people’s lives,” Whitney said.

  “I am proud of Casey, but that doesn’t mean I want him to continue being a firefighter.”

  Shannon raised her eyebrows. “I don’t see him ever quitting. He always wanted to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.”

  Whitney sipped her water. All this talking was making her thirsty. “It does seem to run in the Dunn family. Even his brother, David, is a firefighter.”

  Regan frowned. “Well, he has a family now to consider. But the real reason I want him to quit is because what he does is too dangerous. He’s ha
d two recent close calls.”

  “I understand.” Whitney squeezed Regan’s shoulder. She knew exactly when Regan started thinking Casey should quit. Six months ago, he’d received second degree burns while leaving a house’s third floor. Casey and other firefighters were between floors when extreme heat caused a backdraft. Flames engulfed the third floor. Casey and other injured firefighters were taken to the hospital. The fire had occurred in an old restored mansion in the rich area of Cornett. Then two months ago, he’d been caught in a warehouse fire.

  The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes, each considering in their heads the possibilities.

  “I’ve got it,” Shannon looked at Whitney with excitement in her eyes. “We could do a cable show. With your experience as a news producer and Regan’s gift of gab, we can have some kind of a talk show.”

  Whitney got a pen and pad out of her Mom’s junk drawer. “Okay, I’ll jot that down.”

  “You know, Whitney,” Shannon said, “Mom bragged all the time to her friends about you being a big New York news producer. But then you were always her favorite daughter. And Regan was Dad’s.”

  Not this again, Whitney thought. Shannon hadn’t mentioned it recently, but still she’d heard it enough throughout the years. “That’s not true. They didn’t have favorites.”

  Regan shrugged. “Well, I told everyone about Whit’s news show. I loved watching the credits and seeing her name on the screen. This is just my opinion but Whitney shouldn’t be behind the scenes if we have a local cable show. She can sing.”

  Whitney poised her pen over the pad. “Shannon, you could do a cooking segment, Regan could interview local people with interesting jobs or whatever, and I guess I could sing occasionally.”

  “I wish we could do a trial show in front of a small audience to see how it goes,” Shannon said.

  Regan laughed. “I’m sure we’d have a small audience. What about a roofing company?”

  Whitney rolled her eyes. “And you gave me a bad time about a band. We don’t know how to do a roof. We’d have to hire some guys to teach us or pay them to do the roofs.”