No aspirations of having my own plane, though. I know where to draw the line in my thinking.
It hasn’t escaped my notice that Jared has scooted closer to me. But as nice as he looks and as good as he smells, I find my thoughts, when they aren’t on Dale, drifting to Court.
The nice part about Court sitting across from me is that I can look at him. As I do, I catch him looking at me. My gaze quickly shifts away, and I see Jared smiling at me.
I lean my head against the back of the seat and close my eyes. Maybe if I pretend to sleep, Jared will focus his attentions somewhere else. It’s not a long flight. Surely I can keep him at bay until we land.
“So,” Court says. “I was looking over the financials and a couple of the stores’ profits seem to have really dropped over the last couple of months. Nothing stuck out as being wrong, or substantially different. Are you on top of that?”
“Yeah, I am. I’ve been over at those stores trying to check on the numbers before we run the statements for June. Thought maybe I could stop something from derailing if you know what I mean.”
“Do you have your assistant helping? I can’t remember her name.”
“Janice. Her name is Janice, and uh, she’s out on maternity leave, remember?”
Court rubs his forehead. “How could I forget? Susan is swamped. I meant was Janice helping before she left? I think there are some strange things going on.”
Court’s tone sends shivers up my arms. To rub them would reveal that I’m awake. Whereas I don’t think their conversation would be different if they knew I was awake, letting them think I’m taking a nap is okay with me.
“Janice probably doesn’t have the skill set needed to help me with this type of issue. Just know I’m keeping an eye on those two stores.”
“Okay. Keep me posted on this. It’s your job to make sure we’re making money. But I do have a question. Why did you hire Janice? It doesn’t sound like she can do the job.”
“I didn’t mean to make it sound like that. She does a great job. But digging into certain accounts and stuff, I just think she wouldn’t know what she was looking for. When she comes back from leave, I’ll be training her more.”
“Okay. If you need Susan’s help with that, let me know. Susan is amazing.”
I swear I hear Jared sigh. Not loud like Court would know, but a soft one. Kind of like a whew. Like he just passed a test or something.
The rest of the flight passes in silence. All of us taking a break from life right now. Apparently Court has reason to be concerned about his work, this on top of his father’s heart attack.
I really have no idea what I’m going to do back at the mansion without Team Twin there. But I guess I’ll find out in a couple of hours.
WE ARRIVE AT THE mansion to find Mrs. Stratton already gone since there was no one to cook and clean for. There’s a different vibe in the house without Bristol and Darling.
A quiet vibe.
I unpack the few clothes I had taken with me, find the laundry room and start washing clothes. I make my way into the kitchen to look for something to drink. My stomach is rumbling as well, so I scour the refrigerator for dinner ideas.
“I thought we might go out.”
The cold air of the refrigerator balances the heat of my face as I realize Court is speaking to me. Why do his words and gazes elicit such a reaction from me?
I straighten and shut the door. “Sure.”
I turn around and pretty much bite my lip to keep my mouth from falling open.
This man is gorgeous. There are simply no other words to describe him. Hot is too tame for the likes of Court Treyhune. And yes, just a short time ago, I was engaged. I realize this. But that reality is moving further and further away from my memory.
As is the image of Dale’s handsome face.
“I want to discuss something regarding the girls before we go. Do you have time to talk now?”
Other than the load of laundry I’ve started there isn’t too much on my agenda. “Sure.” My face almost heats again at the realization that Court probably thinks I have a one-word vocabulary.
“Great. Pull up a bar stool.”
Moments later, as we are settled, I do everything in my power to ensure I stay focused on our conversation.
“I want to talk to you about homeschooling the girls.”
I straighten and sit back in my chair. “Uh, I have no experience in that area. None.” I say this like I have experience in being a nanny.
He shakes his head. “I don’t mean you homeschooling them. I would like you to interview people to start homeschooling them when school begins again.”
Relief flows through me at his words. “Okay. I’m not sure where to start, but I have the time to figure all that out.”
“I have information that MaryLeigh gathered. She never actually homeschooled in Florida. She became too sick too fast. But I’ll get it for you tomorrow and you can look through it. It will be a place to start.”
“Okay. That would be helpful.”
MaryLeigh was insistent that the girls be homeschooled. She did it as long as she could when we lived in North Carolina. I know she’s probably aggravated in heaven that I haven’t gotten around to handling it yet.”
I chuckle. “I don’t think aggravation is allowed in heaven.”
He does that barely smiling thing again.
Which is a good thing for me. I think Court’s full smile is reserved for those he loves, like his mother and his daughters.
“Given MaryLeigh’s personality I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t change heaven.”
I may not know much about God, but I remember Mama always saying God never changed. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. “Not sure that’s possible.”
“I’m not talking blasphemy here. I mean she probably turned heaven on its ear. She was anything but docile. Even at the end.”
His words aren’t an invitation to inquire about MaryLeigh or her death. Which is a relief as I feel at odds discussing anything regarding Court’s first wife. His mom’s play by play on her looks was weird enough.
And he’s vague in his speech. Which is normal. He doesn’t know me very well and conversing about his wife, who has passed away, can’t be comfortable for him. At least it wouldn’t be for me. “Do you have a deadline for this project you’ve assigned me to?”
“As long as the girls have someone by the time school starts. We can find that date online.”
“If they’re registered in public school there’s probably some paperwork to fill out regarding that.”
“Probably. There’s so much red tape for everything nowadays.”
Before I can respond the doorbell chimes. Court’s expression turns puzzled. “Not expecting anybody. I’ll be right back.”
Moments later I hear voices.
Jared is here.
An expectant, yet troubled sensation races through me.
“Wasn’t sure what you had planned for dinner,” he says as he walks through the living room into the kitchen. “But I brought a large pizza. Thought we could all dine in together tonight.” He slides the box onto the counter.
“All your date prospects busy tonight?” Court asks.
“Funny.” Jared opens the refrigerator and holds out a bottle of beer. “Care for one?”
He’s looking back and forth between Court and me.
“Okay.” Court’s response is curt.
“No.” I decline this offer to be one of the guys.
“Shelby’s a wine kind of girl.” Court slides onto the bar stool next to me which leaves Jared no choice but to sit next to Court.
Jared has changed into a dark blue polo shirt that tucks nicely into his jeans. Again, his cologne is overpowering, almost masking the smell of the pizza.
“You’ve just met and you know what type of girl she is?” Jared’s tone is disbelieving.
Neither of us responds. He’s obviously familiar with the place as he opens a cabinet and places a plate
in front of each of us. He also opens a drawer and grabs some cloth napkins.
He holds the pizza box in front of me, the lid open and inviting.
“The works,” he says, nodding at the pizza.
I grab a piece but the cheese is being difficult. As I try to rein it in with my index finger of my other hand, Court has the same idea. Our fingers touch and again that warm feeling comes over me.
“Sorry,” we both say at the same time. We also kind of laugh together while Jared stands there with a scowl on his face.
I pull the lone strand of cheese on my pizza while Court grabs a piece from the box.
Jared slides two pieces on his plate before setting the box down and settling himself on the barstool next to Court.
“So, seriously,” Court starts. “Who was that brunette you were dating? Are things off with her?”
Jared wipes his mouth with the fancy cloth napkin. “Ansley? I wasn’t serious about her. We only went out a couple of times.”
“Didn’t you take off a Friday a couple of weeks ago to take her to Key West for a long weekend?”
Jared smiles a cocky smile. “Yeah. We had a good time. She’s expensive though. A drinker. Seven or eight glasses of wine at ten plus dollars a pop adds up.”
Court takes a swig of beer before setting his bottle on the counter. “That’s what I pay you the big bucks for, isn’t it? To impress the ladies?”
Jared shares a shocked look which we all know is fake. “The salary isn’t that big. Besides, if you keep talking like this Shelby will think I’m a player.”
“And?” Court shrugs.
“And I’m not. I don’t want her getting the wrong idea. She’s too pretty to be thinking bad thoughts about me.”
I continue eating in silence. It’s obvious these guys have a history. One that makes them comfortable bantering back and forth regarding all matters.
I’m not that comfortable yet.
I’m still trying to figure out how to move forward with my life. And at the moment forward looks like having pizza with two handsome men.
This is a good moment.
MEANING
THE NICE MOMENT turns into an awkward evening.
Jared won’t leave.
Court has made a couple of comments indicating that he’s tired and needs some sleep, but Jared continues to hang out. They talk a lot of racing which at one point I excuse myself from to switch out my laundry.
When I come back the subject has changed to football.
Then it turns to movies, before the subject of concerts came up.
“The Rolling Stones are coming in a couple of weeks,” Court says.
“I love the Stones,” I add. “I have always wanted to see them.”
“Perfect,” Jared says. “I have two tickets and need someone to go with me.”
“I, uh.” I look to Court whose eyes are narrowed and staring at Jared.
“What?” Jared asks me.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing. The girls will be back, and I’m not sure of our schedule.”
Jared playfully punches Court in the arm. “Come on, buddy. Give your nanny a night off to go and have some fun. And she loves the Stones.”
Court takes on an I-don’t-care expression and doesn’t even look my way. I want to connect with him so I can eye-plead help-me-out-here.
Although, really do I want help? The conversation on the plane keeps replaying in my head, along with Jared’s sigh. This might give me a chance to pick Jared’s brain about what’s going on with the finances at the dealerships. My brain is dying to finagle some numbers.
But it is important for me to make sure Jared doesn’t know my background.
Yes, I’m playing sneaky.
It will keep my brain fresh for these three months hanging with the girls.
I catch a quiet, yet soulful gaze from Court. Shaking my head I realize Court is no more soulful over me than I am over him. “Okay. If Court doesn’t mind, I’ll go.”
“Great.” Jared stands. “I’d better head home. It’s getting late.”
I see a relieved expression cross Court’s face. Jared, it appears, is immune to people’s body language and facial expressions.
“See you later, Jared.” Court steps out of the living room toward the front entryway.
“Goodnight,” I say, more than ready to call it a night myself and crawl into bed.
“Good night to you, pretty lady.” Jared walks over and takes my hand in his. He kisses the back of it gently. I feel my face heat, but not like it does around Court. No, this is from embarrassment. Jared is over the top.
I swear he flicks his tongue on my skin before ending his brushed kiss.
“I can’t wait for our date. Ha. I’m a poet.” He continues to stare at me as he backs out of the living room.
Way over the top.
And he used the word date. His meaning of going to a concert is different from my meaning of going to a concert.
I thought we were simply going to a concert. So I could pick his brain.
I’m so glad Court is already on his way to the door and doesn’t witness the event.
“So, you’re here a few days and already dating my best friend, huh?”
Court has good ears. “He called it a date. I didn’t.”
“Jared always gets the pretty girls.”
The only reason Court wouldn’t get the pretty girls is if he didn’t try. He has everything a woman would want in a man. He’s loaded to the brim with all the star qualities in life.
Yet he lives here, still grieving MaryLeigh’s death, and works from morning until night.
It’s a shame is what it is.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
With those words, he walks from the living room to the side of the house where his bedroom and office are.
My heart hitches disappointment that I might have disappointed him by going to the concert with Jared. Certainly he knows I thought it was just a friend thing.
I had no idea Jared would consider it a date.
And I can’t tell Court about my mission.
THE FIVE A.M. RUN is a little cooler than the previous run a couple of days ago. I shower and barely finish my first cup of coffee before Court saunters into the kitchen. He pours a cup of coffee for himself then nods to me. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
His hair is still wet from his shower and his soap scent lingers softly in the air, making me think of days spent outdoors, breeze blowing. I love the way he dresses for success in his crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up, his gray slacks and beautifully classy-looking black shoes.
“Did you run this morning?” he asks, breaking my starefest.
“I did. Still sultry, but slightly cooler.”
“Florida’s like that. Whenever you’re ready, you can come into my office. I have the information about homeschooling.”
“I’m ready now.” I slide off the bar stool and follow Court.
His office is a manly sort of place with a large fish gracing the top of one of the walls. A big, dark heavy-looking desk and matching office furniture take up a lot of space. There is a small settee with a coffee table in front of it.
“You can sit there if you’d like.” He motions toward the settee. There is a box sitting on the coffee table. A box filled with papers.
Court takes a seat in a straight-backed chair in front of his desk. He turns the chair so it faces me. He points to the box. “There are the notes and such.”
I widen my eyes and nod toward the box. “In there? All that paper?”
“Yes. I’m not sure how organized it is.”
I slide the box to the floor in front of me and fish out the top layers of papers. “I thought all this would be on the computer.”
“MaryLeigh wasn’t big on computers. She liked tangible stuff. Stuff you could actually hold and touch.”
MaryLeigh’s tangible stuff preference would make this job harder. “Okay. I’ll take this box
to the, well, I guess to my room and work on it.”
“You can use this space. I’m going to my office. You can use my computer, or your own. Whichever. Also, there’s a phone here if you need to make calls.” He points to a cordless phone sitting in a charger on his desk.
“Okay. Mrs. Stratton indicated that someone was hired at one point to homeschool the girls. Do you know if that information is in here?”
He shrugs and stands. “Probably. Although they weren’t here long.” He makes his way behind his desk and leans over for a moment. He looks like he’s rifling through a drawer.
After about a minute he holds up file folders. “I knew I had some here. You can use these to organize all the information if you want.”
He sets the folders on top of his desk.
I see a printer sitting on a credenza that lines one of the walls. “Is there a scanner on that printer?”
“Yes.”
“If I can download the printer drivers to my computer, I’ll probably scan the documents straight to my computer if that’s okay.”
Nodding his head he sips his coffee. “Sure. Whatever works for you. I think the set up disks for the printer are in this credenza somewhere if you don’t find what you need online.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.” As Court comes around his desk he takes another sip of his coffee. Just as he finishes sipping he misjudges his route, and his left leg slams into the desk, spilling the coffee down the front of his white shirt. He leans his body forward, the liquid missing his slacks.
“That’s hot.” He sets his coffee on his desk and starts unbuttoning his shirt. I don’t do anything but stare at his chest as his shirt flies open.
Oh, my.
He untucks it as he walks out of his office, and I am the recipient of six-pack abs.
Talk about face flushing.
I guess this job does have its perks.
THE DAY GOES BY quickly. It takes me quite a while to organize the box of papers, but I do, laying out piles on top of Court’s desk. I love how his scent invades this room, and when I move his chair, or fan some papers, I’m reminded of him.
I find more papers of the girls’ schoolwork than actual homeschooling information. There are attendance records that don’t seem to be filled out correctly, or if they are, the girls didn’t get much schooling. There’s also a lot of North Carolina information which won’t help me at all.
Rich in Faith (Richness in Faith, Book 3) Page 6
