CEO'd By Him Complete Series Box Set

by Nella Tyler

  “I've never done anything like that before, so I thought I'd at least start out by having a dedicated space where I could store all my materials and close the door at the end of the day."

  "So, what sort of things will you require for storage?"

  "Hey, isn't that supposed to be your department?" She smiled.

  "Yes, it certainly is. I just wasn't sure how elaborate you are planning to get."

  Mackenzie considered this for a moment. "Well, I need some sort of bookcase-like storage, maybe the kind of shelves where you have baskets that you can slide in and out. I'll need a countertop, well, actually two of them. One for working on projects that and the other for a sewing machine."

  "Have you ever sewn anything before?" His question was tentative, and she could tell that he was having a bit of fun with her.

  "What do you think?"

  "I think, no."

  "Well, you'd be right. No, I've never touched a sewing machine. There's a sewing shop not too far from my house and they offer lessons. I thought I might buy my machine there and then take lessons from them. I'm not even sure what I'll make. I don't know that I'm interested in making clothes, necessarily, but who knows? Maybe a few things like curtains, pillows, monogrammed sheets… You know, home decorating kind of things."

  "Do you want the counter for the sewing machine to have a cut out that the machine fits into?"

  "Well, I know they make cabinets for specific machines. I thought, however, if I had one long counter, I could substitute different kinds of machines or use that space for more crafting. Anyway, that's what I plan to do. So, basically, I need to know how to build storage shelves and the base for two long counters."

  "How about lighting?"

  "I hadn't thought about that. The room does have some canned lights in the ceiling, but I'm not sure that they'll be bright enough, especially if I'm bent over the counter working on something."

  "Then I would say task lighting would work better. I could recommend a store that carries all types of lighting. You might want one of those that is full spectrum lighting. I understand that gives the best result when you're working on small things are very close up. It also cheers you up in the wintertime."

  Mackenzie was impressed with how thoughtful and thorough Adam was. She liked the way they talked together. It was as if they had known one another for a very long time. There was no sense of insecurity, no wondering whether the person on the other end was really who they said they were.

  This held great appeal to her, especially having come through the ordeal with Dell. She would never repeat that story again, no matter who it was that was listening. It was one of those deep dark secrets that would be buried forever. She had already made up her mind about that.

  Adam was saying something and it brought it her out of her reverie.

  "I was just saying, that if you don't have plans tomorrow, I could come by your house and we could draw up some simple plans and do the measuring. Then, when you're ready, we can get the materials and build them at my place. When they're all done, I'll install them for you at your house."

  "Would you, really? That would be absolutely wonderful."

  "Of course. Don't give it another thought. I would enjoy doing that. Of course, it will cost you," he said, smiling.

  "Okay, what’s your hourly rate?"

  "It will cost you a pair of steaks and a bottle of wine. How about that?"

  "I think you have a deal."

  They finished their delicious dinner and topped it off with slices of homemade apple pie, made by the proprietor’s wife. It was supposed to be an old family recipe and Mackenzie could definitely taste a variety of spices. This was no mass-market pie.

  "The pie was absolutely delicious," she said to the waitress as she brought their check.

  "Thank you, I'll pass that along."

  "Adam, I want to tell you that I don't remember the last time I enjoyed myself this much. This has really been a treat."

  "I was thinking much the same thing myself," he said.

  He walked her out to his car and they took the long way back to town. He drove through some forest areas that she had never seen before. He talked about his work and as she listened, she looked out the window, spotting a few deer in a meadow. This seemed to restore a sense of organic reality in her mind. It was a completely enjoyable evening.

  Adam took her back to the bookstore so she could get her car. He walked her up to it, turning her around as she unlocked the door and bent to kiss her gently, but firmly upon the lips. "I can't wait until tomorrow," he told her in a tender voice.

  Mackenzie nodded and gave him her address. "Maybe about two o'clock?"

  "I’ll see you then."

  She climbed into her car and locked the doors, buckling her seatbelt with a smile. That was what a normal date was supposed to feel like. There was no suspicion about the person she was meeting, no regrets after it was all over. She liked this sort of dating and she liked Adam, very much. She was looking forward to the next day.

  * * *

  Adam was on time, much as she had expected. They went into David's old study and after some discussion, Mackenzie decided to donate the desk and chair there to a local church that would find a home for it. It made her feel better to know that it would go to someone who could really use it and that a profit would be would not be made in the meantime.

  They discussed the storage possibilities and where the countertops would go. Adam had her get a chair and bring so he could measure the proper height for the countertop. He was very thorough in his work, and his attention to detail told her a lot about his character. He suggested they put crown molding around the room and a recess into one of the walls where she might display some of her finished projects, particularly the dolls. She thought that was a wonderful idea and was quite excited.

  "But won't that be a lot of work?"

  "No, not really. I'll bring a saws all in and we’ll just cut and frame an opening in that wall. I can do the work myself, so won't cost you anything. Well, on second thought, it might cost you some strawberry shortcake after that dinner."

  "I think I can manage that."

  After they finished up in the study, soon to be crafting room, they went into the living room and sat down to talk. Mackenzie made them both a cup of coffee and handed him a plate of cookies she had made.

  "They’re delicious. I had no idea you could cook."

  She smiled. "I was almost afraid I'd forgotten how. I haven't baked or even cooked hot dinners for myself since David died. I just started that recently, and it feels pretty good."

  "Mackenzie, I'm going to be honest with you. I was attracted to you when we first met. I think I could, quite easily, fall in love with you. I'd like to know in advance how you would feel about that? I wouldn't want to pursue you if you weren’t interested. I don't particularly want to be hurt again."

  Mackenzie was thoughtful. "Adam, I was also attracted to you. If you remember, it was me who called you after the fact. I will also be honest and say that I've had some bad dating experiences and I'm a little gun shy at the moment.

  “But you’re different. We didn't meet online. There were no hidden motives behind our sitting down and sharing a cup of coffee. I saw you with your son, how you interact with him and how much he loves you. That says a lot for your character. Could I come to love you? I doubt very much that I could avoid it. That said, I'd like to take this slowly, if you don't mind. I don't want to get in over my head."

  "I understand completely. I don't want to rush or push you, either. I just wanted you to know that I'm taking this seriously. If you wanted me to back off, now's the time to say it. Otherwise, I would like to consider that our relationship is one where we are dating. I'm not asking you to not see other men, I'm just asking you if you will continue to see me?"

  "I would love to see you, and at the moment there is absolutely no one else in my life. I really don't know how anyone else could enter my life since I've given up the online thing. L
et's just keep it loose for now and see what happens, shall we?"

  "Exactly what I wanted to hear." With that, Adam stood and gave her a brief hug before leaving. They had already decided that she would go over to his house the following weekend and they would begin building the storage units.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dating Adam was very much like her relationship with David has started out to be at the beginning. They were comfortable with one another – comfortable enough that they could tease each other sarcastically and neither would take offense.

  Adam had Pete with him every other weekend and over the holidays, including summer. He had hired a nanny to be on hand during these periods when he had to work, but otherwise was a stay-at-home dad as often as he could be. Mackenzie admired this greatly and knew he would be a wonderful dad should their lives ever combine.

  Adam taught her how to build the storage cases for her crafting room. They made them from a cabinet-grade poplar as he assured her they would have the strength to hold the weight of the many crafting materials she had planned to store there. He added crown molding in the size just slightly narrower than that which he planned to put about the room. They painted the cabinets in a white semi-gloss and he installed them into the room for her. He added the crown molding and then showed her how to build an adjustable frame to hold her countertops.

  The effect was her dream come true. Not that she had ever specifically wanted a crafting room, but she loved the idea that there was a room she had created just for herself.

  They spent time together at craft stores while Mackenzie selected all the materials she could imagine needing, and then some. Although this was not Adam’s favorite hunting ground, he was very patient and the fact that he was with her was enough. Afterward, they would find somewhere to have lunch, an event that generally took at least three hours. They never seem to run out of things to talk about.

  One weekend, he suggested they return to the restaurant on the river, although this time they would fish for their own dinner. She thought that might be fun.

  He showed up at the door with a pair of waders for her and she laughed, imagining herself sitting in the restaurant wearing them. "No, you'll just wear them while you're standing in the river," he told her, smiling. He imagined how cute she would look dressed in them, even in the restaurant.

  They stopped to get her a fishing license and then headed for the river. There were several other people there fishing and soon Mackenzie had found a new love. She had always liked being out of doors, and now discovered that the art of fishing came to her naturally.

  It was no more than ten minutes before she hooked a monster-size perch that everyone claimed was named Big Wally. She could tell that if she took Big Wally into the kitchen and ate him, there would be a lot of stories that would go untold. Big Wally was a sort of celebrity. So, she released him back into the river waters and threw her hook in again.

  It wasn't long before she had caught another fish, one who did not have a fan club, luckily. Adam caught a good-sized perch, as well, and as the cook in the kitchen prepared them, the two of them found a stool at the bar in the restaurant and sipped wine while waiting for their dinner.

  "So, Mackenzie, let me ask you. How are you feeling about the concept of us?"

  "I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but I do enjoy spending time with you. I'm pretty fond of you, if you were to ask."

  "Well, that's sort of what I'm doing. I'm asking. I'd like to invite you to go away with me next weekend. Pete will be with his mom and I know of a quaint bed-and-breakfast about an hour's drive north of here. Would you go with me and spend the weekend?"

  Mackenzie understood what he was asking. Flashes of Dell went through her head, but she banished them quickly, knowing that this was different. She knew Adam; she knew his generosity, his kindness, his willingness to make her happy, and that he was a man of integrity.

  She had come to the point where she would have to make a decision one way or the other. She sensed that if she didn't spend the weekend with him, there might not be another time that he would ask. They couldn't get much closer without going to the next level.

  She looked at him, smiled and nodded. "How many suitcases shall I pack?"

  "Only one," he said. "I can promise you won't need many clothes at all."

  Mackenzie smiled shyly. "I can hardly wait," she said, and she sincerely meant it.

  * * *

  Mackenzie put in for a week’s vacation from work. This, too, was a step in the direction of freedom. It meant that she no longer needed a place to belong each and every day.

  While she loved Lucy, she felt as though she was reporting in for duty to her mother and it bothered her that their friendship had come to that. Lucy had been missing a few days here and there on her own, as the pregnancy began to take its toll in morning sickness.

  Mackenzie decided to use this time to stock her crafting room. She and Adam had already visited every craft store within driving distance to purchase supplies such as clay, paints, beading, yarns, and how-to videos.

  She had yet to purchase an actual sewing machine. Since this would be the largest investment, she wanted to be sure she bought the right one. She joined a Facebook group of women who sewed and had spent several days lurking, watching their projects on the screen and deciding which of those looked the most interesting.

  She had learned enough to know that if her goal was to make items that she could monogram or appliqué, she would need an embroidery machine. If she had planned to do normal straight line with decorative stitch sewing, such as in home decorating or clothing construction, she needed a good all-purpose machine that included some embroidery stitches. Then she came to learn about a serger and realized that it really wasn't intended for complete garment construction, but was a rapid way to lay down the seam that didn't need to withstand great close scrutiny.

  She wanted to select a machine from the store that wasn't terribly far away. This would allow her to take evening lessons and really learn the capabilities of the machine she had bought. The shop was very nice, with a quarter of the floor space was dedicated to sewing machines and the rest to fabric and notions.

  After talking with the saleswoman for some time, she decided to buy their top-of-the-line machine. It permitted her to do everything from embroidery down to surging and straight-line sewing. It answered all her dreams and she was terribly excited. She wanted time at home to set it up and to learn while doing some simple projects. So, she took her vacation time for that purpose.

  The vacation time also coincided with the weekend she and Adam were planning to go away together. She knew the sewing would be a calming exercise, as she felt nervous for the first time about the prospect of being with Adam alone.

  She asked herself why that was and came to the conclusion that this was a true turning point in their relationship. She did not have a half-dozen disposable men backing him up; she had given up on all of that. This was the real thing and he had real prospects of becoming that new man in her life. It was important enough that she trust him in every sense of the word.

  She carried in the machine with a strong, innate sense of triumph. The conversion was now complete. This was her home, and she shared it with no one.

  There was a sense of having come full circle and the burden of grief that she had carried had finally dissipated and left her. While she never wanted to consider David a weight, she had to admit that it did feel like that. She knew David would have wanted her to move on and that he was probably applauding her actions.

  She had kept in contact with Harry via email. They had developed a deep friendship and trust, and he had been her knight in shining armor when it came to her online adventures. As it turned out, the medical reports had returned and she had avoided any further complications. The relief was palatable.

  Harry had helped her through that very difficult period, maintaining a solution-oriented attitude and a nonjudgmental empathy for her. He didn't rub her face in it, and yet he
cautioned her in a gentle way that would remind her should she ever turn back to the dating site again.

  She hoped that one day she might meet Harry and perhaps they could be real life friends, as well. That said, she had picked up the distinct impression that Harry was a bit smitten with her and right now, she didn't want to add any complication to the relationship she was building with Adam. It wouldn't be fair to Adam.

  She dedicated the afternoon to setting up her new machine. She kept a running note of all the extra supplies she hadn't realized that she would need. A new trip to the craft store was in order. She would require many spools of colored thread, bobbins, sewing needles, cloth scissors, and a selection of zippers, bindings, buttons, and trams.

  When everything was done, she sat in the middle of her room looking around and decided if she did nothing more than simply sit in that room, it would be enough. It gave her a tremendous sense of peace and heaven knew, that was something she needed.

  She had decided her vacation would not be a destination. Instead, it would be a relaxation. She rose each day late in the morning and pulled on the softest, most comfortable clothing she owned. None of it was fit to be seen in public, but it didn't matter as long as she was home and in her world. It was a tremendous sense of freedom connected with not waking to an alarm or laying out your clothes the night before.

  It was then that she became enamored of the idea of spontaneity. Having always been a very responsible individual, spontaneity was a dangerous territory. It encouraged lackadaisical behavior, even laziness.

  She had bought herself a selection of flavored syrups for her Keurig coffee machine. She experimented with just the right combination and then varied that from day-to-day as a reminder of her new attitude toward spontaneity.

  She baked some breakfast breads, stocked her refrigerator with healthy foods, and after playing in or crafting all day, she settled into bed early and watched old movies as she fell asleep.