Cedar Lane Properties—The Wallace Brothers

Chapter 10

Mike hadn’t gotten to talk to Crystal much since she accepted his job offer. Granted, he had her shadowing different staff, sometimes at different locations, and he felt like he was always on the phone with a contractor or supplier for the lodge, but during the first few days since Ames’ arrest, there seemed to have been more chance encounters or legitimate reasons to see her than now.

The last of the Memorial weekend guests had checked out. Crystal had just called and asked if he was available to meet with her.

At her knock, he invited her in.

“Good morning—“ he paused. She looked a little wide eyed. “Is everything ok?”

“I—I have a confession to make,” she raised her eyes once seated.

Oh God! Was she having second thoughts?

“A confession?”

“Yes. I—I’m terrified to drive all the way to St. Louis or even to drive in St. Louis. I’ve only ever had my own car briefly because public transportation was more accessible and cheaper than transmission rebuilds—“ her voice trailed off.

“You’ve been taking the work van to the other properties…” It was more of a question than a statement.

“There’s no interstate and rush hour here is three cars and a drunk guy on a lawnmower at the same four-way stop sign.” He chuckled at the old joke until he saw the stress written on her face.

Don’t laugh! Remember when dad laughed at mom for her fear of driving to Chicago?

The course starts a week from today. The plan was for Crystal to head to St. Louis on Sunday in the F150 with what she’d need while there and he would take the rest of her things with his in the box truck north.

“Ok, I understand. Let me think.” Mike watched Crystal visibly relax.

She trusts me to handle this. The thought pleased him, perhaps a little too much.

Considering what she had been through, albeit, not as rough as others he’d met, Crystal’s ability to trust wasn’t nearly as damaged as what it could be.

You haven’t been to the zoo in years. This was true. The St. Louis Zoo was pretty neat for a small price. Surely she couldn’t refuse on the basis of money since the only real fee was parking.

The box truck could tow the F150. He could drive her, spend the weekend showing her around and head north on Sunday. When Crystal’s training was complete, he could pick her up or book her a Cape Air flight to Kirksville if she wasn’t afraid of puddle jumpers—the name often used to refer to the 9 seater Cessnas.

“Have you ever flown on a little plane?” He asked her.

Crystal shook her head no. “I’ve only flown once. From Arizona to California when I reconnected with Caleb. I—I didn’t like it,” she added.

“Ok. Well give me some time to confirm a couple of things, but I think I have a plan.” He winked at her and pulled up the zoo’s website.

This time he didn’t chastise himself for winking. He’d thought about things a lot and decided that he wasn’t going to be shy about his interest. He didn’t care what anyone else thought about him pursuing a new hire. He thought she was smart, talented and beautiful. His attraction to her was too strong to ignore despite his efforts to ignore the pull. If things didn’t work out, they didn’t work out. There was no reward without risk.

Her blush gave him hope. The attraction had to be mutual. He would still be careful and take things slow, but he was willing to take a chance.

“Crystal, would you like to go get Squeaker and bring him in for his feeding while I figure this out?” Her smile over the little booger warmed his heart.

When she closed the door behind her, he clicked the link to view area hotels recommended by the zoo. He wanted one with, or near a bar. Preferably with dancing. He was going to unofficially treat her to a date. Crystal couldn’t refuse if he didn’t ask.

It had been almost a month since she had arrived at Cedar Lane with that bastard Ames—who had been extradited to California. Mike had played the gentleman and employer as best he could. Soon, however, he’d be working together, side by side with her, with no prying relatives, staff or guests.

He wondered if that had that been his plan all along.

Mike knew better than to deny it. He could admit that the desire to whisk her away the moment he laid eyes on her had been strong.

Don’t make her feel like a captive, though. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

He continued clacking away after she returned with Squeaker. He’d love to take her to Hermann for a wine tour. Mike knew Crystal enjoyed a glass of blackberry wine from St. James, another Missouri winery south of Hermann. He wanted to wine and dine her.

Not yet. We can drive through Hermann on our way. If she likes what she sees, I’ll be sure to take her soon.

He made reservations for them at the same hotel as the training. It was close to several attractions.

“Ok, we’re all set. Be ready to leave Friday,” was all he told her. He wasn’t surprised when she didn’t question him. He knew she was used to others making decisions for her. That broke his heart a little, but he hoped to make this decision fun.

Lord knows I could use a little fun! Since college, Mike had worked almost non-stop opening the three Cedar Lane properties. The first one had only needed minor repairs before he opened its doors. New paint, window treatments and reclaimed furniture his late grandfather had taught him how to restore. The second property was a partial restore and this last one, a complete restoration. Now he was working on a brand new build.

Sure, he took days off to have fun. He enjoyed a little hunting, boating and sight seeing himself. The Lake of the Ozarks area was a tourist attraction and had more to offer than northern Missouri, but he looked forward to doing the exact same things up there. There was Thousand Hills State Park about forty minutes south of the lodge and Rathbun Lake about forty five minutes north.

In fact, he looked even more forward to northern activities now that Crystal was going to be working with him.

He recognized the difference between working for and working with. Even though she was on his payroll, he wanted her to feel like a partner