Cedar Lane Properties—The Wallace Brothers

Chapter 11

Friday finally arrived and the weather for the first of June couldn’t have been on better behavior. It was a fine 75 degrees with a slight breeze that carried the scents of the lavender and roses blooming in the manicured lawn with it. Crystal was going to miss this place.

She was going to miss Edna, Joey and George. Marissa and Mark and the part time staff, too. They’d all been so kind to her. She was excited for the next adventure though. Especially to be working a lot more closely with Mike.

Crystal noticed Mike didn’t have an employee dating policy. In fact, she had met staff from other properties that were dating or married. She knew George was sweet on Edna, too. Both were widowed.

Still, Crystal tried hard to hide her attraction to Mike. She’d made herself scarce. Even if this hadn’t been an employee/boss situation, she knew the timing was off. She might have thought she cared for Allen, but she knew those feelings had died somewhere between California and Missouri when his true colors began to show.

The only good thing to have come from Allen was the fact that he had brought her here, to Mike Wallace.

In a little over a week, there would be a lot less eyes on them and she could explore this attraction in more depth. She did not want Mike or anyone else to think this was a rebound thing.

There was just enough room between the bucket seats of the box truck to place a crate for Squeaker. Bets had been placed on his breed mix and what size he would be when grown. His black, brown and white coat had gotten fluffier, his paws had doubled in size. Mike thought he might have some Great Pyrenees in him.

Mike double checked the hitch, straps and tires. His uncle, Kevin, was a truck driver and stressed “pre-tripping” a vehicle before hitting the road. Truck drivers saw a lot of nasty, preventable accidents.

They left Cedar Lane Bed and Breakfast before noon. All Mike had told her was that they were taking the scenic route and to enjoy the view. Missouri in spring was definitely beautiful! Hermann was probably her favorite.

“If I ever take a vacation, I’d like to come here,” she said out loud.

“It’s a nice place for that,” Mike told her. “A lot of couples come here.”

She’d like to visit Hermann as a couple with him. It looked romantic. For all of her thoughts about exploring this attraction for him when they were alone, her bravery seemed to have faded.

Instead she said, “I wonder if they have blackberry or raspberry wine.” It came out as a statement rather than a question.

“If not, St. James isn’t far. Pffft to California wine! Missouri is totally underrated!” Mike was proud of his state. She had noticed his competitive side there before.

Crystal laughed. “I didn’t like wine until I tried a blackberry from Missouri, so I’d say you’re right!”

“I know I am!” He turned and winked at her.

“?All he’s gotta do is just a give me that wink,” she suddenly had the urge to sing.

He laughed. Hard! “Neal McCoy!”

Embarrassment turned to surprise. “I took you as more of a heavy metal fan!”

“I do like my rock ‘n roll, but I like some country, too,” he told her laughingly. “90s country was the best!” He turned somber. “Does it—does it bother you when I wink at you?” He kept his eyes on the road.

“No,” Crystal admitted. “I kind of like it.”

“Good,” he seemed to sigh. He paused and she sensed he was debating on whether or not to say more.

“Look,” he finally said. “I think I need to be honest with you. I didn’t hire you because I think of you as a charity case. Fact is, when you first checked in, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. That’s not why I hired you, either. I hired you because you fit every bullet point on the things I was looking for as a partner business wise. Part of me, though, wonders if you might hit every bullet point in my personal life, too.”

She couldn’t keep the shock from her face and frankly, she didn’t want to.

“I know that’s probably a lot to handle, but I feel there’s a mutual attraction here. If you’re not ready to jump out and run now, I want you to know that I understand what you’ve been through. I’ve been through a lot, too. My marriage to Natalie f****d me up. But, if I’m right, if you feel something, too, I’d really like to explore it and I’m ok going slow.”

Crystal couldn’t find her voice. She wasn’t sure she even blinked as her heart fluttered.

“Please say something,” he begged.

“I—I’d like that. I’d like to—explore,” she finally managed.

“Yes!” He did a little fist pump. His grin spread from ear to ear. “Wanna go out for dinner tonight?”

“I’d love to,” she smiled. “What about Squeaker, though?”

He explained that there was an Irish tavern near the hotel that had a band tonight. He’d packed a folding kennel and they could easily go back and check on him.

They spent the rest of the trip singing along to the radio and chit chatting about the lodge. Mike was thinking about offering wedding packages to compete with the three other venues in the area that did not offer guest accommodations. The lodge was actually an hour from the closest hotel so he didn’t feel like too big of an asshole to the other venues over it.

“Plus, I’ve explored catering options in that area and there’s just not very many. I really think there’s a market for it,” he said. “I could employ a lot of people.”

Crystal admired his business sense. It got her excited, too.

“What about a vineyard there, too? I did a little research when I fell in love with that blackberry wine. I hear blackberries and raspberries both thrive there.”

“Ohhh, dammit girl! My dreams have already grown since meeting you,” he teased her. “Did you do research on starting a vineyard?”

“No, but I’d be happy, too.”

**

Mike couldn’t remember the last time he felt this giddy. The grand opening for each of his properties had been pretty exciting moments, but not like this. He was about to take the beautiful Crystal out for dinner and, he hoped, a little dancing. He hadn’t felt this way in a long time.

He told Crystal to take her time getting ready after they checked in. He went down to the gym for a while, and had just gotten out of the shower. He carefully trimmed his long beard and rubbed conditioner through it before putting on a black t-shirt and his favorite Levi’s. He completed the simple look with his leather Harley boots.

Next, he double checked the doggie day care appointment for tomorrow while they visited the zoo—if tonight didn’t flop—and fed Squeaker’s taking the pup out. He headed to the parking lot to check the F150 while Squeaker did his business. The box truck was parked safely in a paid secure lot. Because, St. Louis.

Squeaker was doing really well with leash and potty training. Mike rewarded the pup with a little treat and lots of scratches before heading back inside.

His phone buzzed with a text as soon as he kenneled Squeaker. His date was ready.

“You be a good boy. I’ll come check on you soon.”

The moment Mike’s eyes met Crystal’s in the lobby, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. Crystal was a site to behold in the cap sleeve maroon dress she wore. The plunging vee neckline was softened by ruffles that also adorned the shoulders and hem. She had straightened her thick hair and applied makeup.

He strode across the lobby to claim her as his before any of the males whose heads had turned her way got any ideas. Mike wanted to kiss her right there, but a large group with several kids had just arrived.

“You look beautiful,” he said, eyeing her up and down. He hooked his arm through hers. “Shall we?”