Chapter 7
Cheri retrieved her second leopard print bag off the luggage carousel. I wonder where Gage is. He’s never late. As if on cue, her limo driver appeared.
“Hi, boss. Sorry I’m late. There’s a lot of construction on Highway 65. There was only one lane for traffic.” He sighed and reached for her bags. “I’m on it now. You hungry?”
“Not really and don’t call me your boss. It makes me feel old. Besides, we’re more like friends.” She stretched. “I’d rather get to Grandma’s house. How far away is it? I haven’t been back to Missouri in years.”
Gage heaved Cheri’s carry-on on top of her monstrous suitcase. “About forty-five minutes away. Not bad unless traffic is backed up again.”
Cheri groaned. “I hope not. I’ve had a long travel day.”
He led her to the shiny black limo and opened the door. She climbed inside and glanced over her shoulder. No photographers. No blinding flashes. What a welcome change from New York. She smiled to herself. I can just be me.
Once Gage was behind the wheel, he offered her wine or champagne.
“Gage, it’s me. I’m not like Daddy or Mom. You don’t have to be so businesslike.” She opened the mini-fridge. “Besides, I had wine at the airport. I’m having water. Want some?”
He shook his head. “Just trying to live up to my job description, boss.”
Cheri tilted her head. “Again with the ‘boss.’ Let’s go. I’m so happy the paparazzi didn’t follow me from New York.”
He nodded. “Definitely a nice change, although it’s a fun game of mine to lose them in traffic.” Gage turned around, winked, and eased the limo into a lane as Cheri dozed in the back.
~ ~ ~
Cheri awoke when Gage turned off the ignition. Peeking outside the car window at the familiar house, she brushed away tears. “I miss Nana. I wish I were here to visit her instead of—”
“I know.” Gage opened the back door. “She was a great lady. Let’s check the lights, water, and take a quick tour since, I assume, no one has been in the house for a while.”
“Good idea.” Cheri unlocked the welcoming, red door. The showy foyer chandelier glistened. Only a few cobwebs had formed on the dangling crystal. She stepped into the gleaming kitchen filled with mostly unused stainless-steel appliances wedged around a massive brown and gold granite counter.
“Nice house. I’ll check the bathrooms and bedrooms. Be right back.” Gage returned after a few minutes. “All clear. Just for you, I peeked inside closets, under beds, and even the showers.”
“Thanks. How about outside?” Cheri threw back the curtains for the window overlooking an enormous deck and Crystal City Lake. “Even though it’s dark and I can’t see the water, I already feel more relaxed.” She grinned. “Do you hear what I hear?”
Gage raised his eyebrows. “I don’t hear anything.”
She winked. “Bingo. No blaring horns.”
Gage nodded then flipped on an outdoor light and stepped onto the deck. “The coast is clear. No boogey man. This is a beautiful house. I’m sure the view is amazing.”
“From what I remember it is.” Cheri hugged her limo driver. “Thanks for doing a security check. I’ll sleep much better now.”
“No problem, boss. I mean, I’ll let myself out. Lock the door behind me.” Gage turned around as he opened the front door. “By the way, when I scouted Crystal City, I found a fun place I think you’ll enjoy.”
“Good,” Cheri said. “I’ll be ready for some fun soon. What’s it called?”
“Coconuts.”
“Cute name. Let’s go soon. I want to get settled first.”
“Just call or text when you’re ready to hit the town.” Gage opened the door and left.
Cheri double locked the door, peeked out the peephole until Gage drove away, and made coffee for the following morning. After unpacking a few clothes, she sat in the middle of the bed. It’s so quiet here. I’m not sure if I can sleep without the city noises. Soon, the day caught up with her. She stretched, yawned, and crawled beneath a white sheet and colorful patchwork quilt, likely handmade by her grandmother. Making a mental note to take a picture of the bedding to see if her mother remembered the heirloom, she laid her head on the cool pillow but her mind raced.
Unable to sleep, she eventually gave up and turned on her laptop. I’ve really got to stop this stupid Internet dating. It never works out but at least I can be anonymous—be halfway normal instead of a wealthy Van Buren. She logged onto her favorite site and scanned smiling images of strangers. Now that she was in a different zip code, there would be an entirely new crop of men from which to choose. Cheri knew her parents would have an attack if they knew about her online escapades but it never kept her from trolling the dating sites.