CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

RANDI FELT like a kid on her first vacation without her parents.  She already missed the boys but was excited to be getting away too.  She hadn’t flown much, not even with Tim so the thrill of takeoff and landing excited and unnerved her.  The thought of flying five hundred miles per hour was bewildering.

She’d never been on a private jet, either.  The Learjet was white and sleek with its T-tail, sharp nose and wraparound windshield.  Five small windows graced each side.

It was family-owned by Trevor.  She uses it the most.  And I’ll never tell her this but it has come in handy for Chuck and me many times.”

“Gives this guy a steady income,” he joked as he introduced her to the pilot, Mark.  “He’s been flying exclusively for us for five years.”

“You did get a good nights’ sleep, right?”  Randi might have been teasing but she was serious too.

Mark was old enough to be her father but smiled and replied “Yes, ma’am.”

Trevor grinned.  “Now that you’re assured about our pilot’s mental condition, I guess we can get moving?”  He took her hand and led her up the narrow steps.

Randi was sure she had wandered into the world of luxury.  She caught the aroma of the ecru upholstered leather seats with armrests, heard soft music piping throughout, stepped upon lush beige carpet, and admired the glow of the wood veneer cabinetry.  She took a deep breath and smiled.

Mark followed them inside, then turned to the cockpit.  “Should be ready in about five minutes.”

Trevor led Randi towards the first seating area.  Four seats faced each other conference-style, two on each side of the aisle, a window for each.  “The seats also recline.”

He led her toward another area where a long leather sofa on one side faced two more seats with windows.  “This area can be sectioned off if you want.  The sofa opens into a bed and comes in handy for long flights.”

Beyond the sofa lounge area was more cabinetry in a semi-kitchen with countertop, sink, microwave and mini fridge.  “Can’t really cook a gourmet meal but many a snack has been prepared here.  Also, good for popcorn to eat while watching movies.”  He pointed to the flat-screen TV mounted above the seats, across from the sofa.  “Don’t know whether you noticed, there are smaller TV’s in the conference area up front.  Even cup holders.”

A lavatory boasting mirrors, high gloss walnut woodwork, marble countertops and pewter hardware was at the far back.

“Trevor, this is so nice,” she whispered.  “I’ve never seen so much luxury.”

“It’s not cheap but it beats going through security in the airport.”

“Time to buckle up,” Mark’s voice sounded over the intercom.

Trevor lead her back to the front.  “Do you need me to sit next to you?  Hold your hand?”

Randi made a face at him. “I think I can handle a simple takeoff.” She sat and buckled her seatbelt.

Trevor decided to sit across from her.  He enjoyed watching her awe.  It still amazed him that less than a month ago he didn’t know this woman existed.  Then she literally fell into his arms and he’d been smitten ever since.

He recalled how his heart almost stopped when she’d greeted him at her door in the tight black capris that made her legs look longer.  The royal blue shirttail hem shirt with the cuffed sleeves and stand-up collar added a touch of crispness to the outfit.  He studied the smoky blue shoes with the wooded heel and lacing on the back when she crossed her legs and stared out the win

“Takeoffs and landings are actually a lot smoother than the commercial planes,” Trevor said as he buckled in.  “There’s also a pull-out table we can use once we’re in the air.”

“This just gets better and better,” Randi exclaimed.

It was going to be a working weekend.  They’d arrive in Atlanta about ten, pick up the car Susan had left for them, then meet the realtor at eleven.  Of course, it depended on traffic.  She had heard that a simple five miles might take an hour.  They planned to walk around the old mill, take some pictures, do measurements and then spend the rest of the day and all-day Sunday working on the proposal.

Right on time, they landed in the smaller airport near Atlanta International.  Randi made it a point to compliment Mark on his piloting skills.

Her day of luxury continued when Mark handed Trevor the keys to a lean, black Cadillac CTS SUV that was parked near the hanger.  The interior oozed extravagance with tailored gray seats and burgundy accents as well as the Cadillac signature interior lighting.  She smiled when Trevor clicked the remote and the car started.  With two little boys, she’d decided against that option with her Escalade.  But it was cool to see it work.

“It has a Wi-Fi hotspot if you need to charge your phone.” Trevor said as he headed towards the interstate.  He keyed in the realtor’s cell number and told him they would be at the site within the hour.

 

The streets leading to the mill were hundred-year-old brick.  Revitalized businesses lined the narrow road as Randi watched shoppers walking the street, perusing the store fronts, or enjoying brunch at intimate café sites.

“This seems to be an old section of the city.  I like the brick paving and the aged exteriors.”

“Yeah, the old-fashioned paving continues just past the mill.”  Trevor pulled over in front of a large three-storied brick building with long narrow windows that stretched up to the skies.

Randi counted ten sets of windows on each side of what appeared to be the entrance of the building.  She walked to the end of the building and counted twelve windows with a boxed section in the center of them that probably housed stairs between the three floors.

Someone had gone to the trouble to protect the building by boarding up the windows on the lower level.  “Those can be removed once we start on the construction,” Trevor said.

“How many buildings did you say this includes?”

“Three.  This one in front and then one on each side at the back with a big court area in the middle.  I figured you could put a pool or courtyard there.”

“Well, I have to say the pictures do not portray the magnificence of these buildings.  I can’t wait to see the inside.”

“Here comes the realtor now,” Trevor extended his hand to a stocky, middle-aged man with wiry red hair who introduced himself as Don Murray.

“So glad you are considering doing something with this site.  This used to be one of the thriving business sections of the city.  The mill closed about ten years ago. City council has been hinting about having it condemned and demolished for a parking deck.”

Trevor smiled.  “Well, Ms. Cavanaugh and I prefer to revive and renovate.  If the inside is as good as the outside, we hope to put together a proposal that will save the building.”

Don pulled out a big ring of keys and located the one that had been marked for the front door.  They entered a large room that could be made into a lobby.  Debris and broken glass scattered across the floor, graffiti on the walls.  “When they realized some transients had broken in,” he explained, “they boarded up the lower windows.”

Don stepped away, led them into a large, long open area that appeared to be the center of the building.  Randi smelled the concrete dust of yesteryear and heard the silence of emptiness with the distant sound of traffic and a train.  She looked up and saw that the top two floors looked down upon the open area over a wrought iron railing.

Trevor had already checked the site online but Randi was right, the pictures didn’t portray the expanse or magnificence of the building.  He watched her turn in a complete circle, stare in awe.

“Oh, Trevor,” she whispered.  She reached for his hand and squeezed it excitedly.

“My grandmother used to work here when the mill was in its heyday.  She’d describe all the belts, pulleys, spindles and looms that were in this open area.  She said they used to have to wear masks because of the dust and ear plugs because of the noise.  I guess the outer areas of the upper levels were for inventory?  The large windows would be opened for circulation.”

Don led them to the far end of the room.  “There are dumb waiters but this was before elevators so we’ll have to use the stairs.  There’s a lot of cast iron because of the fire risk,” he said as they walked up the metal stairs.

When they reached the second level, Randi went to the railing and looked down at the main floor and up at the third floor.  She pulled a tape measure out of her pocketbook.  “Can we take some measurements?”

She imagined adding a wall with doors to hotel rooms.  The aisle would look down on the businesses below.

She walked over to the windows.  Despite their grimy dirty panes, they offered a splendid view of the city.

She brushed her hand against the brick wall.  “A fresh coat of paint will add so much charm to the rooms.  Clean the windows, some will probably need to be replaced.”  She stared at the floor.  “Should do something about the concrete floors but it’s doable, right?” She looked at Trevor who nodded.

Don took them on a tour of the other two buildings which were duplicates of the main building.  Randi and Trevor measured sections and counted windows to determine how many rooms would be possible. Trevor also did a sketch of the basic layout so Randi could put together a scaled model.

They stood outside in the large open space between the buildings, studied the exterior walls for cosmetic work.  They stared up at the walls of windows that loomed over them.  Randi looked up at Trevor.  “You were right.  This place has so much potential.  I can feel it.  It’s almost like those walls are trying to tell us something.”

Trevor thanked the realtor, confirmed the asking price.  “Ms. Cavanaugh and I will be putting together a proposal and hope to be in touch.”

Trevor suggested they walk the couple blocks to the revitalized area and have lunch in one of the sidewalk cafés.  After ordering a cobb salad for Randi and Reuben sandwich for Trevor, they sat back to watch the world go by.

“I was serious what I said about the building.  I felt as if those walls were talking to me.  Pleading with me to dress them up, make them worthy of a place for people to come to live and play.  Did you feel it too?”

“Didn’t actually hear any voices or feel any vibes but I agree, it deserves a second chance.  The structure is sound.  There’s minimal damage to the concrete floors.  Certainly, nothing a little sprucing and upgrading can’t handle.  You really liked it?”

“Oh yes.  My mind’s already envisioning ideas.”

The waiter brought their bottle of wine. Trevor raised his glass to hers.  “Here’s to an interesting partnership.  Your ideas, my skills.  TAR Associates.  Trevor and Randi,” he explained when she frowned.

Randi laughed.  “Well, I think that sounds a lot better than RAT.  Randi and Trevor.”  She tapped her glass to his.  “You sure you’re up to this?”

“Can’t wait.”

 

Randi yawned when they headed out of the city.  “Whew, with two rambunctious boys, I’m not used to having wine in the middle of the day.”

Trevor smiled as he maneuvered onto the interstate.  “This might be a working weekend but who said you can’t enjoy it too?  Probably take twenty minutes to get to the house.  Take a nap if you need to.”

“And miss all this excitement?  I’ve always thought Atlanta was an exciting city.”  She beamed at Trevor.  “Thank you for inviting me along and to look at the site.  Were you really serious about a partnership?”

“Of course.  I watched you as you walked over the property.  We share a common desire and I can see us working on this as well as other projects.  You know, I’m all for preservation and I think you share the same vision.  We can certainly give it a try.”

Randi stared at the man sitting next to her.  Why hadn’t she met him so many years ago?  Tim may have given her Scott and Sandy but he never admired or praised her the way Trevor did.  Instead, Tim had belittled and downplayed her success.

“Thank you,” she whispered.  “You don’t know how much your confidence means to me.”

Trevor glanced at her.  “Tim never encouraged you?”

Randi nodded.  “He was so wrapped up in his own career.” She rested her head against the seat and stared out the window.  “You know, Miriam said he wants to be governor one day.  I’m willing to bet that’s why he is pursuing joint custody.  He’s not really interested in the boys, only how it would reflect on him by not having them in his life.”

Trevor reached for her hand and kissed it.  “I have to say, I questioned his motives but had no idea he had such grand political aspirations.”

Trevor took the exit and headed past malls, fast food eateries, industrial complexes and housing developments.  The further they travelled the larger the subdivisions.  He turned into a brick entrance, crossed a little bridge and passed what appeared to be a gated clubhouse.  The further he drove, it seemed the houses and lots got larger.  Acreage separated houses so that no house was on top of one another as in most subdivisions.  Here there were mansions with manicured lawns and expensive cars.

Randi gave a nervous laugh when Trevor turned into a paved drive that circled in front of a stone residence.  Villa came to mind.  “You’ve never told me what Chuck does for a living.  He obviously does very well to be able to afford a Learjet, Cadillac and house like this.”

“He and Susan are financial advisors.  They work with several major corporations and have done very well for themselves.  Susan always jokes that she helped him start the business and now advises him on how to spend his money.”

“Sounds like my kind of girl,” Randi laughed.

Trevor touched an icon on the dashboard screen and Randi watched the garage doors open.  He parked beside a black Escalade.  “They left this one at the hanger for me.  I’ll leave it there when we go back.”

Trevor disengaged the security system, unloaded the luggage, entered a large Florida room that looked over the pool in the back yard.  He left their luggage there and took Randi’s hand.  “Let’s take a walk.”

A large paved patio spread across the back of the house, offered an option to enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful day such as today.  An outdoor living area with lounge sofa, end tables and chairs was arranged outside the den.  The main kitchen extended to the outdoors with a grill and combination counter top and bar beside it.  If you didn’t want to eat at the bar, there was a large table with benches for large family or company events as well as a smaller café set for more intimate seating.  Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit polished off the far end of the patio.

Trevor led her down some steps toward the sparkling water of the inground pool.  Bright blue edging shone through the crisp clear water.  LED lights were arranged in and around the pool.  Randi was sure it had a romantic glow at dark.  More Adirondack chairs and tables with umbrellas were arranged throughout the area.

“Trevor, it’s so beautiful here.  This place is like an interior decorator’s dream come true.  Has all the ideas in one place.” She looked beyond the pool.  “Look,” she exclaimed.  “There are also tennis courts. Wow, if I had a place like this, I’d never want to leave.”

Trevor smiled.  “The pool is lit at night.  I thought maybe we could take a swim later.”   He put a hand around her back, pulled her into his arms.  “You did bring the bikini, didn’t you?” He asked before his lips covered hers.