Chapter 8
“Where are we going?”
Turning my head, I see her beautiful smile. “You’ll see.”
The scenery is breathtaking as I drive along the coast. It took another half an hour until I pulled onto a dirt road lined by trees. I stop at the dead end, turning off the car and smile. “Gather your things.” Swiftly, I get out of the car and open the trunk, picking up the things I’d brought. “C’mon.” Shifting everything to my right hand and arm, I take her hand and lead her through the trees. When the magnificent view opens before us, I hear her gasp and look at the surprise on her face.
“This is amazing! How did you find it?”
I lead her down to the small sandy beach and the amazing small hidden cove I found when I was depressed about what I’d gone through and was searching for a place to be alone with my grief. “I stumbled upon it one day.” Letting go of my hand, she runs down until she’s close to the water. I take the time to stop and put down everything. Spreading out the large blanket and get things set up, I watch her as she removes her shoes and steps into the water. The sounds of her soft giggles travel through the light air. Just the simplest of things seem to bring her joy. “Charleigh. Come join me.”
Turning her head my way, she smiles and it lights up her entire face. Holding her shoes in her hand, she walks to me, taking in everything. “Oh! This is so great!” She sits on the blanket, leaving her shoes on the sand, and sets down her book bag. “I can’t believe you did all this,” she says, waving her hand around the area.
Removing my shoes, I sit down across from her. “It’s my pleasure. Now. I want you to study or do your homework, whatever you need to do. Then, we’ll have lunch.”
She looks at the picnic basket then at me. “What will you do?”
Grabbing my briefcase, I pull out some papers. “Oh, I have plenty of things to keep me busy. Now, study.”
She smiles and nods then opens a book.
“Ha! And then what did she do?”
After an hour or so, we took a break, and are now eating lunch. I’ve been telling her stories of when Embry was younger. “After informing me she wanted to be just like me, she grabbed the tie I had taken off and put it around her neck. I watched her try to tie it, but she started to get frustrated. Tie it, Daddy, she told me.” I laugh. “It was so cute I had to keep my laughter in check. She was so serious. I didn’t want her to think I was making fun of her.”
She sighs. “Children at such a young age are so willing to learn. They want to try everything!” Her arms go out wide. “That’s why I want to open a preschool but have younger children there too. Part daycare. I can’t imagine how difficult and scary it can be for working parents to find a safe environment for their children. Or even if they want to just have a break even a few days a week.” She keeps speaking animatedly about it and her enthusiasm is catching.
“How much longer do you have before you get your degree?”
She stops abruptly as I interrupt. She looks up then back at me. “I only have a few more courses to finish. It’s difficult with working two jobs but I’ll do it.”
Reaching over, I take her hand. “I admire you.” Her brows raise. “No really. You know what you want and are doing everything to achieve it. That takes guts and determination.”
“And very little sleep.” She laughs.
“Let me help you,” bursts from my mouth before I can stop it. This I had not planned, yet it’s very fitting.
“What? No.”
Scooting closer to her, I cover our hands with mine. “Charleigh, what you want is admirable, but even with a degree to own your own childcare facility may take you several years if at all. It’s expensive. Now, I’m not one to brag or boast, but I have money. Lots of money. And I have connections to find a suitable building located in a good area for such a venture.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Call it a business proposal. I’ll finance the building and startup costs and you can pay me back with what you’re comfortable with once it’s open and you have clients. You can call it a loan or a partnership. Whichever you’d prefer. Let me do this for you.”
Her eyes lower as she thinks. “But it will still take me some time to get my degree. I’m not sure I have the time to….”
“Quit your jobs.” Her mouth opens to speak. “Hear me out.” She closes it and smiles. “Let me get some people looking into a location. Quit your jobs and work exclusively on your courses. I’ll pay your rent and whatever you need. Once we find places, you make the decision with me to find the perfect one. If we find it, we get to work on it. If it opens before you graduate, you manage it until you do. I’ll get people to locate teachers and the right people to work there, but you help decide on the ones to choose. We’re in this together, Charleigh. Are you in?”
She’s taking so much time to think that the fear she’ll shoot down my idea is making me more than anxious. Suddenly, her free hand covers mine, all stacked on top of each other’s, and her smile is beaming. “Okay. On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“I will pay you back, not only for the building and startup costs but helping with rent and things as well. And I’ll pay you back as quickly as I can. I don’t like owing anyone.” Another admirable quality.
“Deal. But we are partners so there will be a sum you will not need to pay back.” She nods, a little unsurely. Leaning back, I smile. “I’ll even be your first customer. I’ll speak to my….” Ex? Witch? Bitch of an ex? “Uh, Embry’s mother about having her there for a couple of days during the week. I think Embry would love learning there as well as the social interaction.” She has none of that right now except with us.
“Aww. I would love to have Embry there!”
Releasing her hands, I give her a bit of a stern look then smile. “Now. Let’s finish lunch so you can hit those books again.” She nods, eagerly, and takes a bite of her sandwich. Pulling out my phone, I touch the screen a few times. “Gregory? Greer Markson. I need you to do something for me.” Looking at her, I cover the phone with my hand. “While you’re eating, call and quit those jobs.” I give her a wink then uncover my phone. “Yes. Here’s what I need you to do.”
After explaining everything to Gregory, I hang up the phone with the assurance it would be his top priority. Then I cleaned up our lunch and studied my next case while Charleigh studied. This will be a good investment, I tell myself. It will also help her achieve her dreams. It will also help us spend more time together. It’s a win-win-win!
“Not a great location, Gregory. We won’t get the clients needed.”
Two days later, I’ve been talking to him on the phone for almost an hour. My computer is open, and I’m looking at the various locations he’d provided me. “Wait! What about that one. The one on Cedar?” I pull it up on google and scan the surroundings. “Close to neighborhoods and businesses. Trees surrounding it. Large area for a playground in back. Nice sized parking lot.”
“It’s a major fixer-upper, Greer. That building has been vacant for years.”
“So? It’s a prime location. It’s all in the location, fixing it up suitably, and marketing. Locate the seller and set up an appointment to see it.”
“Yes, sir.”
A week later, I took Charleigh over and we walked inside and outside of the building. Another few days, we had the keys and everything signed. It was ours. The look on Charleigh’s face was priceless. Her hopes and dreams soon will become a reality. Since she’s quit her jobs, she’s already starting on another course needed while finishing her current one. I’m proud of her.
With her being busy with her courses and me with my cases, we haven’t spent much time together. A month has gone by and crews have been working on our building. Tonight, I’m picking her up for a celebration. I took off today from work and have been getting things ready. I think she’ll be surprised.
“I hate this!”
By the tone of her voice, I can tell she’s being playful and excited. I’d decided to cover her eyes with a cloth, adding to the intrigue of the evening.
“This is getting to be a habit with you.” She giggles softly. “When will we be there?”
Smiling, adrenaline flowing through me with my own excitement, I pull into the parking lot and park. “We’re here.” Her hands fly up to the cloth covering her eyes, but I reach over and grab her left wrist. “Not yet.” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Stay put. I’ll get you.” She drops her hands to her lap, but her smile is evident. I dash around the car and open her door, grasping her arm and helping her out. At this point, I’m not sure who is more excited as I help her walk to the front door. Once inside, I begin untying the cloth with difficulty since she’s bouncing up and down.
“Hurry up.” She squeals.
“Ha! You’re worse than Embry.” I laugh. As soon as the blindfold is gone and I flip on the lights, her eyes widen and her hands cover her mouth. “It still has some work left to do but it’s nearly done.” Standing by the front door, you can see the office to the left through the large window, the carpeted hallway before us, and a classroom to our right.
“This is amazing! I can’t believe how much has been done!” I watch in delight as she walks into the office, the smile on her beautiful face as she passes me and walks into the classroom. She spins around, pure joy lights up her face. “Thank you. Thank you for the best surprise ever!”
“Come,” I say, reaching my hand out for hers. “I’ll show you the rest.” She doesn’t hesitate to grasp my hand and we walk down the hallway. We looked at each classroom, the kitchen in the middle, and the playground out back. “There’s really not too much more for them to finish up. I have someone creating flyers and doing some PR work to begin getting clients. Won’t be long now.”
She turns and slides her hands up my chest. Her arms move around my neck as she leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me. Wrapping my arms around her and placing my hand on the back of her neck, I press harder against her mouth. “If we don’t stop,” I say, kissing alongside her jaw. “We’ll be christening our new building with something less than appropriate.” She laughs, softly, and I kiss her hard once again.
Leading her back into the building, I take her back into the first classroom near the front door. Her eyes land on what she’d missed before, a table set with a tablecloth, wine glasses, plates, and silverware with two chairs on either side. Walking over, I light the two candles in the center just as the doorbell rings. “I’ll be right back.” The pizza arrived just as I planned. When I walk into the classroom, I find her looking at things around the room. She’d given me a list a few weeks back of items that were needed: toys, books, and a variety of things. “Come. Sit.” She turns around and walks over to me, kissing me again before sitting.
“I can’t believe we’re so close to opening. I have so much to do!”
Placing pizza on our plates, I take out a salad from the sack. “Well, most of it my PR person will do, but I’m actually really excited myself. However, this is yours, Charleigh. You do whatever you need to do, and if you need any money or anything I can help with say the word.” Her expression falls from delight to sadness instantly. “What is it? Did I say something wrong?”
She shakes her head. “No. It’s just…. you’ve done so much for me. I hate owing people. I’ve done everything on my own for so long, it’s difficult for me, you know?” I stop, setting down the bowl of salad, and reach over and take her hand. “I mean. I know this is part yours too.” She sighs. “It’s just so much.” Then she surprises me by letting out a laugh. “I’m excited and scared at the same time. Is that weird? What if it doesn’t do well? What if I fuck it up?” She slaps her free hand over her mouth and I laugh.
I lean in, squeezing her hand. “What if it does well? Takes off and becomes the biggest success.” She nods, taking a deep breath.
“I’m really a positive person. This is just so – big. So much of your money was put into this.”
I smile, trying to help calm her. “Charleigh. I knew what I was getting into from the beginning. If I didn’t think this would be a good investment, I would have never suggested it. It’ll be great. You’ll see.” She nods again. “Now, let’s eat and celebrate.”
And we did. A great bottle of wine, good food, and then we walked around again. I took in everything she said. Her excitement soared once again, talking a mile a minute about ideas for each room. Once we’d cleaned up our mess, we talked about it all the way to her place. While making love, the infamous words almost escaped my lips, more than once. It’s too soon. I can’t possibly feel love for her yet. Although what I’m feeling sure seems that way. What I don’t know is what she feels for me. It’s apparent when we make love that she’s feeling something. How deeply is the question. I’ve not had to go through all the does she love me, when do I tell her I love her conversations in my mind, but only once in my life. Never felt that strongly for anyone but Gianna. And look what a big mistake that turned out to be. No. It wasn’t a mistake. Had I not fallen for her and married her, I wouldn’t have Embry. No. I’ll never regret that part of my life. Yet I’m finding my feelings for Charleigh don’t compare. Not even close. It’s strange that I feel deeper, so much more for Charleigh than I ever did for Gianna. Back then, I never thought that could be possible. But I do. Maybe it’s because they are so different. Charleigh doesn’t have a pretentious bone in her body. She’s real, honest, and down to earth. I can definitely see spending the rest of my life with her.
Now – when do I tell her that I love her?