Finding Home

1

Charlotte

My phone buzzes in my hand for the millionth time since I turned off airplane mode. I’m in the middle of nowhere to see my boss, Mr. Weston. It isn’t the best of scenarios but it needs to be done. He up and left without finishing his work. Not only that, but each day more and more piles up. I have important documents that need to be looked over and he’s been ignoring most of my emails. Let’s not even mention all of the calls that he’s sending to voicemail. Being ignored isn’t on the list of things I like. Of course I would have just mailed him the documents but I didn’t have time to wait for him to get around to signing them. Ever since Delilah Howell strolled into his life, everything else has gone to the back burner.

He hired me to do a job and that’s what I am trying to do. I took the first flight I could not only to get my work done but to make sure Mr. Weston hasn’t lost his ever-loving mind. I need confirmation that he is still sane, and I am still annoyed that I had to take the trip to begin with. My plan is to get what I need from him, check his sanity, and be back on a plane as quickly as possible to head home.

I enjoyed the flight. It’s one of the only opportunities I get to be out of contact with the world outside. The WiFi wasn’t working on the plane. It was something out of my control so I had no choice but to lie back and enjoy doing nothing.

Looking down at my phone, I see that this time it’s not a work related call blowing it up but Brent. My lips pull tight as I hit the decline button on the second ring, wanting him to know I did it. I’m sending his ass straight to voicemail. It’s the small things in life that give me pleasure. I really should block the guy’s number but I enjoy hitting the decline button each time he calls. The man is a jackass and I’m sure he’s not used to rejection. Something I don’t mind giving to him for the greater good of womankind. Maybe he’ll learn better manners the next time he thinks he can take whatever liberties he wants with a woman. In his words, I was “only” the secretary. He was lucky I didn’t tell Mr. Weston about how he spoke to me. Weston wouldn’t have been as nice as only hitting the decline button on him. I never said anything because I can handle men of Brent’s caliber.

What Brent hasn’t realized is that my boss respects not only me, but my opinion. He always asks me what I think of someone before he does business with them. He may not always take my advice but I was adamant about my opinion of Brent. Sometimes words aren’t even necessary. A curt nod of my head can have him tossing a folder aside. We’ve built trust as well as a no-bullshit business relationship. Brent is pretty much shit out of luck. That is probably the reason he is desperate to get in touch with me.

My mind snaps to Colton Blackwood, who has more manners than he knows what to do with. It always goes there when I don’t fill my head with work. Can someone be too polite? It makes me feel like he is up to something. He continuously calls me ma’am. For some odd reason it pisses me off more than anything else. If he calls me that one more time I am going to throttle him. Maybe he does it on purpose, saying ma’am to get a rise out of me. It sure seems like he’s trying to push my buttons. He sounds as if he’s smiling each time the word comes out of his mouth. I’m not going to let him get a rise out of me—or maybe it’s already too late.

I’ve dealt with the vast majority of businessmen in one of the biggest cities in the world, and Colton Blackwood is no different. My only hope is that in my short time here I don’t run into him. My plans are to be in and out before anyone even realizes I was there. This isn’t a social call; it’s business.

Getting Mr. Weston’s signature on the few documents I have is my top priority. I also want to confirm my suspicions that he isn’t planning to return to the city anytime soon. After that I’ll be on a plane back home where I belong. Not trying to find out if Colton’s sexy voice matches him.

I am a city girl to my core. Born and raised in a fast paced lifestyle. I never do well in the calm and quiet for too long. I may need to start looking for a new job if I am being honest with myself. Mr. Weston seems to be staying put in this country life with Delilah. I am happy for him that he’s found meaning in his life. I just need to be realistic that him staying in the country means that he’ll be wrapping up the life he had back home in the city. When all is said and done it means I need to find a new job.