42 Hours (Time for Love 3)

“Is he available?” I asked Mr. Brandt’s secretary, Michael, when I entered the room.

Michael pushed a button on his phone and spoke briefly before gesturing toward the large wooden doors, indicating I could enter.

I nodded to him as I pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

Mr. Brandt was pretty young to be the CEO of a major player like Brandt Industries. At thirty-one, he was the youngest of his competitors, but no one would ever accuse Carson Brandt of being anything other than formidable. He’d built his company from the ground up, and was admired in the community. He was my mentor, and my goal was to have a long career with his company.

Brandt stood with his back to me, his perfectly tailored suit taut across his broad shoulders, and his jet-black hair immaculately styled. I said, “Good morning,” and he turned slowly to bring his intense blue gaze to me, taking in my suit and appearance, ensuring I was groomed to match his standards. I took pride in my appearance anyway, but I could admit to myself that impressing this man was important to me.

“Scott,” he replied crisply as he moved forward to shake my hand. His grip was like steel, and the flash of welcome on his face was brief. He was not a man who revealed emotion, but I knew that he was someone that I could trust. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m actually here with a personal request,” I replied smoothly. Brandt was a man who appreciated candor. “There’s a holiday weekend coming up, and I was hoping to secure one of the company houses for a getaway with my friends. It’s a four-day weekend, but I have some vacation days saved up … If you don’t need me, of course.”

Brandt waved his hand absently and replied, “Check with Michael to see if any of them are available; if they are, you know I afford you complete access. Any time. As for the time off, as long as I’m assured that the Veteran’s Memorial account is on track, I think it’s a great idea for you to take some time off. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the hours that you’ve been putting in lately. And although I appreciate a man that works hard, I don’t want you to burn out.”

“Thank you, sir,” I responded when Brandt rounded his desk to take his seat. I knew this indicated that he was ready to get back to work, and I was dismissed.

I let myself out, and was pleased when Michael said that the lake house was available for the following weekend. Now I just needed to talk to the guys, and start putting my plan in place. I was going to woo Gaby, and if things worked out the way I hoped, she’d officially be mine by the end of our vacation.

Chapter 8 – Gaby

I’d finished curling my hair, leaving it in long waves down my back, when I heard the knock on my door, then heard the door open. Living on the same property as my mom and sister, Gwen, I was used to people coming in and out of my house.

When my parents bought their house twenty-five years ago, they’d used this guest cottage for visitors. Eventually, my dad used it when they’d gotten into fights. After they divorced and he moved out, it had been mostly unused, then when I’d returned from college, my mom offered it to me. Although she protested, I paid rent, although much lower than it was worth, and saved up for when I got married and moved away.

There was no doubt in my mind that I would get married and have children one day. I’d always know what I wanted, even as a young child, after my parents got divorced and Gwen and I’d seen my dad every other weekend. I wanted the family that we used to be.

Before the fights. Before the divorce. I’d had a happy childhood, and I remembered how safe and loved I’d felt. I wanted to have that again.

I loved my job at the bakery, and fully planned to eventually raise kids, be married to a man who loved me as much as I loved him, and keep a house that was safe and full of love.

I just needed the right man, and, unfortunately, the man I’d always pictured living that life with me had just broken it off with his fiancée.

When Scott and Victoria had gotten engaged, I’d been floored. I’d thought my dream was over, and I started dating and hoping I’d find the man I’d was meant to be with, because if Scott could marry someone else, then he obviously wasn’t the one. I’d started dating Brock, and in him I saw all of the qualities that I found endearing in a man, but now … Scott was single. And although I was sure that he was still getting over his relationship with Victoria, that niggling hope was back, and although I thought Brock was amazing … Brock wasn’t Scott.

I flushed, guilty at the way my thoughts were going, when I heard Sasha and Shelly talking as they walked through my house.

“What do you think?” I asked, turning to greet them in the open doorway. I was wearing tight jeans and an old Rolling Stones T-shirt, with my hair down and my makeup smoky. We were going to see Brock and his brothers play, and I wanted to look sexy, but understated.

“You look hot!” Sasha exclaimed, the epitome of hot herself, in a tight mini skirt and a low-cut top.

“Wow,” I proclaime

d as I took in her wild red mane and perfectly done-up face. “You look amazing! And so do you, Shel,” I added, turning to look at our other friend. Her dark hair was slicked back in a high ponytail, and she was also wearing jeans, but her blouse was low-cut, revealing her newly amble chest.

“Thanks,” Shelly responded, her green eyes popping against her creamy skin. “I figured I’d better flaunt these babies while I’ve got ‘em.”

“Nice,” I said with a grin. “I thought we were meeting at the bar.”

“Well, I figured I could be the DD, since I’m protecting the babe from all things harmful,” Shelly said as she lovingly rubbed her belly. “So, I picked up Sasha, and Cal is picking up TJ and Scott, and we are meeting them there. That way, you guys don’t have to worry about driving, and can enjoy the night.”

“Perfect,” I replied. “I’m ready if you are.”

We walked out of my little cottage, without bothering to lock the door. Maybe it was naïve of me, but I’d grown up in this neighborhood, and with my mom and Gwen a few feet away, I felt comfortable leaving it open.

I was about to climb into Shelly’s pickup when I noticed Gwen sitting on the front porch. Since it was almost ten o’clock at night, and my sister was usually in her pajamas reading by now, I told the girls, “Just one sec,” and went to check on my sister.

“Hey, Gwennie, everything okay?” I asked when she looked up at my approach.