Part 16 (1/2)
”No, not at all, but I am surprised. I thought that your career would come first.”
”You know, people change, they grow, and their circ.u.mstances alter. It provides endless possibilities on the direction a life can take. I love my work. It is one of the most important things to me aside from my family, but if I am still doing exactly the same thing in the same way in five years time, I'll be disappointed. I think we have to move forward and experience as much of this G.o.d-given gift of a life as we can. I'll be happy to have a change when the time and situation is right. How's that for a bit of philosophy at seven thirty in the morning. What about you?”
”Me?” He held the door to the main part of the house open for her.
”The more, the merrier I say, and I'd enjoy the practicing in the meantime.”
She giggled. ”Well, you shouldn't have any difficulty. What with b.o.l.l.o.c.ks like an everlasting porridge pot.”
He burst out laughing. Janet and James were having breakfast and stopped to look at each other and then at him with mild surprise. It was far too long since they'd last heard that hearty sound from his lips.
”Good morning,” Rachael sang as she sauntered to the table. ”Any coffee going?”
”Sure.” Janet waved at the coffeepot on the table. ”Help yourself.”
”Isabella is making pancakes.” James grinned at them both.
”Better get your order in.”
Joshua strolled into the kitchen while Rachael sat down. He greeted Isabella and swiped a stack of pancakes piled on a plate, which he placed in the center of the table.
”First batch. Dig in.”
As they ate breakfast, Rachael offered to take him to the airport since she had to go into town to stock up on food supplies and get 121.
some household stuff for her new home. Janet, a self-confessed snoop, invited herself over to Rachael's cabin on Tuesday night for dinner.
”You know, our family has always wanted that land of yours, but generations of your mama's would never let it go.”
”Really? Well, I'll be honest, I won't be the one to break tradition.
Do you like Italian? We'll have pasta, wine, and watch a girlie flick.
How about that?”
”Oh, sounds great. There's too much testosterone around here. I'd love a girls' night in!”
”So would I.” James looked hopeful.
”Sorry, bro, but that p.e.n.i.s in your pants is an automatic bar.”
”That's s.e.xual discrimination, that is.”
”Yeah, get used to it.” Janet smirked.
Joshua rolled his eyes. ”I'll go get my stuff and we'll head off.”
He wished that he didn't have to go, but he had a lot of meetings planned and decisions that needed to be made. He'd considered asking Rachael to go with him but couldn't afford to be distracted on this trip, and he would hardly have any time to spend with her. Still, he didn't really need that much sleep...no, he had to be sharp and quick for the sake of the business.
As they arrived at the airport, Joshua directed Rachael to drive away from the main building toward the aircraft hangars, and he made a phone call.
”h.e.l.lo, Mac. I'm here...Is it prepped and ready to go?...Great, see you in a minute.”
Rachael looked at him with an eyebrow c.o.c.ked and a sardonic twist to her mouth.
He sighed. ”Yep, we have a company jet.”
”I bet you fly it, too.”
”Sometimes. If I'm not too busy working on the way.”
122.
”You really are mult.i.talented.” And in usually Rachael fas.h.i.+on, she got right to the point. ”How come you're single? I'm thinking secret alter ego, axe murderer, or something.”
He regarded her sternly for a moment, then snorted, ”You are direct, and I could ask you the same question.”
”I've never met that special person who I want to annoy for the rest of my life,” she joked. ”I asked first.”
”It's been said that I'm arrogant, bossy, domineering, intimidating, controlling, and s.e.xually rapacious and voracious, among other things. I've never met a woman who can handle that-handle me-until maybe...now.”
Rachael absorbed his words and gave him a few of her own, ”Honest, responsible, loyal, adventurous, challenging, s.e.xy, masculine, intelligent, attractive, awesome in bed, among other things, and you're darn right about one thing-I can handle that.”
He leaned over and kissed her hungrily on the lips. She managed to pull back, breathing hard.
”If you don't go now, I'm driving off with you to the nearest secluded place.”
”That's kidnapping,” he growled, thinking that it was a great idea.
”Man-napping, actually, and it'll be a hostage situation. I can promise you that, so get out now.” She was gripping the steering wheel.
”I will be back on Thursday. Get plenty of rest Wednesday night.”
”Follow your own advice. I'll see you then.”
He started to get out.
”Oh,” she added, ”and I'll be working on my poker skills.”
Implausibly, his c.o.c.k became even harder. Thursday couldn't come soon enough.
123.
Chapter 7.
Rachael spent the rest of the day stocking up on supplies and buying stuff that she needed for the cabin. She popped into the Vet Practice to inquire about Crossling's horse. Colin was out, but Sandy, his shy new receptionist, greeted her warmly. When Rachael asked about the horse, Sandy's face dropped.