Tina Beckett - Flirting With The Boss

“It might take a little time, Zack, but I know you’ll make lots of friends.”

They drove through town, past the square and fountain, then down the row of storefronts. “Just wait. Soon they’ll be putting up a big Christmas tree with colorful lights. The whole town will be decorated.”

“Can we have a Christmas tree at your house?”

Suddenly Lori got excited. This was going to be a special holiday. And a new year that meant a fresh beginning for all of them. “You bet we can. And you can pick out a really big one.”

Zack grinned as they pulled through the gate. “Wow!” The boy’s eyes lit up. “Mom, are we really going to live here?”

“We sure are.” Gina looked like a kid herself. “Although, I can hardly believe it myself.”

Lori glanced at her sister’s face. “That was my first reaction, too. Welcome to Hutchinson House.”

Charlie drove up the long drive and stopped in front of the house. He opened the back door and helped them out, then sent them up the porch steps.

Maggie swung open the front door and opened her arms. “Welcome, welcome,” the older woman said as she swept them inside the warm house. First, the older woman embraced Zack, then Gina.

“We’re so happy you’re here. Oh, my, and to have a child in this big house again is wonderful.”

“It’s so big,” Zack said. “What if I get lost?”

“Don’t worry. Charlie will show you around. The important thing to remember is there are two sets of stairs. One leads down here.” Maggie pointed to the circular staircase. “Most important, the other one leads to the kitchen and I’m usually there.”

Zack looked a little more comfortable after the quick explanation.

Maggie turned to Gina and smiled. “Goodness, my, you look so much like Lorelei and your mother. Your coloring might be different, but there’s no doubt you’re sisters. And both beautiful.”

Her sister seemed embarrassed. “Thank you.”

“How was your flight?”

“Not too bad, especially sitting in first class.” Gina glanced at Lori. “It was a big treat for Zack and me.”

“Well, we’re planning on a lot of treats for Master Zack.” The older woman placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “After you go and see your new bedroom, come down to the kitchen so you can tell me all your favorite foods. And if it’s okay with your mother you can sample some of my cookies.” Maggie raised a hand and glanced at Gina. “I promise not to spoil his appetite for our special dinner tonight.”

“The way my son eats, I doubt anything can.” Gina smiled, which made Lori hopeful that her sister would start relaxing.

“We’re also having a couple of guests for dinner,” Maggie announced. “Mr. Yeager and his daughter, Cassie. And before you frown, Zack, the girl has a horse. That’s a good friend to have.”

Lori was surprised by the news, and a little too happy, feeling a stir of excitement. Maybe he was bringing the security guard they’d talked about.

Maggie gave her the answer. “Jace has something to discuss with you. So I invited them both to dinner.”

Her nephew called to her. “Can I go see my new bedroom, Aunt Lori?”

“Sure. How about we all head up and see it?”

The child ran ahead of them, following Charlie up the steps with the bags.

Lori hung back with Gina. “Lori, you never said the place was a—” she looked around the huge entry, her eyes wide “—mansion.”

“Okay, so the Hutchinson family liked things on the large size. Now that you and Zack are here, it’s already starting to feel more like a home.” She hugged her sister again. “I want you and Zack to think of this place as home. More important, I want you to feel safe here.”

Gina looked a little panicked. “Just so long as Eric never finds us.”

Another precaution had been for Gina to take back her maiden name, Williams.

“If he shows up in Destiny, you can believe he’ll be arrested.” Jace had convinced her to let Sheriff Reed Larkin in on the situation.

“Does everyone in town know?”

Lori shook her head. “No, only the people who work here at the house. And Jace Yeager, my business partner. He suggested that I hire some security.” Lori raised a hand. “Only just as a precaution.”

“That has to cost a lot of money.”

Lori smiled. “Look at this place, Gina. Lyle Hutchinson might have been a lousy father, but he knew how to make money. And taking care of you and Zack is worth whatever it costs.”

Tears filled her sister’s eyes. “Thank you.”

Before Lori started crying, too, she said, “Come on, I hope you like your bedroom. It’s got a connecting bath with Zack’s room.”

They started up the steps arm in arm. “I can’t imagine I wouldn’t love it.”

“If you don’t like it, you can redo it. You’re the one with experience. In fact, I’d be happy if you would redo the entire place.”

Gina turned to Lori. “Decorating a boutique window doesn’t make me a professional.” She looked around. “It’s so grand as it is.”

Lori knew what her sister had been thinking. There had been a lot of times when their living quarters hadn’t been that great, especially when Gina was married. Being a school dropout, Eric hadn’t been able to do much, and he spent his paycheck on alcohol instead of diapers.

“This is our fresh start, Gina. You don’t have to worry about Eric anymore. I’m not going to let anything happen to either you or Zack.”

Lori prayed that was a promise she could keep.

Three hours later, Jace walked up the steps to the Hutchinson home, carrying a bottle of wine and flowers. He normally didn’t take Cassie out on a school night, but this was a special occasion and he knew how it was to be the new kid in town.

Okay, the truth was he wanted to see Lori. He’d tried to keep focused on work, but she was messing with his head. Last night he couldn’t sleep, recalling their kisses, but he knew from now on that he had to keep his hands to himself. If Shelly got wind of any of this, she would make his life miserable just for the hell of it.

He had to focus on Cassie and getting the project completed on time. That was all. Once he had custody settled, he could think about a life for himself.

The front door opened and a little boy stuck his head out. “Hi,” he said shyly.

His daughter answered back. “Hi. You’re Zack. I’m Cassie Yeager. You’re going to be in my class at school.”

The boy looked up at Jace as if asking for help. His daughter never had a problem with being shy.

“I’m Jace. I think your aunt is expecting us.”

Zack nodded. “You want to come in?”

“Sounds good. It’s a little cold out here.”

The door opened wider as another woman appeared. She smiled, showing off the resemblance to Lori.

“Hello, you must be Gina. I’m Jace Yeager. I’m Lori’s business partner.”

She took his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“This is my daughter, Cassie.”

His daughter beamed as she came up to Gina. “Hi, Miss Gina. My dad brought you flowers and for Miss Lori, wine. And I bought Zack a school sweatshirt.” She held up the burgundy-colored shirt with Destiny Elementary School printed on it.

“Hello, Cassie. That’s very nice.”

Cassie turned to Zack. “My dad said you have a new bedroom.”

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“Can I see it?”

Zack looked at his mother for permission. With Gina’s nod the two seven-year-olds took off upstairs.

“My son’s a little shy,” Gina admitted.

“Well, that won’t last long if Cassie has anything to say about it.”

He finally got a smile out of the pretty dark-haired woman with green eyes. There was definitely a strong resemblance between the two sisters, except for their coloring. Both women were lovely.