Chapter 11
Blake sat in his office staring at a stack of papers he needed to approve and sign before the end of the day. Before he could approve them, he had to make certain they were in order. The problem was he’d been staring at them for more than an hour, not seeing the information. Instead, he was thinking about Sierra.
He’d found himself doing this very same thing several times in the four days since he’d let her leave his hotel room then he’d flown back to Denver. He needed to get this done or he wouldn’t have time to go back to Hawthorne again to look at a few more houses and more importantly, see Sierra again, this weekend.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to focus. This had to get finished because he wasn’t going to let anything keep him from seeing her again as soon as possible. — Maybe if he let her know he was thinking of her, then it would be easier to concentrate. A quick search told him there were no florists in Hawthorne. That meant sending her flowers was out. He remembered passing a small boutique shop. It only took him a couple minutes to find the listing for the Say it With Flowers shop and place the call.
Blake spoke with the shop owner, a nice woman who insisted he call her Harmony. She knew Sierra and knew of several things she said Sierra had admired in the shop. After a little discussion, he and Harmony settled on an earring set that Sierra had admired several times, but put back each time saying they weren’t in the budget right now, but she’d reward herself with them one day soon. Harmony promised to wrap and deliver them for him.
Once he got off the phone, Blake was able to pay better attention to the contracts and finish them before time to leave for the dinner meeting his secretary, Elaine, had reminded him of that morning.
As he checked his tie in the mirrored wall of the elevator, making sure he hadn’t tugged it askew in his frustration over the contract and his inability to focus, he wondered what Sierra was doing.
Was she working? Showing houses or sitting in the Round Up writing? Had Harmony delivered the package yet?
The elevator whispered open, and Blake stepped out. He nodded at Romeo, the security guard, as he passed and stepped out onto the steps leading to the small, half round driveway in front of the building where his driver and car waited.
“Good evening, Jay. How was your day?” Blake greeted his driver.
“So far, so good, sir. Where are we off to tonight?”
“Business dinner at Bon Ami.”
Jay shook his head and held the rear door open.
“What is it?” Blake asked as he slid into the seat.
“You don’t like that place. I don’t know why you don’t tell Elaine not to book there.”
Jay closed the door, leaving Blake unable to answer right away. By the time Jay made it around and sat behind the wheel, Blake had rolled down the barrier.
“What do you mean I don’t like this place? The food is good.”
Jay put the car in gear before glancing in the mirror. “You always have me stop for takeout after eating there.”
“That’s not because the food’s not good, there’s just not enough of it.”
Jay lifted one brow and shot a look at the mirror that said Blake knew what he meant. He did, and it hadn’t even occurred to him to tell Elaine to book meetings somewhere else.
They did use other places, but now that he thought about it, he did usually stop again after this one, needing something more so he wasn’t up in the middle of the night raiding the kitchen.
Blake’s phone range. A glance at the screen told him it was Sierra. He hit the button to close the barrier between him and Jay then answered the call.
“Hello?” He didn’t want to sound too eager.
“Blake? It’s me, Sierra.”
“Yes, I know.” He was unable to keep the amusement from his voice.
“Oh, yeah. I gave you my cell number.”
He could picture the way she was probably shaking her head at herself.
She muttered for a moment then spoke up. “I called to say thank you. You didn’t have to, but thank you anyway.”
“I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you.” He paused for a couple seconds. “I was going to send flowers?—”
“No,” she cut him off. “These are better. Flowers die, but these will last far longer.”
“I’m glad you like them. I wasn’t sure, but Harmony insisted they were perfect.”
“They are. Have you seen them?”
“No. I took Harmony’s word that you’d like them.”
“Just a second.” The phone went silent, and he wondered if someone had approached her or if she had another call. A moment later she was back. “There I sent you a picture.”
The phone beeped in his ear. He pulled the phone from where he’d dropped it into his pocket after dialing her and thumbed the screen.
“Those look great.” He was surprised to find they were small, smaller than his thumbnail. They looked to be shaped like some stylized bird that looked vaguely familiar. The small birds were made of silver and some dark green stone he didn’t recognize, but they set off the pale blue of her eyes, which twinkled with delight. “What is that stone? I can’t tell.”
“It’s malachite. I fell in love with it as a teenager.”
“It’s nice. It makes your skin glow.” He stared at the photo she’d sent, wishing he could see the real thing, the animated way she moved, the sweet way she would look away and blush at a compliment.
“Thank you.” There it was; that slightly embarrassed tone in her voice.
“It’s not just the earrings you know. They make your eyes shine, but you’re beautiful without them.”
“Thank you.”
“Sir,” Jay’s voice came across the intercom, “we’re about two minutes out.”
“That’s my driver. I’m on my way to a meeting so I’ll have to go. I’m glad you like the earrings.”
“I love them. Thank you. I’ll see you in a couple days?”
“I should be in town tomorrow evening, but I’m not sure what time I’ll get to town.”
“Let me know when you get here. I’ll probably be at the Round Up unless something comes up to prevent it.”
“I’ll just meet you there.”
“Sounds good. Don’t bother with the hotel, there’s no reason to spend the money when I want you to just stay with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ve been thinking about you all week long and I don’t want to miss a second with you if I can help it.”
The car eased to a stop. “We’re here. I’m going to have to go, as much as I’d rather sit and talk to you instead.”
“Go. I’ve got a few things to get done before you get here.”
“Take care. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“You too.”
Blake disconnected the call, turned off his headset and dropped it in his pocket just as Jay opened his door.
“As usual, your timing is impeccable.” Blake slid from the car and stood, straightening his jacket as he rolled his shoulders. “I’ll let you know when I need you back. It will be at least an hour, maybe two.”
“Yes, sir.” Jay closed the car door and went back to the driver’s side, pulling out as Blake went inside.