Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
ULY
It was wrong, and I know it. I’d gotten comfortable talking with Brent.
So much so that even thinking of him as Mr. Lockhart seemed awkward.
We’d fallen into a routine. Every night at seven my time, he’d call and tell me he had a cup of tea and something sweet and was ready for our nightly talks.
And damn it, I looked forward to those times.
I’d even told Jamie not to call during that hour, which I designated Brent’s time.
We’d talk about any and everything. I got to hear updates on his search for Chaim, and he heard about my doctor visits where they asked me a ton of questions, then discussed modifying my meds to adjust the dosage. I have to admit, my spacey episodes came less frequently, for which I was grateful.
Since I had no job—and was currently living off my meager savings—I was hesitant to contact Brent.
We’d spent a couple of calls talking late into the night, and he was funny and witty and…
I didn’t want him to think I was using him or something like that.
I can’t tell you the number of things I’ve read from those who were wealthy and couldn’t figure out if someone liked them for being themselves or because they valued the money that came with the deal.
“So, you haven’t called yet, and I’m pretty sure you’ve gotten your results back by now.”
I hedged a bit. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to come out there? I mean, the meds are helping, so I could get a job here.”
“Okay, where is your mind at now?”
I lifted my hand and chewed my nail for a moment. It was a bad habit that I’d had when I was younger, but now was trying to make a comeback.
“I… I don’t want to be one of those people you have to question their motives. I mean, I don’t want you to wonder if I’m your friend because of the money or something.”
“I wouldn’t think that at all,” he assured me. “And even if it was? Oh, well. I’m a big boy, and I can handle myself. Where is this coming from?”
A whimper slid out of me, because I was being pathetic and I knew I had to own it.
“I read an article about a billionaire who said he never let people get close to him, because he had no way to know if they liked him or just wanted him to get things for them. I’m more than happy to buy my ticket there and I’ll book my own room and—”
“First off, your ticket is already paid for so shut up. Secondly, we can book you into the inn if you want, but you’re also welcome to stay at our place.
We’ve got plenty of room. Be warned, however.
The kids get up early, and they’re very curious so you might have to fend off a lot of questions.
And I’ve arranged for a car, so you have a way to get around if you want to visit the shops. ”
“But that has to be costing you a fortune.”
He chuckled. “I think I’m good. Besides, I want you to visit so we can get you a job. See? It’s a selfish need of mine, so you’re really doing me a favor.”
“But, I—”
“Uly,” he said indulgently, “if you don’t want to come, just say so. I’ll have HR contact you by phone. If I’m honest, I’d really like you to come here. Or, if it’s easier for you, I can grab someone from HR and we can visit Milwaukee. That coffee was excellent, and I wouldn’t mind having more.”
Was it possible that someone—anyone—was this nice?
Admittedly, I didn’t have a lot of luck with people.
After I cut out my so called ‘friends’, I realized I was tired of people making me feel like shit.
The only ones who buoyed me were my parents, Jamie, and Deb.
Everyone else wanted me for something I could do for them.
Oh, Uly, can you work a double? Oh, Uly, can you come in and cover tonight?
Hey, Uly? I know it’s only an hour before the shift starts, but my girlfriend wants me to come over and give her something long and hard, if you know what I mean.
Can you work? And I never said no. Huh. Here I was questioning Brent when I was the one who’d had the problems. Maybe money didn’t give you a safety net after all.
“I’m sorry, I’m being stupid.”
“Don’t ever say that about yourself again, do you understand me?
” he growled. “I am sick to death of people putting themselves down. No one is good at everything. If they were, they’d be insufferable.
We all have strengths, and sometimes it takes work to get them to rise to the surface.
Are you good at everything? No. Are you amazing at some things?
I’m willing to bet on it. So take a leap, Uly.
Trust that Ursine will catch you and we will never let you down. ”
My heart thudded against my chest. “Are you serious?”
“Always,” he vowed. “If I make you a promise, it’s my oath to you.”
And suddenly, I wanted to take that leap. To know that someone would be there, keeping me from slamming face first into the pavement.
“Can I come next week?”
“Of course you can. Give me one sec to check my schedule.”
He was gone for a minute, during which time my brain, that thing that would normally be racing, stayed calm, trusting in the process.
“Okay, I’m scheduled off Saturday and Sunday. Will that work for you?”
“Yes, absolutely. I’ll be there.”
“I’ll forward you the flight information, where you’ll be picked up, and I’ve decided you’ll be staying with us.”
“Oh, but—”
“With us,” he repeated, his tone showing he wasn’t taking no for an answer. “The kids would never forgive me if I didn’t introduce my friend. We’ll have a room made up for you. Do you have any allergies we should be aware of? Like to down pillows or any foods?”
“No, nothing.”
“Great. I’ll ask the staff to prepare a room then.”
Staff. He said it so nonchalantly. “I can crash on a couch,” I offered, not wanting to put anyone out.
He scoffed. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. Talk to you tomorrow.”
And then he hung up, leaving me with a wide smile.
brENT
“I’ll forward you the flight information, where you’ll be picked up, and I’ve decided you’ll be staying with us.”
What the hell was that about? I didn’t make unilateral decisions for other people, especially ones who weren’t part of the sleuth.
Uly should be free to make up his own mind, and I’d just bullied him into accepting what I told him he would do.
The thought of calling him back, apologizing, slithered through me, but I didn’t want to.
In fact, I loathed the idea. Uly needed to be where we could keep an eye on him, ensure his safety.
Yes, he said the pills were helping, but were they?
I needed proof before I let him go off on his own.
Like all of the people at Ursine, Uly and his family were mine to safeguard, mine to protect, even if they weren’t bears.
I admit, I was certain Deb and Jamie would be given the tools they needed to thrive while working with us.
Uly was the one I worried about. Despite the tacit abuse I was sure he’d received, he was gentle, damaged, desperate, and in need of someone to take care of him.
Rather much like Chaim had done for me. The vow he’d extracted, that I would use my strength for good, still resonated within me.
So no, I wouldn’t apologize for giving Uly an order.
He was one of mine now, and I intended to protect him with everything I had.
My phone rang, and I answered it without bothering to look at the ID.
“Mr. Lockhart? Your shipment has been delivered to the south loading dock.”
My heart leapt so far into my throat I was giddy!
The recreational vehicle I ordered for Sandy and Tom had finally arrived.
Fine, it had only been a few days, but it seemed to take forever.
When I’d ordered it, the person on the other end of the line—Robby—had been wary at first, because I was dropping a huge amount of cash for a blind sale, which gave them pause.
If I wasn’t good for it, they’d be out hundreds of thousands of dollars.
To alleviate their concerns, I had the bank transfer half up front and a promise of extra if they got it to us quickly.
They’d easily beaten the needed by date, so my payment would reflect that.
“Thank you, Gina. I appreciate it. Can you do a couple of things for me? First off, will having the vehicle there cause any disruption?”
“Not at all. When we saw it, we shuffled things around so the south bay is yours as long as you need it.”
“It’ll be gone by the end of the day. Thank you and your people for your diligence.
I owe you all. Now, could you contact Tom and Sandy, then ask them to come see me?
Have security tell them to go to the south loading dock, then have them call me when they enter the building.
And finally, could you call Amelia and let her know the project is a go, and that she and the staff can come set up for their arrival? ”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you! You’ve made my day.”
She chuckled. “Happy to help, sir.”
Then she disconnected. I got up and hurried from the office.
I wanted to inspect the RV before Tom and Sandy showed up.
And oh, it was a glorious thing. The moment I stepped into the receiving dock, my breath was stolen from me.
In my years with Ursine we’d developed many beautiful products, but none of them could match this work of art.
Forty-five feet long, twenty feet high with the roof deck open, width of a bit more than eight feet, but fully extended out to sixteen feet, and living space of a little more than seven hundred square feet. As impressive as the measurements were, the real selling point was the luxurious insides.
The vehicle—with everything it featured, could it really be called simply an RV?—had a four meter wide automatically extendable lounge sofa and the sections were individually electrically adjustable. There was bar furniture with refrigerators, a wine cabinet, and a coffee machine.