Chapter 22 Back On Tour #8
“As a reward for your diligence in seeing to Tina’s every need while she acclimates, I’m inviting you to join us in Denver for this weekend.
Please check with your bosses to see if they find this agreeable,” Veronica said, then gave a very subtle wink to Tina with her left eye.
Mark wasted no time in texting Greg, David and Fred.
The Management Trio replied with a unanimous ‘approved’ message back within thirty seconds of each other.
Veronica knew the efficiency of Pimico communications, so she just stood there waiting for Mark to answer.
After a moment, she started back down the line.
“Katie, thank you for seeing to the boxing of your scent throughout this week. Your leadership by example has not gone unnoticed. I will be having awards for Veronique at the end of the year. You may expect to receive your recognition there.”
“Thank you so much, V,” Katie said beaming.
“You girls have done so well and deserved this rest, but we must continue the Tour,,,” Veronica was saying when Mark burst out.
“YES!” he yelled with his arm thrusting down and back toward his body, his fist clenched, as if he’d just won a mighty victory. He noticed that everyone was looking at him so he straightened up and adjusted himself. “It has been approved.”
“Very well, Mark. Please start loading the bags into the limos. Aarie, Billy,” Veronica called. “Please assist Mr. Arcun in getting the bags loaded.”
“Yes, V!” they called back in unison and the three of them started taking bags out to the two awaiting limos.
“Glad to have you along,” Billy whispered as they were walking out the door.
Mark just smiled as he carried several bags beside Billy who was pushing the luggage cart. “Maybe we can hang out in Denver?”
“Sounds good to me,” Mark replied, glancing back at Tina with a broad smile.
“As I was saying,” Veronica continued. “We must return to business. Wendy, I will be needing a new marketing plan for Miss Honeysuckle Rose as the featured scent.”
“Right away, V!” Wendy said. “I’ve had some ideas already that I want to smooth out.”
“Good. Work with Cassie on the budget, and then run them by Carry. If she approves, then I will trust her judgment and allow them to be implemented.”
“V?” Carry said sounding confused. “Are you sure?”
“You have to step out of the shadows at some point, Carry. Now is as good of a time as any. I trust you to make the right decision.” Veronica smiled and then glanced over her shoulder at Billy.
Wendy and Katie noticed that Veronica had a slightly different smile after this exchange.
“I’ll be leaving to join Greg now. James, make sure the band is all set.
Carry, you are in charge here. I’ll see all of you in Denver. ” Veronica turned and walked out.
“Alright! Open Heart Band, get yourselves loaded up!” James called and walked over to Carry. “Make sure you make the right choice,” he added then also cast a look toward Billy. Carry just smiled at him.
“Oh, I’ll definitely make the right choice, James. Wendy has some great ideas for Miss Honeysuckle Rose.”
“That’s not the choice we are referring to,” James strongly hinted. “I’ll see you on the plane. Band with me!” he called and walked out the doors.
The girls immediately flocked around Carry. Wendy moved directly in front. “What the hell was all that?”
“Veronica is establishing a barrier and claiming her territory,” Carry said with a touch of bitterness. “She’s basically telling me to keep my hands off her man, and only on Billy.”
“I didn’t think V was the jealous type,” Katie said.
“Well, after the attempt on Greg with V in the car, she’s become territorial,” Cassie affirmed. “You’ve seen how she’s had several “office chats” with Carry this week.”
“Yeah,” Wendy said slowly. “So, Veronica is green lighting Billy but giving you the red light for Greg.”
“Essentially,” Carry confirmed, then let out an exasperated breath.
“You should take both of them,” Wendy said wickedly. “It’d serve her right for denying you Greg and then forcing you to choose Billy.”
“Yeah,” Katie agreed. “Even though you and Billy have been dating all week long, it’s not right for Veronica to force you to choose Billy.”
“Are you sure?” Carry said cautiously. “Greg probably won’t even look at me.”
“Cousin. I think Wendy’s right. You should date them both. Afterall, isn’t that what Greg was doing?”
“Cassie’s right, Carry. You are family now. NOW we make sure that she doesn’t get to dictate whom you see!” Wendy stated firmly. “Katie and I will come up with the interference plan. You and Cassie figure out how to see Greg and Billy without either one knowing about the other.”
“What if I just tell them both that I’m going to see both of them while I figure out my own heart?” Carry asked sincerely.
“Is that what you want, cousin?” Cassie asked with concern.
“I have to know if there’s any chance with Greg, but after this week with Billy, I don’t want to miss out on something really special.
That man has everything except money.” Carry watched Billy walking out with the last of the bags.
“Just watch him move.” The girls all gawked at Billy as he went through the doors.
“Alright, Wendy. We’re going with your idea.
I’m going to need all the help I can get.
Do you think I can access any resources from the family? ”
“Oh, honey. We’ll make sure you have all the resources you need at your disposal,” Wendy said as a wicked smile came across her face. “Even Daddy will be at your disposal for this.”
“Are you sure. I mean, is the Matriarch going to approve this?” Carry asked very nervously.
“Leave it all up to me, sister. We’ll make them rue the day they crossed a Pendergast.”
“All right,” Carry reluctantly agreed. “I’m trusting you, sister.”
“We’re all sisters here now,” Katie urged. “All for one and one for all.”
“They’re here,” Tessa called and went to open the door. Harry stopped the limo just past the door. Tessa ran out and greeted Greg with a giant hug as he got out of the car. “I’m so glad to see you this morning Greg.”
“You are?” he asked, giving her a hug back.
“David and I have news,” she said. “We found out yesterday but wanted to tell you this in person.”
“Okay. Shall I start grabbing bags?” he said as he turned to walk back to the house, only to see David already bringing them out. “Or is your husband finally stepping up?” he joked.
“Ha, Ha,” David called back. “I’ve always carried my share of the load, you know that. That’s how you had so many open shots.”
“True,” Greg agreed. “We’ve always been an effective duo. Especially when we have the support of a good team around us.”
“And we have news for you,” David said as Veronica stepped out of the car. She smiled and gave David a subtle nod of her head. “Veronica?”
“Yes, she’s riding with us because of the threat.
Keith and I decided it would be best to keep the two main targets together for security reasons,” Greg said.
“James will be on the Veronique jet with The Open Heart band. Danny has called in some help who are pretending to be roadies while they are with the band.”
“That’s a great idea. Glad you came up with it,” David said.
“I wish I could take credit for that.” Greg turned and looked at Veronica with bright eyes. “She’s not just stunningly gorgeous, but brilliant also. It was her idea for the undercover roadies. The extra security is definitely a big plus for us.”
“And, with Keith using me as his go between now, Carry and Cassie are safer. I deliver messages to them and relay them back to Keith.” She smiled at David.
“I want this over as soon as possible. I can’t keep looking over my shoulder and tour effectively,” she said then gave him a fast wink that Tessa saw but dismissed.
“So, what is this news?” Greg asked with deep curiosity.
Tessa moved over beside David, taking his left arm as Harry picked up the bags.
“WE’RE HAVING TWINS,” they announced together.
“Twins?” Greg said his jaw dropping wide open, his face aghast in surprise.
“Mary and Darren were ecstatic when they found out yesterday at the Clinic. Doctor Sabina was so happy that she just announced it over the intercom,” Tessa said. “I thought David was going to pass out.”
“I was so happy that the shock of it overwhelmed me,” David admitted. “Seeing those two little babies on the monitor of the sonogram was an amazing sight.”
“Could you tell if they are boys or girls?” Veronica asked.
“Not yet, but they were both separate and clear. I loved the color contrast on the new monitor Darren bought,” Tessa said, rubbing her slightly expanded tummy. “I knew I was bigger than I should have been already.”
“We’ll be able to determine the sex on the next visit,” David confirmed.
“BOSS!” Harry called. “Are there any more bags?”
“Just my briefcase Harry,” David said but was held fast in place by Tessa.
“I’ve got it. Do you want me to lock up?” Harry asked.
“Would you please,” Tessa gently instructed. “Thank you so much, Harry.”
“My pleasure, Miss Tessa,” Harry said with a tip of his driver’s cap.
“Why don’t we get into the car so we’re not late,” Tessa suggested.
“Yes, dear,” David said then kissed her deeply. They all got into the car as Harry locked the door, then stowed the briefcase in the trunk. “Next stop Wheeler then Denver.”
“Keith’s advance teams have cleared everything,” Veronica confirmed. “All security protocols are in effect. Matt and Eddie are waiting downtown for us. Keith and Jeff are already aboard the Veronique plane. I understand Randy is watching over Pimico this weekend?”
“He’s up this time. He’s ready to run this show, which allows Keith to be focused on tour with Jeff at his side.”
“Roddy said that Jack and Grandma Grace are having fun together,” Greg added.