Chapter 2 #2
After tucking my phone back into my purse, I drink the rest of the water and lean back in the chair.
For a hot minute, I contemplate moving to the couch, but I’m still on the plane.
So nope. I’m keeping my happy ass in this seat and praying for no turbulence.
I check my seatbelt and pull it tighter.
If it cuts off my circulation, so be it.
Now there’s no way I’m falling out of this chair, no matter how bumpy it gets or if I fall asleep.
“Ms. Tanner… Jackie? We’ve landed,” Laura says as she gently touches my shoulder.
I still jump. What the fuck? How the hell did I fall asleep? The pill! Cheri said it would relax me, not knock me out for four hours. Except, am I really mad? I missed the whole hair-raising flight, and I can see trees outside the window. I’m back on solid ground—hallelujah.
“Sorry. Thank you.” I get my bearings and realize the water bottle and glass are gone, and the side door I came in through is wide open.
After blowing out a sigh of relief, I unbuckle the seatbelt and rise on unsteady legs.
I really hope I don’t have to do this again soon, especially since I only had one of those sleepy pills with me.
“There’s a car waiting to take you to Gallant Mountain. Whenever you’re ready, just head down the stairs. Your suitcase is already in the car,” she explains with a soft smile.
“Okay. Thank you for your help.” My cheeks heat, and I know they’re beet red.
It’s all I can come up with, not knowing what proper etiquette is in this situation.
I don’t have a clue what I should say to her.
Especially since I slept through most of the flight.
Still, she was kind when she didn’t have to be.
“You’re very welcome. Enjoy your visit.”
Then she leaves me to work out the kinks from sitting still for so long. After I double-check my phone is still in my purse, I make my way through the plane and down the steps to the tarmac.
Again, I’m surprised by what I see. I guess I expected to land at another large airport, similar to San Francisco. Instead, it’s small and mostly deserted. Where the hell am I?
“You’re in Asheville, North Carolina, ma’am,” the man standing next to the black SUV says as he holds open the back door for me.
Shit. I said that out loud? Maybe I’m still under the influence of that damn pill.
“Okay, thank you. How long is it to Gallant Mountain?” I ask, grabbing hold of the ‘oh shit’ handle and pulling myself in. Sometimes being short really sucks.
“It’s about an hour. Normally, the scenery is beautiful, but since the sun is setting, you probably won’t see much.”
“Thank you.” I settle into the seat and buckle in for the ride. An hour isn’t too bad, especially after sleeping through the flight. Now I’m wide awake and antsy. I need to know why Andrew Gallant sent for me.
He slides into the driver’s seat with no issue at all, then pulls out a phone.
Does he need GPS to get us there? Hopefully, we don’t end up lost in the forest somewhere.
I hear the echo of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.” Except, they wouldn’t be cowardly or friendly; they’d probably look at me as dinner.
Damn! Why do I keep thinking the worst? I’m going to be a total basket case by the time I get there.
After the driver puts down his phone, he meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. “We’ll be there in no time at all.”
Yeah, that wasn’t creepy at all. Maybe this visit will be more like Hotel California.
Before I talk myself into a full-blown panic attack, I get out my phone and consider calling Cheri, but then I look up and see the driver watching me in the rearview mirror.
Yeah, I’m not letting him listen to our conversation.
Me: I made it in one piece. No thanks to you with the sleeping pill. You could have warned me, bitch.
Cheri: Ha. Why would I do that? You wouldn’t have taken it if you knew. Tell me I’m wrong.
Fuck. She has me there.
Me: You’re not wrong. If you were really a caring person, you would have given me another one for the flight home.
Cheri: Have you met them yet?
Me: No, I’m in a car on the way. The driver said it would take about an hour. We landed at a small airport in North Carolina. What I could see before it got dark was beautiful.
Cheri: I keep forgetting you’ve never been out of California. There are lots of beautiful places to visit. We’ll have to take trips together when you have vacation time earned at your job.
Me: If I have a job to earn vacation. I don’t have a clue what Andrew Gallant wants me here for, and that is reason enough to make me want to barf.
Sighing, I drop my hands into my lap as worry twists my stomach.
Even though I’m scared about what is coming, I know I did the right thing.
I’ve reviewed hundreds of contracts since I began working at JNG, none of them had the addendum.
What other option did I have except to send the email?
It’s not what they stand for, at least I don’t think it is, and is mostly the reason I wanted to work at JNG.
I respect their mission statement and what they stand for.
They don’t believe in destroying the world, just in making it better.
The phone buzzes with a reply from Cheri. It’s the third one since I’ve been stewing.
Cheri: Don’t jump to conclusions. You always think the worst.
Cheri: I mean it. Maybe he wants to commend you on your excellent catch and give you a raise.
Cheri: Are you still there? Did I lose you?
Me: I’m here. Sorry. I hope you’re right because I don’t want to think about the alternative.
Cheri: You shouldn’t. Keep your head up and stay positive. You’re brilliant. If they can’t realize that, they don’t deserve you.
Her words make me grin. And God knows, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve overreacted to a situation. I just need to stay calm.
Me: You’re right.
Cheri: Of course, I am.
For the first time since Mr. Ryder spoke to me this morning, I feel like giggling. That’s a monumental accomplishment on her part. But I’m not telling her that; her head is already big enough. Instead, I decide to change the subject. Maybe it’ll keep me from freaking out.
Me: How’s the book coming?
Cheri: I know what you’re doing? But fine. It’s great. OMG. Seth is so hot and Gabi, she’s the perfect baby girl for him. Of course, he’s a growly Daddy, and she’s stubborn as all hell. I am loving these two.
Me: Is this the new series you were talking about?
Cheri: Yeah. Snowdrop Falls. I think my readers are going to love it. I already love it.
Me: Snowdrop Falls? It sounds perfect.
Cheri: It is—it will be!
Then my phone rings, and I’m not surprised to see it’s her.
“It’s too much to type. Besides, telling you is more fun.”
“Go for it,” I say as I lean back in the seat.
She rambles on about the book. Darkness falls as I listen to the plot of her newest book.
I never knew Daddy kink existed until she shared her first book with me.
Now I’m just as invested in the stories she writes as all her other fans.
A Daddy, at least the way she writes them, would be like a dream come true.
Not that they exist in real life. I mean, they can’t, right?
Most of the men I’ve met have been total slime buckets.
“Ms. Tanner, we’ll be at the house momentarily,” the driver announces, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror.
I’ve managed to block him out for most of the drive.
He’s probably a nice guy, but he’s been quiet for the entire drive.
It’s like being driven by a robot, except for the way he keeps checking me out in the rearview mirror. Ick. It really creeps me out.
“Okay, thank you. Hey, I’ve got to go. I’m here. Wish me luck.”
Cheri snorts into the phone. “You don’t need luck—you’re amazing. Show them who you are. Don’t forget to call me later.”
“I don’t. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I shove my phone back into my purse as we stop in front of a large, two-story log cabin mansion. I don’t know how else to describe it except huge. Lights shine from the massive front windows. The front door opens as three men step onto the wraparound porch.
After taking a deep breath, I push the car door open, whispering, “I’ve got this. Whatever happens, it will be okay.”
One man makes his way down the steps of the porch and stops, waiting as I step out of the car. When he sees me, his eyes widen as if he’s seen a ghost. I wonder whether my hair is standing up or something. I didn’t even think to look in the mirror I have in my purse. Oh well.
After dragging my tongue across my lips, I hold out my hand. “Hello, Mr. Gallant. I’m Jaclyn Tanner.”
After a brief hesitation on his part, he takes my hand. And fuck me, if sparks don’t fly between us like I’m in one of Cheri’s books. As our gazes connect, my heart threatens to beat out of my chest. Shit. I’m in so much trouble.