Chapter Three
Was that a hint of a smile on his lips?
Maybe her surly CEO boss wasn’t as grumpy as he seemed. He’d certainly been eager to take the back of the bus, like a schoolboy rebel.
Her stomach growled loudly. “Dang, I should have eaten breakfast.”
Eric chuckled. “Never skip breakfast, Wanda. It’s the most important meal of the day. It’s important to fuel your brain as soon as you wake up. Nothing beats scrambled eggs and toast to start the day.”
“Ya, well, I was packing for this trip. And I’d never eat something that heavy early in the morning. Coffee and a small bran muffin, lightly buttered.”
She laughed when his eyes bulged in disbelief.
“Who eats bran muffins? What are you, eighty?”
“Thirty-four,” she said, adopting her best prim and proper manner. “And I happen to like bran muffins. Especially the super dark ones, rich with molasses and slathered in butter. Butter, not margarine.”
“No, thank you.”
“Maybe we’ll stop somewhere where I can grab some food.” Her stomach growled again.
“I hope so,” he teased, “I don’t think I can listen to that,” he jabbed his thumb toward her stomach. “It’s like sitting beside a rabid bear.”
“Funny. Not.” She laughed at his teasing grin.
His phone rang quietly, and he pulled it out. “Varner.” He carried on a whispered conversation as the bus rolled through the city.
She tried not to listen but couldn’t help but overhear his side of the discussion, and the occasional word from the woman on the other end.
“Look, Betty,” he said, sounding frustrated, “I can’t help it.
He’s my father, and technically the owner of the company.
Just move slowly, take a long time to do what he asks.
I’ll handle it when I get back.” He paused to listen.
“I know he used to be your boss, but I’m your boss now. I’ll talk to him.”
He ended the call and started another. “Look, Dad. Stop pushing Betty. She knows how to run the office, and I don’t want you making any changes while I’m gone.
You’re only there to handle things in the unlikely event of a crisis.
I have a stellar team of more than qualified managers.
Leave. Them. Alone.” After three minutes of arguing, he ended the call and stuffed the phone into his jacket pocket with a low growl of frustration.
Wanda reached out and squeezed his forearm where it sat on the armrest between them.
She couldn’t help but admire the solid muscle under her fingertips.
“It’ll be okay. I couldn’t help but overhear.
He used to run the company, right?” When Eric nodded, she continued.
“He’ll manage. It sounds like Betty, that was her name, wasn’t it? It sounds like she has things in hand.”
“I sure hope so.” His sigh was pure exasperation.
Brent wobbled his way down the row between the seats and held out his hand. “Hand over the phone. This trip is no phones allowed.” He raised his voice. “Okay, everyone, give me your phones. You’ll get them back when we get back to Calgary.”
“But what if there’s an emergency at home?” a woman called out, her voice cracking. “I have five kids.”
“All of your emergency contacts have been given a contact number where you can be reached if needed. If you have a problem or medical crisis, we have two satellite phones we can use to call for assistance. Beyond that, it’s a digital and phone free weekend. No phones, no tablets, no internet.”
A few people grumbled. Others cheered.
Wanda handed over her phone. She’d listed her bestie, Emma, as her emergency contact. Between Emma and her brother Hank, they’d handle the greenhouse. She hoped. Emma was a business genius, and Hank ran a landscaping company. Things would be fine. Right?
She tried not to laugh when Eric gripped his phone to his chest until Brent physically yanked it away.
“I could fire you for that,” he grumbled.
“You could, Mr. Varner, but since the board hired me for this junket, I’m not too worried.” He flashed an unrepentant grin and moved back up the aisle, collecting phones as he went. “I’m turning them all off and putting them into a lockbox for the duration.”
Low chatter resumed.
“Want to play the car game?” Wanda asked.
He raised his left eyebrow, and a tiny dimple appeared in his cheek. She nearly swooned.
“What’s the car game?”
“Simple. We pick a type of vehicle and see who spots it first. For example. That delivery truck.” She pointed to a gray van with a blue swoop on the side. “Every time we see that truck, the first one to notice it gets a point. The one who sees the most by the time we get to the first stop wins.”
“Sounds silly.”
She laughed. “It absolutely is. Silly, childish, fanciful, and ridiculous. But it’s also fun. Come on. I dare you. I double-dog dare you. I’ll bet you I see more than you.”
“What’s the bet?”
Was that a smirk?
“Loser buys snacks at the first stop.”
“That doesn’t seem fair. You’re already starving. You could bankrupt me.”
“Hardy-har-har. You’re just chicken. Bawkaw.” She flapped her folded arms like wings. “Chick-ken. Chick-ken.”
“Fine. You’re on.” He stabbed a finger toward the window. “There. Delivery van. Three o’clock. Point to me.” His deep laughter rumbled down her spine, sending warmth rushing through her.
Suddenly dry-mouthed, she nodded to concede the point. He got the next three points, and as they rolled out of Calgary towards Airdrie, she got two in a row. “Ha, I’m catching up.”
Someone fired up a classic football movie on the built-in television system, and the screens on the back of the seats in front of them flared to life. “Oh, I love this movie.” Wanda rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
“It’s ancient. Couldn’t they find something current?”
“Couldn’t you find something positive for a change?” She jabbed a finger toward the window at a passing delivery van. “Point to me. This is an awesome movie. The underdogs win. There’s a sweet romance. Tons of angst and personal growth.”
“I saw it years ago.” He sounded bored.
She elbowed him again. “Come on, Eric. This trip will take an eternity if you don’t find the positive. I didn’t want to be here either, but I’m going to make the best of it. Now hush up so I can watch the movie.”
Wisely, he fell silent.
She watched the movie she’d seen a dozen times before, but half her attention was distracted by the man at her side.
He gave off a warmth that called to her, and she barely kept from leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder.
The attraction surprised her. She wasn’t used to instant attraction; normally, it took several dates to feel what she was feeling now.
This buzzing in her veins was disconcerting, to say the least.
She sighed.
Dang it. Why does he have to smell so delicious? Like mint, spice, and something she couldn’t quite identify. Something yummy.
Shifting in her seat, she tipped her head slightly toward him…taking him out of her direct line of sight, trying to focus on the screen. Her mind kept drifting aimlessly, and she stifled a yawn.