Chapter 9
JOEL
Since it was Monday morning and our weekend event was wrapping up today, I told Tristen that I’d stop by Frank and Trudy’s.
Yesterday when Tristen and I spoke about which one of us wanted to go to their place today, Tristen said he didn’t mind.
However, he was thoroughly enjoying the party and had been out late each evening and surfacing late in the mornings.
I thought it would be better for me to go to Frank and Trudy’s and let Tristen enjoy the rest of the weekend.
I left my suite and pulled on my jacket as I walked across the decking toward the main part of the resort.
As I neared the deck walkway that led to the main building, the sound of grunts caught my attention.
I looked over to the pool area and private cabanas, and a smile spread across my face.
Though the morning chill was in the air, it hadn’t prevented Parker from being outside.
He was stretched out on a pool lounger, sipping on something in a mug, while getting blown by Maxx.
The grunts were coming from Jay as he slowly fucked Maxx.
Perhaps one last bit of play before Jay and Maxx would head home today.
“Good morning, Mr. Stafford.” I was greeted the moment I stepped into the warm lobby.
Olivia stood beside the entrance to the restaurant where breakfast was served for our event weekends.
She had been at the resort since we’d opened and had been promoted to Food and Beverage Director for the Tahoe resort.
Olivia knew how to be professionally polite and friendly without overdoing it.
During our special events, Olivia not only handled the organization and managing of the food, but also the hostess duties at the restaurant.
“Morning, Olivia.”
“Would you like some breakfast this morning?”
“Yes, but just a quick coffee and croissant, please. I have an appointment away from the resort this morning.”
“Yes, Mr. Stafford.”
The warm croissant and hot coffee was brought to my table moments after I sat down. While I ate, I sent a text to the valet and asked them to have my car waiting. I knew Frank and Trudy were trying to get on the road by 8:00 a.m. so I quickly ate and then headed toward the valet.
As the glass doors slid open, my silver Cayenne GT came into view and was waiting for me. Once I stepped out into the brisk air, Luke made his way toward me.
“I turned on the steering wheel warmer and seat warmer for you, Mr. Stafford.”
“Thank you, Luke.”
As soon as I shut the door, I turned the seat warmer down a notch and made my way toward Frank and Trudy’s. It didn’t take me very long to drive to their place. When I pulled up alongside their SUV, Frank waved to me as he put a suitcase in the back and then closed the hatch.
“Ready to get on the road?” I asked as I shut my car door and walked toward Frank.
“We’re so eager to get home and check on Audrey and the baby. Trudy was almost ready to leave in the middle of the night.”
“Congratulations on the grandson, Frank.”
“Thank you, Joel. We really appreciate you coming over on such short notice.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Frank.”
“Come on in; I don’t think we have much for you to keep an eye on while we’re gone.”
“I’m sure I’ll be able to handle it until you return,” I replied as I followed him inside.
Trudy stood from the breakfast bar when Frank and I came inside.
“Look who I found loitering outside,” Frank teased as he gestured to me. Trudy swatted Frank on the shoulder when she walked by him on her way to me.
“Joel, thank you so much for coming over so early,” she said as we hugged. “Oh!” Trudy quickly pulled out of our embrace and then hurried to the kitchen counter to pick up her phone. “I have pictures if you’d like to see?”
“I’d love to see the new young man,” I eagerly replied. I stood beside Trudy and looked at the few dozen pictures that she’d already accumulated of her grandson. “He looks adorable.”
“He does.” Trudy beamed with happiness.
“What is his name?” I asked.
“Linus. Linus James.”
“Linus James,” I repeated. “Those are strong names.”
“We’re so excited to get home to see him,” Trudy reiterated.
“I can understand why. You guys should get on the road.”
A set of keys dangled from Frank’s finger. “Here’s the extra set of keys.”
“Perfect,” I said as he dropped the keys into the palm of my hand.
“Would you mind watering the house plant by the door on the deck? Oh, and putting out some hummingbird food each week?” Trudy asked and then flashed a smile. Trudy loved the hummingbirds.
“Of course, consider it done.” A piece of paper on the counter beside Trudy’s purse caught my eye, and she noticed me looking at it. “Is that your deck?” I asked and stepped forward to take a closer look.
Trudy smiled and handed it to me. It was a pencil sketch drawing of their back deck.
Their Adirondack chairs where they sat each day were in the picture along with other items they had out there.
The large tree with the hummingbird feeder was even in the picture, and the only item of color was a purple hummingbird fluttering nearby.
It was an incredible drawing. I was surprised that either of them could draw this well, and that after all my years of knowing them, I hadn’t known.
“This is amazing!”
“Isn't it? That sweet college boy that we talk to each day drew it for us. He said we could look at it when we are in Scottsdale and miss the place.”
“What college boy?” I asked.
“His name is Cash, and he’s staying at one of the cabins with his friends for the summer,” Trudy said.
“I think I know who you’re talking about.” I handed her back the drawing. “He’s artistically talented.”
“Frank said we can get a frame for it and put it on the wall in our sunroom.”
I smiled, and as I headed toward the door, I added, “It sounds like a fantastic idea. Drive carefully, and please text me when you stop for the evening.”
“Will do. Thank you, Joel,” Frank said as he waved from the porch.
As soon as I got into my SUV, I opened my text string with Tristen.
Joel: Cash is going to help us take care of the rental units.
As soon as it was sent, I opened up my email and retrieved Cash’s resume. I copied his mobile phone number and pasted it into a new text message and instantly began to type while I ignored the dings from Tristen’s texts.
Joel: Good morning, Cash, this is Joel. Tristen and I have a job offer for you and would like to discuss it tonight over dinner. Please let me know if you’re still interested in a job.
I started my car and put on my seat belt. Before I backed away from Frank and Trudy’s, Cash’s text came over. Of course he’s interested.
Cash: Yes, I’m interested. I thought you may have filled the position already.
Joel: We did fill the position you applied for. However, we have another one that you may be interested in.
Cash: Yes! I’m interested in whatever you have. Anything.
A little more desperate than I thought he was, but perhaps he could shed some light on the matter over dinner.
Joel: Perfect. Please come to the resort at 6:00 pm. Tristen and I will discuss the position with you then.
Cash: Thank you! See you tonight.
I set the phone on the charging tray and reversed the SUV. Before I turned onto the main road, I pressed the phone button on the steering wheel to answer the incoming call from Tristen.
“I didn’t know we were looking for help with the rental units,” Tristen began.
“We weren’t, until this morning.”
“Do you think you could have included me in that discussion?”
“No. I was completely capable of making that decision myself.”
“What?”
“While I was at Trudy and Frank’s getting the keys, they showed me an incredible drawing of their patio that Cash drew.” I paused while I pulled onto the main road and headed back to the resort. “Did you know Cash talked to Trudy and Frank every day?”
“No. But, do you think he’d even want to do that?”
“I do.”
“Should we call him and arrange a meeting?”
“It’s already arranged. 6:00 tonight at the resort.”
“Sometimes your level of obsession is scary as fuck.”
I laughed. “Cash is interested in just about anything. So we have the day to figure out the details.”
“Nice that you’re going to let me help figure out the details.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
“I’ll meet you in the coffee shop.”
“I’ll be ready.”