Chapter Ten #2
Gazing across the estate grounds, she saw them differently now. Cal wasn’t just running a business. He was creating something special. And something deeply personal. She couldn’t help but respect and admire him for that.
They walked quietly for a short time before Cal spoke again. “This view coming up—when the tree line breaks and you get your first view of the house—it’s my favorite view on the entire estate.”
“Really?” Rachel asked. She would have guessed the sweeping views of the ocean or maybe the back garden with its riot of color set against the house’s stony facade.
“I know. It’s not the obvious choice.” He slowed his steps and his voice was quieter when he continued.
“The hydrangeas in the front garden were always my grandmother’s favorite.
She loved the blue and deep purple ones as opposed to the pinks.
She liked how the colors popped against the stone of the house and the green of the grass.
“After she died, Pops and I made sure the plants were fed and cared for. It was something we did together to keep her memory alive.
“When I drive down through the canopy of trees and it suddenly lifts to that first glimpse… It always feels like coming home to me. It never fails to relax me.”
He gave a headshake, and they proceeded to the front entrance.
“I can’t deny that my parents are jeopardizing my future as much as I wish they wouldn’t.
I want the landscaping quote in order to plan.
Or dream, at least. Yes, it’s a good thing to have for those other reasons, but if I’m being truthful, I’m not ready to face a reality where all this doesn’t exist.”
Rachel detected the sadness in his voice.
She sympathized with his plight. He was in a precarious spot, no matter what.
And it was obvious he cared about this property deeply.
She had to agree that seeing the house demolished would be a truly sad day.
It was a stunning building, even if it still required considerable work to complete the restoration.
“If a golf course is put in,” she offered, hoping to give him some solace. “Nothing prevents them from maintaining the house—maybe as a restaurant or club house? It might be something your parents could negotiate into the contract.”
He whirled to regard her, his face hard set. She took a step back. “Careful, Rachel,” he growled. “Your golf bias is showing. First the comment in the meeting and now this. Whatever will my parents think?” He wheeled and stalked toward into the house.
Rachel looked skyward. How could she ever survive working with him?
One moment it seemed they were good, then in the next breath he was spouting off about something she’d said.
And was he keeping track of all her comments?
She wracked her brain but couldn’t remember discussing golf at the meeting. She didn’t even play golf.
She was inclined to run after him and argue back, but her rational mind won out. Even though yelling back would feel supremely satisfying, it would not help their working relationship. Best to let this slide and move ahead.
When she was little and kids would tease her, her mom used to tell her to ‘be the duck’ meaning to let it all roll off your back and not let it get to you.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity to be the duck.
Walking into the house, she repeated the phrase to herself, although saying it and being it were entirely two different things.
Inside, there were fortunately, or unfortunately, numerous things to distract her. Namely, Cal and Trace, the event planner, having a fairly heated discussion.
“I don’t understand why they can’t get the right color,” Cal was saying as he speared his fingers through his hair. He seemed about to rip it all out.
“Just what I said, Cal,” Trace replied her voice clipped.
“I ordered the right quantity but not the right color. I went back to the vendor, and they have a color that is close, but not enough linens to fill the order. I’d rather not get a partial order because then that color won’t match linens I’d need to get with an order elsewhere.
“Why can’t we get a full order from another vendor that has the color?,” Cal demanded.
Rachel could see this was going nowhere. Trace’s spine snapped to its full height, and she spat back, “As it is last minute, I am unaware of a vendor who can supply the color we need in the quantity we need by when we need it!”
“Why the hell didn’t you double check the color, Trace?” Cal waved a file folder he had gripped in his hand.
“No one speaks to me like that!” Trace exclaimed before whirling around and vanishing down the corridor.
Cal’s free hand curled into a fist as he watched the event planner retreat. “Events suck,” he muttered.
“Cal,” Rachel said, crossing over to him. “Let me make a call. I may be able to get you some vendor names. What color do you need and how many?” She wasn’t feeling too generous toward Cal at the moment, but it was the right thing to do. In fact, it killed two birds with one stone.
“Rachel. Hey, I’m… I’m sorry. About the golf comment. It was out of line,” he apologized. “I know you’re just here doing your job.” He hesitated. “I don’t mean to add to the problem.”
Rachel was more moved by his apology than she wanted to admit. When he was an ass, it kind of made it easier to assign him into one personality box. But this? Recognizing his bad behavior and apologizing for it left her feeling unsettled.
“I appreciate you saying that,” she responded. “Now, what color and amount do you want?”
“You seriously want to help me out even after…” At her nod, he sighed.
“Thank you, Rachel. That’s deeply appreciated.
” He looked in the folder, flipping a few pages and then said, “A medium blue like a robin’s egg blue.
” He glanced up at her, before he continued, “And we’d need twenty-five 120-inch rounds, and four, no, make it five, 90x132-inch rectangles. ”
Rachel had taken out her phone when he started dictating sizes. She was typing rapidly. Thankfully, he waited until she’d caught up with him. “Did you want me to repeat anything? And honestly, if they don’t have the sizes, I can work some magic and make other sizes work.”
“I just want to give my sister an idea of the color and range of sizing you need.”
“Your sister?”
Just as she was about to answer, Marshal came into the foyer, “Hey Cal. I’ve been looking for you. Brendan from Copper Rentals is on the main line. He said he’s been trying to get a hold of you.”
“Damn,” Cal swore.
“Go,” Rachel said. “If Jess has any names, I’ll get them to you.”
She could see he had a million questions, but he merely dipped his head in thanks and walked away with Marshal.
The whole situation with Cal was too complicated to contemplate, but hopefully, helping him out wouldn’t bite her in the ass later.
Fortunately she could reach out to Jess for her opinion.
It was an easy enough ask without dragging her into this nightmare, but it felt important to reach out.
She could still build bridges while keeping her sister safe, couldn’t she?
Mind made up, she found her sister’s name in her phone. After a few rings, Jess answered.
“Hey Rachel. Hold on. I’m just going to step outside.”
“If I called at a bad time, this can wait,” Rachel said. While Cal wouldn’t agree with that, her sister’s job came first.
“No. Now’s good. I was due for a break.”
“Well, this shouldn’t take long,” Rachel assured her. “I’m at the estate, and I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Sure thing,” Jess replied cheerfully.
“So… it looks like the event planner here ordered the wrong color linens for an event and now they’re struggling to find a rental company that can get them the color and the quantity they need. Do you know anyone they could try?”
“Is this the same event planner that gave you heart failure at Alex’s wedding by saying the meal couldn’t be served?”
“One and the same.”
“Man, I don’t like to judge, but she’s having some real job performance issues. I know it’s nice to provide grace, but there’s a line there.”
“While I don’t know the complete story, I have to agree with you, Jess. But maybe it’s just a stressful season or something’s going on with her? Either way, I doubt Cal is really that open to my suggestions right now.”
“Oh, Mr. Grumpy got his knickers in a twist?”
Rachel laughed. Her sister’s imagery was too good. “You could say that.”
“He’s being dumb. But let’s start with solving the problem. I do have a name, but they probably already tried it. What color are they looking for? Some obscure hazelnut mocha foam color or something along those lines?”
“Cal said it was robin’s egg blue, you know, that medium blue vicinity. He needs twenty-five 120-inch rounds…”
“Hold up,” Jess interrupted. “Can you text me the quantity?”
“Absolutely.”
“So luckily he’s not looking for a totally obscure color,” Jess said before falling silent to puzzle through the issue.
“Why don’t we do this?” Jess said finally. “Give me a few minutes. I have a friend that does larger events. Let me call her and get some names. I’ll text you whatever we come up with.”
“That would be incredible, Jess.” Rachel couldn’t help the jolt of fear that ran through her.
What if she was distracting Jess from her actual job, and she got in trouble for doing this?
Sure, Jess was an adult, but that didn’t prevent Rachel from worrying.
She shouldn’t have called her. What was supposed to be a simple phone call was now becoming a whole thing.
Before Rachel could claw back her request, Jess replied, “It’s a quick call. Besides, I haven’t talked to Joan in an age, it’ll be good to reconnect with her. Although, I can’t promise any of these companies will have what Cal needs, but he’ll know they’re reputable companies.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” Rachel said.
“My pleasure,” her sister replied before adding, “Seriously, call me whenever.”
“Thanks, sis. I think this is above and beyond the call of duty, but it’s much appreciated.”
“Well, that’s true. But what are sisters for if not for linen rental company names?”