Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
Whitney
With the snow forecast to start falling around lunchtime, I decide it’s safe to run a couple of errands in the morning. My first stop will be the Wilson house, so I can make sure Natalie has anything and everything she needs to weather the storm.
My second stop will be the General Store for the last scrumptious coffee I’ll have until Monday morning at the earliest.
After pulling into the driveway of the Wilson home, I get out and walk to the front door. Then I hesitate because what if one or both of them is napping? Do three-year-olds nap? I have no idea. But I’m guessing pregnant women do, if they get the chance.
I’m debating whether I should text her that I’m outside when the door opens.
“Oh,” I say, so startled I almost drop my phone. “I’m sorry.”
She tilts her head, looking confused, but not like a pregnant mother of a toddler whose sleep was interrupted. “For what?”
“For disturbing you. Also, for standing awkwardly on your step because I realized too late I might wake you or Sam if I rang the doorbell.”
She laughs and steps back, gesturing for me to come inside. “I’m alone at the moment, actually. My mother told me I should nap, but I don’t want to waste the peace and quiet by sleeping through it. Have a seat.”
I sit on the edge of the chair she points to, but I’m not staying long. “I’ll let you get back to your peace and quiet. I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need before the storm.”
“My mother and my sisters are all over this, I promise. Between Donovan traveling for business and this Christmas fair, I think you’ve got your hands full.”
I do have a lot on my plate, but I know my boss—nothing is as important as his family. “There’s no good way to phrase this, so I guess I’ll just say it outright. Sometimes there are things you don’t want to bother the people you love with, but it’s different if a person is being paid to make sure you have everything you need.”
Natalie laughs, but it’s a warm and friendly sound. “You’re paid to make sure Donovan Wilson, CEO, has everything he needs.”
“And Donovan Wilson, CEO, needs a happy and healthy family.”
Natalie sighs and rubs her hand over the top of her very large baby bump. She looks content, so I’m not alarmed, but it makes me nervous. “I have everything I need to get through the storm. My parents and Sam are picking up some last-minute things, and they’ll be staying with us here until the roads are clear after the storm.”
I feel a little ridiculous now. The Byrnes, with their roots in Charming Lake and ever-expanding family tree, have a lot more experience with winter storms and pregnancies than I do. I’m probably the least qualified person to offer help in this situation.
“And if my cell phone number comes up on Rob’s phone,” Natalie continues, “he’d probably be halfway here before it rang a second time.”
Laughing, I imagine Rob’s reaction to a call from his sister during a storm. “Usually I’d think you were exaggerating, but I’m not sure you’re wrong about that.”
“How’s that going, by the way? Working with Rob, I mean.”
Working with Rob is turning my life upside down because he’s pretty much the opposite of everything I want in my life, but I can’t stop thinking about him. Oh, and we kissed and I desperately want to kiss him again and it’s hard to do my job when I just want to relive it over and over. “It’s good. We’re getting a lot done and, even with this storm, we’re on track for a fabulous Charming Lake Christmas Fair.”
“I heard you had a fun lunch at the diner. Lots of laughing, which is good because I was afraid your management styles would clash.”
“Oh, they clash. But we also complement each other.” I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear the part about the diner.
That damn french fry. The idea somebody saw me eat the fry out of Rob’s hand and reported back to Natalie makes me want to cover my face with my hands, but I keep them clenched in my lap.
I still don’t know what possessed me to do it. We were having fun and it was playful. But the look in Rob’s eyes after was so intensely hot I almost choked on the salt-and-vinegar-coated potato. That man was thinking filthy thoughts, and if we hadn’t been sitting in the diner, I might have coaxed him into sharing them with me.
None of this was information I wanted Natalie to have. Or her husband.
“I guess I’ll head back to the inn before the snow starts,” I say, getting to my feet. “Are you sure you don’t want me to do anything for you before I go?”
“I’m sure. My parents and Sam will be back any minute. The best thing you can do for me is get back to the inn and stay there. Donovan’s said many times he’s not sure what he would do without you. And Rob says he might have given up on the whole fair thing if he didn’t have you, so we’ve got to keep you safe.”
My skin warms with pleasure at the compliments, and after saying goodbye, I think about Natalie’s words while driving to the General Store.
I should be dwelling on the endorsement from my boss. Rob was talking about a one-day celebration that, no matter what he said, he wouldn’t give up on. Donovan owns the company I work for and his opinion of me directly impacts my career.
But, just like when I’m alone in bed or just alone in general, it’s thoughts of Rob that keep me company as I head to the General Store.