can steal some time for yourself is well deserved. I told you when I offered you this position that I would be very flexible. You’re more than an employee. You’re like one of the family, just like Alma, George, Alice and John. I don’t think of any of you as less than that.”
“Thank you, Chase.”
“Let’s take advantage of the fact that John has the kids occupied for a while this morning and just sit here and enjoy it…together.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” She looked over at him and smiled affectionately, but quickly looked away, before he could fully realize how she felt about him. They stayed like that for another hour, sipping hot coffee and talking. When Chase looked at his watch, he decided it was time to get the kids cleaned up. They looked like they had been rolling around in the dirt instead of working in the garden.
“Kids, come here a minute.”
Two very dirty children came running.
“Oh, my goodness, you two are a mess?” he teased them as they looked up at him. “Let’s clean you guys up, and after lunch, I’m going to take us all on an adventure.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a big surprise and I’ll tell you after you’ve both had a bath and gotten some lunch in your bellies. Now scoot, because Sunny and I have some work to do.”
“I’ll start packing,” Sunny said.
“I’ll help you, after I make sure those two aren’t destroying their bathroom. See you in a few minutes.” He smiled as he helped her out of her lounge chair.
The next few hours passed by quickly and soon they were in the SUV Chase used for family outings. John was driving them to the airport and everyone was talking at once, excited about the trip.
The trip to Orlando was perfect. John and Alice visited with their family while Chase, Sunny, and the two children enjoyed two wonderful days taking in everything they could fit into the schedule at Disney World. All too soon, it ended and it was time for Chase to be off for Des Moines.
Chapter Nine
On the morning Chase was leaving for Iowa, he knocked softly on Sunny’s door adjoining the bathroom between them. “Sunny, are you awake? I need to talk to you.”
She’d been sitting on the edge of the bed brushing her hair when he knocked. She got up and answered the door, puzzled he wouldn’t use the main door.
“I apologize for coming in this way, but I wanted to talk to you privately before I leave, and I didn’t want to take a chance on anyone seeing me from the hallway.”
“It’s all right. What’s up?”
“While I’m away this week, I’ll be finalizing everything for the solution to my problem I told you about. And while I can’t tell you what it is, yet, I need you to do something. I want you to know this will affect the rest of your life. If you agree to help me, that is. This week, will you please take some time to think about what I’ve just said? I want you to think about any future plans you may have. They’ll play a part in the answer you give me, when I tell you what I need from you.”
“This is all so mysterious, Chase.”
“It won’t be…it will all be crystal clear next week, when I can present it to you properly.”
“Okay, I’ll trust you on that.”
Chase leaned down and kissed her. Sunny was shaken to the core, heat swiftly spreading through her veins. She responded to his kiss in a way that surprised the both of them.
“I’m sorry. It seems I keep kissing you and apologizing afterward. It’s just that when you said you trust me…” he said as he broke away from her.
“Stop apologizing. I don’t think I was exactly fighting that kiss.”
He had a thoughtful look on his face. “Just maybe…” He abruptly brought himself back to reality and told her goodbye.
“I’m going to tell the kids goodbye then I’m off. I’ll call you midweek to check in. Think about what I said.”
“I will, Chase.”
He left her room the same way he’d come in, leaving her standing there touching the lips that he’d just kissed.
She finished her morning routine and went to Ali’s room to see if she was awake. The little girl was already dressed when she entered the room. “Daddy just left. I miss him already.” She looked so sad Sunny went to her and hugged her.
“It’ll be okay, sweetie, we’ll find ways to stay busy.