“Yes, sir, very beautiful.”
“You’re not one of those people that will be a yes man, I mean a yes woman, are you?” He had a serious tone. “Because there is nothing more intolerable than someone who will tell you only what you want to hear. I fired my last assistant who started every sentence with ‘yes.’ Men are not like women. Women bring something unique to a job—honesty. Most of the time women don’t just tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to hear. They have this sense of reading individuals. That’s why I would prefer to have a woman work with me. Some women tell the truth more often than others. Can you read people, Ms. Winters?” Jackson asked with a lack of emotion.
“I like to think I can.”
“I guess you are being honest as you can be,” he said, peering out and letting his gaze search the streets of the city without turning around to look at her.
“What do you think of me and my company?”
“I don’t know you, Mr. Van Hughes, only what I’ve read, which isn’t much. I think the newspapers reported that you are difficult.” She gazed at him, hoping he would turn around. She wanted to look into his face.
“Perhaps they were describing my father,” he stated, placing a hand to his face.
“The newspapers I read claimed that you were a topnotch football player, a rich arrogant snob, and that you walked away from football because you had had enough of the game and too much money. You received the Heisman Trophy in your freshman year at Stanford, and you graduated from college as an engineer to create your own oil company after your father’s business went bankrupt and you would not lend him any money.”
“Oh. I’m afraid it was me the reporters were describing. Do you still want to work for me?” He didn’t wait for an answer before his next question. “I want to know, what do you think of me?”
“I think I don’t know enough about the man and the full story to come to any conclusions. There are always many sides to one story. And I haven’t heard yours. The papers were talking about the boy.”
“Well said, Ms. Winters. You’re hired.”
“Just like that? You haven’t even looked at me.”
“I don’t need to see you. I hear something in your voice that I admire—someone who speaks the truth and has integrity. I depend more on my other senses. Not my sense of sight. Your eyes can deceive you.”
Jackson still didn’t turn around; he stood in a trance, hoping that some memory of his three years would return. It didn’t have to be all of it but any part of the puzzle, where he could connect the remaining parts and see the whole picture of his life.
“You may leave. I will see you tomorrow early. Be sure to go to personnel and they will take care of everything.” Summer rose to leave. “Oh, there is one more thing,” he said. “My fiancée may give you looks but don’t mind her, she’s very protective of me since I will be spending a lot of time with you. Don’t worry, Ms. Winter, I have no interest but one. My father’s and grandfather’s company have to be saved, and it will consume all of my spare time and your time.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you hired a man, then, instead of me?”
“I want you. If you don’t want the job, Ms. Winter, then say so now.”
“No, sir. I want the job.”
“Then be here early and expect to work late in the day and maybe into the night.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jackson arrived at seven am, surprised to see Summer dropping her purse into the drawer and preparing to begin her work day. He noticed her beautiful silky brown hair, not too long as to call attention to her, but cut shoulder length, all business, but attractive and feminine. Passing her desk, he nodded and said, “Good Morning.”
Summer raised her head to address him. Catching sight of his face, she was suddenly speechless, not moving, her breathing shallow, her heartbeat racing. “Adam. Jackson,” she murmured. He’s The Jackson Van Hughes, the head of Van Hughes oil and gas. My Adam. My Jackson. How did I miss that? She thought.
Jackson stopped and looked straight at her, “You’re getting an early start, Ms. Winter. I like that.”
She was dumbfounded, stunned. She glared at the handsome man with the cold, quiet voice, wearing a beautiful dark blue tailored pinstriped suit with a white shirt, and gold cufflinks, and holding a leather satchel in his manicured hands.
He smiled again and proceeded to his office. In less than a minute, he called Summer and asked her to bring in her iPad. He handed her some papers with a list of individuals to call for a meeting. He looked at her as if she was a piece of furniture, appearing to be looking right through her.
It was clear to Summer that he didn’t know her. Why doesn’t he know me, she wondered. It was as if she didn’t exist.
After the early morning meeting, Summer left Jackson staring at a stack of papers. She held on to her desk, afraid she would fall. Then she continued working. She returned to Jackson’s office that evening for another assignment.
“You look tired, Ms. Winter.”
“I’m fine, sir.” He handed her more papers to complete. Commenting about her health meant nothing to him, she thought. He never once looked at her. It was like inquiring about what she ate for breakfast, making an observation about a sick cat or the weather.
“Contact my fiancée and inform her that I’ll meet her for dinner. Make reservations for me at that French Restaurant for nine o’clock tonight. Afterwards go home and gets some rest. It’s about eight. There are others that can handle the rest of the work. I don’t want you getting sick.”
“Yes, sir. But which restaurant is it?”
“Oh, I forgot. This is your first day.” Jackson looked up from his desk. “What did you say was your first name?”
“Summer.” She glanced at him.
“Oh, yes. That’s a lovely name. Do you have a boyfriend?” His voice became soft.
Why is he asking or concerned about me in that way if he doesn’t remember me? She thought.
“I haven’t had a date since I’ve moved to San Francisco.”
“Well, we are going to see about that. Maybe Victoria can set you up with a few of her friends.”
“Mr. Van Hughes, if it’s all the same, I would rather find my own dates,” Summer said, upset.
“I apologize. I’m just trying to be helpful.” Jackson looked down and then suddenly glanced upward with a better idea. “Victoria is throwing a party for me and I wonder if you would attend?”
“I’d rather not, sir.”
“I insist, Summer.” Jackson’s eyes darkened. “You will learn that I always get my way.”
“What time should I be there? You didn’t say it was part of my duties to socialize with people I don’t know.”
“I’m glad you expressed your mind. I won’t insist that you come, but if you do, it would make me happy and my father too, but I understand. I told my father about you. I said that you’re an invaluable employee.”
Summer rushed from his office and ran to her private restroom. She couldn’t bear another moment being near Jackson and not being able to touch him as she had done before. He had found his memory for his past but it didn’t go far enough. She was not a part of that past.
He didn’t remember how much he loved her and how much she loved him. He didn’t remember the nights they walked together in the moonlight, and the night he expressed passionate love for her. She would never forget that night.
Now he was getting married and he didn’t know who she was. When she returned to her desk, Jackson called her. “Ms. Winter… I mean Summer. I forgot to tell you that you will need to accompany me to North Dakota for a meeting on Monday. I need your advice on some matters and I need your company.”
“Yes sir.” Why does he need my company? Doesn’t he have enough with Victoria? Summer was jealous of Jackson’s life, which existed before he met her. After all, he was only a high school boy when she first met him. My life had turned into a strange set of coincidences, she thought.
“I don’t think…”
Jackson replied as if reading her mind. “It’s only right. You aren’t like an employee. You’re part of my family, now. And Summer, I want you to meet my father.”
Why would Jackson want me to meet his father? She queried. She didn’t want to be more involved with him than she had to. She became sick thinking of him. They were in different worlds and she didn’t belong in his. He was no longer blind and he didn’t know she existed. He was a millionaire with a beautiful fiancée. She was his employee with nothing but her memories of him.
***
Reluctantly, Summer gathered her courage and agreed to go to Jackson’s party. He arranged for a car to pick her up and bring her to his father’s estate. Walking through the door, she heard music. Summer recognized some of the faces she had seen briefly in high school. It was his same group of friends, only they were a few years older and very prosperous. Some must have inherited their money because they appeared too young to afford the expensive cars, clothing, and diamonds for their dates.
Glancing around the room and looking like a wallflower at the prom, Summer spotted someone she knew. It was Tiffany, who was laughing with another girl whom Summer didn’t recognize. Tiffany wore the same hairstyle she had in high school. Summer walked over to her. “Excuse me.” The girl looked Summer up and down, turned her back and left Tiffany.
“Tiffany…don’t you recognize me?”
“Why would I recognize you? I’ve never seen you before in my life. Do you know how long it took to get in this circle?”
“I’m sure you have been working on it since you were in junior high,” Summer quipped.
“Wait a minute. You can’t be…” Tiffany’s mouth fell open. She grabbed Summer and hugged her.
“Yes, I am,” Summer said, trying to hide her excitement.
“You look so sophisticated. So different, Summer. Does Jackson know who you are?”
“I’m working for him as his personal assistant.”
“Get the fuck out of here.”
“Really. I’m his personal assistant,” Summer said.
“Does Victoria know?”
“No. Why would she? She doesn’t know me and I don’t know her. Jackson doesn’t even remember me.”
“I heard he had this accident…” Tiffany whispered.
“Yes, I know.”
“He’s coming this way, Summer,” Tiffany whispered from the corner of her mouth.
“Who?”
“Jackson.”
“Don’t leave me, Tiffany. I don’t want to be alone with him.”
“Don’t worry, as soon as Victoria sees you talking to Jackson, you two won’t be alone for long. Bye. Text me,” Tiffany whispered, rushing into the next room.
Jackson stood gazing at Summer. “You came. Let me introduce you to my father.” He led the way to the library where Victoria was chatting with Jackson senior. “Oh, and who do you have with you?” Victoria asked with a wide smile.
“This is my personal assistant,” Jackson said without emotion.
Summer held out her hand to Victoria, but Victoria ignored it and walked past her, saying, “Nice to meet you. I’m sure we will see a lot of each other.”
Summer nodded and Victoria walked out of the room, leaving Summer alone with the two Van Hughes. She stood in the same spot.
“Come over her, Summer, and let me see who my son has chosen to cause problems before he’s married,” the older man said.
“I’m not here to cause him any problems but to help him with his company,” Summer answered dryly.
Jackson smiled and raised an eyebrow at his father.
“You’re a smart girl. My son chose wisely,” Jackson senior said, adding, “My son has been a playboy and his fiancée may be somewhat cautious because he has found a beautiful girl to work with him all times of the night.”
“I assure you, Mr. Van Hughes, I didn’t come to this company looking for a husband,” Summer said, trading glances back and forth with Jackson and his father.
“She’s all right Jackson. I think you have a keeper.”
Chapter Fourteen
Jackson and Summer exited the Leer jet. Parked and waiting at the airfield was a large black SUV with tinted windows. The driver hurried out of the car once he laid eyes on Jackson. The man reached for the bags, carried them, and placed them neatly into the trunk. Jackson opened the car door for Summer.
“Have you ever been to North Dakota?” Jackson asked.
“No. I heard of it in a movie. You know, the one where the sheriff is a woman.” She glanced at him for reaction, then added, “Fargo.”
“Well this is not Fargo. We’re in Stanley, North Dakota. Fargo is a big city compared to here, and I don’t go to movies, and I rarely watch television,” Jackson said looking away.
“You’ve never gone to a movie?” Summer questioned in disbelief.
“I didn’t say that. I’ve gone but it has been years.”
“Did you go in high school? Did you take a girl?” Summer inquired.
Jackson’s eyes stared blankly out.
He had to remember when he was blind and he and Summer sat through a movie and she whispered in his ear. He said that he couldn’t remember when he had a better time. The problem was that then, he couldn’t remember anything about his past.
And now that he had his memory back, she was not part of his past or important to his future.
Jackson remained silent. He thought about how he had never been serious about any girl enough to ask her out. He hooked up with whoever was willing. Victoria was willing.
Victoria was the high school queen and he the high school king. It was expected that they would be together one day. But when she found out that he had spent the night with a new girl, she threw a fit and began dating his friend David. But that was just high school. She went back and dated Jackson again during his college years, but threatened never to see him again if he dropped out of Stanford. So, he stayed until he graduated.
There was one girl he would have taken to the prom, and one girl who he wanted to marry after college, but his memory failed him. Her face and name had faded away.
In high school, whenever he went anywhere it was as a group. When they weren’t practicing on the field, he and his football buddies would get together on a Saturday night in his movie room in his home. There was no need to go to the movies; he could get the latest movies whenever he wanted.
The only time Jackson could remember harboring feelings that wasn’t all sexual was for that one girl that he couldn’t completely place. It had been years since high school, but he should have remembered something about her. Maybe the concussion he received in his years playing college football brought on his loss of memory, or was it the bomb and plane crash?
Crowding out his memories were the loss of three years and the feeling that something had happened that changed his life. He felt in his soul that he had been in love. He suffered from the lack of that woman’s presence now.
“Mr. Van Hughes, is something troubling you?” Summer asked. All she wanted was for Jackson to recognize her before he committed himself to marrying Victoria.
“No, Summer, it’s just business I’m thinking about.” But it wasn’t just business for Jackson. He was trying to make sense of his life and find the feelings he had lost when he lost his memory.
The black SUV pulled up to a small house that looked like a shack, which could have existed in any deserted part of the world, but it was in North Dakota. When Jackson stepped out of the car, his engineer, Carter, met him at the entrance of the house. “I was expecting something bigger and better. I didn’t know this is what we would live in for a week,” Jackson said, looking around at the makeshift house and then at Carter, who had been a childhood friend.
“This is all that was available, Jack. All the hotels are booked. They’ve been booked years in advance. Since the oil boon, you can’t get a room or ren
t a house. You never objected to a man camp before.” Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Some people are living outside in tents and trailers,” Carter said, knowing that Jackson was disappointed and trying to placate him.
Carter had dirty blond hair and blue eyes and appeared slightly shorter than Jackson’s six-foot-three frame. The engineer was dressed in a dark blue down coat with a hood over kakis and boots for walking in the mud.
Summer realized that Carter’s face showed his feelings; she could read his expressions of urgency and panic. She knew he was a good guy and looked out for Jackson’s interest and Jackson appeared to know that he could trust him, as well.
“I guess it’s the best you can do, no problem, Carter. Let’s get inside. It’s too cold for Ms. Winter to stand out here.” Jackson saw Summer shivering and hooked his arm around her shoulders.
She wanted to hold him around his waist and look up and smile. Instead, she lowered her head and rushed into the cabin. Standing and looking around, she saw Jackson’s disappointed face. His brow furrowed, his jaw tensed showing his frustration.
“When you called me, you said you had great accommodations for me.”
“I didn’t know that you were bringing a woman.” Carter shrugged. “She’s my assistant. Where are you staying?” Jackson asked, looking around at the sparse accommodations—two cots and three chairs stacked near a card table.
“I’m bunking with six other guys in a tent near here,” Carter said, looking over at Summer. “I made sure you’d have plenty of blankets and quilts. I don’t want to come back and find your frozen corpses in here.” Smiling, he walked to the closet, pulling out camping gear. “Just zip up in here.” Carter tried to give a smile but Jackson wasn’t amused.
“Carter, it’s not me I’m worried about, and I assure you that I won’t be a frozen corpse. I have survival skills.” He walked around the room, opening the stove, and throwing in a log.
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