Finding Her Way

by Jefferson, Riley

  “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

  Jerrica opened her eyes, looking at the familiar face. “It is now that you’re here.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere,” Lauren said then paused. “Jerrica, what’s going on with you?”

  “Wow, that came out of nowhere.”

  Lauren giggled. “Listen, we don’t have time to ease into a conversation. We have only twenty minutes before we dock and I can tell you need to talk.”

  Jerrica knew she wasn’t going to get out of this one. She was going to have to talk. “You and I both know what this meeting is all about. It’s not about business, though she has put a lot of effort disguising it as such. This is about Devin’s need for control or should I say control of me.”

  Jerrica leaned her back against the railing. “I honestly don’t know what is going through her head right now. We as a couple have been finished for almost a year now. Does she think that she will win me back if she threatens my career? I don’t know what to expect when we get there and that frightens me.”

  Holding her hands in the air, Lauren said, “Don’t ask me what she is thinking, you’re the one who dated her. So what is your plan of attack?”

  “I really don’t have one. The one thing I know for sure is that the meeting tomorrow is our top priority. We need to dazzle them with our presentation, so we keep their account.” Jerrica hesitated. “The rest… I’ll have to play by ear.”

  “Well, playing by ear is better than nothing at all.”

  Jerrica’s expression saddened as she looked off into the distance. “I barely talked to Madison this week. I think I made a mistake not telling her the whole truth about Devin.”

  “I told you, you should have been up front with her. I watched her mope around the office the past few days. I don’t understand how two people who love one another have such communication trouble. This is the beginning of your relationship. This is the time when you tell one another everything about your past, plus your dreams and your hopes for the future.”

  “This is all new to me, Lauren. I’ve never really done this before. I know I’ve screwed up, big time. I’m going to call her once we are settled. I’ll ask her out for dinner to talk. Hopefully I can salvage what we’ve begun.”

  “If you truly love one another, everything will work out.”

  “I hope you’re right, Lauren. I hope you’re right.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The drive from the ferry terminal to the Daniel’s residence would normally only take them about fifteen minutes. However, getting off the ferry was going to take a lot longer. Even though the staff on the ferry was expert in unloading vehicles, the tourists were not as adept. Impatient visitors jockeyed for position to get off the ferry first and tempers began to flare. The hand gestures were flying and the colorful language that people yelled back and forth only made departing the vessel harder. Two pain relievers and thirty five minutes later, Jerrica’s front tires finally rolled onto Nantucket Island.

  With a child’s wonder, Lauren took in the sights as they drove toward the estate. She had visited the island once when she was a youngster, but never this far across. She marveled at the historic buildings and the small towns— which time seemed to have forgotten— as they passed through. The drive went by quickly. When they turned into the Daniel’s driveway, Lauren gasped. Her hand covered her mouth and her eyes grew wider as the property grew larger the closer they approached. The newly renovated two-story New England colonial was painted a medium weather gray with white trim and had what looked like floor to ceiling windows in just about every room. Looking just past the house, all she could see was the blue of the ocean in the near distance.

  “So this is what’s it looks like to be wealthy,” Lauren muttered.

  Jerrica smiled at Lauren’s reaction as she steered toward the oversized garage located left of the main house. Jerrica found a spot to park just past the building. Turning the ignition off, Jerrica examined the volume of vehicles already parked. She pushed the button to pop the trunk as she got out. Almost making it to the back of the car, she saw someone rushing toward them.

  “Ms. Kerrison, how have you been?”

  “Good morning, Pete,” she replied as he reached in her trunk to grab her bags. “I would like to introduce you to my associate and friend, Lauren.”

  “It is afternoon now, Ms. Kerrison,” he responded with a wink, then turning toward Lauren, he greeted her. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Lauren. You women are the last to turn up. The older Ms. Daniel is in the parlor awaiting your arrival.”

  Jerrica smiled weakly at him, trying not to show her nervousness. She had never met Devin’s parents. She had always done business through Devin or their attorneys.

  “Well, follow me,” he said with a glint in his eye. “Even though I know you know the way, Ms. Kerrison.”

  Lowering her head in embarrassment, she whispered. “Yes, Pete.”

  He led them from the garage to the main house.

  The door opened the moment they stepped up onto the porch. A portly old woman stepped out to greet them. Her hair had gotten a little grayer since the last time she had seen her, but her kind beautiful eyes were the same.

  With open arms, the woman greeted her. “Well, Ms. Jerrica, it’s been a long, long time. I was so happy to hear you would be attending this shindig.”

  “Molly, you look great,” commented Jerrica as they hugged.

  “I never thought I would see you here again, Ms. Jerrica.”

  Stepping back Jerrica replied, “I never thought I would be back.” Leaning in so only Molly could hear. “Is she here?”

  Molly nodded and glanced up.

  A statuesque silhouette appeared behind Molly. As the person stepped forward, her face illuminated from the reflection of the sun. The woman was dressed casually in a pair of white slacks and a pink cotton blouse.

  Jerrica could tell, even though the woman was on an upper doorway step, that she was at least two inches taller than her or Lauren.

  Deep blue eyes gazed from Jerrica to Lauren as a welcoming smile developed. Extending her arm, she spoke coolly. “You must be the representatives from Morrill, Hartford and Donahue.”

  Taking the offered hand in hers, Jerrica replied, “Yes, we are. I’m Jerrica Kerrison and this is my associate, Lauren Blanchet.”

  “I’m Victoria Daniel.”

  Jerrica felt the hand tighten around hers. Scrutinizing eyes stared down at Jerrica. “Ms. Kerrison, it’s so nice to finally meet you. My daughter speaks very highly of you,” she paused to clear her throat. “And your company. Ms. Blanchet, welcome to our home.”

  Slowly Victoria released her grip and Jerrica tried to reply professionally, “Well, Mrs. Daniel we hope that we can continue doing business for you.”

  “I think that this is what this weekend will determine.”

  Turning she addressed Pete. “Please take these ladies to the guest cottage.”

  Victoria smiled turning her attention back to Jerrica. “Since you two are the last ones to arrive, we’ve had to set you up in the cottage with a representative from a competing company, instead of the main house. Pete can introduce you to them when you reach the cottage. We do have an agenda for today and tomorrow. This afternoon, everyone is free to roam and enjoy all the many amenities we have here at the estate. Between six and seven, on the back veranda, we will be serving hors d’oeuvres. At seven p.m., dinner is in the formal dining area. Drinks and conversation will follow dinner in the family room. Please remember ladies, this is a formal, but social affair and we would like the business talk kept to a minimum at least for this evening.”

  She paused briefly. “Your meeting tomorrow is scheduled for ten a.m. All meetings will be in Mr. Daniel’s office on the west side of the house. We’ve allotted one hour for each company. We do request that all representatives stay on the property until all meetings are over, just in case we have any additional questions. All presentations will be no later than three to
morrow afternoon. This should give everyone plenty of time to catch the late afternoon ferry to the main land.”

  Jerrica wanted to argue, but thought better of it and nodded her head in understanding.

  Victoria looked at Pete again. “Pete, please take these young ladies down to the cottage to get settled.”

  She looked once more directly at Jerrica., “If you are unsure of the locations of any of these events, please ask Pete or one of our other staff members to show you the way. I’m glad you could make it and I hope you have an enjoyable time.”

  With that, she abruptly turned, disappearing into the house.

  Pete and Molly were quietly talking amongst themselves as the two women just looked at one another in puzzlement.

  Lauren shrugged her shoulders and turned toward their guide.

  Noticing that everyone was ready, Molly stepped back, playfully tapping her husband’s arm. “You take good care of my girl, now. Remember, Ms. Jerrica, if you need anything later, you just call.”

  “Thank you, Molly,” Jerrica leaned forward, kissing the woman’s cheek as the group started the walk to the cottage.

  Pete guided them around the house on the semi-wrap around porch and onto the granite stone pathway that would wind its way to the cottage.

  There wasn’t a piece of dead grass anywhere in sight on the perfectly manicured lawn. Strategically placed walls of shrubs almost concealed the Olympic size in-ground pool as they passed. Once they were by the row of shrubs on the farther side of the pool, the cottage came into view. The guest cottage was a smaller version of the main house. The house was situated close enough to the main house for interaction if the guest wanted, but far enough to give privacy.

  Pete placed the luggage on the front porch, pulling a handkerchief from his front pocket and wiping his sweat-covered brow. “Ms. Jerrica, would you mind getting yourselves settled? You know where everything is located. I still have to go get the furniture placed for this evening and I’m starting to get plum tired.”

  Jerrica smiled. “Go on, Pete, we will be fine. Don’t let that old bitty work you too hard.”

  “It’s not the old bitty I’m worried about, it’s my Molly. These parties are her specialty and she’ll have my backside if I don’t do things just the way she wants them.”

  With a sassy grin, he bowed to Jerrica and then to Lauren. “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Lauren. I’ll probably see you both later.”

  Turning, he started back up the path.

  “He’s a character,” Lauren said with a giggle.

  “Yes, he is,” she observed, watching him walk away. “Shall we go in?”

  Jerrica’s hand reached for the handle of her bag as the cottage door opened.

  “Do my eyes deceive me or is that the great Jerrica Kerrison I see in front of me?”

  Lauren looked from her boss to the striking voluptuous blonde-haired woman in a tiny black string bikini who was standing in the doorway. The expression she witnessed on Jerrica’s face told her they knew one another.

  Releasing the handle, Jerrica bounced up the steps. “Hello, Courtney! How have you been?” Jerrica embraced the woman.

  Lightly kissing one another on the cheek as they stepped back, Courtney let her gaze wash across Jerrica. She was not trying to hide the pleasure of what she saw. “I had heard we might be sharing the cottage with other reps, but I didn’t think it would be with the top financial guru and her henchman from Morrill, Hartford, and Donahue.”

  Either she was trying to flatter them or was searching for a fight. Lauren couldn’t decide which one.

  Jerrica smiled, her face flushing lightly as she turned to retrieve her bag again. “Courtney darling, you haven’t changed. Isn’t it a little too cool in the sea to be swimming?”

  “Oh, silly, Jerrica, the pool is heated. It’s nice to know you are concerned for my well-being.”

  “Concern is a strong word,” Jerrica faked a smile. “It’s always a pleasure running into you, Courtney.”

  Lauren lifted her bag from the porch landing, walking toward the doorway.

  “Oh, it could be pleasurable, darling,” Courtney whispered as she placed another small kiss on Jerrica’s cheek. Stepping aside, Courtney remarked. “May the best woman win.”

  “Oh, I plan to, darling,” Jerrica replied as she entered the guesthouse.

  Lauren said nothing as she passed by the smug woman. She heard the front door close abruptly as they walked through the large open concept kitchen-living room area, traveling down a long hallway toward what she figured were the bedrooms. The closed doors on the first two bedrooms made them realize someone had already claimed them. They reached the first open door and both women looked in to see if the room was empty. Lauren jumped in the room yelling, “This one’s mine!”

  Jerrica laughed at her enthusiasm, but continued to the last bedroom at the end of the hall. Standing in the doorway, looking around the room, memories of a time gone by flooded her mind. Taking one-step forward, she placed her luggage on the stand next to the door. The room hadn’t changed. The queen size comforter on the bed matched the curtains in the large window that overlooked Nantucket harbor. Tiny boats, with captain’s wheels and little life rings covered almost every inch of this room’s décor. The nautical theme of the room even crept its way into the on-suite bathroom. She made her way to the bed, sitting on the edge. Lost in the memories, she lightly brushed her hand across the soft material, unaware Lauren was watching her.

  “Well, I don’t have to ask if you’ve been in this room before,” Lauren commented as she walked in, tapping closed the door behind her.

  Jerrica closed her eyes, falling lazily back on the bed.

  “Would you like to explain to me what just transpired between you and Courtney darling at the front door?”

  Jerrica grinned as Lauren sat on the other side of the bed looking down at her. “Courtney and I have a very brief history.”

  “No kidding. Do you care to elaborate?”

  “Not really.”

  Lauren crossed her arms across her chest. “Well, too bad. We have plenty of time before we are due for cocktail hour. Spill it, Jerrica.”

  She sighed. “I’ve known Courtney for a while. When you travel in the same financial circles long enough, you start to meet your competition regularly. Do you remember when I had to go to Phoenix a while back to prepare that manufacturing company for the government audit?”

  Lauren thought a second, then nodded her head.

  “Well, I ran into Courtney in the hotel lobby. She was there on business as well.”

  Lauren fell back on the bed next to Jerrica.

  Both sets of eyes were staring at the ceiling as she continued. “To cut to the chase, we had dinner later that evening and one thing led to another….”

  “Wait,” Lauren rolled on her side, propping herself on her elbow. “I thought devil woman was the only one you have been with…besides Madison….”

  “Devil woman; creative name, Lauren,” Jerrica said with a smile, “Yes, Devin was my first intimate experience with a woman. Courtney and I just had a one-night kind of thing. It wasn’t an important event in my life —not enough to make it part of my bio. Besides, Courtney isn’t gay, she’s bi-curious and I am sure her husband wouldn’t want to know she’s been involved with a woman or anyone else for that matter. He’s the jealous type.”

  “That goddess,” Lauren said, pointing to the door, “has a husband?”

  “Yup, and I’ve met him, too.”

  “Wow!” Lauren paused to think. “You got to tap that! She’s gorgeous and God knows you do need the experience.”

  Jerrica grabbed a small pillow, smacking Lauren with it.

  Lauren playfully blocked it as they both laughed.

  Sitting up, Jerrica became serious, “We have five hours before we are required to socialize. I would like to spend at least three hours prepping for tomorrow. Then I can take you around the property to see the cliffs and the beach. If we time it right,
we can be back here in plenty of time to change and be at the main house just after six. “

  “I’ll go retrieve the paperwork out of my case and maybe you can rustle up some food. I’m hungry.”

  “You got it. I’ll call the main house and have someone send something down.”

  Alone in the room Jerrica tried to call Madison on her cell. The phone didn’t even ring, switching directly to voice mail. The tone in her voice said more than the brief message she left. Clicking the phone off, Jerrica tossed it on the bed, sighing in despair. Once Lauren returned to her room, they started working. Jerrica had turned on a radio for background noise and she paced the floor as she recited her speech, pointing to imaginary grafts that would be part of her PowerPoint presentation.

  Lauren sat on the bed with her back against the headboard, notebook in her lap, studying her boss. She watched Jerrica go through the motions, and jotted down ideas and comments that they would discuss later.

  They made a good team. They worked straight through the afternoon. They paused only once when the pitcher of lemonade, and a fruit and cheese plate arrived. They could occasionally hear joyful laughter on the breeze throughout the day. The noise of the carefree visitors only fueled the determination growing deep inside the women of Morrill, Hartford, and Donahue to be the best at their jobs. When Jerrica finished her speech, she sat down on the bed to discuss Lauren’s notes and suggestions. After a few more rewrites and a chart insertion, they were both satisfied with their work for the day.

  Peering at her watch, Jerrica realized that they were actually a little ahead of her schedule and would have more time outside.