by Mia Ford
I can’t believe that we’re just sitting here facing each other and no one’s saying a thing. Granddad begged me to tag along, and he’s not even making an effort. I watch as Olivia tries to sip on her coffee and then she doesn’t have the means to taste it. I don’t blame her; I don’t feel like drinking myself.
“I want to try again, Olivia.”
“What?”
Both Olivia and Granddad blurt it out at the same time.
“I’ve forgiven granddad for what he did. My dad killed himself in our house. Maybe he was pushed for the business or whatever, that’s all in the past. I was living a dangerous life, and he saw an opportunity to help me. What he did with you was inexcusable, but I know that in time he did it out of love. He’s not a mean man. You’ve lived with him for two years. Did you at any point think that his feelings for you were of a man that’s just using you?”
She shakes her head, but I know that I shouldn’t guilt trip her into this because it wasn’t just her fault.
“Olivia, I’m not saying that you should forgive us. But I would like to help. I know that you’re here for your independence.”
“I’ll like to do the same,” Granddad chimes in with a smile on his face.
Olivia ignores him, “I could do with a job.”
“Really, well there’s a need for an admin assistant that I could put in a good word.”
This time I’m the one holding the cards. The one that’s pulling strings and I’m going to milk it for every dime.
“I don’t want you to try.”
I say as I cross my arms. “I need you to do better than that. You see I could have stayed in the city years ago if an old man didn’t convince me otherwise.”
“You’re right. You’ve got a job. How soon can you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
Then she finishes her coffee and stands up.
Granddad says in a panic, “Are you not going to stay?”
She shakes her head, “I don’t need to. I planned on having one coffee with Isaac. I’ve done that, and now I need to prepare for my new job tomorrow.”
“You start at nine.”
She shakes her head, “I’ll start when I like.”
She winks and then walks away, I murmur as Granddad’s complaining about her change of heart what does he expect?
“Yes, I’m glad that you’re coming to work for me and giving us a second chance.”
She chuckles, “You, may be in time. Him, I’m not too sure about.”
Then she leaves us in the coffee shop alone. I realize then that I’ve created a monster.
“Seems that you taught her well Granddad. She’s going to make us suffer.”
He shakes his head, “I’ve never begged for anything in my life.”
I look at my watch and sigh, “Well it looks as if you’ve met your match because I can see that little lady’s going to make you suffer for it. And you know as well as I do that she means more to you than you want to admit. You better get used to begging. On your hands and knees, because I intend to do that until she trusts me once again. Until I have her back in my life.”
On that note, I left him in the coffee shop as I thought about ways to win Olivia’s heart and I didn’t have a clue how I was going to do it, but I knew that getting her a job was one step. I just needed a thousand more to make sure that I get her back into my life.
***
She walked in close to twelve, and in the same yellow dress that I bought her, it was as if she was tormenting me and I hated her for having me on a string. I deserved it, but someone like me isn’t used to being at someone’s mercy, and neither is granddad as he walks behind her.
“So, Isaac where do I start?”
I look at her completely confused as she sits at my desk and puts her feet up in the air.
“Are you taking over the company?”
She shakes her head, “Nope.”
“Granddad?”
“She demanded that I come in and get to work she said, if I wanted to earn her trust and respect again then I’m going to have to show it.”
She nods, “Actions speak louder than words. Now, if you boys don’t mind. Whatever you wanted me to do today and every day that I don’t decide to come in. Neil can do it.”
We both look at each other and blurt out, “What?”
She repeats herself as she stands up, “Whatever you wanted me to do around the office. He can do it.” She points to granddad who just shrugs his shoulders.
“If you need coffee, he’ll do it. If you want him to shine your shoes, he’ll do it. Whatever you fucking need, he’ll do it.”
Shit! I did create a monster.
“And maybe, just maybe I’ll talk to you both again.”
She starts walking out of the office and then she says, “But if either one of you even think of stopping what I’ve just asked you to do. Then you can forget it. Because if you don’t, then I’ll never trust either one of you ever again. I already don’t. So, it won’t be hard to once again. Do you understand?”
Like a bobbing head toy we both nod our heads, we expect her to come back and tell us that this is all one big joke, but she doesn’t. I sigh as I head to my chair the one that Olivia was sitting on and acting like she was the boss.
“Granddad we better get started then.”
He walks up to the desk, “If you want me to get you coffee, then you better start calling me Neil.”
We laugh as we face each other. Olivia’s making us spend time together. She may think that she’s smart and that she’s the one that’s manipulating us. She is to some extent. But, I know her game, and I’ll play along with it. Maybe we need someone like her to put us on the right track because granddad and I only have each other and we’re not good at showing love. Maybe for once, we’ll have to do it or at least try.
Chapter 16
Olivia
I walk into the company this time; I’m wearing a suit and looking the part. I’ve had two weeks of spending time with Autumn, seeing as Neil’s been in the office during the week, he hasn’t been going home.
She's well looked after, but that doesn’t stop me worrying about her and just get on with my life. I pop my head into Isaac’s office, and sure enough, Neil’s serving him coffee. They seem to be getting on which was part of the reason that I thought of my little scheme.
I had the impression that there was still a rift between them. Neil had done everything the wrong way, but for the right reasons. He wrote me a letter one that I’ve taken to heart and one that’s making me walk into the office today. He knew that I’ve been going to see Autumn or that I would see her again, and once I read it. I knew that I couldn’t stay away. Mainly, because for the first time since I’ve go to know Neil, I think that he wasn’t lying to me.
Dearest Olivia,
I know that you hate me and you have every reason to tear up this letter from the moment that you read it. But I want to thank you, not only for the time that you gave to me but for bringing life back into my grandson’s cold heart.
You see before you came alone and brought him back to life, he was ready to die. He may never admit it and pretend that he had it all under control, but it’s far from it.
I paid off the company’s loans, and even the one’s in his apartment from the moment that he came to see me. Isaac was so intoxicated that he couldn’t even see it. He turned a blind eye to his finances and worse of all himself.
I did think of the idea to pair you both up from the moment you were homeless and financially unable to support yourself. But from the time we started talking, and I learned about you. I soon changed my mind about my initial scheme. I lied to both of you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I gave you a home because for some crazy reason I thought that your pure heart is something that both Isaac and I need in our lives.
Everyone in town thinks that we are an item. They believe that I am your ‘sugar daddy,' but not once did you leave the ranch or even put people in their place. You let them tal
k, and that makes you lonely.
No one talks to you.
No one wants to associate with you.
You lead this life just to appease me, to make me happy and I am forever grateful for the sacrifice. I suspected that you and Isaac could find love in each other. I went out of my way to push you to be one. I did not expect you to bond as much as you have and I would be eternally grateful for you giving my grandson back his heart. The one that he had lost. I know that he loves you, so please do not punish him for my mistake. They are mine alone.
Anything you need Olivia, you just shout, and I’ll come running.
Anything you want Olivia, just say the word and I will give it to you.
I owe you everything, and you owe me nothing. I do hope that one day you can forgive me. But I know that I do not deserve it. Especially the way that I have treated you. I do hope that one day you can forgive me or at least try.
Neil
I know that Neil was secretly trying to manipulate me. I remember Isaac saying that he thinks that it’s just natural for Neil. He has a way of manipulating everyone that he comes into contact with and I hate to admit that he’s right.
But the fact that Neil wrote a letter and there seems to be the bond that they both lost a long time ago slowly rebuilding their relationship. The way that I hoped when I set them up on the task.
“Good morning gentlemen,” I say as I walk through the door.
“Good morning Olivia,” Isaac smiles at me. He does look completely different from when I first met him. It’s as if he’s been working out or something. I’m distracted as I can see his biceps through his shirt and I wonder if he looks completely different underneath from what I remember. To say that I miss him is an understatement.
I remember him telling Neil that he loves me and would marry me in time. I remember smiling about that, but then the realization that they’d made a pact together tore me apart.
“Good morning Olivia,” Neil says indifferently. I think that he’s nervous about my appearance.
“I read your letter, Neil.”
“What letter?” Isaac asks, “I didn’t know that you knew where she lived?” His question is directed at Neil who shakes his head, “I don’t. I just left it with Autumn.”
“Ah,” Isaac says as the penny drops.
I shut the door and say, “I was thinking that if you’re not busy we could go to breakfast?” I ask Isaac and then Neil says, “He only has one appointment at eleven. He has time for that.”
I’m about to ask Neil, but I’m really hurt by what he did. I need time before I can forgive him with open arms.
“In that case I’m free,” Isaac nods his head.
“Cool, because I know this great little bakery. They have all types of croissants and cookies.”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” he says as he comes closer towards me. I want to back away, but between his moody scent and his black suit, which always melts me I find it hard. I just know that I’m not about to give in. Not in a hurry.
“Well, if you’re taking me out to breakfast then you better be paying. You see if I have this assistant who comes into the office whenever she feels like it, and she demanded that I pay her to double the going rate.”
“Maybe you should sack her.”
He presses his lips against mine, “Maybe I will. But for now, you’re taking me out for breakfast.”
Then I take his hand and lead him out of his office. As we stop at the desk, which is supposed to be mine. Neil’s sitting there, and I smile at him, “Maybe next week if you’re free then you can join us.”
He nods his head, “That’ll be fun.”
Isaac says, “But she’s still paying.”
Then I loop my arm around his, and as we enter the elevator it’s empty, and I know as much as I’m trying hard to get. It’s not going to work with Isaac. Especially when I feel as if I’m kidding myself. We’ve had our time apart, but I want a relationship that’s built on trust. He’s going to have to earn it. Whether he likes it or not.
Three months later…
Epilogue
Olivia
The touch of Isaac’s warm skin awakens me. I feel the afterglow of last night. Isaac’s damn hot in bed. I lie looking at the rays of morning sunlight shining through the curtains at a spot on the floor, thinking that I could stay in bed all day. Of course, I know that isn’t going to happen. Isaac has marketing people to meet. We have to return to Houston. I don’t want to, because I would love to spend the whole day in bed. The way that we’ve been accustomed to doing on the odd weekend.
Isaac raises his head and glances at me.
“How long have you been awake? I thought you were still sleeping.”
“Not long, but I could stay in bed all day the way I am feeling. I thought that you were sleeping too.”
“Olivia, I need to go in later. But after we can spend time together.”
“I know I just feel lazy.”
“You can’t be lazy. You own the ranch, and there’ll be no rest for you. I’ll tell Dan to give you all the dirty jobs.”
“Ha, I’m his boss now, not you?” I move on top of Isaac, because he’s trying to wind me up and it’s not working. Maybe I’ll tempt him into staying in bed.
“You’re in a great mood this morning. Well, I have a lot to be thankful for, don’t you agree. Neil signed over the ranch, but he didn’t have to do that. I never asked him to.”
“Neither did I. But he wanted to leave. He hated staying here alone and he thought that three’s a crowd.”
I shrug, “Not really, you spend just as much time in the office as you do here. So, I could do with the company.”
He laughs, “Not when you have Autumn.”
I ignore his comment and ask, “Are you not fixing breakfast before you go?
“Maybe?”
I move off him and say, “Well I’ll like some scrambled eggs and toast please?” I kiss him on the cheek and head into the shower.
I missed the ranch when I moved out, that must be the most heartbreaking part of living in the city. The crazy part was when I was here, I used to dream about leaving. I used to think about living in the city. When I had the opportunity to do it. I hated it. Despised it with a passion.
As soon as I finish in the shower. I hear Isaac in the kitchen and decide to pop to the barn to see Autumn. I walk across the lawn toward the barn. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that Neil gave me the ranch and moved out. Having lived with him here for years, I know how much he loves the ranch.
I know I shouldn’t forgive Neil, but I can’t hold a grudge against him. I care for him too much. I take in a deep breathe as I enter the barn and let the smell of horses and hay percolate throughout my body. I know that if I had been forced to stay away from the ranch, a part of my soul would have withered, so much had I became a part of the ranch.
Autumn has her head out the stall looking for me as I approach. It’s funny how she always seems to know when I’m approaching her stall. “I missed you,” I tell her as I hug her neck. She nudges my pocket to see if I have brought her an apple. “No, I didn’t bring anything for you. Just me. I wish I could take time and give you a good brushing, but Isaac has to get back to the office.” I talk to her as though she’s a person. Well, to me maybe she is. When Neil and I lived on the ranch I used to spend so much time coming here and talking to her, especially whenever I felt lonely.
My phone’s vibrating in my back pocket I pick it up as I kiss Autumn on the forehead. “I’ve got to run,” I say as I walk away. I know that only one person would be calling me on my cell right now and that’s Isaac. Most likely to tell me that breakfast is ready.
As soon as I enter the kitchen I can smell toast and eggs. I glance at Isaac thinking that he’s really learning to cook and not feel the need to always go out to eat,“See that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“You’re just lucky I didn’t burn the toast. Did you look in on Buckskin?”
“No, I thou
ght that you would do that before, you go to the office. His head’s outside the stall looking for you. When’s the last time you rode him?”
“Too long. After I get things settled in the office I want to do some riding.”
We both sit down to eat and both of us are avoiding looking at the chair. The one chair that Neil always sits in whenever he eats at the table is empty and it pulls a chord in my heart. Maybe I should just tell him that I don’t want this place?
Isaac eats so fast as if his life depends on it. I know that there’s no room for a conversation, let alone a discussion about Neil.
“Need to go,” he says as he pops the last bit of toast in his mouth.
I nod my head and then I walk behind him as he rushes to his car and then his car pulls out of the driveway, I found myself already missing the ranch. I really didn’t want to return to Houston, but it was necessary. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell what was going to become of Isaac and I.
When I first started working for the company I grew to enjoy the challenge of working for Isaac. You’d think that when his employees found out I was the boss’s girlfriend, they would cut me some slack. They were different from people around me. They didn’t care and no one battered an eyelash about our relationship in and out of the office.
The time I'd spent in the office was fun while it lasted. I proved to myself that I'm capable of doing more than just running a stable. It felt good to have issues and not run to Isaac, every time I faced a problem.
I loved going to lunch with the other secretaries. They would invite me, and we would sit and gossip. Everyone wanted to know what it was like with Isaac.
“We can't believe that he's found happiness again after..”
No one wanted to say her name. It was as if there would be a cloud of darkness at the mention of her name.
“Dede. I know about her, and he's come a long way from it all. He's healed, and he's moving on from what happened in his past.”