by P J Gordon
Richard swallowed the bite of food he’d just taken and grinned. “I’m sure it’s a very good thing,” he assured her. He took a drink of water and then asked, “Does your sister live around here then?”
“Yes, they live less than a mile from me.”
“That’s nice. Family is important. Do you have any other brothers or sisters?”
“No, just Emily. David’s the closest thing I ever had to a brother,” Manda answered, and then, in a menacing undertone, added, “though I may disown him after tonight.”
Richard cast a puzzled look in her direction, but didn’t ask what she meant. “What about your parents?” he asked instead. “Do they live nearby, too?”
“No,” Manda answered quietly, “my parents died when I was seventeen.”
Richard was immediately sympathetic. “I’m sorry, Manda. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s okay. You and Josh, of all people, would understand. My parents were killed in a car wreck, just like yours.”
“I’m so sorry,” Richard said softly.
“It was a long time ago.” Manda toyed with the water bottle in her hands. She changed the subject to something lighter, less personal. “So, where’s your next concert?”
“This is the last one for this tour. We always finish up in Denver. I’m not sure how or why, but it’s become sort of a tradition.” Richard twirled a carrot stick between his fingers. “Now we can relax for a while. Work on our new songs. And of course, be at your beck and call for our little project.”
Manda grinned wickedly. “Wow. I’ve never had a pair of rock stars at my beck and call before.”
“Well, it’s a big responsibility. Try not to let it go to your head,” Richard admonished with mock severity.
“I promise to only use my power for good,” Manda replied solemnly, “except on the weekends, when my evil side sometimes gets the better of me.”
Richard’s unrestrained laughter was contagious, and Manda couldn’t keep a straight face anymore. When Jonathan walked in, Katie’s leather jacket in hand, he found the two of them laughing exuberantly.
“Excuse me,” he said when their laughter died down. “I have the jacket that was left behind.”
Richard stood immediately and crossed the room the take it from him. “Thank you, Jonathan,” he said, shaking the man’s hand. “I really appreciate it. And thank you for taking good care of my friends tonight. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
“It’s always a pleasure, Richard. Is there anything else I can do for you?.”
Richard looked questioningly at Manda and she shook her head. “I think we should be able to fend for ourselves now. Are you taking off soon?”
“I’ll be leaving in about half an hour,” Jonathan replied.
“We’re having our wrap party tonight at the Ritz-Carlton. Why don’t you come by when you get off?” Richard invited. “Bring your wife if you’d like. It’ll be a lot of fun. Josh and I will be there later.”
Jonathan beamed in happy surprise. “Thanks! I think I will. She would love that!”
“Good!” Richard said, genuinely pleased. “Be sure and introduce me to her.”
“I will. I’ll see you later, then.” He smiled at Manda. “I enjoyed meeting you, Miss Jensen.”
“It was very nice to meet you. Thank you again for everything,” Manda said.
When Jonathan had gone, Manda looked up at Richard apologetically. “We’re keeping you from your party.”
“Not at all,” Richard denied, shaking his head. “It won’t really get started for a while yet. Everybody’s still getting things wrapped up here. Besides, we were hoping you would come. Why don’t we go track down the others? I can show you around while we look for them.”
Richard guided Manda through the confusing bustle in the service corridors with a hand on her arm. He pointed out various things, offering explanations and introductions several times, but Manda was distracted by the feel of his hand, the sound of his voice, and his heart-stopping smile. She smiled back and made the appropriate comments, but couldn’t have made heads or tails of what he’d shown her afterward. Seeing that she wasn’t really interested, he soon skipped the explanations completely and they chatted companionably as they searched for the others. By the time they caught up with Josh, Richard had quizzed Manda on her childhood, growing up in Colorado, and knew the names of every pet she’d ever had.
Josh had taken the others to the stage in the center of the arena floor. He and David were sitting on the edge with their feet dangling over the side while Stacey and Katie were standing in the center, gazing around the arena and talking animatedly.
Crews were removing the seats from the arena floor as Richard led Manda past them toward the stage. Already the platform was empty, with all of the instruments and equipment dismantled and carried away. Richard led Manda around the stage to where David and Josh sat. Katie and Stacey saw them coming and were waiting there as well, with Stacey sitting cross-legged beside David and Katie dangling her feet over the edge beside Josh.
A crew of men began to dismantle the stage, carrying it away in pieces. They started on the side farthest from Manda’s small group but were quickly closing in.
“I was beginning to wonder where you two were,” Josh remarked.
“I gave Manda the grand tour,” Richard said with a shrug. “I hope you had fun without us.”
“I was just telling Josh that it’s getting late and we don’t want to hold you guys up all night. Thanks for the tour though,” David said, hopping down off of the edge of the stage.
“You’re not holding us up at all,” Josh said, dropping down beside him and turning to help Katie. “We just have a party to go to now, but you guys are more than welcome to come along.”
“Nothing too rowdy,” Richard assured them, handing Katie her jacket. “It’s at the Ritz-Carlton. Food, drink, music. It usually turns into a jam session. We reserve a block of rooms for the night so that anyone who’s had too much to drink doesn’t have to drive. It’s not really that kind of party though. Josh and I don’t drink at all and everyone who works with us knows not to push it. The food and the music will be good.”
“We can go, can’t we?” Stacey pleaded, clutching David’s shoulders. David held her waist as she slid off the edge of the stage and immediately bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet.
“I don’t see why not. Sounds like fun. How about you guys, Manda?”
Katie waited for Manda’s answer so hopefully that Manda winced.
“No. We’d better go home. Emily would kill me,” she said regretfully.
“But I’m spending the night at your house. She’d never even know,” Katie argued.
“Katherine Holly Derosier! I am not going to lie or try to hide things from your mother, and neither are you!” Manda scolded.
Katie’s eyes brimmed with tears and she busied herself with putting on her jacket while wiping at her eyes surreptitiously.
“So much for my place in the hall of fame,” Manda said softly to Richard, regretting her sharp words.
“No, you’re right. She really is too young. I’m sorry,” Richard said apologetically.
“It’s okay, Katie,” Josh said, trying to cheer her up. “We’ll all go do something another time. I promise.”
“Would that be okay?” Richard asked Manda. “Don’t let him commit you to anything you don’t want to do.”
“No, that would be nice.” Manda said gratefully.
“Thanks, Aunt Manda!” Katie said, hugging her tightly, her tears forgotten. “And you’re right,” she admitted. “Mom would’ve had a fit.”
“Well, we don’t have to go right now. We can stay here for a while,” Richard offered.
“No, it really is late. We’d better go,” Manda declined reluctantly.
“Your driver’s waiting for you, isn’t he?” Richard asked.
“Yes. He left me his number to call when we’re ready to go.�
� Manda dug in her purse and pulled out the card.
“May I?” Richard said, holding out his hand. Manda handed him the card and he stepped away, pulling his phone from his pocket and dialing the number.
“You guys have a car tonight too, right?” Josh asked David and Stacey.
“Yeah,” David replied. “I should call him, too.”
“Call him and send him home. The four of us can ride over together in our car.”
“Sounds good,” David said and extracted his phone and a business card from his pocket and walked a short distance away with Stacey to make the call.
“I’m sorry you guys can’t come tonight, Manda,” Josh lamented. “It’s been fun. We’ll see you on Tuesday though, right?”
“Definitely,” Manda agreed with a smile.
“Shall we plan on lunch on Tuesday, too?” Richard asked, handing Manda back the driver’s card and slipping his phone back into his pocket. “That is if you and David are free? Or just you, if David’s busy.”
“That works for me,” Manda accepted, unable to suppress a thrill of pleasure.
“Excellent idea, big brother,” Josh remarked, clapping a hand to Richard’s shoulder.
“I thought so,” Richard agreed smugly. Manda laughed and Richard winked at her. “Your driver should be waiting by the time we get there. I told him to come around to the back and meet us. Our car should be there too, so we can all walk out together.”
“Thank you,” Manda said, touched by Richard’s thoughtfulness. She wasn’t used to being taken care of but Richard had managed to do just that all evening, even while performing in front of thousands of people.
Richard’s eyes locked with hers. “As always, it is my very great pleasure, Amanda Jensen.” Completely disconcerted, Manda blinked and looked away self-consciously.
Richard and Josh led the group back through the wide passages and narrow corridors of the building, exiting into an underground loading dock. The silver Mercedes that Manda and Katie had arrived in waited next to a matching black one.
“Your chariot awaits,” Richard said, opening the back door of the silver car. “Thanks for coming tonight, Manda.” He smiled at her warmly and Manda’s pulse quickened. He turned to Katie then. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Katie. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” Katie said, suddenly shy, and climbed into the car. She leaned back out the door at the last moment, however, and waved at Josh. “Bye, Josh! See ya!” she called, and then ducked quickly back into the dark interior of the limousine.
“Well, thanks again for everything. I guess I’ll see you guys on Tuesday,” Manda said as she slid into the plush leather seat beside Katie.
“If not before,” Josh said with a wave.
“Sweet dreams, ladies,” Richard said, and closed the door behind Manda.
Chapter 6
Manda did have sweet dreams that night. In her dreams, Richard sang love songs to her. In her dreams, he was Prince Charming, come to sweep her off of her feet. And in her dreams, he held her in his arms and kissed her.
Manda woke with her pulse racing and groaned in dismay. She had to get a grip. She was letting her very active imagination lead her straight for trouble. She liked Richard a great deal—more than she should—but she couldn’t allow her little crush to cloud her good judgment. She had to work with the two brothers after all. She couldn’t read more into Richard’s natural kindness and generosity than was really there. She would just disappoint and humiliate herself—and embarrass him—if she deluded herself into believing that he had any romantic interest in her. Grow up! she scolded herself. You can’t go falling in love with the charming rock star just because he’s nice to you. Don’t be that girl.
Manda got out of bed, giving up on sleep and the possibility of even more inappropriate dreams about her newest client. After letting Katie sleep late, she took her out for brunch and then drove her niece home. Restless, Manda decided to expend her excess energy on a bike ride. The day was sunny and warm and she took her time, enjoying the waning summer while she had the chance. She followed the bike path near her house for miles as it traced the nearby creek and meandered through towering cottonwood trees. By the time she got home she felt much more relaxed and prepared to deal with Richard Raines on a purely professional level.
Manda worked in her yard for the rest of the afternoon and by dinnertime she was exhausted. She curled up in bed with a book after a light dinner and was asleep before she finished the first page. She dreamed of Richard again.
Manda woke early again on Monday. It was still dark out when she abandoned all thought of going back to sleep and got up. She was too wide awake to even entertain the thought of staying in bed. She showered and dressed in jeans and a turquoise blouse, then made her bed and tidied up a little, trying to fill the time. All too soon, however, she was standing in her living room with nothing left to do but have breakfast and go to work. I could have breakfast downtown again, she thought. Maybe I’ll run into Richard. Hearing her own thoughts, she frowned. She was doing it again. But I eat in the plaza all the time. Why should I stop just because I might see Richard? I have to work with the man. I can’t very well start trying to avoid him.
Having successfully rationalized her decision, Manda collected her things and caught the train. She arrived downtown much earlier than she had on Friday and soothed her guilty conscience by supposing that she could have her breakfast and head upstairs before Richard was even out of bed. Her half-formed plan was short lived. She’d just stepped off of the train when she heard a voice calling her name. Half hoping and half dreading that she would see Richard, she turned around and was surprised to see Josh running toward her instead. He was wearing track pants, a t-shirt, and running shoes, and his shoulder-length, light brown hair was damp with sweat.
“Hey, Manda!” he greeted her exuberantly. “You’re out and about early today.”
Manda laughed. “So are you. Richard said you weren’t a morning person.”
“Well, since I missed all the fun on Friday morning, I decided I’d start. Have you had breakfast yet? I’m starving.” Josh took Manda’s computer bag from her and slung it over his shoulder as they crossed the street toward the tree-filled plaza where she’d encountered Richard the Friday before.
“No, I was planning on picking something up down here,” Manda admitted.
“Have breakfast with us,” Josh suggested eagerly. “That is if you can wait fifteen minutes while I get cleaned up.”
“Well, I don’t...” Manda began, but Josh quickly cut her off.
“Please, Manda? You’re much prettier than Richard and Mikey. I could use some fresh company.” His blue eyes, a few shades darker than Richard’s, were pleading.
It occurred to Manda that Josh and Richard might not know many people in Denver, and their celebrity could make it difficult for them to move about freely, keeping them somewhat trapped in their hotel.
“I’d love to have breakfast with you,” Manda decided.
“Good!” Josh said, leading her toward the hotel entrance. “Come on upstairs while I shower. Mikey and Richard are waiting for me.”
“But,” Manda protested, lagging behind, “I can wait here. Who’s Mikey?”
“Mikey’s our manager,” Josh informed her. “I’ll introduce you. It’s okay, Manda. It’s a suite, so it’s not like you’ll be in my bedroom or anything. There’s no need for you to wait down here by yourself.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward eagerly.
Manda let herself be pulled along. Josh’s boyish enthusiasm was endearing. Katie was completely infatuated with him after Saturday’s concert. She’d talked about him incessantly on Sunday.
“Katie had a great time on Saturday night,” she offered, as Josh led her onto an elevator. “She has a huge crush on you, you know. And if you tell her I said that I’ll have to hurt you.”
Josh laughed. “She’s a great kid. Too bad she’s not a few years older. She’s
going to be a real heartbreaker, just like her aunt.”
“You are too kind, Mr. Raines,” Manda said lightly. He still held her hand and she pulled it away, using the excuse of adjusting her purse strap. “Did you guys have a good time at the party?” she asked, deliberately changing the subject.
“Yeah. It’s always fun. We didn’t stay for the whole thing but we had a lot of fun with David and Stacey, at least until David had a little too much to drink and Stacey made him leave,” Josh informed her with a grin, but then he rushed to reassure her she frowned. “Richard called a car for them, so he didn’t drive. We left right after that. I wish you could have come.”
The elevator doors opened and Josh retrieved Manda’s hand and led her to the end of the corridor. He opened the door there with his keycard and poked his head in through a narrow gap.
“Is everyone decent? I brought company,” he called loudly. Without waiting for a response he pushed the door open the rest of the way and led Manda in.
The room was large, with windows that faced the northwest. A dining table and chairs occupied one end of the room, a desk sat against a wall, and the center of the room was arranged as a seating area, with a sofa, coffee table, and several armchairs. A man that Manda didn’t know was seated at the dining table, drinking from a coffee cup. He stood when Josh led Manda into the room.
“Manda, this is Michael Eberhardt, our manager,” Josh introduced, dropping Manda’s computer bag onto one end of the sofa. “Mikey, this is Amanda Jensen. She’s the creative director who’s handling the work for the foundation.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Manda. You can call me Mikey. Everyone does.” Mikey was an average looking man, of medium build, probably around forty years old. He wore simple khaki pants and a polo shirt. Manda shook the hand he offered.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” Manda responded with a shy smile.
“This is a pleasant surprise on a Monday morning,” a familiar voice said behind Manda. She turned and found herself staring up into Richard’s laughing eyes. “Good morning, Manda.”