“Awesome. I was a little unsure of the hook at first, but I think it’s growing on me.”
After I put my beer in the fridge, I walked over to the counter and surveyed the offerings, then popped a dumpling in my mouth.
“So,” I began. “I mentioned on the phone that I wanted to talk to you about something…”
Brendan turned off the stove and turned to me, giving me his undivided attention.
“Yeah, about Ireland.”
“Right,” I replied, then decided to just spit out what I wanted to say. “I’m going to leave this weekend for about two weeks. I’m looking for a cottage outside of Dublin, so that I can have a bit of privacy, but still have access to the city.”
“You should look up Bronagh’s da while you’re over there, he’s back for a visit and can tell you all the good local spots.”
“Thanks … The reason I’m bringing it up, is because I’m not going alone. I’m taking Natalie with me.”
“Nat? To Ireland? Oh, man, she’ll love it, and it’ll be good for her to get away, get a bit of a break. Even if it’s a working vacation.”
“I hope so, but I’m not only taking her there for work, I’m taking her there to show her who I am outside of Brandt Industries … as a man. I plan to tell her how I feel about her.”
Brendan’s grin faded. He didn’t look angry, only shocked.
“And, how do you feel about her?”
“I love her,” I stated simply.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” I turned my head to see Brady about to exit the kitchen.
“Hey, wait, Brady, I needed to talk to you as well,” I called, biting back a smile when Brady reluctantly stepped forward.
Brady was the quietest member of the group, not big on talking or sharing emotions.
“You love her?” Brendan asked, either oblivious to his brother’s discomfort, or used to it.
“I do, and I plan to tell her in Ireland, or at least show her and hope that she feels the same way,” I amended.
“Who are we talking about?” Brady managed.
“Natalie,” Brendan answered. “Carson is taking Nat to Ireland to tell her how he feels about her.”
That got Brady’s attention. He stood a little taller, and it was almost as if I could hear his cop brain going over all the details and coming to a conclusion.
He stepped forward and I braced, then he clapped me on the shoulder and said, “Good for you, man. Nat deserves you.” Then he grabbed the plate of barbecue nachos off the counter and added, “It’s poker time,” and walked back out.
“He’s right, you know,” Brendan said, pulling my attention back to him. “Nat does deserve you, and you know what, brother? You deserve her, too.”
Natalie
I can’t believe this is happening!” Rose exclaimed as she watched me pack from her perch on my bed, glass of wine in hand.
Rose and I had become fast friends when I started at Brandt Industries. Yes, she was my boss, but since I’d worked as a waitress after getting my degree, we were the same age. She was classy, cool, and one of the best parts of my new life.
“Neither can I,” I admitted, giving her my over-exaggerated shocked face. The one with my mouth wide open and my eyes as big as saucers.
“You’re going to Ireland,” she said, sticking up one finger.
“On a private plane.” I held up two.
“With Carson Brandt.” Three fingers.
“Alone, with Carson Brandt,” I clarified, holding up four.
“For two weeks.” Five fingers.
I threw the dress I’d been holding into my open suitcase and fell dramatically on the bed.
“How am I ever going to survive?” I moaned.
“Girl, if he’d allow it, I’d switch places with you in a heartbeat,” Rose said wistfully. “That man is the whole enchilada … and I’m hungry.”
I laughed and sat up.
“C’mon, you know it’s true. I don’t know if I’d be able to control myself on a private plane on a transatlantic flight. He’s just too yummy.”
“Puh-lease, Rose, he’s the CEO of our company. The fact of it, the brains behind it … face it, Carson Brandt is the most eligible bachelor in town,” I informed her, even though everything I said was common knowledge.
“So?” she asked, with an arch of her brow.
Ugh, I hated when she did that. It looked so cool when she did it, and when I tried I looked like a crazy person.
“So,” I replied, sulkily. “I’m a divorced, late twenty-something, who recently landed her first real job, and that’s only because we have mutual friends. Carson Brandt can have any woman he wants. Supermodels, beauty queens, mathematicians … you name it.”
Rose stood up and put her wineglass down, so I knew she was about to get sassy.
She turned and stuck out her hip, putting one hand on it and the other in the air pointing at me, then she narrowed her eyes.
“You are a smart, sweet, sexy-as-hell individual. You are kind to old people and kids, you’re like freaking … I don’t know, someone who’s nice to old people and kids…” She snapped her finger. “Mother Theresa.”
I scoffed at that. “I am not like Mother Theresa. You give me too much credit.”
“You’ve got this innocent adorableness about you, and you look like the chick from The Blacklist, for crying out loud. I bet when you were waitressing at Jake’s, wearing those tank tops and short shorts, guys were going home and jacking off to you every night.”
“Wow, nice image,” I said with a scowl. “And, they were not.”
Rose nodded and said, “Bet. You’re like the male fantasy. You’ve got that vulnerability and sweetness about you, wrapped up in a sexy-as-hell package. A lady on the streets and a freak in the sheets. Believe me, Carson Brandt has noticed.”
“What makes you think I’m a freak in the sheets?” I asked, my cheeks burning.
“You’ve got that look about you,” Rose said, pulling another sharp laugh out of me. “And if you’re not already, you have the potential to be. Especially for Carson Brandt.”
“It’s not like that,” I argued as I got back off the bed and grabbed my wine off my dresser. “I owe him a lot.”
“I bet he knows how you can repay him,” Rose said with a dirty grin as she waggled her eyebrows.
“You’re terrible,” I said with a laugh, then put my drink down and faced the suitcase. “What else do you think I should pack? I looked up the weather and it’s pretty cool, so jeans and hoodies? For when we aren’t working, of course … I also have a couple suits and that dress. Other than shoes, can you think of anything else I might need?”
Rose shrug, grabbed her glass, and sat back down.
“Lingerie?”
I picked up the dress and threw it at her.
“Hey, watch the wine,” she cried, holding the wine glass over her head to keep it safe.
“I’m being serious.”
“Ask Michael. He’s the one making the travel plans and the schedule. He should be able to give you some ideas of what you’ll need. Did he send you an itinerary?”
I shook my head.
“No, just said to be at the airport by seven in the morning and to pack for two weeks. Oh, and not to forget my passport. That’s about it.”
“Hmmm, curious. Whenever I’ve traveled for business, I received an itinerary along with my tickets. But, I guess you don’t need tickets since you’re doing the private plane thing, so maybe this is different. Or, maybe you are going as Brandt’s assistant, because Michael couldn’t go … No, that doesn’t make sense either. I don’t know. I’d say text Michael and see what he says.”
“Okay.” I pulled out my phone and looked up Michael’s number, then shot him a text.
A minute later, my phone buzzed.
Sorry, just finalized the itinerary and sent it over. It should be in your inbox. Safe Travels, M.
“He said he just sent it over,” I said as I pulled up my email.
Michael’s was at the top, so I opened it and read it quickly.
“What in the world?” I asked as I read it.
“What?” Rose asked, scooting off the bed and running over.
“It says that we’ll go to the site on Tuesday, have a formal dinner on Friday, and training days the next Wednesday and Thursday. There’s also a note that says to bring one formal dress or suit, a bathing suit, my Brandt Industries T-shirts for the training days, and clothes that I’ll be comfortable exploring Ireland in.”
“Exploring Ireland?” Rose asked, looking at me with a puzzled expression.
“That’s only like, three-and-a-half days of work. What will we be doing the rest of those two weeks in Ireland?” I asked, nerves and something else fluttering in my stomach.
“I know what I’d be doing,” Rose said, and I laughed as she began thrusting her hips and making an “O” face.
Carson
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been nervous, maybe never in my adult life, but, as I waited for Natalie to arrive, the unfamiliar feeling swept through me.
I didn’t like it.
“Mr. Brandt, we’ll be ready for takeoff in about fifteen minutes.”
I nodded in response, and when I looked out the window, there she was.
Natalie stepped out of the limo I’d sent for her, pulling her sweater tight around her, and looking around as the driver went to get her bags. She took in the jet and her mouth dropped. I chuckled as her hand came up to cover her mouth and she did a little running-in-place move, like she couldn’t contain her excitement.
She was fresh, cute, and almost too adorable.
I couldn’t wait to see her reaction every step of the way.
Ireland was known for luck, and I was hoping that by the time we left the beautiful countryside, I’d be the luckiest man in the world.
I watched her step gingerly toward the stairs leading up to the plane, then waited for her to appear. I looked down at the notebook in my hand, at my phone, then darted a glance up before tilting my head back down.
I didn’t want to appear like I was anxiously waiting for her arrival. Even though I absolutely was.
I felt her presence and looked up to see Natalie standing at the entrance to the cabin, her hands twisting nervously in front of her as she tried to smile casually.
She didn’t quite pull it off, but I appreciated the effort.
I stood, smiling myself, hoping to put her at ease as I said, “Good morning, Natalie, welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, and good morning,” she replied softly, looking around the cabin as if unsure of what she should do next.
“Please, have a seat,” I said, indicating the seat directly across from mine.
Natalie looked at it, then looked almost longingly at the seat in the back. I beat back a laugh, and although I wanted her to be comfortable on the flight, I didn’t want her already putting distance between us.
That wouldn’t work with my plans at all.
She sat down and said, “Thanks,” again, and I sat as well.
We sat there quietly, looking at our phones, while we tried to figure out what to talk about … how to start. At least, that’s what I was doing. Natalie could have simply been preoccupied with her phone.
The Captain came over the intercom and asked us to buckle our seatbelts and prepare for takeoff. Once we were air born, I decided enough was enough, and finally put down my phone.
“Have you ever been to Ireland?” I asked, thinking it was a good, safe, opening subject.
“No, but I’ve always wanted to travel,” Natalie replied, settling back in the chair and trying to look comfortable.
“To Ireland, or in general?” I asked, leaning back myself and nodding to the flight attendant, who was waiting for direction in the back of the cabin.
“Oh, in general. I’ve never really travelled anywhere.”
“Never been out of the US?” I asked.
“No.”
My mind reeled with possibilities. All of the places we could go, the things I could watch her discover.
“Well, I’m happy you get to do so now,” I said, rather than scaring her with future travel plans for us.
“Thank you,” Natalie began, “I am grateful. But…”
She hesitated.
Wanting her to know she could say anything to me, I urged, “But?”
“Well, I saw the itinerary, and there doesn’t seem to be very much scheduled. Is there other business you have to tend to that I won’t be accompanying you on, or some other reason why we are going for two weeks? Not that I’m questioning your decisions, or am unappreciative of being on this trip. I guess I’m just … confused.”
As Natalie watched me warily, I realized that my first order of business was to get her to see me as more than the CEO of Brandt Industries. I needed her to stop being wary around me. To view me as someone she could talk to … To see me as a man.
“Do I make you nervous, Natalie?” I asked calmly. Gently.
Her eyes widened a fraction and I could tell she wanted to deny it, but instead, she let out a breath and sighed, “Yes. I’m sorry, Mr. Brandt.”
“Carson, please,” I said, then leaned forward in my chair. “You know, sometimes, when I’m reading, I make a little humming sound in the back of my throat. I don’t even realize I’m doing it until someone points it out, which no one ever did until Michael. I also hate broccoli, enjoy playing poker, and love being outdoors when the sun goes down, although that rarely ever happens anymore.”
Natalie was now watching me like I’d grown another head, not exactly the response I was going for.
“What I’m trying to say is …. I’m just a man. I have faults and quirks, likes and dislikes, and things from my past that I’d like to stay in my past. Like that time, I was walking in the lunchroom in fifth grade and I slipped on someone’s spilled food in the cafeteria. I’m no different than you, your friends and coworkers, or a stranger on the street. So, you don’t have to be nervous around me. Please feel free to be honest, speak your mind, and ask me any questions you may have. Okay?”
Natalie blinked, then nodded.
“Okay, yes, Carson, I’ll try.”
The sound of my name on her lips had my pulse doing the tango.
“Now, to answer your question, no, I don’t have any other business planned other than what was on the itinerary. The reason we’re going for two weeks is because I think we could both use the vacation, and I’d like to use that time to get to know you, and for you to get to know me.”
“To get to know each other better?” If she was looking at me like I’d gone mad before, she now thought I was certifiable.
May as well go for broke…
“I’m taking you to Ireland to court you.”
Natalie
How’s that now?
I’d just wrapped my head around Carson Brandt wanting me to see him as a regular guy, when he follows it up with, “I’m taking you to Ireland to court you.”
What?
I was flabbergasted, speechless, unsure of what to do next. Luckily, the flight attendant took that moment to come over and ask if we needed any refreshments.
Taking the lifeline he offered, I said, “I’d like a ginger ale, and can you tell me where the restroom is, please?”
“Yes, Miss, it is straight back and to the right.”
“Thank you,” I replied, managing to glance at Carson and mumble, “Excuse me.”
And then I ran like the chicken I am.
Okay, I didn’t actually break into a sprint or anything, but I certainly hustled to the bathroom, not letting out a breath until I’d safely locked the door behind me.
I leaned over the tiny sink and looked in the tiny mirror.
Was I asleep? Nuts? Hearing things? Or had Carson Brandt just said he wanted to date me.
Me!
I was such a jumble of nerves that I wasn’t even sure how that made me feel. Maybe I could just stay in t
he bathroom until we landed, or go out and say I’m tired, then hide in the back of the plane and try to take a nap.
Or, I could go out there and pretend like nothing happened. Like he hadn’t said anything, or like I’m not interested.
But … Do I want him to take it back? Do I want him to not be interested?
I sat down on the toilet with the seat cover down and thought about it, really thought about it.
What did I know about Carson Brandt?
I know that he’s smart, successful, kind, loyal, and generous. I’ve heard from my friends that he had a rough upbringing and is a self-made man. I’ve seen him treat his employees with respect; he actually listens to our ideas and seems to value out input. I’ve read about his philanthropic efforts, and his dedication to the Boys and Girls Club. I’ve seen him attend events with beautiful women on his arm, but he’s never come across as a player.
How did I feel about Carson Brandt?
He’s always made me nervous, but not in the way Zeke had. He was powerful, for sure, but didn’t use it to intimidate others the way Zeke did to me. It was more that I was nervous because he was so handsome, and good, and kind. I didn’t know a lot of men like that…
Sure, Brady, and his brothers Brendan and Brock, were men like that, but I’d always seen them like big brothers, so it wasn’t the same.
I didn’t feel sisterly toward Carson. At all. In fact, now that I thought about it, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Carson Brandt planned a trip to Ireland, a vacation away from outside distractions, so that he could get to know me. That was the craziest, and most romantic, thing I’d ever heard. Could I do it? Throw caution to the wind, forget about my past, and enjoy the next two weeks in Ireland with Carson?
I had no illusions about what he meant. Sure, he used fancy words like court, but I knew the score and would go into this with my eyes open.
After all, I’d been married before, and although the only man I’d ever been with was Zeke, I was a grown woman who deserved to have a little fun. Maybe two weeks in Ireland with Carson, allowing him to sweep me off my feet, was exactly what I needed to get out of my man funk and finally move on from the horrors of my marriage.
For Eternity: A Time for Love Series Novella Page 2