Page 6 of Degrees of Power
“I love that she’ll be part of the wedding, Honey,” I say.
“Wouldn’t dream of having it any other way, Baby.”
I walk around the table and put my arms around his neck. “Call whoever texted you. I know you’re dying to get this resolved. In the meantime, I need to get a little work done and will be in the library.”
“Don’t be too long,” he says, trying to hide his grin before giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“You seem to like this agreement quite a bit.”
“Katarina, you have no idea how much it excites me,” he says.
“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but my ass will be safe tonight as I only plan on spending a few hours working today. I understand a celebratory meal is on the menu for supper,” I say, giving him a smile and quick kiss on the lips.
“Pity, perhaps another time, Baby,” he says, smiling as I head towards the library. The room has two floor-to-ceiling windows and a stone fireplace in between. The view overlooks the property, which is surrounded by a wall of towering blue spruce pines adorned with a fresh winter’s coating of snow. The only thing missing is a warm fire and I text Chase.
Message: Where can I get wood for the fireplace in the library?
Reply: Will send someone.
Message: I can start a fire. You know I was a Girl Scout.
Reply: I have no doubt your skills are impeccable. I will send you some hard wood.
Message: You talk so dirty!
Reply: Remember who started this.
I look up and expect to see Chase, but instead a tall man with greying hair pushing a
cart of oak wood enters the room. “Ma’am, Mr. Prestian asked me to start a fire and leave you with plenty of logs,” he says, setting about his task.
“Thank you. I apologize, but I don’t recall meeting you before. I’m Kate,” I say.
“Pleasure to meet you miss. My name is Glen,” he says, extending a tanned arm to shake my hand.
“How long have you worked for Chase? I haven’t seen you around, been somewhere warm lately?” I say, referencing his tan as he loads the wood from the cart into the fireplace.
He gives me a broad smile. “Oh, yeah, I was down in the Keys with my boy, doing some fishing.”
“Well it’s very nice to meet you. I really appreciate you starting the fire, it’s been some time since I’ve built one myself,” I admit.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be roaring in no time. If you like the library, I’ll be sure to keep the fireplace going,” he says.
“That would be lovely. It’s my favorite room in the entire house,” I say, before leaving him to his task and texting Chase.
Message: And here I thought you would deliver the hard wood personally!
Reply:Careful, Baby. I do know where to find you.
I smile, opening my keyboard and curling into the large cushy chair to enjoy the warmth of the logs as they begin to smolder. It is late afternoon when my cell alerts me to a message. I glance at the clock and realize I’ve been working for a few hours already. I look down expecting a text from Chase, but it’s from Jenny.
Message:See the expansion news?
Reply:It’s happening so fast! Southwest & Cali? OMG!
Message:Incredible! Have time to work on this with me the next couple of days?
Reply:Absolutely! I’ll send through a couple meeting invites.
