Page 22 of On the Fly
Ander didn’t know if he believed that. But his dad was gone. He needed to move forward on to solid ground, and with the sheer volume of debt it appeared they had amassed, he couldn’t see how to get there just yet.
“We’ve got a family meeting on Sunday. Give me some time to come up with a game plan. Until then, you’re all on board to continue in your present capacities, correct?” The least he could do was keep things running as they were until they decided on a direction overall.
“Of course.” John took the reins again. “The only reason I pestered you into a meeting today was so that you had all the info you needed to make those plans. I didn’t want you worried about how to transition us out or banking on the idea that you had us here indefinitely. Neither of those is worth worrying over.” John shoved back in his seat, placed his hands flat on the table, and pushed to standing. “So, we’re good here?”
Ander nodded and rose, and all the other executives did the same.
“Great. I’ve got lunch plans and an afternoon tee time to meet. Give your mother my regards and we’ll talk again next week, unless you have questions about anything in the meantime. If so, then call.” John didn’t wait for an answer, just lifted a hand in goodbye and walked out the door.
The other executives clapped Ander on the back or hugged him on their way out. Ander slumped back down in his seat in the now empty room. Well, that certainly ranked as the strangest executive board meeting he’d had in his life, and he’d had more than a few.
~~~
“What do you mean he’s not coming?” Like normal, Patty just wouldn’t let it go. She’d been pestering Emma all day about Ander’s whereabouts. Emma had no idea what to say or if Ander even planned a reappearance this weekend. They hadn’t exchanged cell phone numbers or discussed any scheduling particulars. It was just as likely he’d had his bit of fun and moved on. It’d been easier to avoid questions during the lunch with the whole family, but once the ladies had branched off to work on the wedding details and the guys had headed off on their own pre-scheduled adventure, Patty had become more direct and insistent. And that was saying something, considering her previously non-existent subtle nature.
Emma took a deep breath, but before she could come up with some other way of explaining—again—Ander’s work responsibilities, Julia thankfully piped up for her.
“Mom, leave Em alone. She’s here on a business trip as much as for my wedding. You know how hard she works. She’s taking time off to be here with us. Her guy’s busy. He runs the airline. Right, Em?”
She nodded mutely, having no real understanding of what Ander’s daily role would be, but it seemed easy enough to agree. Julia nodded as she continued her attempt at a rescue.
“I’m sure you’ll get to pump him for information this weekend sometime, Mom.” Julia winked at Emma, not even understanding how completely she had saved Emma’s butt by answering the way she had. Even though her stepmother had a pinched glare, staring at her daughter, they luckily all went back to stuffing the requisite five Jordan almonds into each little square of peach tulle and tying them off with matching peach ribbon. It was just the three of them working together at that point. The rest of the ladies of the group had dispersed to wander the grounds and relax, while Emma had been recruited by Patty and Julia to help out with the favors.
Patty wasn’t one to give an inch as she peered over the rim of her glasses from across the table. “The least Emma could do is tell us more about him.”
“But I like being mysterious. If I tell you all the good stuff now, whatever will we talk about later.” Emma tried not to smile as Julia swatted her leg under the table and groaned.
Patty clucked her tongue and smacked her tiny almond pouch onto the table with a clack. “Ooh, that mouth on you. You’ll never keep a man with all that sass.” She shook her head before she excused herself from the table in that same irritable huff.
“So what’s on the agenda after the wedding favors are complete?” Emma watched Patty leave the room, not in the least sorry she’d driven her away. Julia’s bright smile and wink to Emma made her chuckle as she shifted on her chair to face Julia more directly.
“You know how I love all things baking. Well, when I was chatting with the owner here before booking, she said she’d set up something with a town bakery. We’re all heading over there in a bit to learn how to make desserts.” Julia practically bounced in her chair at the idea. “The whole thing is hands-on. Oh, it’s going to be so much fun I can barely stand it. Best wedding weekend ever.”
Emma smiled because Julia’s enthusiasm had always been infectious, but the thought of being wrist deep in flour didn’t really scream I’m-getting-married or even a fun afternoon for that matter. Then again, if anyone could make it fun, it’d be Julia.
“You know, Mom isn’t the only one interested in this new man you’re seeing. What’s up with that? You didn’t mention him before.” Julia pouted, but she couldn’t hold the face and winked at her. When Emma’s face heated, Julia’s eyes widened and she leaned toward her. “What’s up, sis? I’ve never seen you flustered. I smell a story.”
“Well…Ander…” Fiddlesticks, she sucked at lying. Julia could be trusted. She’d just have to be quiet so Patty didn’t overhear if she came back while they were talking. Emma set down the tulle pouch she’d been working on and turned sideways in her chair. “Okay, you can’t tell anyone this,especiallyyour mom.” When she got Julia’s nod, she continued, “Ander made it up. I’m not even sure why. He said he was trying to help me out. I met him on the plane ride out here, and I didn’t even know who he was at the time. He was a jerk on the plane, a jerk at the office, and again at the hotel. It’s his natural resting state, I think. But then he steps in to act as my date.” Emma raised her hands in exasperation. “I didn’t ask for that. Now, I’m forced to field questions that I don’t have answers for. I can’t even get in contact with him, which is fine. I hope he stays away all weekend.” She sat back in her seat with a huff.
Julia’s wide eyes would have made Emma laugh, but the craziness of the situation eliminated any humor she could have. But then her stepsister practically squealed her response. “Oh. My. God. Seriously? I had no idea. He was so affectionate.”
“Shhh.” Emma flapped her hands at Julia to calm down.
Julia leaned forward. “Fine. Fine. But he’s definitely interested in you.”
“No, he’s not. That’s crazy.” Her darn cheeks flushed with renewed heat at the thought of Ander being interested in her for anything other than work. “He was just trying to make up for being such a jerk this week.”
“Uh huh. First off, I doubt guys as powerful as Ander Jorgensen attempt to make up to anyone for anything…ever. Second, no one can fake the sparkle that he had in his eye for you. You believe whatever you like, but I’m going to withhold judgment until I see him at the reception.”
“You’ve got it all wrong.” Emma hoped she had it all wrong. Sure, he was attractive. Okay, more than attractive. And when he was being considerate, his sexy factor shot through the roof. It had been all she could do not to grab and kiss him the other night in the closet, but he was her boss. She had to remember that. Being a woman in business was hard enough. Social media being treated as a playground rather than a science certainly didn’t help the older gentlemen take her seriously. She didn’t need to add in there anyone assuming she’d slept her way to the top. The potential for ruining her new career was too much to contemplate. No, she had to steer clear and her best option was for Ander to blow off the weekend which it sure seemed his plan to do. He didn’t know the schedule, anyway, and hopefully, he’d just stay hard at work and miss the entire thing.
Besides, she had to remember above all other things, Ander had been a jerk for ninety percent of the time she’d known him. How had that even slipped her mind for a second? Thankfully, Julia let it drop after a telling “uh huh” and giving an exaggerated wink.
They chatted about wedding details and the tour of the town the next day, and before Emma realized it, they’d finished their almond wrapping responsibilities. Mrs. Jorgensen came in to let them know the shuttle waited out front for them whenever they were ready to head to the bakery. Emma ran up to her room to wash up and gather her handbag. She bounded down the hallway toward the front door until her steps faltered when she caught sight of a stern-looking Patty waiting for her.
“You may think I’ve let this go, but you, young lady, are on my radar. A man like Ander Jorgensen won’t hook himself.” Patty patted her arm.
“Uh oh, glad it’s you and not me this time.” Julia giggled as she walked up beside her. “Then again…I am getting married.”
