A Winter Awakening (14 page)

"Sarina, I don't know what to say,” began Ellie, trying to find a tactful way to avoid the strange situation Sarina seemed to be working them into.

"No thanks necessary," replied Sarina. "It is the least I can do for you. You have been so amazing to me, and your happiness is important to me. I will do what I can to help you save your marriage." 

She stood up and grabbed her purse. 

Sarina continued, "I've got to run, but I'll see you next week!" 

Just as she was walking out the door, she called back to Ellie over her shoulder, "Call that attorney!"

What just happened? 
Inner goddess asked.

When Ellie got home, she fluctuated between thoughts of her strange conversation with Sarina, and thoughts of the business. It's funny that that woman can invoke such emotion. Distrust on one hand, and yet, she seems to be caring for Ellie.

Is she really looking out for my interest?
Ellie wondered.

When she couldn't stand to run the vacuum for another minute, she finally made the decision to call Nick. She was uncertain about how he would respond, but knew that it was necessary.

And remember,
said Miss Sensibility,
if you play your cards right, you can still have children and run the business.

With that thought, she picked up the phone before she would have a chance to change her mind.

"Mr. Bennett?" she asked, when he answered. She stood up straighter, thinking that this might make her sound more authoritative on the phone. She tried to push thoughts of their last confrontation out of her mind.

"Yes?" His voice was gruff.

"This is Ellie Sanderson."

"I know who you are."

How the hell does he know that?
Inner Goddess was clearly annoyed.

It's called caller ID,
retorted Miss Sensibility. Apparently sarcastic goddess was rubbing off on her.

Ellie tried to keep her call as professional as she could, despite the voices in her head, "I am calling because I would like to apologize for how we left things. I know we have unfinished business and I've got some ideas to discuss with you." She paused

Mr. Bennett said nothing. Ellie pushed the receiver closer to her ear, wondering if he was still there.

Can you hear him breathing,
asked Inner Goddess.

Ellie could.

"I wonder if it would be possible for you to come out to Logan and meet with me?" she pressed on.

He remained silent, other than the breathing, of course.

"To discuss my ideas?" Ellie added uncomfortably.

More silence.

Finally, she heard his voice, "I will come. I'll be there in two days."

Click.

Ellie hung up the phone and thought about Jacob. If she can get Mr. Bennett to agree to her plan, she can convince Jacob that she isn't giving up on having a family, and maybe the two of them can get back to normal.

The next two days passed in a blur. Ellie made several failed attempts to talk to Jacob. She wanted to fill him in on the inheritance, her idea to keep the business, and still work on having a family too. But Jacob was so distant. He wouldn't stay in the same room with her long enough for her to bring it up.

She focused on learning all she could about the business. On the day of Mr. Bennett's arrival, Ellie fussed over her appearance for an hour. Memories of Phoenix filled her mind, and she knew that yoga pants would not do.

If you are going to convince Mr. Bennett to trust you to keep this business, then you need to look the part,
reminded Miss Sensibility.

And, it wouldn't hurt to look sexy, chimed
in Inner Goddess.

Ellie turned to the portion of her closet containing the items she acquired in Phoenix. She closed in on a black halter top and beige wrap around skirt. The skirt brushed against her ankles, but had a slit that went up to the mid-thigh of her right leg.

This is perfect
, thought Ellie.

She slid into the ensemble and checked her reflection.

Accessorize, honey!
purred Inner Goddess.

Ellie nodded in agreement. She opened her jewelry drawer, and the first thing she noticed were the sexy items the fasionistas had given her in preparation for the burlesque show.

I wish that night could have turned out differently
, sighed Ellie.

She put those items back and continued to rummage through her collection. She located a silver choker and matching silver earrings.

Better,
said Inner Goddess when she saw the reflection this time.   

Crap! I can't be late.
She wrapped a leather belt around her waist, slipped into matching leather sandals, grabbed her hat and scarf, and headed for the airport.

An hour later, she spotted Mr. Bennett in baggage claim. 

Damn, girl. We forgot how attractive he is,
said
Inner Goddess. 

She could find the upside to any situation.
Husband hates you? You will be 27 and alone? No biggie, check out that piece of ass.

"Very funny," Ellie said under her breathe. 

The baggage claim area was bustling with activity. It took a few minutes for Ellie to weave her way through the crowd and reach Mr. Fine. By the time she reached him, there was a luggage cart next to him, piled with expensive looking leather luggage. 

"Mr. Bennett, your chariot awaits," Ellie said.

She performed a deep bow, and tried to keep a straight face. He turned to her, with that same twinkle in his eye, and held out his elbow to her. She didn't need it this time, as her sandals were flats, but it felt good to have a man pay attention to her, so she accepted his arm and they headed for the door.  Ellie looked over her shoulder and saw that a man followed them, pushing the luggage cart.

"Though, you will soon find that my chariot looks a little different than the limo in Phoenix," she added.

Ellie guided him across the terminal pick up area and into a parking lot. She had a hard time focusing on finding the correct row with him walking next to her, but eventually spotted her Subaru Outback. 

"You drive a wagon?" he asked.

Ellie was quick to correct him. "A Subaru is NOT a wagon.  No more wise cracks. Get in." 

As Ellie pulled onto the interstate, she tried to remember her self-imposed list of priorities and rules.

Number One: Prove your idea is valid.

Number Two: Don't let on that your marriage is on the rocks.

Number Three: Convince him that we shouldn't sell.

Number Four: Don't space out and start thinking about Jacob.

Number Five: Don't succumb to your desire to devour him.

Number Six: Convince him to stay on as CEO.

"Miss Sanderson?" His gravelly voice weakened her resolve. She glanced over at him.

"Miss Sanderson?" he said again.

"Yes?" she asked, as she tried to keep her eyes on the road.

"Am I that boring? Every time I speak, you tune me out," he chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Bennett," she said.

"Call me Nick, remember?"

With horror, Ellie realized she was quickly approaching the exit to Logan, and she hadn't inquired into where Mr. Bennett... errr... Nick would be staying.

"Okay, Nick," she gave him a little grin, "I, uh, where are you staying?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she panicked.

S
hould I have arranged for a place for him to stay? After all, he did that for me. 

"Shit."

Crap. I said that out loud,
she thought.

"Miss Sanderson, I most certainly won't be staying in shit.  Any local three star will do," he said.

Ellie chuckled at this. After all, Logan only has one three star. No fours, and no fives. 

Ellie gripped the steering wheel tighter as she tried to picture a vent in the top of her head. She needed an efficient way to let out the heat that was gathering in her face.

Ellie recited her list in her head for the rest of the way to the hotel. She was thankful that Nick allowed her to finish off the drive in silence.

As she pulled up to the front door, she wondered if it would be polite to walk in with him. 

Girl, you might get yourself in trouble if you do that.  Say goodbye to him right here,
advised Miss Sensibility.

"You are absolutely right," said Ellie.

"What?" asked Nick.

Shit,
she thought.

"I was just thinking to myself that we should get started first thing tomorrow. I'll pick you up here?" Ellie was doing her best, but failing miserably, at not looking like a fool.

Nick chuckled, "I'll be here." 

Ellie watched him grab his luggage out of her back seat and walk into the lobby.

The view is nice from any direction,
observed Inner Goddess.

The next day, Ellie was more focused. Her morning meditation put her problems with Jacob into perspective. 

Maybe he is stressing about something at work, and long term relationships ebb and flow. I just need to be patient and ride it out. He will come around,
she told herself.

Ellie found something suitable to wear, from her 'Phoenix attire', and drove to the hotel. They hadn't arranged a time to meet the night before, but Ellie hoped 10 AM wouldn't be too early. She didn't know how long their talks would take. Ellie parked and called his room from the lobby.

"Mr. Bennett? Good morning. Have you had breakfast? We could grab a brunch in the hotel restaurant," she said into the receiver.

Ellie listened to his reply, then hung up the phone.

She glanced around the lobby, wondering what to do. He said he would be twenty minutes, and invited her up. The dial tone put an abrupt end to the conversation, before there was a chance to reply. 

Girl, do not go up there. Remember your rules. Do not look at his behind, and do not go into his hotel room!
Miss Sensibility was always chiming in at the first sign of trouble.

"You are right," she sighed. 

She walked over to the front desk, and told the clerk to let Mr. Bennett know she was waiting in the restaurant. 

The room was nearly empty, this late in the morning, but a few straggling guests still dined. Ellie asked the hostess for a window seat, as far out of the way as possible.

There is no reason to sit where there might be prying eyes,
she thought.

Ellie ordered a coffee, and fidgeted with her clothing.

Remember your rules. Don't get tongue tied. Convince him you are competent. Don't look at his ass. Convince him to stay on as CEO. Don't show him that you are having trouble at home. 

Just as the waitress came over to her table to refill her coffee cup, Nick entered the room. He was wearing jeans with holes all up the front, and a t-shirt that hugged his pecks. 

Ellie froze. She couldn't stand. She couldn't speak. She couldn't drink. Clearly, the effect his presence had on her had grown, rather than diminished with the passing of a few weeks. 

Ellie fixed her gaze on the table before her, unable to acknowledge him or the waitress. There had never been such a gorgeous sight in the entire history of Logan. The waitress could clearly see this as true. 

As Nick sat down at the table, the waitress forgot to pay attention to the coffee she was refilling for Ellie, and she just kept on pouring. Ellie worked up the courage to look at Nick and was too preoccupied to notice what was happening. The coffee overflowed the rim of the cup. 

The waitress continued to pour. 

Ellie continued to look at Nick's eyes. He returned the gaze. The puddle on the table grew larger and started creeping toward the edge of the table nearest Ellie's lap. The waitress kept pouring and looking at Nick, of course. 

Ellie was paralyzed, once again.

Why does he have this effect on you?
she asked herself.

Nick, on the other hand, had glanced down at the table.  His expression changed to one of amusement, and he turned to the waitress. 

"I would like a cup as well," he said, hoping to draw her attention to her task at hand.

"Yes, of course, sir," she replied. But she didn't stop pouring. Ellie was glad to see that at least she was not the only female that behaved like an idiot in his presence.

Nick looked at the table again. By this time, Ellie was starting to clue in to the situation. She followed Nick's gaze to the table and looked down just on time to realize that the waitress had more than overfilled the cup and the hot coffee was just moments away from running onto her lap.

"Ma'am!" she said loudly, and stared to move her chair away, but it was too late. A stream of liquid dripped off the end of the table and onto her lap, steam rising from the table.  She jumped up, causing the chair to fall over behind her. This in turn, bumped a coat rack, which fell against the window and pulled the curtain and rod down from its place on the wall. The heavy iron curtain rod fell directly onto Ellie's head. Ellie blacked out as she tumbled to the ground.

When she awoke, the pain in her head overwhelmed her senses. She blinked and tried to register her surroundings.  Nothing. She blinked again. Still nothing.