Page 3 of Never Finished

They both laughed. “Oh no, it could never be as good as Mabel's,” Caroline deadpanned.

“Or is it never as good as the hot cook, making you a burger on the spot? Are you going to look up Jaime while you're there?” Abby asked, only half teasing.

“Please,” I laughed with a wave of my hand. “He probably doesn’t even remember me.”

“Excuse me?” Caroline challenged, raising an eyebrow, “I saw pictures of you in high school, and if that boy doesn’t remember the smoking hot redhead with curves for days, he’s an idiot not to be messed with, anyway.”

I smiled. “You two are too much sometimes.”

“But the best kind,” Abby sang.

I was still laughing when we were interrupted by an incoming call from “Dad.”

“Uh oh, what’s that face?” Caroline asked, worried.

I sucked in a breath. “Nothing, it’s just my Dad. You know how he is if I make him wait.”

My friends rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

“Yep, you better answer that, or the old Sarge will have a fit,” Caroline said, using the nickname many people used for my father. He had long been called Sarge, even though he’d never served in the military—just a drill sergeant’s attitude.

“I hate to cut this short …”

Abby put up her hands. "Say no more, but feel free to call us back when you're done with your dad if you need to talk."

I nodded. "Just a few more hours," I said, pasting a bright smile on my face and saying my goodbyes before answering the call.

"Hey Dad, what's up?" I answered with fake cheer as I eyed my now cold burger in front of me.

"I heard you did a fine job with the Airoldi account this evening and I wanted to call to congratulate my girl," he said, and even though he was patting me on the back, metaphorically speaking, I could sense there was more.

"Yeah, it was a cinch, just like I said it would be."

"Atta girl," he encouraged, "in fact they were so impressed with you, it makes me more comfortable giving you this next assignment."

I laughed, "I just finished your last assignment an hour ago, Dad."

"No rest for the wicked," he said, which always put me on edge.

"Right, of course," I conceded.

"This one's going to keep you in Colorado for a little longer, which is why I wanted to get a hold of you tonight before you got on that plane in the morning."

"What? What on earth could keep me in Colorado?"

" I thought you’d like this assignment because it'll take you back to the flagship resort."

My heart sank even as it began thudding harder in my chest. The flagship resort—that’s how my father always referred to it—not my childhood home or Pine Crest. Once again, it was all business for him.

I waited with bated breath as he explained. "I have been working on a merger for some time that has some complex details to it. It's been a real bear to deal with. But I think I'm closing in on an agreement that will make everybody happy—and very rich."

I huffed out a laugh. "Please Dad, we're already very rich," I mumbled, not wanting anyone to overhear that bit of business.

"Can you ever be too rich?" he chuckled.

Apparently not.

"Mr. Travers is sending his son, Andrew Jr., to the flagship resort for a few days, and I'm hoping you'll be able to schmooze him a bit and work over the finer points of the details. I'll send you what I have so far. I want you to be your best for this, Emma."

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