Page 3 of The Flame of Carson
“Speaking of Gage.don't tell him.I want it to be a surprise.Besides, it will be at least a month or so before I get out there.”Stacey smiled, thinking of Gage.
“You got it.In fact, I won't even tell Ethan, because I know that man will slip.I'll call Tina.She runs one of the best real estate offices in the city.She'll find you something great.Just shoot me an email about what you're looking for and I'll pass it on to her.”
“Thanks Krista.After talking to you I feel...excited.I haven't felt like this since we did your first author event all those years ago.”
“Hey, that's what I do.I cheer up my friends.Well, I have to run.I'm meeting mom and dad for dinner since Ethan's out of town tonight.Shoot me that email and I'll hook you up.”
“Will do.Tell your folks hi for me.Love you hon.”Stacey said, before hanging up.
Feeling suddenly energized, she quickly opened her email and fired off what she was looking for in a house.Maybe this move was just what she needed.After Jerry's death she had felt off her game.They had been best friends since they were in diapers, and he had always been a sounding board when she felt her life was too hectic.
When he had followed Krista to Austin, he had told her repeatedly that the city was amazing.Stacey had visited Austin many times over the years since Krista signed with the publishing house and she too had felt a connection with the East Texas city.Now it would be her home.Finishing her email to Krista, Stacey shut down the Mac, and rose to her feet.Her arms reached up over her head as she stretched out the last of the worries of the day.Tonight, she was going to curl up on the couch and veg out on the two weeks’ worth ofForged in Fireon her DVR then call it a night.Or that had been the plan till her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hello yourself babe.”
Stacey smiled, “Hey there big boy.How has your day been?”
“Better now.Just got home about two hours ago.”Gage replied.
“Long day for you then.”
“A little, had some interviews today for an opening on Delta team.Course, now it seems that the whole team is shaping up to be mostly Army guys.”Gage replied, a teasing note in his voice.
“Hey, don’t knock the Army buddy.My dad and grandpa were in the Army thank you very much.”Stacey shot back.
Gage laughed,“I know, I know.Hell, my mom’s dad was in the Army and so were a few of my uncles.You know it’s all in good fun.We tease them, they tease us, but at the end of the day we all wore the same uniform as defenders of our country.”
That was one of the many things that Stacey loved about Gage.His patriotism and love of his country.Like Gage Carson, Stacey’s family was very patriotic and staunch supporters of the U.S.military.Her parents had even started a charity in New York for not only wounded veterans, current and past, but the charity also offered support for the families in various ways.The charity worked together with the different branches and was extraordinarily successful.Just last year they included First Responders since a lot of veterans joined the police, fire, and E.M.S.
“Hey, I just remembered.my mom asked me to mention to you.”
“What’s that babe?”
“You know she and dad started that military/first responders’ charity a few years ago.Anyway, this year they brought up the idea of next spring or summer hosting a bike rally.Since a lot of you guys at Blackout are motorcycle riders and veterans, she was wondering if you or any of the guys might have some ideas.I know she and dad are wanting to hold it in New York or just outside of it, but she asked me to throw it out there to you.”Stacey explained.
Gage hummed thoughtfully,“Well, I’ll run it by the guys at Blackout tomorrow.I think that’s a cool idea and I’m sure some of the guys on our teams will have ideas.E-mail me your mom’s number and information.After I talk to the teams, I’ll call her if I get anything.”
“Thanks Gage.That would mean so much to her and dad.”Stacey smiled.“So, other than interviewing for Delta team, how are things going at Blackout these days?”
For the next hour she and Gage talked.He told her about the changes that Ethan had been thinking of implementing at Blackout, how Danny was adjusting to the Alpha team and about a book festival that Krista had drug him and Ethan to a few weeks ago.Stacey laughed at that, since she knew Krista had been one of the authors attending the event.While Gage tried to hide it, the man enjoyed reading when he had the time.While he wasn’t a romance fan, he enjoyed suspense, action, and horror books.Stacey would often shoot him recommendations when she came across one or heard of one.
“I take it, you and Ethan ended up having fun at the festival after all?”she asked knowingly.
“Yeah, we did surprisingly.I even bought a few books, just haven’t started them yet.”He answered.
“Good.”Stacey said, then glanced at the clock.“As much as I hate to do this, I must go.I have an early appointment in the morning in Jersey.”
“Yeah, I should turn in myself.Just shoot me your mom’s number so that I can start getting ideas for her and if you talk to her and your dad before I do, tell them hi for me babe.”Gage replied.
“Will do.Good night, Gage.”
“Night Stace.Sleep tight.”
After he hung up, Stacey let out a long sigh.Guilt crept into her gut at not telling Gage about her admirer or the decision to move to Austin.Yet, she reasoned that there was no need to tell him and worry him, when she had already made a choice that would more than likely be the end of the attraction.Or so she hoped.She quickly texted Gage her mom’s number, shot off a text to her mom about what Gage had told her, then clicked off her TV.She turned off the lights and made her way toward her bedroom.She worried about what Gage’s reaction would be once she turned up in Austin in about a month.Would he be happy?Mad?Surprised?All the above?Pushing those thoughts away, she slipped into bed and cleared her mind.Within minutes she was sound asleep, all her worries of the day disappearing, as her dreams painted happier thoughts along the canvas of her mind.
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