Page 4 of The Flame of Carson
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Stacey carried thelast of the books from her bookcases and began placing them into the box.For the last two weeks she had been working and packing.Krista’s friend Tina had come through and found the perfect house for Stacey.She couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled the overnight trip to Austin.It had taken a lot of quick thinking and fast talking to keep Gage and Ethan out of the loop.Tina had spent the entire day showing Stacey nearly ten houses before Stacey had fallen in love with lucky number eight.
The house was gorgeous and was exactly what she was looking for.The home had been owned for only about five years, but the homeowners had to sell it quickly, due to them leaving Austin for a new job out of state.The house had only been on the market for three weeks.Five minutes into the showing, Stacey was sold.She told Tina to make an offer.Two days after returning to New York, Tina had called saying the house was hers.Sighing, she stood up and reached for the packing tape to seal the box.
‘Let’s just hope that this works.Otherwise, I’m going to have to tell Gage and he will be beyond pissed,’she thought sadly.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her doorbell.She walked to the door and smiled.“Mom!What are you doing here?”
Shelby Carlin just smiled and hugged her daughter.“Since you’re leaving in a week, I figured I would stop by and see if you needed any last-minute help.”She paused, looking around the apartment.“But I can see you don’t.”
“Yeah, I thought it would take me forever to pack.Carlos, Jessie, and a few others from the gym have been stopping by to help me.Even Walter chipped in.Between all of them, everything was packed up quickly.I don’t have much food here but...”
“Then how about I take you to dinner?One last mother/daughter dinner before you fly from the nest.”
“Give me ten minutes so I can get presentable.”
Half an hour later, Stacey and Shelby were seated at their favorite little spot in Brooklyn.Stacey could feel her mother studying her as they looked over the menus.A fresh wave of guilt settled over her.Gage was not the only one who knew nothing about her little stalker friend.She had not breathed a word of it to either of her parents.After what had happened to Krista, she was not going to give them any reason to worry about her.
“All right mother, what is it?”Stacey sighed, sitting her menu on the table.
“What do you mean dear?”Shelby questioned, laying her menu down as well.
“You’ve been staring at me for the last five minutes.There’s something on your mind.”
“Oh, very well.Stace, honey, what has brought on this sudden decision to up and move?To Texas of all places.”
“Mom, Walt offered me this position last year.I...I almost took it then, but I didn’t.You and dad were still living in the city, and I didn’t feel I was ready to run the department.This last year, however, things started changing.You and dad retired and moved to the house in Tarrytown permanently.Jerry’s...gone.And then there’s...”
“Gage?”
Stacey nodded.Before she could speak the waiter appeared.She and her mother gave their orders and once alone again, Stacey spoke, “I know it sounds so crazy, but this last year he and I have become very close.He just gets me mom.At first, I just figured this would be a short fling but...”
“Honey, you do not have to explain anything to me.I have seen the two of you together and it’s obvious that you two care about each other.Gage Carson is not like most men.He’s a true southern gentleman and he treats you the way a man should treat a woman.If he is the main reason why you are taking this position now, then I say it’s as good of reason as any.Stacey, I do hate that you will be so far away, but at the same time I am thrilled for you.It’s time that you left the nest.”
“I left the nest years ago.”Stacy laughed.
“You left your childhood home yes, but I meant the nest that is New York.You are a New Yorker through and through.I think it will be good for you to get away.Have you told Gage you are moving there?”
“No, in fact only Krista, her parents, and her friend Tina know.I want to surprise him and just show up.Krista has helped me with that part.The plan is to show up at Blackout and wait in his office.We won’t bring Ethan in until the night before.Krista says that Ethan and the guys can’t keep a secret from each other to save their lives.Tina knows because she’s the Realtor and found the house for me.”
“Then sounds like you’re all ready to go and see what this new chapter will hold for you.”Shelby beamed.
