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Drawing my knees up to my chest, I hugged them with the arm that wasn’t holding my phone. “It’s your land now, Beck.”
He exhaled. “I know. Listen, make all the flight plans. If you fly in Thursday afternoon or evening, maybe I can pick you up. I’m not sure what my schedule looks like, but I’ll try to make it work.”
Feeling a true sense of excitement for something other than flowers for the first time in a month, I said, “Okay! I’ll talk to Uncle Brock tomorrow.”
Uncle Brock’s private plane taxied to a completely different area of the airport. I was escorted out of the plane, and when I saw a white Toyota SUV, and a woman in her late twenties or early thirties standing beside it, I figured she was waiting for someone else.
“Avery?” she called out as she walked toward me, her hand outstretched to shake mine.
“Yes?”
We shook hands, and she gave me a beaming smile. “You’re even more beautiful than Beck said.”
I felt my cheeks flush, and I put my hand over one of them.
“I’m Kelsey, Beck’s assistant. He informed Mr. Dahlstrom that he needed this afternoon off, but apparently, there was a situation that needed Beck’s attention.” She rolled her eyes. “So here I am! Is this your only luggage?” Kelsey asked, as she pointed to my small bag.
“Yes, that and my backpack.”
She went to grab the suitcase, but I got it before she did. “Please, let me get it. I’d feel weird, having you carry my luggage.”
Her eyebrows flew up. “That’s my job, Avery.”
“For Beck, not for me.”
Something like admiration passed over her face, and she gave me a quick nod. “Let’s get it in the back seat then.”
After getting my case in the back, along with my backpack, I slipped into the front passenger seat.
“Beck asked me to bring you to his place. I went ahead and ordered some food to be delivered in about…” Kelsey looked at her watch and nodded. “In about an hour or so. They have the key code to get into the building, so they’ll knock on your door. I didn’t want you to be surprised.”
“Thank you.”
She glanced at me and smiled again. “Beck has been talking about you nonstop. Well, when Mr. Dahlstrom isn’t working him to death, that is.”
“Is it normal for Beck to work so much?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “I mean, he would work long hours sometimes, but these last few weeks, he’s been so busy he hardly has time to sleep. Between you and me…” she said, pausing for me to respond.
“Of course, between us.”
“I think his grandfather is doing it on purpose. He’s trying to keep him busy so he forgets all about his family in Montana.”
I wasn’t about to tell her Beck’s uncles and my father had come to the same conclusion.
“Has Rachel still been stopping by his office lately?”
“You mean stalking him? I’m so glad Beck told you about her. I believe it’s important to be honest and upfront in a relationship.”
Nodding, I said, “Me too.”
“She hasn’t, and stalking was a strong word. Sorry. I just don’t like her after what she did to Beck.”
I had no idea what she’d done to Beck, because he’d never told me. I knew I shouldn’t ask, but this was my chance to get answers.
“What exactly happened between Beck and Rachel?”
She quickly looked at me. “You don’t know the story?”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “He was about to tell me one night, but he never did. We got distracted by…something else.”
I could see the corners of her mouth twitch with a hidden smile. “Well, I’m not sure I should gossip about my boss, but you are his current girlfriend, and it’s kind of like a girl code to inform the new girlfriend about his sneak of an ex.”
My eyes went wide. “Wow.”
Kelsey nodded. “Beck and Rachel were pretty serious. He was tossing around the idea of marrying her and had started looking at rings.”
I tried to ignore the instant rush of jealousy.
“Then one day, she told him that she wasn’t in love with him, and six months later, she was engaged to the VP of another division of the company. Real estate. That’s the side she works on.”
“Goodness, that must have broken Beck’s heart.”
Shrugging, she replied, “He was upset about it, but I think he was more hurt that she’d obviously left him for someone whom she assumed had a lot more money. Anyway, she split up with that guy not too long ago, and she’s had her claws out for Beck ever since. Just a warning. He can handle her, but she’s…well…the only word I can think of for her is viper. She’s a viper.”
I cleared my throat. “Um, thanks for letting me know. I won’t be seeing her, will I?”
“Oh, gosh no.”
