The next morning Emma tackled the rest of the first list, and started the second. By week’s end, she’d gotten the phone and computer systems hooked up, and had got the construction crew started on the village. By the end of the following week, everyone was astonished, not by the passage of time but by the accomplishments achieved. By then it had become an unwritten vow, they wouldn't stop until everything was accomplished. They worked both independently and in a group, inside and out.
By step eight, Emma understood why Mrs. Haager had laid it out in steps. If one wasn't completed, then the next was impossible to start, each built upon the one before, like a pyramid.
Most significant were the changes being accomplished in the home's. Every nook and corner was cleaned and polished, boxes were unpacked, and the items placed in their rightful spots. Furniture was moved and removed, until Emma herself felt it was right, she’d chosen to combine the wicker and the wooden furniture in the same rooms. When the first room was completed, all agreed it had been a stroke of genius. The newly painted white wicker off set the dark wood perfectly.
The days grew longer and longer, even the hours they were able to work grew longer with each passing day, until the sun seemed to be rising before six and staying in the sky until after eight.
Dinner grew later and later as well. Emma often wondered if she could’ve digested the food from it before she ate breakfast. Almost every one stopped for a spot of tea and toast, around ten and again about two. It was what held them over.
Kit brought the kids down weekly, and their help was immense, but not once did Mike return. She’d spoken to him on the phone every evening. The calls always ended with love, kisses, and him telling her, he’d be there to run the place when she got it running. The thought irritated her. If she were strong enough to set the place up, why didn't he believe she could run it? How was he going to just come in and run something he didn’t know anything about? Once, after a lesson on the operation of the power plant, she’d uttered something to that fact to Jim, who’d no idea what she was talking about, and grew angry when she tried to explain it. It’d taken all she could do, just to get him back on the subject at hand.
By mid-May, the place resembled an actual resort. She’d purchased several horses, and found three old carriages – which could be repaired. Small plants had stuck their little heads through the ground, and were now blooming all over the place. The scenic views would’ve been enough to sell the place, but an added splash of color here and there never hurt.
A three rail fence now divided the areas, she felt were not meant for the average guest. She assisted in the erection of most of it, herself. Not one fingernail on either hand was left when done, but she didn't care. Really, the only thing that seemed to be left to do was touching up and painting the houses and farm areas. She felt assured that even that would be completed by the June 25th, opening date.
As hard as it was to believe, another payday was rapidly bearing down on her, the clock over the fireplace read eleven thirty five, and she was still staring at a stack of papers that would make even the best of bookkeepers cringe. Why hadn't she been able to convince Mike to do this for her, he was the one with the degree in accounting, she thought as she twirled the pencil between her fingers, gazing down on the numbers that blurred before her tired eyes.
The low constant hum of the sander against the wooden floors over her head caused her to carry on. If they could keep going, so can I, she thought. The sound of dishes rattling about in the kitchen, told her Beth was still hard at work, as well, adding to her determination to finish the checks on time.
There were only a few more figures to total before she could call it quits for the night. Emma was sure glad Jim was on salary, perhaps she should suggest that to the others, she thought, but then decided against it. She already felt like a slave driver, even if the others decided what needed to be done by themselves most the time, there were still her suggestions – like removing the old wax. "Won't that make it hard to keep the floor shiny? I mean, wouldn't it be better if we remove the old wax first?” Why hadn't she just kept her mouth shout, she never thought they’d take it to the point of sanding the floors – she figured they’d just chemically strip them.
She felt sorry for them, physically they must be worn out, she thought, as she turned back to the checks. Now the hardest thing she had to do was lift a pencil, but even that seemed impossible. She’d been up since five, she’d made it part of her routine, to be up before the others, and stay up until they went to bed, hoping to build their respect in her. Truthfully, she wished their enthusiasm would wear off, She didn't know how much longer she could keep it up.
She knew it was silly, but she didn't want anyone to be able to call her a slacker, not that she’d ever been called one, but she’d slung the word plenty of times herself. On the other hand, she’d met a few people in her life she just couldn't keep up with no matter what she did.
Super-people, like Marcy, her neighbor back ST. Paul. There was a leader, she thought whimsically. How that woman keeps going amazed even her. PTA president six years running, Den mother, taught Sunday school, worked part time and ran a house with five children. No matter how hard Emma tried, she couldn’t keep up.
Jeff Rich was probably the only other name on her list. He was her boss at the auditing company. They used to run this little contest, the two of them. Based upon the total dollar amount each of their crews had counted, in a single week. Even when her total surpassed, anything she’d ever done before. He came in with a larger total, but that was only half of it, he actually had the gull, to wear a hole in his new shoes that week.
The thought made her chuckle. She’d actually measured performance by holes in the sole of shoes. She figured his secret out though, she threw her heels away and went to flats. Their sole were thinner and the blood blisters, on her feet weren't as bad.
He’d taught her many things, besides how to wear a pair of shoes out. The man had had the patience of a saint. She took her job serious and figured everyone else had to as well. If he hadn't stepped in when he had, she probably would’ve fired herself out of a job. It's hard to keep a crew or build a good one if the only thing you want to do is fire people who laugh at numbers.
"Some people find numbers funny. Let them, as long as they come up with a good count of the merchandise." He had told her one time, she knew he was right who was she to judge them? "Look, if you want a good crew, build it. I give you good people and you just need to train them."
He took every firing as a personal failure, when she’d started to look at it that way, her entire way of looking at life changed. Everyone became a challenge to train and most of them she won. Even when she moved on to working in the motel, that secret got her more leader positions than she wanted to count.
She’d pulled herself closer to the desk and was laying her head on her hands, eyes closed, remembering. When two quick soft raps on the door drew her back to reality, it was Jim. She could tell he’d been to town, his cologne entered even before he did, whirling about her head like a strong gust of spring. Even his hat seemed to have been dusted clean.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted. You looked so peaceful. Did I wake you?"
"Goodness No!" she exclaimed, “Just remembering a time gone by."
"A good one I'd hope." He responded, striding in as if she’d invited him. Then after turning a chair in front of her desk, he straddled it like a horse.
She didn’t want company, but the memories were too nice to disgrace without a comment.
"The best, but what brings you in tonight?" She knew her tone wasn't friendly, but lately she hadn't felt very friendly, towards him. Every time he stopped by, he was all dressed up. Indicating he’d been to town again. She would just about kill to go to town for something other than business, even just a movie would be nice, but that wasn't the only thing that had been bugging her. He was never around when she needed an extra set of hands. Oh, sure, she saw him out on the tractor, riding up and down the fields, and sometimes she would even catch him feeding the horses. Mostly, the only thing she saw was Jim riding around in his rickety old truck. She may have even considered him a personal failure of hers, if it weren't for his special ability to read her mind. “You're up set with me, aren't you?"
"I'm just tired." She shrugged off his prying eyes, and returned to the papers at hand. "So what can I do for you, besides get these checks out on time?"
He didn't answer right away, which drew her eyes back to his face. "You really are upset with me. Tell me what I've done."
"How do you do that? Am I really that transparent?"
Shifting his hat back on his head, he chuckled slightly before answering “Shit girl, I don't have to look too far, you just offered me an extra check. Sounds like you’re trying to buy my attention, or something."
Rolling her eyes back into her head, she lay back against the chair and shook her head. She’d indeed just offered him a check. "Ok, you got me." she responded between chimes from the clock "What's it going to cost me to get you to do some work around here." She may have sugarcoated her question with a chuckle, but he caught the drift of her feelings.
"What! You think I've been shirking my duties" his loud voice rang through the sparsely decorated room, as did the sound of the chair when it hit the floor.
"Jim, I was just kidding." She had to cool him down. He couldn't walk out, even if he did just run the tractor up and down the fields, it was more then she could do now.
"Like Hell Girl! You think I'm lazy. Well little girl, I challenge you to do it."
His words set a fire burning in her. He wasn't going to call her a little girl and get away with it. She was the boss.
"You got it" she shot back, wishing she hadn’t started the conversation.
"Tomorrow." he demanded as he headed for the door "Be ready, – I’ll be here at four."
"Four!” Her words were ignored as he stormed out.
"Damn." She declared aloud as she pounded the keyboard to start the checks.
After laying the checks on the small kitchen table, that Beth had rounded up to give the stainless kitchen a touch of home. She headed for her room at the top of the steps. The one bedroom was the only that impressed her most. Mainly it was the view from the window that caught her eye.
She’d set the alarm for three-thirty, but it must’ve been piercing the air for nearly twenty minutes before she was aware enough to respond to it. Rolling over she would’ve given anything to take back her words. She must’ve lost her mind. How could he expect her to do it, on just three and a half hours of sleep? By the tap on her door a minute later, he obviously did. Quickly grabbing her jeans and an old sweatshirt, she stumbled to the door, and called a soft. "Just a minute" What was he out to prove? That he really can do more, than he has been.
"Aren't you ready yet?"
"Come in!" She demanded, fastening the snap at the top of her faded jeans. His impatience, left her feeling scatter brained.
She was just pulling her hair out of the back of the shirt, when he popped the door open and stepped in. By the fresh sent of Irish Spring, it was obvious he’d found time to shower. When she reached for the hairbrush, he grabbed her hand and said, "That'll wait, but the cows won't"
"Jim!" She protested as he towed her towards the door, "What cows?"
"Where do you think you get your milk from?"
"Cow's of course." She responded pulling her hand free, and bending to grab her boots. "But why do we have to milk them."
"Do you want those poor innocent animals blowing up?" His words painted a horrendous picture in her head, straightening, she looked at him in discuss.
"Why do you do that to me? I could actually see a poor cow blowing up."
"You shouldn't have such an active imagination." He answered with a larger than normal smile. "It makes a body wonder what else you might be viewing differently, than everyone else."
She didn't have any idea what he was referring to but whatever it was caused him to laugh. Since she wasn't crazy about going with a man, who had grumped at her the night before, she didn't even ask him to explain it.
It was just as dark outside, as it’d been when she went to sleep. She was headed for the front door, but Jim took a route, through the old dining room instead.
"Where you going" She insisted taking hold of the cold metal knob
"Like I asked before, where do you get your milk?"
The large metal containers in the kitchen, she thought, that's what he's heading for. After all if it weren't for him having to pick them up so early, every morning, he wouldn't have a key to the back door, and she could’ve left him waiting on the step till she was ready. Following after like a puppy, she grabbed several apples as they passed through the kitchen, and quickly shoved them into her pocket before picking up the second can and trailing him to the truck.
When he didn't break for breakfast a few hours later, she was more than willing to share them, between packing bags of grain from the truck to the barn. Of course, that was after they’d milked all thirty some of his cow, and emptied the pasteurizer, for the dairy driver to take to town.
By noon, she was ready to concede she’d misjudged him, but he wasn't ready to hear it. He never even said a thing about the way she’d been able to pack the grain bags, nearly as well as he. Of course he’d been carrying two to every one of hers, so she considered it wasn't quite fair, to pat herself on the back.
He’d asked about the kid's, it was a sore subject with her but she’d contained her temper, at least well enough to tell him about how Kit was doing in school. "If he keeps up at the pace he's progressing now. He'll be able to come down and help a few weeks before he has to return for graduation."
"Great I need all the hands I can get."
She was no longer ready to challenge that statement. She’d no sooner finished her sandwich and a soda, before he was back at work. The rest of the afternoon, was devoted to cleaning the barn. Now she understood why he broke for lunch before proceeding on to it.
If there was a more discussing job there about, she hadn't seen it. She even considered asking him if he’d saved that job, for a day she was willing to help, then decided that she hadn't seen his temper all day, and didn’t want to.
When they’d finished refilling each stall with fresh straw, they moved on to cleaning up her milking facility, so it would be ready to start operations the next week. When the cows he’d chosen were to arrive. It wasn't a bad job, except when he turned on the water to scrub out the large pasteurization tanks. She would’ve appreciated it if he’d given her a heads up that the water was coming on, instead of just leaving the hose lying on the floor, she would’ve picked it up and pointed it at the tank. Of course, he found the sight of her desperately trying to grab a snaking hose amusing. So once she was able to obtain the wilily beast, he was the first thing to be sprayed. "See who's laughing now."
The burst as slight as it was, removed his hat immediately, and drenched his face.
"Woe." he cried, dashing for the shut off valve.
She couldn't contain her laughter, even when he physically took the nozzle away from her and threatened to spank her bottom. "How dare you." she’d exclaimed through burst of belly wrenching chuckles.
"Was that a dare?" His eyes glistened with excitement. "I can't resist a dare."
"No, no—” She held out her hand while backing away from her would be attacker, still unable to control the laughter.
"Good, cause it certainly would’ve brought me more pleasure than you can imagine."
She loved his dancing eyes. They were not always that way. However, when they were, she didn't need to guess if she was pleasing, she just knew she was. Nearly Twenty years with Mike and she still had to ask.
When they headed for his place, sometime around five she felt like she’d been hit by a Mack truck, every inch of her body hurt. She certainly wasn't looking forward to waking up in the morning, a hot bath and a soft bed was all she could think of right then.
"Why don't you just drop me off at the house?" Was that exhausted, voice really hers.
"What?" He looked shocked "I thought you wanted to know just what I do all day?"
"You work hard." She admitted
"I'm not finished and neither, are you." He insisted driving right past the Big House. "Besides I owe you a meal."
She’d no intention of going to town with him. She didn’t want to find out how he spent his evening hour. Besides, she wasn't dressed to leave the ranch. Without a bath, she wasn't even ready to be seen by his Mother, even though she knew Jesse wouldn't say a thing.
"Jim, I'm not dressed to go anywhere; stop and let me get cleaned up at least." Her tone was filled with a frantic air.
"Relax, Mom's got dinner ready, and then you can get cleaned up."
"Forget it. I'm not going to expect your mother to sit down, with a person that smells like she spent the afternoon cleaning horse stalls."
"Is that the new perfume, you’re wearing." He asked trying to hold back the chuckle under his breath.
"Jim I'm serious." She insisted, as they pulled to a stop at the main road.
"Do I really look like a man that would make you go to town, smelling like that."
"Fine" She cried as she popped the truck door open "Pick me up on your way back."
"Wait!" He called, too shaken by her abrupt departure to remember to take the truck out of gear before, reaching to pull her back in. The unexpected jump of the truck sent her reeling to the dirt. A second later, his strong arms were pulling her to her feet again.
"Damn it Em. Don't you know better than to get out of a truck when it's still running?"
Just like a man, she thought, telling me how to live my life again. Why she’d ever thought him different, she couldn't remember right then. "Sure, like it's my fault you can't get away with telling me, what I'm going to do or not."
"What?" He pulled back with the tone in her voice.
"Well isn't that what you were doing. Telling me what I'm going to do?" She asked brushing the dust from her already damp jeans.
"No." He wrenched his face "Well, I guess it sounded that way. Mom — I asked Mom to pick you up some clothes this morning." He started back around the truck.
She really hadn't been referring to the clean clothes, as much as she was the way he yelled at her for getting out of the truck. She should’ve clarified her meaning - it was too late now. "Look, I already have five men telling me how to run my life, and one coming up that thinks, just because his father can does it, he can too." He’d stopped at the front of the truck to listen. "I just don't need another."
"Get in the truck and I'll take you home." He sounded so disappointed, that she had to ask.
"Where were you going to take me?"
Slowly, walking towards her like a corrected child, he ran his hand along the length of the truck right up to the door handle. Head drooping, he said, "I guess — I should’ve told you that ha?"
"It might’ve helped." She responded with a sigh, as she stepped forward and waited for him to open the door.
Looking up at her, with an apologetic face he said "Sorry, I have a meeting that I have to be at. I just thought it’d be a good time for you to meet some of the folks that live in town." He really was sorry and she was almost ready to believe that it wouldn't happen again, but just because he was a man, she was sure it would.
Rubbing her backside, she considered his invitation. "Sounds like a good idea." Was all she managed, before he shuffled her back into the truck, slamming the door.
"But I still need clothes — and a good bath." she continued, the minute he opened his door.
"Mom's taken care of it." He insisted starting the truck. "I hope she asked Beth to bring that cute pink number — I happened to miss it last week, but everyone in town has been talking about."
She knew exactly what outfit he was referring. Her pink linen business suit, but she doubted Beth would choose it, Beth preferred Blue. Jesse had taken care of everything, including running a hot tub the minute she saw the truck pull up the drive. Sliding down into the claw foot tub, Emma released a deep sigh of relief. Her back muscles ached beneath the hot, lavender scented water. She was so glad Jesse had not handed her the Irish spring. She found the sent enjoyable on him, but if they both showed up smelling that way – it wouldn't of made a very good impression.
She hated to disappoint him, but Beth was true to her treat. Jesse had laid her soft, blue sweater suit and cream-colored camisole top, on the bed. After a quick dusting with her own scented powder, she dressed and looked through the overnight bag Beth had packed, but her hair drier was missing. Jesse had to own one, so she headed for the steps, to ask. Jim stood on the landing. From the look on his face, Blue hadn't disappointed him a bit. In fact, if he hadn't had a good hold on the arm rail, she may have had to pick him up from the bottom of the old staircase. "You saved me, from having to find your mother."
"I…what" he asked.
"I need her hair drier." She answered backing up, so he could clear the top step.
"Her what" He responded stepping forward, scanning her entire frame
"Her hair drier" She repeated the moment his eyes reached hers
"Oh." She’d finally managed to crack through to other senses, besides those driven by sex. "She doesn't own one but I do. Just a minute and I'll get it." He finished the statement as he squeezed past her in the narrow hallway. In passing, he briefly brushed against her breasts, filling her with sensations she’d nearly forgotten. Had he noticed the immediate response from her body, she hoped not.
As he trailed off down the hall she considered following, but only for the briefest of moments, she’d have to keep her distance. Returning to the room, she combed out her wet hair, and applied a brisk application of mascara before he entered the room with the drier.
"Thanks," was all she was going to say as she took the over grown, old drier from his hands, asking, "Do I look alright? I mean you’re staring." She quickly turned back to examine herself in the mirror "Is it appropriate for the meeting?"
She couldn't help but watch his eyes, he didn't know. Anyway, he was too busy scanning her backside. When their eyes did meet, he looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Clearing his throat, he asked. "You do have something to wear over that, don't you?"
"Of course" She swung around him to grab the waist length jacket from the bed.
With a slight sigh, he answered "Good. Cause if I’d taken you to the meeting wearing nothing but that —" he scanned her breast line once again "I may not have been able to insure your safety."
She couldn't help the grin that crossed her face. Even he didn't seem to mind herself confidence.
"Hurry, Mom's hungry," was the last word he uttered before closing the door slowly behind himself, but the low growl, that escaped spoke for its self.
After slipping on her white heels and fluffing her hair, she joined the others. Jesse eyes grow wide as she descended the last step. "Emma, you’re as pretty as a picture."
"The wait was with it." Jim announced as he crossed the room to take her hand, and escort her into the dining room.
She might have fallen asleep in her mashed potatoes, except for the way Jim never took his eyes of her. When Jesse stood to bring in the dessert, Jim stood as well and announced, “Sorry Mom, but we don't have time, after the meeting perhaps."
Emma didn't mind, she was already full. It would’ve only added to her sleepiness. Again, he was examining her from head to toe, as he opened the door to the truck.
"Stop that!" She insisted, feeling a bit insecure
"What?" He looked back at her innocently "I didn't do anything."
Looking straight at him, she responded, "You’re making me feel insecure."
"About what"
"You know." She pressed past him and on to the stiff seat.
He looked a bit confused and then closed the door securely between them. His eye never left hers as he rounded the truck, by the time he climbed in his side it was obvious that he understood. The drive was almost too quiet. She wondered if she’d hurt his feeling – was she asking something more than he was willing to give?
"Damn it Jim, speak to me."
"Didn't you just tell me to shut up?"
"No, I asked you to stop looking at me that way." She didn't have to explain, but she did "It's causing me to think strange things – It’s not right. I – I know it's not your fault but."
Gently laying his hand on hers, he said, "It's alright Emma. I know what you’re saying. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even dared to look at you that way. I—” His voice trailed off into the stillness of the night. Then just before they reached town, he abruptly put his hand back over hers “Really I am sorry Emma, please forgive me."
She squeezed his hand, but there was a tension, that surrounded them now “Jim, I'm new at taken care of myself. I’m enjoying having a say at how my life proceeds. I need to believe I can do it by myself — please understand." A wink was his only response to her well thought out speech.
They were immediately over whelmed with people the moment they entered the door. Emma drifted off to one side, simply looking for protection from the loud speaking group. Jim wouldn’t hear of it however – the moment he was able to break loose, he once again had her arm wrapped around his arm and started to introduce her to everyone there.
She’d never seen so many heads turn at once. In the briefest of moments, she became the talk of the hall. Suddenly every one crowded about her asking how the progress was coming. One elderly woman declared she had her G, G. Grandfathers eyes but her Grandmothers skin coloration. How would she know, Emma pondered? She enjoyed the comments but shunned all the attention – the more people who crowded about them, the closer she stuck to Jim. Until he finally, declared she was having trouble breathing and asked if they might step outside for a minute. The minute the brisk air hit her hot cheeks she felt the ground bob to greet her. Luckily, his arms were closer. Snatching her back against himself, he whispered “Hang in there, I can't get away to take you home right now. I have this meeting to bring to order then, I promise."
"I'm sorry."
"Stop doing that."
"Doing what?” She asked
"Saying you’re sorry for being you. Good God Girl, I can't point out a single person in the hall, that could’ve done all you did today, and still be here tonight. I shouldn't have dragged you out like this."
The deeper she breathed to clear her head, the more his intoxicating cologne fill her every senses. His slow, gentle strokes up and down her arm left her paralyzed. She wasn't happy when a dark haired man stuck his head out the door, asking if they should start the meeting without him, but she wasn't sure she could’ve been held responsible for her action, if he hadn't.
"Todd,” Jim exclaimed "Emma's not feeling well could –”
"What’s the problem?" The younger man released the door and stepped out.
"I worked her to hard this afternoon. I should’ve just let her go to bed instead of dragging her off, to this silly meeting."
The younger man, raised a suspicious brow in her direction, "He's been putting you through your paces has he?"
"Todd," Jim interrupted "Mrs. Chase, was out to prove that she can run that Place of hers without me."
She knew from the tone of his voice, he was out to protect her reputation, clearly identifying her as MRS. CHASE “Emma, I'd like you to meet our local Medic, Todd Richards."
"Doctor" She questioned her hearing
"We just call him KID." Jim insisted with a chuckle.
"Alright, Old Man." Todd shot back, and then turning his attention to her, he offered his hand. "Emma I'm pleased to meet you. Jim has told—"
Jim's rather loud throat clearing drew the conversation to a halt. "Didn't you say they needed me inside?"
Todd's eyes gleamed. He’d caught the old fellow on a touchy subject. "Why Jim, I was just going to tell Emma how often you spoke of her." The tension that had swept through his body was still there, so she was left to believe Todd was telling the truth. Stepping back, Jim said "Ok kid. See to it that no one else manages to get away with her. I promised her husband to make sure she didn't run into any of our rowdies."
He was laying it on thick, too thick for her stomach to handle – But he must have had his reasons, so she didn't battle his words. After a few more deep breaths, without his intoxicating cologne, she was ready to go in to the meeting. Not only had he come to a meeting, he was conducting it as THE MAYOR. Would his surprises never end?
After several, rather business like discussions, the subject of the summer fair was brought to the table. An elderly woman suggested that they capture Emma as Chairperson, and before she could decline, the whole place voted a loud approval and the subject was settled — at least as far as they were willing to b