Bentridge Magic Chapter I

“No, I do not care for a drink. What I would like is some space,” Gabby hissed without looking up from the book she’d been trying to read for the last half-hour or more. Every time she tried to read someone interrupted her. Normally she might be flattered by the attention but this was going to be her last few free minutes before she left on assignment and all she wanted to do was relax. She'd spent the last three days at the hotel in Los Angeles and was due to fly out to the Bahamas shortly.

“Oh, darlin’ I’d love to share that space with you,” a deep seductive drawl said as the man sat down on the chaise next to her.

At this bold approach her head snapped up. Gabby found herself staring into the most gorgeous green eyes she’d ever seen on a man or a woman. They were made even more mesmerizing by a thick head of black hair. But he was a man and she’d been pestered all afternoon by some man vying for her attention. As she glared at him his lips parted in a smile that probably would have melted a lesser woman, but Gabby had reached her limit.

“I am not your darlin’,” she said with as much contempt as she could muster. “If you’ll take a stroll around the pool, I’m sure you will be able to find someone willing to share her space with you. As you can see, I’m trying to read.” With this she tried to resume her reading.

“Well, you see, I did have a look and you’re the only one that took my fancy. I guess you’re stuck with me,” he said his smile broader. Reid wasn’t sure why seeing her sitting there alone had pulled on him. She wasn’t beautiful, not like the usual women in his life. But she was really cute with that mane of strawberry blond hair. And she had deep chocolate brown eyes. Now that had surprised him. He would have guessed they would have been blue or maybe even green like his own. But they were the deepest brown he’d ever seen and so expressive. This made him wonder what they’d be like when she made love.

“Well unfancy me and go check out the bar. Then you can get a drink to cool yourself down while you’re at it.” Once again she tried to read but out of the corner of her eye she could see his long legs…long well shaped legs going by the way the material clung to him. And he was wearing a business suit of all things. He’d removed the jacket and had it lying across his thighs.

“Can’t do that darlin’. It wouldn’t be gallant of me to leave such a lovely lady all by herself. You need a chaperon to protect you from unwanted attentions,” Reid said grinning at her now. She really was adorable and he felt a stirring he hadn’t felt in a long time. Maybe it was because she wasn’t falling all over him. “Besides who will put the suntan lotion on your back. Can’t do it yourself!”

Gabby almost choked. “Your attentions are unwanted mister, so who will protect me from you? And I do not need lotion put on anywhere and certainly not by you,” she snapped. Looking at her watch she realized that it was time to get ready to leave for the airport. Closing her book she threw her legs over the side of the chaise and stood picking up her toweling robe shoving her arms into it with undue force.

He stood at the same time but stepped back to give her some room. She was shorter than he’d have guessed looking at her slender legs as she’d reclined on the chaise. She seemed almost fragile looking, her bones small and delicate. Reid threw his jacket over his shoulder holding it with two fingers. “Have dinner with me later. Once you get to know me, you’ll wonder how you ever did without me in your life.”

“I got along fine without you before and I will in the future,” she told him taking a step forward making him step back as she pushed on his chest to make him get out of her way. Gabby hadn’t realized they were standing so close to the side of the pool until he wobbled and began clawing the air before losing the battle with gravity. He splashed into the pool clothes and all, his suit jacket floating away as he sank to the bottom. Then it too began to sink.

Gabby gasped, then started to laugh just as he surfaced looking around for his jacket. He wasn’t smiling anymore! She took this as a signal for a hasty retreat as she turned and fled back into the hotel and up to her room. Once safely there she quickly showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a pale green pullover shirt. After packing the rest of her belongings, she hastened downstairs, checked out and left for the airport to catch her flight to Florida and ultimately the Bahamas. Her last thoughts about the man at the pool as she drove away from the hotel were dismissive. He was too big and reminded her too much of her older brothers, so it was probably just as well that their paths would never cross again.

Reid was so angry by the time he located his jacket and climbed out of the pool that it was a wonder that the heat from that didn’t dry him immediately. He waved away the helping hand from one of the waiters who couldn’t resist the urge to smile as he returned to his station. Reid twisted his ruined jacket to wring out as much water as possible before sloshing across the terrace and up to his suite.

He marched straight into the bathroom where he peeled off his sodden clothing before getting into the shower. He did feel somewhat better after he was clean and dry once again. But he still had an urge to wring her pretty little neck. No woman had ever walked away from him like that. And no one, man or woman had ever shoved him into a pool. In his present state of mind he refused to acknowledge the fact that he had been standing precariously close to the edge of the pool in the first place. When she’d placed her small hand on his chest and pushed, he’d automatically stepped back and met thin air. The feel of her hand on his chest had done something to his heart rate but he refused to give that any further thought.
So it was a bit disconcerting to find himself a short time later at the front desk in the lobby trying to find out what room she was occupying. He didn’t know her name and that turned out to be a problem. This was Los Angeles and the city was teeming with beautiful blondes of all shapes and sizes. He shrugged off his disappointment, if that’s what it was, and decided he’d just keep looking around later to see if he could locate her. He was meeting Stan for an early business dinner in the dinning room so he might catch sight of her there.

Just as he turned around he caught sight of Stan striding across the lobby. Reid went to greet his friend and accounting manager. “Stan, glad you could make it on such short notice,” he said holding out his hand.

“Hey, you saved me from having to eat one of Anna’s meals,” Stan said grinning up at Reid. Stan was a head shorter than Reid and getting a little thicker around the middle the last year or so. Stan’s father had been a business colleague of Franklin McAllister, Reid’s father, so they’d known each other for years. It wasn’t until about ten years ago that they’d gotten to be close friends.

Reid grinned in response. “Must be the housekeepers night off,” he guessed correctly. Stan’s wife, Anna, was a warm wonderful woman whom Reid adored. But she couldn’t cook with a damn. Her family had learned to live with this little quirk in an otherwise intelligent talented woman. She designed jewelry in a studio that Stan had built for her and she ran a very profitable business. But put her in the kitchen with perfectly good food and a cookbook and it spelled disaster.

“Got it in one. The kids both managed to be going out tonight so I was going to have to suffer through the meal alone. You know now that I think about it, those two always seem to have something planned for Mrs. Behr’s days off,” Stan laughed.

“I always said those two were smart kids. Was Anna upset about your deserting her? You should have brought her along. I don’t get to see enough of her,” Reid stated steering Stan towards the dinning room.

“She hadn’t invaded the kitchen yet so it’s no problem. She has a project that she wants to work on, so you’re probably doing her a favor.”

“As long as I’m not causing any problems by dragging you away like this,” Reid commented as they were shown to their table. The conversation was of a general nature as they looked over the menu and gave their orders. As soon as the waiter left, Reid got down to business.

“Stan, I want to put you in charge of the Los Angeles office.” He grinned at the stunned look on Stan’s face. He’d been giving this a lot of thought and knew that his friend was the right man for the job. He already knew everything about the business from every angle and was good with his employees.

“Me! Why? I know you’re looking for property to buy, but I’d assumed that you’d be commuting from your new ranch.” Stan was thunderstruck. He liked what he did and was good at it. This was a promotion that he’d never considered and frankly was astounded that Reid was suggesting it.

“You because you’re good and you’re honest. The ‘why’ is easy. I’m tired of the city. The only time I really feel alive is when I’m at the ranch, out in the fresh air, away from so many people and all the buildings and concrete,” Reid told him waving a hand at their surroundings. That was only part of it but he wasn’t ready to put anymore into words mainly because he didn’t know how to explain it. At this point he didn’t know if he was sure himself.

“Well, I’m speechless,” Stan stammered.

“Just say you’ll take the job. I’ll still have a hand in the major decision making process but for the most part the daily running of the business will be up to you.” Reid had been thinking about this move for a long time now. He knew his mother would be pleased. She had been after him for some time now for working too hard. He suspected it was more that she was afraid he would end up like his father, all business with no time for family or fun. Maybe that was what was missing from his life. He never had any fun anymore.

“Yes, I’d love the position,” Stan said firmly extending his hand across the table.

Reid clasped the other man’s hand in his large one. “You’ve taken a big load off my shoulders by accepting. How do you think Anna will take the news?”

“You mean after she finishes ravishing me? If I know my love, she’ll warn me about long hours and encourage me to take Mrs. Blackworth to my new office. She’s been my secretary for over fifteen years now and she and Anna have a code or some special connection that us men aren’t’ privy to. I do get your old office don’t I?” Stan lifted his brows in speculation and grinned.

Reid laughed. “Only if I get to use it if I’m in town. And you and your entire family will get an all expense paid vacation to my new ranch, wherever it may be.” Now he could get really serious about looking for a new home. He’d looked at two properties already but they just didn’t pull at him; they didn’t feel like home.

Their food arrived so conversation was
sporadic as they ate. After a short time Stan noticed Reid looking around the dinning room. “Looking for someone,” he asked between bites of his steak.

“Hmmm? Oh no, not really,” Reid replied somewhat abashed as he quickly took a bit of steak.

Stan could read the expression on his friend’s face. “Yeah, right. Want to tell me another one?” Something was up with Reid and Stan was at a loss. Good God, if it was a woman he sure as hell hoped she was nothing like Marla. He didn’t want to have to go through anything like the job that bitch did on Reid five years ago.

“Well if you must know, I was wondering if someone was going to be down here tonight. I have a few words to say to this person.”

“Okay. Man or woman?”

Reid glared but it lacked power. “Woman, if you must know.”

At that moment the waiter arrived to serve their coffee. He recognized Reid immediately. “I hope you had no after effects from your fall into the pool, Mr. McAllister?” the waiter questioned.

Reid groaned. “I’m fine, thank you,” he said quietly without looking at Stan. He knew what would come next and wasn’t disappointed.

“You fell into the swimming pool?” Stan almost choked. Oh, this was good! Wait until he got home to tell Anna.

“To be accurate, I was pushed. And I really don’t want to discuss it,” Reid glared.

“Hey friend, you don’t tell me that and expect me to say forget it. No way! Come on, what happened?” Then Stan’s face lit up with understanding. “Some woman pushed you into the pool! Oh I love it!” His face spit into a wide grin that expanded into a robust laugh. “Hope you were wearing your new swim trunks.”

“You’re not going to give in until you hear the whole thing, are you? Okay. I was not dressed for swimming. I was still in my suit.” And he went on to explain what had happened. When he was finished, Stan was all but lying on the floor laughing.

“Anna will love this. Apparently there is one woman out there that doesn’t pant or faint at the feet of the very eligible and alluring Reid McAllister. Maybe we’ll have a romance on our hands?” Stan couldn’t help but needle his friend.

“Don’t count on it! She’s a short little thing. Oh she's kind of cute but not someone I’d be seriously interested in,” Reid stated in his defense.

“Right. Then why are you looking for her? And don’t tell me it’s just to read her the riot act. That’s not your style,” Stan pushed. “There must have been something about her that attracted you over to her in the first place.”

“Let’s just say I have a few choice words for the lady. And if I never see her again it won’t be the end of the world. Now, do you want to hear about my search for a new home?” Reid wasn’t sure why he was reluctant to talk about the incident at the pool but he was pretty sure it wasn’t because of any embarrassment. It had to do with that bloody woman. If he’d had time to think as he was falling backwards he’d have grabbed hold of her and taken her in with him. It wasn’t much but it would have soothed his battered ego a little.

Stan tried to gain control as he wiped the moisture from his eyes. If Reid didn’t want to talk now, he’d give him a break. But he wouldn’t forget and he sincerely hoped that this woman did show up. “I know that you’ve looked at several properties in that last couple of weeks. Do you have anything else lined up?”

“I saw two in New Mexico and one in Utah, but they weren’t what I’m looking for. Oh, they were impressive, but they just didn’t feel right,” Reid tried to explain. Monday I leave for Wyoming. There a ranch there that sounds promising.”

“I vote for Wyoming. The kids would love a trip to Yellowstone National Park and we could combine a trip there and a visit to your new empire.”

“Hardly an empire,” Reid laughed. “Just a secluded area away from the crazy hustle and mayhem of city life. No more business luncheons to endure and no more business suits to wear unless I’m forced into it.” The word suit brought forth the picture of her in that lavender swimsuit, her creamy tanned body so luscious reclining on the chaise lounge. He shook his head impatiently. This was nuts!

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