Crooked Ways
Amber and the workers had left Villa 9 mere moments ago. Dan rushed upstairs to his laptop, his mind rushing over ideas like rapids over river rock.
'A private jet to the source of the minerals, so she could see it herself? No, she would see that as wasteful. Rent a yacht and take her to the island she has been wanting to see? No, she would turn that down, thinking it was too much for our first date.'
All he could think of were grandiose gestures that would cause Amber to back away. He pushed air out of his lungs in frustration and snatched up his phone. He sent a text to David in desperation.
Dan: "I have a 6am date with Amber tomorrow. What can we do that does not feel like fluff?"
David: "Cristina says to just have breakfast with her and calm down."
Dan frowned as he read and re-read the text.
David: "How about a helicopter to Ever's Bend? It is a beautiful place and she loves nature."
Dan: "Too extravagant 🤦♂️😫"
David: "Cristina says she wants to make a flower garden behind BonBons but she hasn't been able to find the flowers she wants."
Excitement tightened in Dan's chest.
Dan: "Does she know which flowers?"
David: "No. Maybe roses? Oh, Cristina says not roses. We don't know."
Dan: "That's okay. Thank you and thank Cristina for me."
Dan put his phone down and went to his computer. He looked at the screen for a long moment, the blue of the display seemingly mocking him. He got up and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. He opened the fridge door without thought and stared at its contents for a long moment. The freshly made juice in the fridge caught his eye after long moments of staring.
Amber had made him fresh juice.
He could not help but smile as he pulled out a watermelon, passion fruit, and pineapple blend and poured himself a glass. He took a sip and savored the flavors, imagining himself on a tropical island. His eyes opened wide and he rushed back upstairs.
He sketched out a quick design: flowerbeds in an oval pattern moving long ways behind a building. Seating in random places, and in the center, tables and umbrellas. He smiled. Just something preliminary—Amber could approve it in the morning.
He began typing on his computer; gardening centers flashed across his screen. He called two, then three; the fourth had flats and seeds of the flowers he needed.
"These flowers will do well near a lake?"
"Yes, sir, they thrive in the rich soil usually near lakes. If you like, we have a variety of complimentary colors and types."
"I would also like outdoor seating, and at least six tables and chairs with umbrellas. I want it to be an elegant but comfortable space. Can I look at your website and pick things out and email you?"
"Of course, of course."
"And I would like as much as I can get by midnight. I want to start working at 6am."
"That can be arranged, sir. We are open 24 hours."
"Great!"
Dan quickly refined his idea. The flower garden was still oval-shaped; he wanted hedges, topiary, border grasses, and unique seating on the walk to the center. He did research and decided to add a pond at the wider end—creating an egg shape to the garden. He called different landscaping supply centers, explained what he was doing, and ordered things staggered so that they came at different stages of construction.
Finally, Dan sat back with a satisfied smile. He had a few hours before the delivery from the garden center. He was sure Amber would love this.
As Dan anxiously waited, Jessica was sitting with a fresh protein fruit smoothie. She had just told Anthony Shaw everything. Not because she was terrified of the man, but rather because she needed to tell the entire thing for once. She needed all of it off her chest.
Anthony Shaw looked at the woman he had loved for so many years. He already knew he could not kill everyone involved and steal her away—that would only make her pull away from him. He sighed.
"You know how I feel about you. I won't help you get a man who does not want you and therefore does not deserve you, but I will help you to be safe and healthy." He looked at her home and nodded. "Your younger sister is very savvy about security. I will make sure you have everything you need."
He pulled out his phone and rapidly tapped on the screen. Jessica frowned and picked up her phone. Anthony Shaw had made a huge deposit into her account. Her eyes went wide as she slowly looked to him. He smiled calmly, then pulled out a dark blue credit card and casually slid it to her across the antique coffee table that sat between them.
Jessica knew the card before she even picked it up—her father had one—and her eyes went wide again. They widened even more when she saw her name on it.
"If you need money, Jessica, I have money. I will take care of you, no strings. But I will also hurt whoever hurts you."
He rose, walked to her—their eyes locked—and slowly bent over and kissed her. For the first time, Jessica didn't have a scheme.