Page 8 of The Payback Adventure
“I’ll leave the payment on the app. I can see you have doubts, so here’s a list of references. Use my phone so they recognize the caller ID and answer.” Cynthia gave her the cell phone with a notepad opened with names and numbers. “Tell them Cynthia Sterling is setting Henry up for a little adventure of his own and ask whatever questions you might have.”
“Don’t I need Henry’s last name?”
“It’s Davenport, but his first name will suffice. You’ll find out enough about Henry to make up your mind.” She held on to her small purse. “If you don’t want to hire Henry, simply return my phone by the time we finish with lunch. If you will hire him, type in your payment account, your address, and the time you get off work onto the notepad so I can send you the money and we can drop him off.”
“We could change our sleeping arrangements so Henry would have his own room.” Elisabeth didn’t know what prompted her to say the words. Sympathy? More like desperation.
“That would be perfect.” Cynthia grinned. “Though I still say the barn would be fine.”
As Elisabeth watched her limp back to the dining room, she clutched the cell phone and prayed everything went well with the calls, and that his references were solid. She hadn’t had time for daydreams or fantasies in years, but today, she wanted to believe in guardian angels or fairy godmothers or winning the lottery. Anything to justify wanting to hire Henry if his references checked out.
And a part of Elisabeth thought they just might. Cynthia Sterling seemed like she could have a magic wand hidden somewhere on her.
CHAPTER THREE
The food was better than Henry expected. And the service… Elisabeth with anSproved herself to be the world’s best server. Whatever they wanted as soon as they wanted it. Nothing but polite words flowed from her smiling lips.
And it was torture for him.
Henry didn’t want to see her nor hear her sweet voice. He wanted her to drop a plate, spill a drink, and sneer at him. But she didn’t. And he found it difficult—if not impossible—to keep from studying her every movement. He caught another glimpse of Elisabeth’s support-hose-covered legs. Not being able to keep his eyes off her aggravated him.
Definitely time to get her out of sight and out of mind. “Let’s get the check. Frank’s waiting.”
Frank, his longtime chauffeur and bodyguard, woulddrive them along the route Henry had mapped out for their day. Wineries for tours and tastings, and dinner at a new restaurant in Dundee. In a few short hours, the Berry Bistro would be nothing more than a memory.
When he was back home in Portland, he would make seven different dates for next week—one for each night. Nothing romantic since that wasn’t what he wanted, but dating was like a hobby to him and would keep his mind occupied. That would be enough to slam the door on the small-town server and make him forget she existed.
Elisabeth brought the check and returned Cynthia’s cell phone, who said she must have left it in the kitchen when she asked for more napkins. Cynthia grabbed the check, which was out of character for her, but Henry wasn’t about to complain. She’d been so sweet to him during the entire lunch. It must be Cade’s influence. A satisfied feeling settled over Henry. Once again, he was pleased his matchmaking skills were so attuned.
After Cynthia paid the bill, he stood at the bistro’s entrance. The temptation to glance over his shoulder one last time was strong, but he was stronger. He walked out and slid into his limo. Cade followed him, but Cynthia spoke to Frank for a few minutes first, then she got in. The doors shut, and Henry breathed a small sigh.
The car moved forward, and relief washed over him. Someday, he’d have a good laugh over his odd attraction to a server named Elisabeth in a tiny town called Berry Patch. But not today. An award-winning bottle of pinot noir had his name on it, and he couldn’t wait for a sip.
Twenty minutes later, the limo stopped, not at a winery but in a Walmart parking lot.
“What’s going on?” Henry asked.
“I’ll be right back,” Cynthia chirped. Several minutes later, she returned with two large shopping bags, then they were back on the road. Using Cade’s Swiss Army knife, she cut the tags off an assortment of clothing items, placed her purchases in a large navy duffel bag, and pushed it toward Henry’s feet. “This is yours.”
Henry furrowed his brow. “I’m confused.”
“So am I,” Cade said. “But these past few months, I’ve learned to sit back and relax, and everything will work out fine.”
“You’ve come so far.” Cynthia kissed Cade’s cheek. “And now it’s Henry’s turn. It’s time to experience your own adventure. You’ll see it’s not all fun and games. And that you have to stop trying to control other people’s lives.”
Henry laughed. “Can I help it if I know what’s best for my friends?”
Cynthia tilted her chin. “By that logic, I’m your friend, so I must know what’s best for you. Unless you’re wrong about people knowing what their friends need most.”
She and Cade were living proof Henry knew what he was doing. Laurel and Brett Matthews, too. Not to mention the Billionaires of Silicon Forest. It hurt Henry that Cynthia couldn’t see that. “I’m not wrong.”
“Then prove it. Go on this adventure,” Cynthia challenged. “It’s time to put your money where your mouth is.”
Anticipation hung in the air. He glanced at Cade, who merely shrugged.
Henry couldn’t expect his friends to participate in his adventures if he wasn’t willing to do the same. But this was Cynthia. She didn’t know what he wanted or needed. She also knew nothing about planning an adventure. Challenging adventures took time and careful preparation. He spent months working on his. Hers smacked of last-minute haste. He could handle whatever she threw at him.
“Fine,” Henry said finally. “I’ll go on your little adventure and prove I’m right. That I know what’s best for my friends. And when I win, I get to plan your honeymoon.”
