“Corporate apartment it is.”
“I’ve got your itinerary almost ready. I’ll leave it on your desk for you.”
“Thanks, Kendra. Call me if I’m needed. I’m going to take care of things at home today, and probably do a little shopping.The winter clothes I bought for Paris might not really work in Fraser Hills, North Carolina.”
“Mmm. Population one thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven,” Kendra said.
Only 2.5 million less than here.“Sounds quiet.”
CHAPTERFIVE
“Dial Anna.” Vanessa’s phone connected the call, and then Anna’s voice came over the speakers in her car.
“So, where will we be spending Christmas! I’m so excited.”
“There’s been an unexpected turn of events.”
“Oh, Vanessa. Don’t you dare cancel on me. We’ve let way too much time pass.”
“I’m not. I promise. Only it’s not going to be quite as exciting as I’d thought either.”That’s what I deserve for being overconfident in my position at AGC.Switching projects happened often. But this was the first time she’d been caught in that predicament, and that stung.
“I don’t care where we go. Paris? Sure, that would have been pretty amazing, but I don’t know a word of French. Who knows what I’d end up ordering for dinner? Or how I’d find the ladies’ room. Besides, that Bavarian town in Washingtonsounds wonderful too. Nothing better than a small-town Christmas.”
“Well, it’s going to be way smaller than Leavenworth.”
Anna’s laugh tinkled across the line, making Vanessa relax. “As long as we don’t have to camp it’ll be fine.”
“From what I understand I’ll have a corporate apartment, but at this point that’s all I know about Fraser Hills, North Carolina. Well, and that it’s in the mountains.”
“Sounds lovely. And better yet, I can drive.”
“I’ll fly you up. I don’t want you driving in the mountains.”
“I’ve got more than twenty years’ more driving experience than you do, Vanessa. Quit treating me like an old lady. I’m your cousin, not your grandma.”
“I know. I didn’t mean it like that but it could be cruddy weather this time of year. Better safe than sorry. I’ve got Kendra working on pulling together some information on the town for us. There have to be some fun Christmas events planned in the area. As soon as I get settled in and have all that, I’ll forward it to you and we’ll plan on when you can come.”
“I’m completely open. You are my priority this holiday so you just give me an address and I’ll be there. The longer the visit the better.”
She had a lot of work ahead of her, and Anna would definitely be a distraction. She’d have to delegate more than usual to have spare time, but the last thing she wanted was to hurt Anna, or worse, ruin her Christmas. “I hope the accommodations are decent.”
“Fraser Hills. I’m excited just saying the words. It’s where we’re meant to be. I can feel it. Promise me we’ll get a little Christmas tree.”
The thought of a tree with Robert had unnerved her, but with Anna it was different—joyful even. The people of Fraser Hills probably wouldn’t be feeling much joy knowing their only factory was going to be shut down. Then again, there’d be tons of warehouse positions, so it wouldn’t be like they’d be out of work. A win-win.
“Is there something else going on? You don’t sound like yourself. Are you disappointed about not getting the project you wanted?”
“A little, but that’s not it. Robert and I had it out this morning. He wasn’t happy about me not joining him with his folks over the holiday. He gave me an ultimatum.”
“Oh? I don’t want to cause a problem—”
“No. It wasn’t you. I’d already told him I’d probably be working. When the project in North Carolina popped up it completely reinforced what I’d already told him. I honestly think he was trying to force my hand.”
“He’s tired of spending time without you,” Anna said.
“That’s what he said. He even suggested we get married at his folks’ house at Christmas.” Her laugh came out stuttered.
“That’s not a horrible idea. I mean, if you are ever going to marry him.”
