Chapter 63

I crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom. I saw that it was five in the morning. Sometimes I wished I could sleep longer. The run with Mike in LA brought back my desire to get in a little better shape.

I left the girls a note and took off for a morning run. I jumped my back fence and ran along the golf course. I ran by several of the greens keepers cutting the grass. I ran up to the clubhouse and then ran back home along the streets. It was six when I walked in the back door.

I started the coffee and headed to the shower. The girls were snuggling in the middle of the bed. I bent over and kissed Tamara on the cheek. She reached her hand up and held me for a second. I told her I was going to shower and the coffee was brewing.

I was just about through when the shower door opened and Tamara stepped in to join me.

"Good morning, sexy," I told her.

"Good morning, lover. You were wonderful last night."

We discussed the coming day while we washed each other. We decided to eat out that night. She told me Lena wanted to go out with Christina and show off her new Vette.

I mentioned that I needed to make reservations to go to Phoenix on Saturday. I told her we would be closing the land deal in Scottsdale on Sunday. Monday would be required to get all the title filings completed.

"Can you make arrangements for Trish and me as well? I'll call Michelle and get her to fly in."

"Ask her to check with Michael to see if he wants to be there. If Mike wants to come along that would be nice."

I washed her hair and got out of the shower. Lena was sitting there with our coffee. She stood up and dried my back. I took the towel and finished drying the rest of me.

I was styling my hair when Tamara stepped out. She looked at me and said, "Why don't you meet me at the shop today and I'll cut your hair?"

"That sounds nice, but if you cut it here, clothes could be optional."

"I don't want the mess. Maybe someday I'll surprise you."

Lena dropped her robe and looked over her shoulder at me with that "you want it, don't you'" look. She wiggled her ass at me and stepped into the shower. Mr. Happy started to wave so I left to get dressed. Afterwards I took my coffee to the study and logged on my computer.

I needed to contact Sheila about the arrangements for the trip. First, I needed to find out if Phil and Blaine wanted to join us, though I didn't need them to be there since we had already agreed to the terms of the deal.

I sent Sheila an e-mail asking her to make arrangements for Scottsdale. I wanted to leave Albuquerque around noon (First Class) and stay in the same resort (Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club) as last time. I wrote that we would be staying through Wednesday. I asked her to make arrangements for Trish, Tom, Bob, and Michelle. I thought for a minute and then added that I may need to book a total of nine rooms. I wanted a two-bedroom villa for Tamara and me.

I continued with instructions to get a rental car reserved for Trish and another for me. I suggested she contact Tom and Bob to confirm what they needed. I planned on strongly suggesting they bring their wives.

I sent an e-mail to Dan letting him know of my plans. If he wanted to be there, I'd pay for his expenses.

I sent e-mails to the Eagle Investments team to let all of them know of my plans and asked that if any travel arrangements were needed to contact Sheila.

Mike was next on my list. I wasn't sure how he was going to check his e-mail since he didn't take a computer with him. I planned on calling him later anyway.

Trish called while I was typing a message to Marie.

"Hey, sexy, how are you?" I asked.

"Just fine. How would you guys like some breakfast this morning? I was going to stop by the breakfast burrito place and I can bring some to you."

"I'm sure that will be okay. By the way, how is the Caddy?"

"It's a dream to drive. I never thought I'd like an SUV but this is terrific."

I told her I was making her reservations for Phoenix. She asked when we were going and I told her. She asked if Stephanie could come. I told her I didn't have a problem with it other than she might be stuck at the resort by herself most of the time.

"And what's the downside to that?" she said sarcastically.

While we were talking, I typed a new e-mail to Sheila adding Stephanie and Lena to the travel plans.

Trish said she was pulling into the parking lot and would be at my house in about thirty minutes. I hung up and went to let the girls know Trish was on her way.

After telling Tamara Trish was heading our way, she said, "If you need any coffee, I'll be serving it before she gets here."

I laughed. For a woman sharing me with Lena and Christina, she sure was jealous of Trish.

I went on to tell Tamara of the e-mails I sent Sheila. Lena was drying her hair and I interrupted her to ask if she wanted to go to Scottsdale with us. She smiled real big and said yes.

Trish arrived and sure enough, Tamara set a new coffee cup in front of me. I winked at Trish and drank my coffee.

We were discussing the details of the trip when my cell phone rang. It was Mike. I told the girls I would be back as I walked outside to talk to him.

He was all excited. They had re-shot a couple of scenes to make him fit in better. He had a scene with the other star of the film, Lu Choi. He was a Chinese actor who had made a couple of films. He told me that Lu Choi's character was searching for a family member that had been kidnapped. He continued to tell me the leading lady was a fine blonde that hadn't done many films and this was her first starring role. I asked him how Michael fit in and he told me Michael's character started out investigating Lu's character but eventually helps him find Lu's niece.

He said the best part was when Lu Choi asked him to work out with him after the shooting was through that day.

"Dad, I got to spar with him. He's quick. We went at it for about fifteen minutes and I was sweating up a storm."

I told him that was great. I asked him about checking his e-mails.

He said he used Michael's computer but it was in Michael's bedroom. I told him to get himself a laptop and to get an Internet connection. He said he would as soon as he could.

I asked him about the Beemer.

"It's awesome! The girls out here flock to that car. I stopped at the mall yesterday and I swear I had women whistling at me."

I could tell he was excited. He happened to be in the right place at the right time. I'd bet there were thousands of hopefuls in Hollywood who had been trying to get a break and he just fell into a role. I guess it does pay to know somebody.

He said he had to go and I asked him to have Michael call me.

I walked back in as Trish and Tamara were discussing the Phoenix situation. I sat and listened.

"Do you have anyone that could step into Michelle's shoes?" Trish asked.

"There is one girl who has been managing one of the salons. She'd warned Michelle of the problems that occurred earlier."

"Maybe I ought to interview her here one-on-one to see if she wants additional duties?" Trish suggested.

"That could work. Let her stay at her present store and groom a replacement manager."

I left them and went to find Lena. She was in her room sorting her closet. I walked up behind her and hugged her. She turned and put her arms around me. She looked up at me and I kissed her, a very sweet, soft kiss.

"I need to talk to you about your position in our companies. You and Christina will be sharing the reception duties. I expect you to enroll in college in the fall and carry at least nine hours. I expect the same thing from Christina. I want you and Christina to work out your schedules accordingly."

"I don't know what to take in college."

"The counselors will help you with that since you will be taking basic core subjects for the first few semesters."

"This means that Christina and I can't take classes together."

"That's true, but you'll get by. You two will be working together some."

"I don't want to work. I want to be a spoiled little rich girl, " she said while she was pouting.

"Sorry. Even though I love you, you need to get an education so you can take over from your mother some day."

"I know that. I was only teasing you."

I slapped her on her ass and kissed her. I left her to finish what she was doing and went back to my study.

I finished the e-mail to Marie and basically told her I missed her. I asked her to keep me updated on her summer and school activities.

I already had e-mails from Sheila and Dan.

Dan said he did want to go and would be taking Sam for sure and maybe Roy. He said he wanted to have them there in case McKenzie made trouble. He wrote that Jeff had more information and we needed to talk.

Sheila's e-mail reported she had called the resort and booked a block of ten rooms. Was she psychic or what? Actually I think she knew me too well: I was always adding people to my excursions. She wrote that she booked Tamara and me in First Class but not any of the others. Oh darn!

I called the resort and asked for the manager. When he came on the line, I introduced myself and explained I was bringing in a group for the weekend. He pulled the reservations up and confirmed it. I asked him to get me two tee times for Tuesday morning. I would have between four and eight playing golf. He said he would take care of it. I also wanted to reserve the 'library' for a small party that Monday evening. I'd let him know for sure how many once we were there and checked in.

I realized I hadn't talked to Bob in a while. I called him and he was getting ready to tee off in thirty minutes. I asked if he had a full foursome and he said they only had three. I told him to take his time and get my clubs brought out; I'd be there in fifteen minutes.

It was a good thing I dressed the way I did. I went by Tamara, kissed her and told her I would call her after I finished golfing. She had a dumbfounded look on her face as I rushed out the door.

Bob had my clubs on his cart and pulled up behind my car as I parked. I put on my shoes on the way to the first tee. I did get some stretching in before we teed off.

It was on the second hole that I asked him about the executive secretary.

"Executive Assistant. She is supposed to fly in tomorrow for the interview. I hadn't told you yet because I was waiting on her confirmation. She called me just this morning."

"Good. If she works out, I want her in Scottsdale this weekend for the closing of the deal. Make sure we have all the necessary computer and printing equipment there. I want to have the deal completely wrapped up by five o'clock Monday.

"Did you get all her references checked out?" I asked.

"She comes highly recommended. The firm in Manhattan doesn't want to lose her and even offered her more money to stay. Her name is Lisa Birdwell. She is forty-five and divorced. She has two grown daughters in college. One of them is going to school at the University of New Mexico. The other is on a soccer scholarship at Notre Dame."

"Sounds like you have been busy. Are you ready to go to Scottsdale this weekend?"

"I'm a little nervous but I'm ready."

"Good, I want you to invite your wife. Tuesday will be a vacation day. I've lined up two tee times for golf. The girls can do what they want. I hear the resort has a wonderful day spa."

"John, you're too much. Of course, Carol would love to come. I've been so busy with this deal and the other things I've neglected her."

We discussed bits and pieces of the office staffing while we finished our round. I shot a respectable eighty-two while Bob shot an eighty-seven. Except for my par round, this was the only other time I had beaten him.

I passed on lunch in the clubhouse and headed back home. Tamara must have left with Trish and Lena's Vette was also gone. I showered and called Tamara. They were having lunch in Nob Hill at Yanni's.

I asked her if she still wanted to cut my hair. She said yes and would meet me at the shop at three. I had a couple of hours to kill so I went to the mall. I went to Western Warehouse and bought a pair of jeans and a new belt. I was walking by one of the jewelry stores and a ring caught my eye. It was diamonds and sapphires. It would make a beautiful engagement ring. Whoa! Those types of thoughts hadn't been in my head in a long time. I still needed to introduce her to my mother first.

I was on my way out to the parking lot when I passed the Gateway store. I noticed it had been closed. I guess I would have to go to CompUSA for the laptops I wanted.

I arrived at Tamara's shop before she did. I sat in the waiting area and read a magazine. Someone came over to ask if I needed help and I told her I was waiting for someone. She kind of huffed off.

Tamara came in about five minutes later. She told me to wait a minute and went back into the shop area. She came back to the waiting area and led me back. She introduced me to her people. The one that huffed had a very embarrassed look on her face.