White Chocolate Moments

  once occurred to her that he would tell Gage where she was. When

  that man showed up, she didn't even want to look at him.

  "Too tired for company?" he asked, sitting down across from her. "No," Arcineh said, her voice not convincing at all, her eyes not

  meeting his for more than a moment at a time.

  "Sore?"

  "Yes:' Arcineh admitted.

  "How sore?"

  When Arcineh didn't answer, Gage had another question. "Why didn't you say something on the ride?"

  This was the toughest question of all. Arcineh wanted to be honest, but that was going to be hard.

  "What are you doing this evening?" Arcineh suddenly asked. "Big plans?"

  Gage laughed. He couldn't help himself.

  "You know, you're amazingly smart, with every sign of maturity, but when you don't want to answer a question, you very swiftly turn into a four-year-old, thinking that distraction will work:"

  Arcineh frowned at him. She didn't care that he was right. It still made her mad.

  "Why didn't you say we had gone too far on the ride?" Gage pressed.

  "To what end, Gage?" she snapped. "I don't see that much of you as it is, and then you find out that I can't even take a day of bike riding:' Well and truly angry now, Arcineh gazed out the window. If she could have walked, she would have stormed out, but the effect would have been lost in all the moaning and groaning that would have had to accompany such an action.

  Gage looked at her, debating his next move. He wanted to talk about this, but clearly she was not in the mood. Gage opted for honesty

  "Can we talk, or do you want me to leave? And before you answer:' he cut back in, "I'm not going anywhere:'

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  Arcineh frowned at him, her voice tight as she said, "I hurt in places I didn't know existed:'

  "Then I'll ask again, why didn't you say something?"

  "By the time I realized it, the damage was done!"

  "And you were afraid I wouldn't ask you again, so you thought you'd keep this quiet:' Gage put in, Arcineh's face telling him how closely he'd come to the truth.

  Both people let the room get very quiet. Arcineh was on the wicker sofa, her legs stretched out. She had to go to the bathroom but wasn't willing to have Gage see her move. At the moment, it was not a graceful process.

  Without warning, Gage began to move furniture. Arcineh watched as the wicker-and-glass coffee table was shifted out of the way and Gage pulled his chair close to the sofa, facing her.

  "How sore are you?" he asked gently.

  "I can't get upstairs:' she admitted.

  "Have you taken anything?"

  "No. I wasn't hungry, and Violet won't give me ibuprofen without something to eat:'

  Gage stood. He bent long enough to kiss her forehead and said he'd be right back. When he arrived, he had a glass of milk and ibuprofen tablets in hand. Arcineh took the pills and drank all the milk. She even found the courage to tell Gage she had to be excused. He helped her to her feet and all the way to the powder room door.

  From there, they went to the family room and joined Sam. Gage stayed and talked to them for the next two hours. They ended up having a good time, but no one was surprised when Arcineh--who was forced to sleep downstairs--wasn't up to going out the next morning.

  "How's the soreness?" Gage asked on Wednesday after work.

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  "Much better, thank you:'

  "I have a favor to ask of you."

  "Okay."

  "Any chance you could work for me at the office for maybe a week or so?"

  "Sure, what's going on?"

  "Patrice's mother had a heart attack, and she'll be gone for a little while."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. Do they think she'll be all right?" "It's a little iffy right now."

  Arcineh nodded, and then remembered something from the past.

  "I thought you said one time that it would be too distracting to have me at the office."

  To her surprise, Gage didn't laugh when he said, "I probably won't get a thing done."

  "Oh, Gage she said, clearly not believing him. "I was only kidding:'

  Gage looked at her, his eyes wandering a bit. "I'm not."

  Arcineh still didn't believe him, but she was good at her word and

  presented herself to the fourth floor the next morning. The women had

  been warned of her arrival and were genuinely pleased to see her. "How have you been?" Arcineh asked Mallory.

  "Doing well, thanks to you:'

  Arcineh blew that off. She didn't think it was her at all and decided not to waste time getting to work. In little time at all, she was finding out what needed to be done. Things came back to her swiftly, and before she knew it, she was walking down to the second floor to have lunch with Mallory.

  The women visited about everything under the sun, including Mallory's boyfriend, who she suspected was getting ready to pop the question. Arcineh loved seeing everyone from the past and had good visits all around. Not until she arrived back on the fourth floor did

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  she doubt her actions. Gage asked to see her, and when she got to his office, he wanted the door shut.

  "Where did you eat lunch?" he asked.

  "In the cafeteria."

  "Why didn't you come and eat with me?"

  "I didn't know your company policy on relationships. And I didn't want to assume'

  He had come to the front of the desk, sat on it, and stretched his legs out. His arms crossed over his chest, he began in a long-suffering tone, "I behave myself all morning, concentrating on my work, even when you're in the room, telling myself I'll see you at lunch, and then lunchtime comes, and no Arcie:'

  Arcineh had her hand over her mouth, working not to laugh.

  "Oh, yes, its so funny: His tone had gone sarcastic. "Let's torture the boss with his beautiful girlfriend in the building but not let him get near her:'

  Arcineh kept her hand over her mouth but still managed to say, "I told you, I didn't want to assume:'

  "Let me sum it up for you in two words, Miss Bryant: tomorrow-- assume:'

  Arcineh's laugh could be heard in the outer office. Mallory, sitting at Patrice's desk, couldn't wait to tell Victoria that things were progressing quite nicely.

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  Chapter Twenty-Five

  "Okay, sign this:' Arcineh directed, placing papers in front of Gage about a week later. "And this letter from a pleased customer just came in. Mallory thought you might want to see it:'

  "Okay, thank you:' Gage said, his eyes already on the letter. "Oh, and by the way, I signed you up to dance."

  "Okay"

  Arcineh made her way to the door, but Gage's mind clicked into gear just in time and he beat her there, his hand keeping the portal closed. Arcineh turned to look at him.

  "You did what?" Gage asked.

  "I signed you up to be my dance partner."

  "What kind of dance?" Gage asked, looking as horrified as he felt.

  "Mostly waltz and a little bit of swing. You'll do great. It's for a retirement village'

  "How will I know what to do?"

  "We have four weeks of practice on Thursday nights:' Arcineh smiled at him, and Gage's eyes narrowed.

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  "This is about the bike ride. You're getting me back:'

  "Gage Arcineh replied, managing to sound hurt. "I can't believe you would say that:'

  Gage's hand dropped off the door, and Arcineh turned the handle to let herself out. Just before she exited, however, she gave Gage an amazingly satisfied smile. Seeing it, that man knew he'd been had.

  "You're doing this in high heels?" Gage asked as he watched Arcineh put a black pair on her feet.

  "Yes, it's best to practice in what I'll have to wear:'

  "Speaking of which, what will I be wearing?"

  "Black slacks and shoes, a white long-sleeved shirt, and a red tie:' "All from my closet?"

  "Not the tie--they have those:'
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  "And you'll be in..."

  "A black skirt and white blouse with a small red bow on the pocket:'

  "Who puts all this together?"

  "Mostly Tina. She's very good:'

  Gage had more questions, but there was no time. The music began, and so did the hard work. He was in good shape, but naturally Arcineh had the edge. To his untrained eye, she never missed a beat. He, on the other hand, thought he messed up constantly. Nevertheless they had a blast, and whether she intended it or not, he was a little bit sore the next day.

  "I'm in love with your granddaughter:' Gage told Sam on Sunday evening. The older man had deliberately gone next door to talk about the relationship between Gage and Arcineh.

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  "Does she know that?"

  "I haven't said it, but I hope she's catching on."

  "To what end, Gage?" Sam asked.

  "Marriage, I hope'

  Sam didn't comment, and Gage grew concerned.

  "What are you thinking about?" he finally asked.

  "My past," Sam admitted. "I worked the hours you work, and it cost me much. I don't want that for Arcie."

  "What do I do when I'm the owner of the company?"

  "I've been thinking about that very thing. And I'll tell you what I would do if I had to do it again. I'd plan to control the workday. I'd hire people who think like I do and understand how productive they must be. If you set the standard, it will work.

  "If you're like I was:' Sam continued, "you're in on everything, but you don't have to be. Trust the people you hire to get the job done, and then leave them to it. I know there will be times when you're on call or running a bit late, but that can't be the norm. You might even increase production, but if you don't, it's still worth it."

  Gage nodded, his mind running with the changes he would have to make. He finally saw the dichotomy within himself as he realized he'd been too hands-off with Patrice and too hands-on with his department heads. It was true--he loved being a part of every aspect of the business, but his people were more than competent.

  Sam didn't stay much longer, but he'd given the younger man much to think about. Gage spent the rest of the evening asking God for help and also arguing with Him that it could not be done. He went to bed with very few answers.

  "Are you all right?" Arcineh asked on Monday morning. "Yes, why?"

  "You just seem a little quiet'

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  Gage looked at her. He'd wrestled with Sam's words last night and again this morning, almost forgetting the woman he was fighting for. And something else was suddenly clear: Sam had not told her he was coming to see him about their relationship. Gage's heart ached at the thought of not having Sam's blessing, but the man was right. Why would Sam want Arcineh to have a husband who did little but work? It would be horrible for both of them.

  "Tell me something," Gage said, not mentioning his conversation with Sam but already forming a plan. "Have you ever played tennis?"

  "Just a little in high school with friends," Arcineh answered, her voice confused.

  "Perfect."

  "Why is that?"

  "That's all I've ever played, so if we do that together, we'll be in the same place:'

  "You're not going to ask me to bike with you again?"

  "I am, and I'll dance with you, but tennis will be ours:'

  Arcineh looked into his eyes and said, "I like you, Gage Sefton:' Gage couldn't help himself. With one hand he gently cupped the

  side of her face. "I like you too:'

  The soft kiss he gave her made Arcineh sigh. The sigh made Gage smile, just before he put his arms around her to hold her close. It was a wonderful start to the work week, and to knowing what had to be done.

  "Thanks for coming," Gage said to Sam at the end of the workday on Friday.

  "You're welcome. What can I do for you?"

  "You can take up residence in this building until you figure out where we're wasting time and energy. I want to know what you

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  would do to keep Rugby Shades a viable company without letting it own me:'

  Sam could have shouted with relief. He had known for a long time that this man was special, but this--this was beyond what he dreamed. Sam knew only God could have done this.

  Gage waited, hoping Sam would at least dialog with him about the process. He made him the happiest of men when he asked, "When do you want me to start?"

  Arcineh had not forgotten about her conversation with Jalaina, but neither did she expect to see her. They had talked almost four weeks past and not seen each other since, but on a Sunday morning, looking nervous even though Will was at her side, she stood in the foyer of the church building, her face showing relief when Arcineh spotted her. "Hi," she whispered as they hugged. "Are you all right?"

  "I think so. Someone just directed us to the nursery. Will Emilie be all right?"

  "She'll be fine, but if you want her in with you, that's all right too:'

  Jalaina looked to Will.

  "We're not going to hear what the man is saying if we have Emilie. We might not be all right:' he teased his wife a little, "but Em will be fine:'

  Arcineh loved the smile the two of them shared, and she began to pray. She was a little confused about what God would want in this situation but then remembered what she'd been learning about men leading in the home and church family. As they trooped in to sit with Sam and Gage, Arcineh asked God to save Will Schafer and that Jalaina would follow his lead.

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  "She's asleep:' Arcineh told the men when she got back to the family room. Will had had questions, just as Gage had many weeks before. Sam had invited them over for lunch. Jalaina had listened as long as she could, but the baby needed to be fed, and both had fallen asleep in the rocker in the four-season room.

  "I don't know what you said to Jalaina, Arcie," Will said with his wife missing, "but she would not let this go. She's been nagging me to attend your church:'

  "Did you not want to?" Arcineh asked.

  Will shrugged. "I think a church might be a church, but Jalaina wanted it, so we came:'

  "And now what do you think?" Sam asked.

  Will had to smile. "Okay, I heard some things today that were new to me, but I don't know about this sin issue. Why would God create man as a sinner and then cast him off for being that way?"

  "If you go back to Genesis, Will:' Sam said, fielding the question, "God created a perfect man and woman. They chose to sin:"

  "That's my point:' Will said. "Even Adam and Eve sinned, and they were perfect. How do the rest of us stand a chance, and why would God do that to us?"

  "God wants us to make Him our God. He gives us a choice, Will. We can face that we sin and need a Savior and God, or we can live life for ourselves with a god of our own and spend eternity apart from Him:'

  Will was on the verge of arguing, but in fact he'd been raised to

  respect the church and God. He sat back and looked at Sam. "The hard part about God is that it's all His way:' Will said. "That's very astute of you, Will, but allow me to add that it's also

  the clearest pare

  "How so?"

  Sam tapped his Bible. "He spells it out for us. He says it's a small gate and a narrow path to finding God and knowing you're saved

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  for all of eternity. It's completely clear in His Word. He's an exacting God, but a clear one."

  Will slowly shook his head in wonder. "I can't say I've ever thought of it that way before'

  "That's what we call light or truth:' Sam continued. "I've just given you some light, and you must decide what you will do with it:'

  Will didn't hesitate this time. "I think I'll come back next Sunday"

  Sam smiled at the younger man before saying, "I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that:'

  The employees of Rugby Shades read an email on Monday morning, one from Gage Sefton himself. The email said that a man named Sam Bryant was there to help him, and that changes would be made. He encour
aged them to welcome the older man, who might be moving in their midst, and even told some about the meeting they were to attend in the conference room on Tuesday.

  The meeting the next day started on time and Gage got right to the point. "The changes might be slow in coming--it might take weeks to adjust--but there will be changes. We will put in hard days, but they will be shorter days:' Gage told the fourth floor, his executives, and the design teams. Sam and Arcineh were present as well. "You will know you've worked, but at the end of the day you can go home and forget about Rugby, and that goes for the weekend:'

  Gage searched the faces of his people. Sam had only been on the job for one day, but he told Gage he could do this. Gage believed in being upfront with his people and had called this meeting for first thing Tuesday morning.

  "I would call for questions, but I don't have all the answers right now. I just know that changes will be made in how we do things. I'm not looking to fire anyone, but if you find this is no longer a place you

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  want to work, I will not deny you the reference you deserve because you don't want to work for Rugby."

  Gage saw faces relax and knew he'd covered at least one question. "I still love making sunglasses. I still love what we do here. I just Want us to do it more effectively. It might even open up opportunities for some of you. We'll have to wait and see.

  "Most of you know Sam Bryant, grandfather to Arcie and a successful businessman. As I said in the email, he'll be around for an undetermined time. Answer any questions he might have. Tell him what you do so he can help us. Feel free to ask questions but be patient about the answers. When I know things, I'll communicate them with you." Gage wrapped up the meeting. "That's all I have for you. Thank you for your time."

  Folks thanked him and moved on their way. Little by little people went back to their jobs, but naturally there was much speculation about the changes. However, Gage and Sam didn't waste any time. Sam continued his tour of the office. Gage was either with him or working on the business at hand.

  Arcineh woke up with Patrice on her mind and prayed for her. Gage had told her the day before that Patrice's mother was not doing well, and because she was planning to be married in a month, the assistant would not be back to work at all.

  Arcineh had agreed to staying on for the time being because Gage was reticent, in light of the changes, to come, to add someone new. Arcineh felt discontentment as she got out of bed. She didn't hate the job. It let her see Gage. But it wasn't something she wanted to do for a long time.