our last jump? Hell, yeah I remember. You ready to get some ideas together?”
“Yeah. I’d like to get some firm figures and program ideas together. Granddad will be home soon and Callie mentioned confronting him directly. This venture is one thing I want more definite plans in place for before talking to him.”
“Like I told you before, I’m in,” Dirk said. Sounds like we need some mock up brochures or something. I’ll see if I can find the number for the marketing guy I’ve used before. I’ve seen what you’re currently working with, and that won’t cut it.”
“Hey. Everything around here is circa 1983 or before. I wasn’t working on anything then, except getting Billie Ann Roberts out of her swimsuit.”
A rumble of laughter from Dirk crossed the line. “You need to get out more, man. See you this afternoon.”
* * * *
Delaney flopped on the love seat in the corner of Callie’s office. Callie sat behind the desk, phone to her ear, and acknowledged her with a quick wave. Boxes were stacked in the corner marked with Callie’s handwriting. It looked like more wedding stuff. She needed something to fill her thoughts besides Brock, so would gladly do whatever Callie had planned for her. Her early morning workout hadn’t helped much.
Callie dropped into the chair across from her.
“You love what you do here, your job?”
Callie laughed. “Can you believe it? Yes, I completely love it. Did you ever think I’d be dealing with this kind of stuff?”
“It suits you. And you seem happy.”
“I am. Of course I never thought to block out the weekend before my wedding. Now I’m stuck with a conference.”
“Better you than me. I’d likely kill someone before it was all over.”
“That’s why you do what you do and I do this,” Callie said with humor. “Really, it’s not bad, but my wedding has taken over my life.” She pointed to the boxes. “What do you want to tackle first?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’ll do whatever you need done. I wanted to spend some time with you before you become an old married woman.”
Callie smiled. “I know you love me, and your timing couldn’t thrill me more. I’ve got tons for you to do.”
“Well, where should we start?”
“Let me grab my wedding planner.” The phone rang. Callie apologized, answered the call and handed her off the large three ring binder with papers falling out of it.
Delaney settled back and started at the beginning. Soon she was completely engrossed. Callie had spared no detail in assembling the book, even had notes indicating the date to mail the invitations. And today was mailing day. She’d have to ask about that.
“Callie?” Brock’s sharp tone from the doorway pulled her from the book.
Callie spun the chair around and gave him an agitated look.
Seeing the phone to her ear, he turned to walk out, but stopped when he caught sight of Delaney. She couldn’t help but stare. The man could fill a pair of jeans. She swallowed a breath and smiled.
“Delaney. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“I’m helping Callie.”
He gave her a tight nod.
Callie came around the desk. “What’s wrong with you?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. Look, I’m going to see Dirk this afternoon. I wanted to talk to you about it before I went. We’ll be firming up some ideas, plans.”
Callie shrugged and settled into the chair again. Brock shot Delaney an odd look. “Spit it out. I’ve got wedding stuff to do,” Callie said.
“Fine.” He handed Callie a stack of brochures. “Dirk’s looking up the marketing guy who did some work for him before. We need to do mock-ups for a joint venture. I want them done before granddad comes in. And I’m changing all of these, so if you want input, now’s the time.”
Callie sighed. “I don’t have time for this.”
“I know. But I don’t see the point in having a set of samples done for the venture with Jump Shots and not have these done too.”
Without a second thought Delaney said, “I can do it.”
“What?” Brock shot her an odd look.
“I can do the brochures, pamphlets, whatever. I’ll make sure it’s done to both of your specifications.”
“My brain is in another dimension. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. She would be perfect,” Callie jumped in immediately.
“Sorry, I don’t get it,” Brock said.
Maybe he was aggravated with her for walking out on him the night before.“I’ve been an account executive for an ad agency for the past three years. I think I can handle some brochures for Chandler Bayou.”
“I…I thought... Never mind. That’s fine. I just...I guess I didn’t know what it was you did.”
She smiled. She’d been attending a pharmaceutical convention when they’d met. “I worked for a small company with big accounts. I was in Austin as part of my training.”
“Oh.”
“So you agree not to let Dirk find some off-the-wall whack-job to do the marketing pamphlets?” Callie asked.
“Of course.” The look he shot her sent a flash of heat down her spine. “I had no idea we had an expert right under our noses. I’m going see Dirk. I’ll be back later.”
“Great. Delaney, why don’t you ride with him? You can mail my wedding invitations while you’re out. Besides, that will give you two time to discuss the brochures. And if you’re intent on doing a joint venture with Dirk, she might as well meet him too. I trust Delaney.”
Callie was practically kicking her out. “I thought we had tons to do?” The idea of spending the afternoon with Brock made her tingle all over.
“That phone call was Jamie rescheduling an interview with a possible restaurant manager for this afternoon. I’m going to be tied up.”
“Oh. Brock, do you mind me tagging along?”
The mega-watt smile he gave her made her toes curl. “Not one bit.”
Callie crossed to her desk, handed the invitations to her, and looking at them both, said, “The deal is, you take these to the post office before six. Got it?”
“Got it,” they said in unison.
Brock gathered up the brochures. “I’ll swing by the cabin and pick you up in about a half hour.”
“Okay.” After he was gone she said, “I hope you don’t mind me piping in about the materials, but honestly, I could use the distraction.”
“From?” Callie raised her eyebrows.
She rolled her eyes heavenward. “Give me a break. Besides, I might actually need the work. You know I’m jobless.”
“Yeah, I see you struggling,” she said as Delaney left the office.
* * * *
Brock had fully intended to give Delaney the cold shoulder. Her leaving him high and dry last night had stung. He’d been hot and achy since. His level of sexual frustration had quadrupled in the short time since she arrived.
Seeing her with her hair around her shoulders, the bright glint in her eyes had changed his mind. She had some sort of pull on him, made him drop barriers he had been living behind for years.
Spending another afternoon with her would be interesting. The knowledge