“Violent tendencies won’t grant you custody.”
“Wanna know the worst part?”
“I don’t know, do I?”
“The Colemans said that Owen’s dad is coming around.”
“For a visit?”
“Permanently.”
Jason sighed through the line. “That doesn’t sound good.”
Rachel rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I have guardianship over Owen only because Em requested it in her will and TJ didn’t stand up. If he stands up, the court would grant him complete custody unless I can prove he’s unfit.”
“It doesn’t matter that Owen doesn’t know his father and doesn’t want to live with him?”
“No. I could have fought the ugly grandparents and been heard. The court might listen to me suggest TJ not be given custody, but he will win.”
“This isn’t good.”
“I tried to avoid any of this by moving here. Owen and I both decided it was in everyone’s best interest to give the grandparents a chance to get to know him. TJ wasn’t a factor.”
“How did Owen feel about the whole move?”
“Better than most teenagers, I think. He was so wrapped up in Em’s passing that he hadn’t kept any close friends during the last year. And staying in California, passing the same grocery stores he used to go into with his mom . . . it was hard. Moving erased some of that.”
Jason’s voice softened. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing. I could lawyer up, but I don’t have the money for that. And right now there isn’t anyone petitioning for a different custodial situation. I’ll try and make nice with the Colemans. Invite TJ to get to know his kid. But at the end of the day, there isn’t a thing I can do until they move to make the situation different.” And that’s what sucked the most. The not knowing what the other parties were up to.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
She smiled, knowing already that he’d jump in if she needed it. “No. You’ve already helped a lot. Owen really likes you.” Which proved there was a point to the Colemans’ argument that Owen needed a man in his life. Rachel had never seen Owen attach to anyone like he had with Jason. And in less than two weeks.
“He’s a great kid.”
“He is. I wish I could erase all this stress in his life.”
Jason paused. “You’re a decent person, Rachel. Not everyone would take on the responsibility like you’re doing.”
She shook off his compliment. “Who would walk away? Emily was my best friend. I’ve known Owen since he was five.”
“Lots of people would walk away. You know that. I’m glad you’re the kind of person who has more integrity than that.”
She glanced at the time. “Thanks. And thanks for checking in.”
“Anytime.”
“I need to get to bed. I have a report to finish up for my boss on Monday,” she teased.
He laughed. “Yes, you do. Don’t think your boss is going to play favorites just because he knows you.”
“Good night, Jason.”
“Night, Rachel.”
Rachel knew she’d be presenting a more detailed plan to Jason and his management team, but she didn’t take in the scope of how many people were going to be in the conference room. The space she’d used the previous week sat twelve, and there had been a few seats unoccupied. Now she stood in a room that comfortably sat twice as many chairs, and several extras were brought in and placed along the walls.
The teams filed in, marketing, advertising, public relations . . . all part of the same general team. Risk management, the heads of the broker department, and the staffing manager rounded out the attendees. Rachel lost track of everyone’s names. Several executive secretaries were there as well. Toward the tail end of the parade of people, Jason walked through the door.
Her heart shouldn’t leap when she saw the man, she told herself. But her chemical reaction wasn’t something she could control. He was such a contrast in a suit and tie to when he was climbing on her roof, hanging Christmas lights.
“Try not to cuss at him this time,” Julie whispered in her ear.
Rachel lowered her head and softly laughed.
“Good morning, Rachel,” he greeted her with his hand extended.
“Good morning, Mr. Fairchild.” She nearly choked on his name, not sure if she should address him as Jason or not.
He grasped her hand, an amused grin on his lips. “Really? I think you can call me Jason.”
“Fine.”
He squeezed her hand before letting go. “You remember my brother, Glen.”
She shook his hand. “Nice to see you again.”
He winked. “You look much better without the black eye.”
Rachel’s hand lifted to what was left of said bruise, and she shook her head. “You should have seen the other guy.”
The employees around them laughed.
“I don’t believe you met Trent.” Jason turned her attention to a man she’d seen in pictures on the Internet when researching Jason. “Trent is in charge of our helicopter vacation tours division.”
He looked as if he’d just returned from a sunny vacation, complete with a tan and hair that needed a trim.
“I’m also allergic to the office, so if you need to get in touch, call.”
“That’s the truth,” Glen agreed.
“I’ll do that,” Rachel said.
Trent turned to the blonde on his left. “And this is my wife, Monica. The ambassador for our volunteer relief flight program.”
Rachel smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here,” Rachel said, clasping the woman’s hand. “I’ve read about what you’re doing and have some ideas on how to reach farther for your efforts.”
“We have all the flights we can handle,” Trent said.
“I mean more financial backing outside of Fairchild Charters footing the bill.”
Monica had expressive blue eyes that lit up when she smiled.
“I like that idea,” Glen said. The man in charge of the money portion always liked spreading the spending outside of the company.
“Are you free for lunch?” Monica asked.
“Lunch sounds perfect.”
Out of the corners of her eyes, Rachel noticed all three Fairchild brothers exchanging glances as if they were having a wordless conversation. “What?” she asked.
Jason glanced between Monica and her. “Nothing. We should get started.”
For the next two hours, Rachel ran through a more detailed, global plan to expand Fairchild Charters’ reach. She had a laundry list of things to do for each department and suggestions on who would be best to handle each task. She mapped out goals and how to monitor and reach them. She suggested the use of interns, fresh out of college, or those who needed the experience for their grades, to help keep their hiring costs low. “Everyone bags on the millennials as entitled young kids who would rather sit on the beach with their laptop than go into an office.”
“Sounds like me,” Trent said.
The majority of the people in the office laughed along with him.
“My point is, we can tap into that lifestyle and benefit from it. Use the empty legs we have sitting around as incentive for each team reaching their goals. Travel incentives for the new grad are more attractive than a dental plan.”