The Billionaire's Second Chance (27 page)

“How did the hopelessly romantic daughter of university academicians end up on the left coast running a business selling fantasy and make-believe?” The delivery was casual but the inquiry was not. Eight years ago Shannon was a Bostonian, a brilliant college student with a promising future in economics or political science. Nick was curious to learn what path in her previous journey had taken her so far from home and in such a completely opposite direction.

Settling back into the sumptuous cushions, Shannon pulled a small sofa pillow across her middle and clutched it tight. A protective movement? Nick considered her body language as he waited for her reply.

Shannon smiled almost wistfully answering without hesitation, “Ahh… the ‘rents! Yes, well they certainly expected a buttoned-down, briefcase toting career for their only daughter but alas, such was not the way I was made.” she chuckled.

“My folks are awesome.
” she shrugged. “I had an unusual upbringing but hey, who doesn’t? By the time I came along my brother was already heading off to college making for an odd household to be sure. My mom would never, ever be considered a homemaker!  My earliest memories of her are in a white lab coat, glasses perched on the edge of her nose, asking questions.  That’s what mom does, she asks questions.  It’s the research scientist in her. Now Dad, he’s another story altogether! Picture the quintessential absent minded professor and you have the perfect representation”

Warm
childhood memories lit up Shannon’s face and Nick could see the love she had for her parents clearly shining in her eyes.

“My brother Ted has always been something of an enigma to me.
We’re strangers who quite frankly don’t like each other very much!
He was setting off on his academic journey just months after I was born.  It must have been kinda’ weird for him to grow up an only child only to have his laid back and settled parents turn up pregnant with a late in life kid on the way! He’s
the
really
serious
type
,
with a
face
that
would
freakin’
crack
if an actual smile found daylight. His wife Jane is a piece of work too.  She’s a lawyer from a family of lawyers and judges.  Those two certainly fell in line when it came to living the life their parents envisioned for them”

“And you didn’t?” Nick queried. “Somehow Shannon, that doesn’t surprise me in the least.  You see the world around us in a totally unique way. The girl I knew and the woman you’ve become have always been marching to a different drummer. You should be proud of that and I hope your parents are too”

“Oh, they are Nick! They are. Don’t get me wrong. My parents are great. They just didn’t know what to make of a little girl with an imagination overflowing with fairy tales and princesses. Ted was always so sensible and pragmatic about everything while I was emotional and intuitive in a way that wasn’t a good fit with my fact-based upbringing.
Even so,
they always supported whatever I did! Dad came to every dance recital and even remembered to bring me a corsage! We would go to Lenny’s Soda Shop after and eat coconut custard pie and drink root beer floats!”
Shannon’s wistful smile
punctuated her words.

“Mum was a different matter altogether. She was a scheduler and meticulously kept track of even the smallest details. I was
always
prepared and never had to be asked twice for a permission slip or parent signature! The woman may seem as dry as
toast
but when you get her going she’s a hoot and a half and I know she loves me to the moon and back.”

“
Studying
was way easy for me.  Maybe too easy. By the time I graduated from high school I’d been on an accelerated academic track for years and had already earned enough college credits to enter University as a sophomore. Ending up in Saharan Africa was a bit of a wild card to be sure but at the time my language qualification alone made all sorts of opportunities open up for me.  I didn’t want to end up in some dry and dusty civil service job with the state department after college so
I
made sure to always keep my options open”.

Something subtle shifted in the air around them, Nick could
feel it. His awareness moved up a notch
as he sensed the change. The observant negotiator in him sprang to life and he considered every word, each inflection and noted how her eyes drifted slowly away from his as she spoke. It certainly didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that something significant was happening. She was being too cautious as if there was something big being left unsaid.

“There wasn’t a lot for me to do, school wise, after
Africa
.” Shannon, still clutching the pillow, said quietly. “The internship finished my degree, but …” sighing now she stared off into space, “things change, and, well ... y’know.  My parents were surprised I suppose when graduation came along and I was awarded a
simple arts degree.”

Well that was certainly a piece of information Nick was going to tuck away for later. What had brought about her change of heart? He wasn’t an idiot and knew what was going unsaid in her narrative was how they had finally parted once they were both back in the states. Guilt washed over him in waves because he knew there was more she was holding back
. He
was sure it involved the dreadful way he had acted toward their relationship. Silence hovered as they lost themselves in memories of a time which had obviously changed both their lives.

“I went off to California on a whim, really. One of mom’s science buddies needed a short-term research
assistant in the archive at Cal
Tech. I'd always heard that California is the home of fruits and nuts and I certainly found that to be true!” she laughed. “I met this eccentric old biddy who managed
a
storytelling program at the County Library and from there, as they say, the rest is history!”

“I loved volunteering for the readings and watching enthusiasm for books come to life in the children who came. Before too long the story days were full on tour de force events with costumes and props which eventually started bringing the parents in to the fun. When the research gig ended I took a leap of faith and started doing children’s parties. From there, everything just exploded!”

She giggled slightly and mugged for him with a self-deprecating smile. “It never ceases to amaze me that in Tinseltown where storytelling and fantasy is de rig
u
eur that one small business among many others
,
doing basically the same thing
,
would take off so quickly and be as successful as it has! We are forever being approached by Hollywood production houses and studios to work in the movie making business but I like what we do now. It’s still personal
and
I have the last word in control.”

Nick understood what she meant and nodded in agreement, pleased that she hadn’t sold out for money or fame. What he had seen of her efforts at his nephew’s party had been more than impressive. She was obviously really good at what she did and it didn’t come as any sort of a surprise to learn that Hollywood had noticed her unique talents and come knocking at her door.

“Your parents, their anniversary celebration. With your expertise at running events, I’m curious why you aren’t more involved with that?”

Shannon tossed the pillow aside and stretched a bit before she answered. “I offered but Dad and Mom put a foot down. Said I was a guest and not an event planner and that I was to come and enjoy myself, period … end of story. Was kind of cute actually.” Shannon said as she smiled. “I didn’t realize till they called the other day how excited they were that I was going to travel east. It’s been a long time…” her voice quieted to a whisper.

Shannon was restless and needed to get up and move after their long stretch on the sofa. She was surprised at how easy and carefree their conversation had been. They’d always been great at communicating and had a natural ease and comfort with one another
which
was
certainly
helping them move forward from the past.

There was a niggling unease stirring in her mind that she was deliberately ignoring. Recalling for Nick how she had surprised her family with a change in direction after her time abroad had been difficult. Side-stepping any mention of their time together or how the events at the end had come together in a perfect storm of heartache, loss and despair, had made Shannon uncomfortable. She didn’t want to think about what was hidden in those memories. Not yet.

“Nick, I am going crazy being cooped up and stuck in one position like this. Could we maybe go for a drive? Hey, wanna’ go get an ice cream cone?” she asked with sing song enthusiasm as she wagged her eyebrows at him for effect.

Aware that she had neatly segued away from further reverie, Nick mock agreed with her that being stuck in one position wasn’t very exciting.  The obvious double entendre of his comment was followed by a whoop of delighted laughter from the object of his desire
warming him
when she teased him right back
saying,
“Just like a man! Always with the one track mind!”

Getting a laugh from her and some back and forth teasing was proving to be their re-set
position
,
something
Nick decided he’d gladly accept. They were making progress al
though at times the past hovering nearby threatened
to throw a damper on everything. He had a plan forming in his busy mind which he was sure would help bring closure to whatever pain and confusion still lingered from their disastrous past.
Stick to the plan, Nick
he muttered in his mind,
and all will be well.

They’d gone off on a driving adventure which helped lift Shannon’s spirits considerably. She loved
early September
in southern California. People joked that L.A. only had two seasons; green and brown but that was an exaggeration in her mind or evidence that people really didn’t slow down and smell the roses very much anymore.

They cruised up the coastal highway with the satellite radio providing classic rock ‘n roll music while Shannon rolled down the window of his behemoth SUV and joked that all
which
the luxury vehicle needed to be perfect was a convertible roof. Little did she know that
her
off-hand comment had Nick twelve steps ahead; mentally purchasing a sexy red convertible that would perfectly accentuate her glorious blonde
mane.

They stopped at a cute outdoor café
well north of Malibu that offered umbrella covered tables and a view of the Pacific Ocean that was worth the outrageous price of the organic fare on the menu.

Nobody could enjoy a burger quite the way Shannon did so Nick ordered up a feast of toppings and side dishes and then sat back and relished her enjoyment of their lunch. She was
awfully
damn cute as she tried to manage the over-loaded burger in her delicate hands and they laughed together each time catsup squirted or half the lettuce, tomatoes or avocado slices slide from the bun.

It was mid-afternoon when they made their way
back
to the
canyon where Shannon lived.  The smell of late summer sage hung in the air and a sense of well-being sank into each of them. This day
,
so far
,
was a check mark in the win column.

They hadn’t been back in the house for very long when the doorbell sounded. Shannon had been making her way from the bathroom after having insisted on using the crutches instead of Nick’s arms while Nick was standing in the middle of the living room, remote control in hand engrossed in whatever sporting event he’d channel surfed too
when
the bell pierced their solitude.

Raising an eyebrow at her as she appeared in the living room he asked
,
“Expecting somebody?” before he tossed the remote down and headed to answer the door.

Bemused by the unexpected intrusion she called after him “Actually, no. I can’t imagine who’d come by out of the blue.” With that she hobbled further into the living area and plunked down onto a wing chair which gave her ample view of the door as Nick reached for the knob and pulled the heavy wood door wide.

A clamor of laughter and good cheer followed as Ned and Dominic stepped over the threshold followed by a worried looking Jules who had baby Amy cradled against her chest. After a quick bro-hug Ned swept right past
his brother-in-law
and headed to Shannon’s side as Domenic literally flung himself onto Nick’s legs which he bear-hugged with all the abandon a rambunctious six year old could muster while he cried
,
‘Uncle Nicky, I’ve missed you!’

Laughing Jules stopped for a quick brother sister peck on the cheek telling Nick, “He’s been rattling on and on about the light saber you gave him for his birthday. Thanks a lot big brother! The darn thing makes the most annoying noise. I suppose you did that on purpose though, right?” Jules laughed as she too then headed for Shannon’s side. Smiling affectionately at her friend Jules added, “I’m thinking next year will be a Star Wars party Shannon! You up for it?”