Adventure Awaits

I replied to some text messages and checked my Facebook, killing five minutes. Only eighty-five more to go until we arrived in Portland. Holt had not said a word since we passed through town.

As we headed out onto the highway, I took a deep breath and channeled my inner determination, resolving to lift the iron curtain.

When I opened my mouth, the words flowed easily into a bout of verbal diarrhea. I covered the weather, gossip about other cottagers, movies, television shows, books, and politics.

Holt nodded occasionally, but he didn’t say anything. Eventually, the one-sided conversation petered out.

I sighed heavily and stared out the window. There wasn’t much to see on Highway 20. Farmers' fields and small towns dotted the landscape.

“What’s the matter? The cat got your tongue?” Holt chuckled. A playful grin replaced the bored frown that had persisted since we left the park.

“Sorry. I talk a lot when I’m nervous.”

“It’s fine. I’m interested in what you have to say. I usually like to get to know a girl a little before she has my baby.” He laughed and turned his attention back to the road.

As we passed through the town of Sweet Home, the radio played a song about a guy taking a pretty girl home to meet his momma. Holt stared straight ahead and frowned.

The teasing mood disappeared as quickly as it came on. I had fallen for a capricious man.

“So, what are your parents like?”

He rubbed the back of his head before answering. “What are they like? Well, my father is a control freak. He likes to be in charge of everything, and he manipulates whoever or whatever he needs to in order to get his own way.

“My mother has a similar personality. My parents are well-matched, but they argue a lot. They are too alike and both very stubborn.”

Great. I couldn’t wait to meet them. They sounded delightful. ~Not~. “What about your sister?”

His face lit up. “Chelsea is awesome. She is smart, kind, caring, and selfless. She is nothing like my parents.

“If I hadn’t been ten years old when she was born, and remember my mom being pregnant, I would say that she was adopted.”

“It doesn’t sound like you inherited any of their personality traits either.”

“You don’t even know me. I could be a real jerk.” He glanced across the car, shooting me a sly grin.

“I doubt it. But I would like to get to know you better.”

“I have a feeling that we are going to get to know each other pretty well in the next little while.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Where did that come from? Why did I blurt that out?

“I’m looking forward to it too, Kari.” He smiled and winked at me.

My pulse quickened. Was Holt flirting with me? It certainly seemed like it.

***

After stopping for a quick lunch, we headed toward Lake Oswego. The Bennetts lived in one of the richest neighborhoods in the Portland area.

When we pulled up to a tall iron gate that required a passcode to get in, beads of sweat formed at the base of my spine. I fiddled with my purse strap, sliding my foot in and out of my sandal.

The cobblestone laneway led the way to a stately, gray brick mansion.

A three-tiered stone fountain with carved frogs sat in the center of the circular driveway. Wide stone steps were adorned with white marble columns. A rounded balcony sat above the entryway.

Holt parked the truck and we got out. I followed him up the steps to a set of heavy, wooden doors. He unlocked it and we stepped inside.

The foyer was a large two-story room with a mammoth staircase in the center. A woman in a maid’s uniform came down the stairs. She said something in Spanish before hugging Holt.

Then she turned and looked me up and down.

“Maria, this is Kari. Kari, this is our housekeeper, Maria.”

“Hello. Nice to meet you,” I said as I reached out to shake the woman’s hand.

“Señor is in the living room with your mother,” Maria whispered.

“Thanks, Maria.”

Holt took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine as we headed into the living room. The feel of his rough skin against my soft flesh sent tingles up my spine.

The two-story living room boasted a large set of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the lake.

Crisp white walls provided contrast against the dark wood floor. The orange glow from the fireplace cast a warm glow across the overcast room.

Holt’s parents sat in matching gray armchairs. They stood up when we came in.

Mr. Bennett was tall, with a full head of gray hair and kind brown eyes. Familiar eyes and a strong resemblance to his son. He wore a black suit with a gray pinstripe tie.

Mrs. Bennett stood tall and thin, with long brown hair tied up in a tight bun.

She wore a tan pantsuit and a heavy layer of makeup. The scent of her floral perfume overwhelmed my senses. Her piercing green eyes scanned my body.

“You appear young and healthy. Do you play sports?”

“Yes, I do,” I replied as I took a seat next to Holt on the black leather sofa. “I play baseball and I run. I’ve been training for a marathon that’s coming up at the end of September.”

“That’s impressive. Of course, you will have to take a break from all of that. My personal trainer will ensure that you stay in shape without compromising the baby in any way.”

“Okay. Thanks.” I didn’t need a personal trainer, but I nodded and smiled. I would do my best to avoid any conflict with her. She was quite intimidating.

“The name Holt goes all the way back to my grandfather.” Mr. Bennett sat down and smoothed out a crease in his trousers.

“My son is actually Holt Bennett The Fourth. If you have a son, he will be Holt Bennett The Fifth.”

Holt winced. “Dad, I hadn’t discussed that with Kari yet. I thought maybe we would wait and see if she gets pregnant before we start discussing names.”

“It’s going to be included in the contract, so she might as well know now. And there is no if, son. She will become pregnant with the first insemination. I have the best medical team in the country assembled and ready to go.”

Holy crap. ~Holt didn’t exaggerate. His father ~was~ controlling. I didn’t know what to say. Apparently, I didn’t get to name my own son.

“Does your family have a lawyer, Kari?” Mr. Bennett asked.

“Yes. Smith, Cocklin and Richmond in Eugene.”

He pulled out his phone and sent a text to someone.

“Holt, don’t you think you should introduce your friend to Chelsea, and tell her the wonderful thing that this girl is going to do for her?” Mrs. Bennett suggested.

“Where is she?” Holt asked.

“She’s upstairs resting.”

“Maria!” Mr. Bennett looked toward the doorway with impatience.

Maria scurried in from the foyer. “Yes, Señor?”

“Please ask my daughter to come downstairs.”

“Yes, Señor.”

When Holt’s sister came into the room, he jumped up and gave her a hug. “I missed you kiddo. How have you been?”

“Not great. I feel like shit.”

“Chelsea! That is not appropriate language for a young lady.” Mrs. Bennett wagged her long, pointy finger at the little girl.

Chelsea Bennett bore a close resemblance to her brother. She had dark hair and eyes, illness evident in her pallid complexion and frail body.

“So you are the one that’s going to have my brother’s baby and save me?”

“I’m going to try.” I smiled and shrugged.

She sat down beside me on the sofa and grabbed my hand. “I really appreciate that. I feel bad for you that you have to have sex with my brother though. Ew.”

“Chelsea! What has gotten into you?” Mrs. Bennett’s eyes widened. The heavy layer of blush didn’t hide the redness that spread across her face.

Mr. Bennett closed his eyes and shook his head. “Chelsea, the baby will be conceived by artificial insemination.”

“I don’t know what that is, but it sounds gross.” She wrinkled her nose.

I leaned in close to her ear. “It means I don’t have to have any icky sex with your brother,” I whispered. I looked up and caught Holt staring at me. He swallowed and turned away when our eyes met.

Mr. Bennett glanced at his phone. “We have a meeting with the lawyers Wednesday morning at nine.”

He rose from his chair and disappeared briefly. When he returned, he handed me a thick, brown envelope.

“This is a copy of the contracts. I recommend going over them before Wednesday. If you are prepared to sign upon arrival, it will expedite the process.”