Sunny's Love

chapter Seventeen





They made the trip back to Iowa the following week. Sunny was kept busy with moving into the master bedroom and getting settled back in as well as getting the children ready for the new school year.

She and Alma had worked out a schedule since Alma would have to help with Brice when Sunny was at the office with Chase. They’d decided against hiring a nanny since Brice would be in preschool three mornings a week and Ali in school full time. Sunny wanted to be a hands-on-mom and Alma was more than willing to help. And of course, Chase was always willing to help with the kids when he wasn’t working.

“Sunny, it’s so good to see how you’ve settled into the mommy role,” Alma told her one morning over coffee.

“Well, I had practice all summer, Alma. Seriously though, I love those two like they were my own.”

“That’s evident in the way you always put them first, no matter what else is going on with your life.”

“I learned from the best, Alma. When I met Chase, I was amazed at the way he could always work in time with the kids as busy as he is.”

“With the two of you raising them together, they’ll do all right. And who knows? Maybe a new baby will be added to the mix,” Alma hinted.

“Maybe, but not any time soon, Alma, we have much to do before we add a baby to this busy family. But I’m sure it’ll happen, sooner or later. Chase and I have talked about it.”

“Give yourself time to be a newlywed. You need to settle in with those two and the company first. I understand that.”

“Well, I need to get going. I’m meeting Chase at the office. Thanks for watching Brice this afternoon.”

“No problem, I’ll pick him up at preschool, feed him lunch, and he’ll be ready for a nap.”

Sunny ran upstairs to change and was on her way to meet her husband at their office.

He greeted her with a smile when she walked into his plush office. Walking over to her, he kissed her and said, “Hi, baby, how’s your morning going?”

“Great so far, Alma and I have worked out a schedule. She’s picking Brice up, so I’m yours for the afternoon.”

“Better not say it that way or I’ll be tempted to take the afternoon off.” He treated her to one of his ever-sexy grins.

“Don’t tempt me or I might take you up on that. We have too much to do for any afternoon delight, my dear.”

“Damn the luck, the slave driver side of my wife has shown up.”

“Let’s get started. I’m ready to learn all there is to learn about A Li’l Taste of Heaven.”

“Well now, Sunny, I thought I’d shown you a little taste of heaven already, in the hotel, on the ship, at home in our bedroom.”

“Chase…stop it...get serious.” She laughed as she gently tried to coax him into work mode.

“The honeymoon’s over already?” He pretended to look hurt.

“Never over, just on hold for a few hours.”

“Okay, Sunny, I’ll settle down. The sooner we can get to work, the sooner I can take you home.” He smiled as he offered her a chair. Sitting across from her, he handed her some folders.

He was patient as he explained things to her, giving her an overview of the entire chain. He gave her a listing of locations, went over a profit-and-loss statement, and let her read the minutes of the last Board meeting, before he finally said, “I don’t want to overwhelm you so let’s break for lunch.”

He took her to one of his restaurants near the corporate office. After they’d ordered, he asked, “Is your head swimming?”

“Not too much yet, but I’m sure as we get deeper into the inner workings it will.” She laughed as she took a sip of iced tea.

“You’ll do fine, Sunny. And you don’t have to jump in all at once. As long as you know the basics, I’ll be satisfied for now. I don’t expect you to work full-time, just know enough about the business to make qualified decisions.”

About that time, Lindy walked by and seeing the two of them, stopped at their table. She looked at Chase, ignoring Sunny and said, “I see the newlyweds are back from their honeymoon. Taking the trophy wife out for lunch so she doesn’t get bored at home, Chase?”

Chase was obviously fuming but calmly answered, “Sunny is not a trophy wife, Lindy. In fact, we’ve been working all morning at the office, and decided to break for lunch.”

Lindy didn’t look happy to hear Sunny had been at the office. “Did you say working? Your wife is working at the office?”

“Sunny is my partner in every way, Lindy. Of course she’s at the office catching up on work when the children are in school.”

Lindy was obviously not pleased. She looked at Sunny and said, “You may have tricked him into marrying you, but you’ll never truly have him or his company, so remember that when you’re history, my dear.”

Sunny glared at the woman. She replied in a gentle but firm voice. “First of all, I didn’t trick my husband into marrying me. Secondly, not that it’s any business of yours, but we have made a lifelong commitment to each other and we both intend to honor that. Thirdly, as Chase pointed out, I’m his partner in every way, so I will be at the office from time to time. I think it’s time you realize that and move on. My husband is not available. He went off the market the minute he said I do and I don’t share.”

Chase watched his wife take Lindy down a peg with a proud look on his face. Lindy flounced out the door angrily.

“Bravo, Mrs. Dupont, bravo.”

“That woman infuriates me.”

“I can see that. Remind me never to make you angry. You’re a little spitfire.”

“She doesn’t need to think she’s going to seduce you away from the ‘little woman’. You’re mine, Chase Dupont. And I don’t play well with others when they try to take what’s mine.”

“You’re so hot right now, do you know that?”

“Chase!”

“Seriously, you’re right, she’s a bitch. You have nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned. I’m yours, and you never have to doubt that, or worry about it. On the other hand, Lindy doesn’t play nice when she’s angry either, so you need to be careful.”

“What do you think she’ll do?” Sunny was more than a little frightened now that she realized the full impact of what she’d done.

“I don’t know. I just know you need to be careful.”

“She must have read the blurb in the society pages about our wedding.”

“I’m sure she did. That in itself was enough to make her angry.”

Lunch was served and the conversation ended as they enjoyed the food. When they finished, they went back to the office and resumed their work for another hour. Chase looked at his watch and said, “Let’s get out of here, baby. We can go for a drive.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’ve worked hard enough for one day. I don’t want to put your brain on overload. The kids are fine with Alma. Let’s take some time for ourselves.”

“You’ve twisted my arm. Let’s go.”

They drove to a spot in the country where Chase parked the car. “Let’s walk a bit, Sunny.”

They walked, enjoying the quiet time together. On the way back to the car, he stopped and turned to her. “Sunny…”

“Yes?”

“Sunny…I’m so glad I asked you to be my wife. Let’s go home.”

“Okay, Chase.”