Sunday 28

Bobbie got up and was relieved to see her suitcase outside her bedroom door. She had a shower and dressed and went into the main area of the suite where Trixie was preparing coffee in the kitchenette. “Did you have a good sleep? I called Brose last night to ask for your things and assure him you hadn’t jumped off a bridge in your heartbroken state.”

“Ha. Thanks for getting my stuff. I feel really stupid for not seeing his long con but I am relieved that I got clued in before it was too late. I think Brose is going to take it hard. I had a great love with Alex. Brose thought I was his great love. I am not.”

“How do you think you will feel if you see him?”

“I hope Brose can accept we are over. I don’t think we can be friends but I’ll be fine if I see him.”

“So, you’re worried about how he feels?”

“I messed up Trixie; I accidentally tried to replace Alex with Brose. It was never going to work. I need to stop grieving Alex before I can move on. I should never have done that to Brose.”

“Whatever you say Bobbie. Let’s get ready for brunch. Did you pack anything fancy? I have something you can wear. Greg gets back tonight. He was on a business trip and maybe we can go to dinner.”

“It’s hard to paint the town on Sunday night and I could use a party.”

“Have you thought about how long you are staying? I’m pretty slammed this week with meetings and stuff. If you want to stay and help, I’d be grateful but I know you have a business in Crow harbour that needs you.”

“You’re right. I have the market too. I want to expand the takeout chili business from the market stall. I want to make Saturday night chili an institution.”

“Remember how we always had baked beans and Grandma’s brown molasses bread on Saturday nights.”

“I remember. We used to watch Bugs Bunny while we ate the beans too. Maybe I’ll book a flight for tomorrow. Brose spoiled me. Now I have to fly economy again.”

“I have a couple of meetings with him this week. How do you feel about that?”

“That’s fine Trixie. Be careful though, he often has his own agenda. So, how’s life in the CEO seat anyway?”

“Oh my God Bobbie! The company and it’s holdings are massive. I was up all night the first night I was here, making flow charts of how they are all connected. Now I’m aligning them and looking who to merge to simplify. There are deals, percentages, jurisdictions and stipulations for each individual company which I have attached to the chart, so I can sort out who the trade deals are with and if they’re still in place. The companies, in some cases, have other exclusivity rights that hamstring me.

“So, you have to smash it all apart before you realign anything.”

“Almost. To make it even worse some other international trade deal rules are mixed into the mess. It’s like I’m doing an in-depth audit for an investment client but I’m able to plan what to do, instead of just making a report. I’ve got a lot of sticks and have to find a lot of new carrots and make sure the right people get the same kind of carrot.

“In other words, you were born to do this.”

“It is scratching an itch I’ve always had.”

“You’re not kidding. You know all about that stuff. How’s the renovation of your condo going.”

“I wanted Lorne to come but he was too busy so I found a designer I like up here too. I have taken ideas from your apartment Bobbie. My kitchen is set up like yours except I have a few more walls.”

“I can’t wait to see it. Maybe we can go see it after brunch?”

“That’s a good idea. I can get your opinion about wallpaper. My designer likes it and I’m just not sure, but I like how you’ve used it at the motel.”

“We don’t have time to see Kathy, I guess.”

“I saw her Friday. We meet most mornings and I show her what I’m planning for the day. She really wants to dismantle it all and build it back up with renewable energy. She wants me to spend a lot on research too.”

“She’s like the anti-big oil now.”

“Her health is slipping away. She want’s me to keep the name Fox Oil until she’s officially stepped down and then change it to Fox Energy. She wants that to be her legacy. She told me she wants to live long enough to see all those crusty oil men change their ways.”

“We should get going, don’t we have to meet some of those crusty oilmen for brunch?”

Trixie went into her room and came out with a powder blue knee length linen dress. It had a princess waist and 3/4 sleeves and some ribbon and beading on the bodice. “Just try this on. I think it’ll look great on you.”

“I can’t wear your clothes. You are 3 inches taller than me and have a long beautiful waist and shapely shoulders and great collarbones.”

“Just try it. See the bodice lands in the perfect spot and it is the right length for you. It looks way better on you.”

An hour later they were at another big hotel that was even more exclusive than Trixie’s. They went to the restaurant and Trixie told the hostess they were joining a party. The hostess looked up and her eyes got wide when she saw Bobbie. She ushered them in the direction of the dining room and quietly pulled Bobbie aside. “I’m sorry but can I ask you for a selfie​?”

Bobbie moved close to her and smiled for the camera. The hostess thanked her and a tall man in a cowboy hat walked by and Bobbie followed him to the table.

“I thought I lost you for a second.” Said Trixie.

“I was waylaid by an adoring fan.” Bobbie joked, then she felt something behind her. The cowboy was pulling out her chair for her. “Thank you. Please let me introduce myself, I’m Bobbie Orlov.”

“Hello Bobbie Orlov, I’m Townes Carson.” And the cowboy doffed his hat and sat down, stowing his hat under his seat.

Trixie leaned over and whispered. “Townes is on my board and he is second generation so his seat is not guaranteed. I’m supposed to offer him a pay out next week.”

Bobbie looked around the table. Trixie smiled and introduced everyone. Bobbie turned her attention back to Townes. “So where are you from Mr. Carson? Are you in town for a while?”

“I’m here for the oil producers meeting called by your little friend there. We were at it all last week showing her the ropes and likely giving her enough to hang us. I believe your little friend is here to do a hatchet job.”

“Well. my little friend is my cousin, best friend and an accomplished business women who has over 35 years experience running and assessing businesses so if she’s hatchetting or hanging anyone, they probably deserve it.”

Townes laughed. “I’ll have to congratulate Brose on his feisty girlfriend.”

“You know Ambrose Hennessy? Rumours of our romantic liaison have been greatly exaggerated. He’s a very old friend who needed a date for a couple parties and that’s the end of that. I am a grieving widow after all.”

“Yes, I can tell by what you’re wearing.”

“I don’t need to wear a black veil to prove I’m sad.”

“I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I don’t even know you.” Townes stood and headed over to the buffet.

Bobbie looked over her menu and decided she would like the omelette buffet as well. She cued up and found herself beside Townes. Trixie came up behind her. “Maybe you can get some ideas for your motel here. Mark would be good at hosting an omelette buffet.”

That’s a good idea. Maybe we could open the restaurant for a fancy brunch on Sundays and instead of high tea. Then the staff would have the afternoons off.

Townes looked over. “That’s where I know you from, you own that motel in Crow Harbour.”

“We’ve had our share of controversy.”

“You’re next to a river that has some pretty good white water. I was thinking about visiting there sometime.”

“You could stay at the Water Wheel Motel; We have 14 rooms. You can make reservations online.”

They finished getting their food and sat down. Townes turned to Bobbie. “So, are you a hotel heiress or something?”

Bobbie laughed. “No, I’m a retired civil servant. My husband and I bought the little motel to renovate and run in our retirement but he died suddenly. I had to renovate and hire everybody myself and Trixie has been helping me.”

“I’m sorry about you’re husband, what’s it like? This motel?”

“I live there now, in the owner’s suite, you’ll have to come and see for yourself. I think it’s a little piece of heaven.”

“I just might.”

Bobbie excused herself and went to the washroom. She was practically mobbed in there by people wanting selfies. She tried to accommodate everyone.

The group left the restaurant and were all milling around on the sidewalk when a car drove up and 2 people jumped out. They started yelling. “Baby Killer, Baby Killer.” And they threw balloons with red paint at Bobbie. Bobbie just stood there, stunned, and Townes, who was closest to her, grabbed her, called for Trixie to follow and whisked them down an alley and into a car.

They buckled in and Bobbie looked at him and said I’m so sorry, I think I’m getting paint on your seats.

Townes looked at her. “You are not having the best day. Don’t worry about the seats. It’s a good story.”

Townes dropped them off and they thanked him. He sat there in the car until they entered the hotel.