Special Delivery (The Great Outdoors Book 4) Read online

  With a small smile, he nodded.

  The butler who’d been part of his first memories patted his back and returned to his office.

  Taking out his cell, he called Natalia Roman. She picked up on the first ring.

  “Spencer. How can I help?”

  “How do you know I need help?”

  “Darling, you wouldn’t call at a time like this unless you were going a little crazy. Come by the club. I’ll leave word with Stav to expect you.”

  “I wanted to be certain there weren’t any special events I’d be interrupting.”

  “Absolutely not. Just an average Friday night with music, dancing, drinking, and a bit of naughty behavior if you’re open to company.”

  “I’m not ready for company but I’ll take you up on the rest.”

  “Outstanding. I’ll let Hudson know you’re coming.”

  “Thanks, Natalia.”

  “Anytime. I mean that.”

  He went upstairs to change. His old bedroom was pristine, his closet organized, his bathroom fully stocked. The staff left no stone unturned.

  Staring at his reflection, he said aloud, “Thank god for them or I’d be rambling around this big old place like a ghost.”

  Dressing in black slacks and a blue button-down shirt, he raked his fingers through his black hair and noted the dark smudges under his eyes. Otherwise, he was fit, healthy, and in proportion for a man of his stature.

  All the pieces just so, as his grandmother always told him.

  Maybe a night out was just the thing. Downstairs, Gerald was more excited about his plans than he was.

  “Very good, sir! I’ll have the car brought ‘round.”

  On the drive over to the club, he received a call from his receptionist at the courier service. Desi was pure Bronx Italian and a surrogate mother to the rest of her young staff.

  “Hey there, hon! I wanted to pass along an invite from the gang to join them at that new Mexican place that just opened. They even said they’ll buy, if you can believe it.”

  He chuckled. “I appreciate it, Desi. I have to decline this time but I’d like a raincheck for another night on me.”

  “I’ll let them know, hon. You feeling any better?”

  The woman went out of her way to take up the slack in the days following the deaths of his grandparents. She was truly incredible.

  “Lots of potential. Thank you for asking. Everything else okay on your end?”

  “Sure thing. We have an unusual number of deliveries tomorrow but the kids will jump all over it. They live to defy death on the streets of the five boroughs!”

  “I know it. I’m going to crash at the apartment after I meet friends for drinks. Give me a heads up if you need help.”

  “Will do…and Spencer?” He grunted. “Have fun, kiddo! You deserve it!”

  Disconnecting, he leaned his head against the seat.

  As a young man, he never spent a night alone if he didn’t want to. A couple of relationships should’ve become serious but they didn’t engage his heart.

  Most available women thought of him as his grandfather’s heir. The money drew them more than anything else.

  He knew he was considered good looking but also that he was as tall as he was ever going to get. It had been a serious bone of contention as a young man.

  Eventually, he accepted who he was and gave up on casual entanglements before he turned thirty.

  He worked. Since his grandparents were gone, it was a literal evaluation of his life.

  Love was something in movies, books, or songs. Since he was a little boy, he’d witnessed it in the flesh and blood relationship between Spencer and Genny.

  In his own reality, romantic love wasn’t solid to him and he began to doubt that it ever would be.

  Chapter Six

  When Natalia opened her members-only club Trois in an old mansion, Spencer watched wealthy men and women of his acquaintance flock to join.

  Clubs never held much allure to him personally but he was proud of her success in a niche market.

  As he got out of the car, he told the driver, “Don’t wait for me. I’ll get home.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He walked up the steps and smiled at the bouncer who guarded the door.

  “Mr. Bishop. It’s good to have you, sir. Natalia and Hudson are inside.”

  “Thank you.”

  From the moment he stepped through the double doors, he was captivated by the elegance of the building.

  “Fucking stunning preservation.”

  “Bishop.” Hudson stood a few feet away, a rare smile on his face. “You were right about the young man. He worked miracles with this place.”

  “Sóta has a gift with old spaces. Hello, Hudson.”

  “Let’s get you a scotch and a comfortable seat.”

  Natalia appeared in the luxurious lobby and grinned as she approached, kissing both of his cheeks. “So glad you joined us. You look as handsome as always, though a bit tired.”

  “I’m not sleeping well.”

  “Hmm,” Hudson grunted. “Drink too much, sleep until you can’t anymore, and decide your next step.”

  Linking her hand through Spencer’s arm, Natalia added, “Are you certain you don’t want a young lady to distract you?” He shook his head. “Alright then, booze and rest it is.”

  For several hours, he sat in a club that offered everything Natalia promised, visited with old friends, met new ones, and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in weeks.

  Women approached but he rejected them politely, charmingly as he’d learned from his grandfather.

  Hudson stayed with him, kept his mind occupied with random comments about politics, business, and a few ideas that Spencer knew he’d pursue with him later.

  Through it all, his glass remained full.

  After midnight, Hudson grinned. “Leonard will drive you home. Your team can follow.”

  With something of a slur, he replied, “Not necessary.”

  “I insist. Sleep in tomorrow, Bishop. You need it.”

  Standing, he held out his hand. “Thank you for tonight, Hudson. I know hours of conversation isn’t exactly fun for you but…I needed it.”

  Gaining his feet, the enigmatic real estate mogul shook his hand firmly. “Your grandparents were incredible.” He tightened his grip. “You’re still here. Get back on the horse.”

  Staring into black eyes, he realized more about Hudson Winters in that moment than ever before.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Hudson’s driver and personal protection appeared at his side. Though likely as deadly as Elijah, Leonard maintained a cheerful persona his employer seemed not to notice.

  “Mr. Bishop. Where can I take you?”

  “I’m going to spend another night at my apartment.” He needed to get his bearings and start fresh.

  “Whenever you’re ready.”

  Natalia kissed his cheeks. “Drop in anytime. Membership not required. You’re always welcome here.”

  “Thank you both. I feel better.”

  They walked him to the lobby and Leonard escorted him to Hudson’s Rolls Royce waiting by the curb. Sliding in the backseat, he leaned his head against the supple leather.

  He might have dozed off a couple of times on the drive.

  “We’re here, sir. Your team is securing the premises.” A minute later, Sax gave the all-clear. “Have a good night, sir.”

  “I appreciate it, Leonard. Drive safe.”

  Upstairs, he quickly stripped and climbed between the sheets of his bed. He fell asleep faster and slipped deeper than he had since losing his grandparents.

  It was heavenly.

  * * *

  On the weekends, A New York Minute operated with a skeleton crew who volunteered for overtime.

  Most their business was Monday through Friday but the phones rang seven days a week.

  Spencer paid his messengers what they were worth and offered them bene
fits unusual for the industry.

  It made them happy. It also made them loyal.

  Every Saturday, he went running to clear his head then picked up bagels for the staff to enjoy during their informal company meeting. It always included laughter, friendly teasing, and suggestions he never discarded out of hand.

  He looked forward to it every week.

  After the best night’s sleep in longer than he could remember, he was ready to fall back into his usual routine.

  Desi was clearly stressed when he backed through the doors at nine, his arms laden with coffee, bagels, and all the fixings.

  The generally unflappable older woman gasped. “Spencer! Thank goodness. Everybody who ate at that new place last night got food poisoning!”

  He set everything on the edge of her desk with wide eyes. “You’re kidding! Are they okay?”

  “Three are in the hospital but stable. The rest are so sick they can barely talk.” She moved around her large desk, filing completed deliveries while she talked. “Be glad you didn’t go with them!”

  She shook her head. “Vicki, Bobcat, and Trace had to have their stomachs pumped. There was a common item used heavily in their entrées. The others were exposed to it in the appetizer all of them shared. They should be alright.”

  Spencer leaned over the dispatch desk, his concern obvious as he scanned the pending deliveries.

  “Long story short, everyone else coming in. None of them hesitated. In the meantime, I have deliveries backing up. Only Alice and Bird were scheduled for six. They had a beer with the crew and headed home.”

  “I’ll be ready in five minutes.” Spencer turned toward the employee locker room.

  “I adore you, Spencer. I knew you’d save the day, kiddo,” Desi called after him as she took another call.

  She made them all feel like they were in elementary school. She often baked for them which only reinforced the image.

  After his grandparents died, Desi went above and beyond to help him. She stayed late night after night to handle the books and brought him lunch every day for weeks to be sure he ate.

  In thanks, he set up a retirement account for the only employee who stayed on when he bought the place. He hoped she wouldn’t leave him for a long time but when she was ready, he planned to make sure she didn’t have to worry.

  Spencer changed and alerted his security team. When he walked his bike through the main room, Desi had a stack of pickups and deliveries ready for him.

  He gave her a wink on his way out the door.

  She organized all deliveries to be most efficient. Her system sent them in a circle through a designated area. The dispatcher did it perfectly every time.

  Over the next four hours, he steadily worked through the list and remembered why he loved the rush of the job.

  Being on the road gave him time to think, to consider what he wanted to do next. It also showed him where he was fucking up and how he needed to change it.

  He had to snap out of his debilitating grief.

  When he finished the final drop, Desi sent him four more. She used him because she could and he was glad.

  It was good for the company.

  An emergency meant all hands on deck. No matter who those hands belonged to. He knew his grandfather would agree and had often rolled up his sleeves beside his factory staff to help meet a deadline.

  He grinned as he passed the Bishop Industries building and wondered what his employees would think if they knew their freshly minted CEO was currently delivering packages around the city on a bike.

  Making a delivery to an office he knew well, Max Scottsdale’s, mouth dropped when he came out to speak to his receptionist as she signed for the delivery.

  A slight shake of his head sent the message and Max stifled his reaction. Spencer imagined he’d be getting a call from the man later in the week.

  Realistically, he couldn’t keep hiding his double life.

  Not for the first time, he thought he and Max could be related. Both had black hair and blue eyes, sharp features, and lean physiques.

  Max was about half a foot taller…but still.

  With a small salute, he took his clipboard and said cheerfully, “Have a great day!”

  Downstairs again, he called Desi. “Hey there. Anything else for me?”

  She exhaled roughly. “Thankfully, no. Everyone else came in and hustled to pick up the slack. We’re caught up if you want to head back.”

  He heard the phone ring and Desi put him on hold. After a few seconds, she came back on.

  “I have one more. You’re the closest to it. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. Hit me with it.”

  She read the address off and he committed it to memory. She’d text it to him as well. “Hey, Spencer? Thanks so much for being fit enough to jump on a bike and help me this morning. You’re a great person and an even better boss.”

  “That means a lot, Desi.”

  He hung up and sped over to Liberty, locking the bike and taking the elevator to the twentieth floor.

  The doors opened and a woman stood across the room. Glancing up, she smiled at him as he stepped into her suite.

  Spencer stumbled, righted himself, and stared into her eyes. Just like that…

  There she was.

  Chapter Seven

  Disoriented, Spencer approached the reception desk. The world felt surreal, slightly out of focus.

  Everything but the woman standing a few feet away.

  She was lovely. Her red hair was pulled back smoothly from her face in a snug chignon at the base of her neck. She had porcelain skin scattered liberally with freckles and huge emerald green eyes.

  The pale lipstick on her full lips was her only makeup and he didn’t think she needed anything else. Her figure was snug with small, gently rounded breasts.

  A dark green men’s dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black slacks, and wide black suspenders created a vintage look he hadn’t seen in a long time. It was hard to tell how tall she was on the other side of the desk.

  “Hi. Are you new?”

  Her voice was melodic quality and a slight southern accent. Tilting her head, she stared at him closely.

  Finding his ability to speak, Spencer managed, “Food poisoning.” Clearing his throat to remove the hoarseness, he inhaled carefully and tried again. “Half our staff was hit with it. Uh, from a new restaurant.”

  “Oh my goodness! That’s terrible.”

  “Everyone will be okay but it will be a few days. I’ll be doing your deliveries in the meantime. I’m Spencer…Krupin.”

  “Nice to meet you, Spencer. I’m Shania Murphy.”

  She extended her hand and Spencer took it with a feeling of anticipation. He stared into her brilliant green eyes as they made contact and watched hers widened slightly.

  As he moved to pull away, there was a small hesitation before she released his hand. Smiling in confusion, she told him, “I’m usually ready but my receptionist isn’t here and I get a little confused about where she puts things for me.”

  “You’re my last delivery, Miss Murphy. Take your time.”

  A quick glance at her other hand confirmed she wasn’t wearing a ring. She wore no jewelry of any kind. Not even a watch. She also didn’t correct his use of the word miss.

  Her smile was all pretty white teeth and the resulting dimples made him want to rub his palm over his chest.

  “Call me Shania.” She checked around the desk before turning to the credenza. “Patti had to run out to pick up her son and I’m horrible at finding things. She’s far more organized than I’ll ever be.”

  She walked around to join him in the open space and his curiosity about her height was answered when he noted the forties-style heels she wore. In the shoes, they were the same height.

  “Duh. Here it is.”

  Glancing down, he noticed a package with a bright pink sticky note on it. The name of his company in bold print.

  He chuckled nervously. “I can’t believe I
didn’t notice that.”

  “Are you kidding? Unless something is handed to me, I’m scattered as a bumblebee on the first day of spring.” Bending, she picked it up and he noted her adorable rounded butt.

  Always a gentleman but still a man.

  Shania picked up the portfolio of drawings in a clear sleeve and exhaled in relief. “Whew, I was panicking for a moment there.” She pursed her lips. “Give me one second to check them. Now I’m second-guessing everything.”

  He nodded and she removed several building drawings and checked the numbers on the corner.

  “Okay. At least I was present and accounted for when I packed them up.”

  Returning them to the sleeve, she held it out. Staring into her eyes again, he remembered to hand her his clipboard.

  Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, she looked hesitant to tell him something.

  He asked, “Everything alright?”

  “I’m not sure if you know this but…Vicki usually takes one set over to Lang Solutions and brings back his manager’s approvals on the last ones.”

  “That’s not a problem at all. I’m glad to do it.” She would have thought he was crazy if she heard his internal cheer at having an excuse to come back.

  For a long moment, she zoned out as if she was analyzing his face. He wondered what she was thinking.

  She stared at him, unblinking and silent. It dragged out long enough that his curiosity went nuts.

  Suddenly, she shook her as if to clear it and said quietly, “Thanks for getting here so fast. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  Spencer nodded. “Sure thing.”

  Walking to the elevator, he focused on putting one foot in front of the other, not dropping her package, or otherwise embarrassing himself.

  His entire life, he’d waited to find a particular woman. In a bizarre chain of events that included a courier company, food poisoning, and Spencer delivering packages in a pinch…he’d found her.

  His grandfather was right all along. Shania Murphy was in the last place he’d have thought to look.

  As he climbed on his bike, he couldn’t stop smiling.

  * * *