And He Called It Research

"Well of course it isn't. I wanted to help you put that aside at least for awhile and that seemed to work, but in the process, we created new and very dangerous problems of our own. Even now I don't want to leave you alone, and I just hope at least some of that goes away once we're away from this island and some of the temptation."

"Let's go home and jot down some of our ideas and make some notes."

They managed to work side by side until they went to see Melvin, but then Kate was there and Mac stopped and the two of them moved off to one side and talked in whispers for several minutes. Then Cecelia told them Melvin was waiting so they filed in and a minute later they were talking business.

Melvin started with, "I don't have a lot more. Mac, you and Liz seem to be in pretty good shape at this point. We all know you'll get much busier very soon. I was up late last night working on the details of the island, and I have to admit that Didi pretty much had things under control and she kept good records. But there are still a number of last minute decisions to be made. Kate will be my close assistant, and Sissy will do most of Kate's day to day work. Now Mac and Liz, do you have any questions about the Journey's End and Serene Gardens advertising connection?"

Mac shook his head no and then added, "I have a firm there in Pennsylvania that I'll work with for some of the heavy advertising for the development, so I want to use their expertise with tying in Journey's End. I could wing it, but you have too much money invested for us to do any half baked money saving screw up."

"I agree with you completely. Liz, what do you have?"

"Mac and I were talking this morning and we need to get a photographer out to the island for some shots of the cottages and whatever else you'd like to see included. Maybe the Bistro or something like that and a shot or two of Mark so we can push the fact that we have a world class chef on our team."

"Yes, excellent, what else?"

"This was Mac's thought. We'd like to borrow Sissy for a few days at open house time. Give her a crash course on the basics and have her...well sex sells, and if she and I just happen to dress just a touch sexy..."

"Oh yes, I like this. Again bring in photographers and the ad agency. But be careful with our sweet Sissy, because she isn't bashful about her best assets."

"I think we can be assured that Mac will keep a close eye on her," and Melvin sat back and laughed.

"Yes, you have a good point there."

Mac offered, "She can stay in my guest room for those few days and every evening she and Liz and I can get together and talk about progress and our shortcomings."

"You two are on the right track. Obviously you both spend a lot of your time thinking about all of this, and that's just what I need from you. You two work well together so don't let anybody distract either of you and don't worry about whether or not you're staying in the mainstream, because what we're offering isn't even in the mainstream. We have to be a unique product if we're to succeed in this, less that great market. I still see real estate coming back strong, but my estimate on the timing was a little off. That just means we may be a little slower than I'd hoped with sales. But I can live with that. Mark, you've been quiet, what can you add?"

"Well I'll work with the photographer and Little Huey and I will come up with some showy creations for the photographer. What about the dining facility at Tropic Treat?"

"That will be the Shore Lunch Bistro, but we won't be featuring that in the brochures."

"I didn't think so, but I wanted to be sure. I guess that's all I have now except we'll be ready for a test dinner for the employees in a few days."

"Great. That will be a little reward for all that they have had to put up with over the last months."

"Okay, if nobody has anything else then?" He paused and then he said, "Mac inform Sissy about her coming up to see you if you would and we'll work those details out later."

"I'll talk to her."

"Okay everybody, go forth and work your magic."

On the way out, Mac stopped at Cecelia's desk and asked her, "How would you feel about coming to see us and help us for a few days for the open house?"

Kate looked at Mac quickly and he could feel her gaze, but he focused on Sissy as she said, "Me? I'd love it, but what can I do to help?"

"Liz will send you a packet for you to study. It won't be anything comprehensive, but enough info will be there to help us. Liz will also explain some of the details of some aspects of what you and she will be doing for those two days. You'll stay in my guest room, and with Liz living right next door to me, we'll be able to get together and work out problems and plan changes as we go along. I'll guess that you'll be there about a week, maybe a little more or less. You'll need time to work with Liz so we'll need you a couple of days before the big opening and then through the days of our celebration."

"What should I bring to wear?"

"That's one of the things that Liz will be discussing with you. The weather up there should be fantastic by then too."

"I'm looking forward to it and thank you."

"Well Kate can't go because Melvin will be relying on her too much for her to be gone at all, let alone for that long a time."

"Thank you anyway, for whatever part you may have played in it."

"You're quite welcome. Bye Kate honey."

"Bye traitor," but she at least showed a thin smile as she said it.

Mac and Liz did take one more walk on the beach, but they kept their clothes on and he said, "This just doesn't feel right at all, but I'm doing this for you honey."

"Thank you. We both know this is the way it has to be. Now what do you need to do here before you close up the house?"

"Nothing. One of the maids will clean it and then close it up for me."

"You have such a difficult life lover." Then she remembered Didi and said, "sorry honey, I forgot what you just went through."

"I knew what you meant so don't worry."

They were in the air for almost an hour when Liz said, "It seems so expensive and wasteful to fly us up in the plane rather than sending us commercial."

"Tells you just how important we are doesn't it."

"We can't be this important."

"Really what he does as a rule is his crew works it out so that on the return leg, they'll pick up a business partner or some other important people."

"So we're almost an after thought."

"That's right. Kind of humbling isn't it."

"I still feel pretty special flying in a private jet."

The private jet was actually slower than a commercial flight would be, so it was fairly late when they got back to Mac's temporary home. "Liz honey, stay with me tonight. Darren is out of town anyway."

"Mac honey, you're making this very difficult for me because that's exactly what I'd like to do. But I'm going home and I'm going to soak in a hot bath the try to get my thinking straight. You need time alone even if you don't believe me, and I need time alone and just maybe I'll stop thinking about us naked on that beach and other things."

"I hate it when you're right."

"I'll be here in the morning though as usual."

"Then while you get things ready for Sissy, I'll...well I'll try not to think about us being together for those days."

"Should I call in sick tomorrow and give you more time?"

"Won't help. Be here and force me to think about work."

"I'll bring my whip."

"Oh, kinky, that's cool."

"Night lover."

"I love you."

She spun on her heel and came back asking him, "What did you just say?"

"Well I do. I mean as a very good friend and someone very important in my life."

"Don't do that to me okay? You scared me half to death damn it."

"Sorry. I do, but I just won't tell you that anymore."

"Oh honey you just gave me a shock like you can't believe." Then she stopped in the doorway on her way out and told him, "Don't say that again, but I liked hearing you say that. Night," and she closed the door behind her.

She was gone no more than fifteen minutes when she called and told him, "Well my plans changed. I talked to Allie and she's on her way to my place so we can talk."

"Talk to her while you soak in the tub."

"I think I'll do just that. But keep tomorrow night open because you're taking us out to dinner."

"Who is us?"

Allie, me, and Martin if he's available."

"I can do that. Night and I..."

"Don't you dare say that," and she closed her phone as she smiled to herself.

Mac smiled and put his phone down and poured himself a small drink.

Chapter Seventy Eight

Liz and Mac worked hard through the day. They were now just days from moving into their new homes, and then it wouldn't be long before other homes would be ready for the big open house celebration.

Mac was waiting for them at the Carriage House and when the others arrived, Allie walked straight up to Mac and said, "Hi, I'm Allie," and she kissed him deeply. Mac, though certainly surprised, was quick to respond and their kiss continued. She finally stepped back and smiled as he told her, "I have to say, I really approve of that introduction. Might there be a story to go with that sweet kiss?"

She smiled and said, "There might be, but I'll let Liz decide if she wants to tell you."

Martin shook Mac's hand as Martin said, "Sorry, but I was made to swear that I'd stay out of the way and not warn you."

"Your wife should come with signs that warn about her very nice kisses."

"She does kiss nicely."

"Shall we go in. I could stand a serious drink about now."

As they enjoyed their first drinks, Allie told Mac, "Liz told me about your wife and I'm so sorry that happened."

"Thank you Allie. It's a little like having a spouse die. I've been through the denial stage so I guess that puts me in whatever the second stage is."

"Well one of those stages is acceptance, but it's far too soon for you to look for that one. Only time and good friends will put life right for you again."

"Well I certainly have the best of friends, and with your support I can make it to that acceptance stage."

Then Allie smiled and looked at Liz before she said, "And I heard about your walk with Liz on the beach. Damn I'm so jealous."

"I'm with Allie," Martin said. I'd kill to go back there again."

"I can understand that, but with paying guests being there I'm afraid that some of that special ambiance will be lost, even if they do stroll around with their butts hanging out."

"I'd still enjoy being there again. The contrast between that and living in town with half a million others is very striking."

"That's an interesting point you just made," and he looked to Liz. "Help me remember what Martin just said. I'm thinking about Tropic Treat of course."

"I'll remind you." She looked at Allie and said, "He and I keep doing that. We won't even be thinking about work and then somebody will say something or whatever, but it will trigger one of us and we turn it into something to use or consider for the island or Serene Gardens."

"That's great."

"In fact Mac, we might be able to use that thought as a selling point in our literature. Something like escape the crush of the masses kind of thing."

"That would be perfect. Melvin will be happy to pick up the tab for tonight once he learns about that whole thing."

"Mac is Melvin's favorite now."

"Don't let her kid you. We're a team and it's always when we're together that we get these ideas."

"I can see you two were meant to work together," Allie said before she smiled at Mac. "Liz told me a little about your grand opening or open house or whatever and about how she and this Cecelia will dress. Would it help if I were to play a part in this game?"

"Of course it would, and especially so since we're all right next to each other."

Martin put his drink down and smiled first at Liz and then at Allie as he said, "I think it would be great if one of you were to just accidentally be caught sunning topless."

Liz smiled and said, "Wouldn't that be wild if that could be set up. It can't of course, but what a way to reinforce our message about freedom of lifestyle."

"We can have fun talking about it if nothing else."

Liz looked right at Martin as she said, "If you could see Cecelia sunning topless you'd melt into a puddle."

"She's right," Mac said and added, "Sissy is very well endowed and still as firm and impressive as they come."

"Oh shit, now that might be overkill, but would that jack up your potential buyers or what."

"It just might turn the women totally off too."

"Yeah I guess, but what a great fantasy."

Allie put her hand on Martin's and said, "Don't have a stroke while we're here honey and we can talk about it in bed tonight," and they all laughed.

As they were leaving, Allie took Mac's arm and held him back from Liz and Martin as she asked him, "Mac, seriously, are you filing for divorce?"

"Not yet."

"I know it's none of my business, but does that mean you will?"

"Probably, but there's time to sort that out."

"That is true."

His arm went around her waist as he asked her, "Is there a reason for those questions sweet lady?"

"I'm just thinking about what it must be like for you to be forced through that nightmare."

"Allie, it has been awful and it still is, but Liz has been so good about being there for me and keeping me propped up. Now here you are worrying about me. And we can't forget your wonderful and soul jarring kiss earlier. Martin didn't seem to mind at all."

"He doesn't. You have to remember that we're products of the island now. Jealousy hasn't been banished, but it seldom comes calling now."

"Oh that's right, he and Liz have been together a few times since your island experience."

"And I've been with Darren of course."

"Darren is a very fortunate man."

She smiled and said, "Thank you Mac. You do know of course that Liz thinks you can walk on water."

"Well I know she can. We really do seem to care for each other and I'll admit that it's damn hard to keep things in proper perspective. I have to remind myself that she is happily married."

They were at the car, but she didn't stop. "And if that weren't the case?"

"I'd still be in a mess emotionally because of Didi and that whole thing still on my mind."

"Mac, Liz is and will be there for you, but you're right about Darren of course."

"You two must have talked a long time last night."

"Until midnight actually. She really needed to just unload with me and I'm glad she could and she did."

Liz moved over to them and asked, "And what are you two talking about so intently?"

Mac pulled her close to him and told her, "About how good looking and sexy you are and how I'm leaning on you so much for work and for emotional support. Oh and that I love you."

Liz quickly slapped his arm and said, "Now stop that."

"What did you just say," Allie asked him.

Liz was quick to explain, "He means as a friend and he keeps doing that to me and shocking me."

"Shame on you Mac."

Chapter Seventy Nine

Mac and Sissy saw each other at the same time and they smiled as she walked toward him. They shared a soft embrace and he asked her, "How was your flight?"

"Long and boring, but smooth and you look great."

"I'm getting pale, especially compared to your golden tropical complexion, and I miss the island, but thanks, and it looks like you lost some weight and you look awesome."

"Thank you for noticing, but I only lost a few pounds."

"Well it shows hon."

"Mac, thanks for including me in your project."

"No, thank you for agreeing to be part of it."

They retrieved her two bags and he said, "It looks like you and Liz had a little trouble deciding what to wear."

Sissy laughed and said, "You're partly right, but I have a tendency to over pack anyway."

"We'll you have a nice new guest room to settle into."

"I can't wait to see your house and Serene Gardens."

"Most of it is still open land, but the lots are marked and enough homes are completed and landscaped to keep the clients busy looking. I'm sure that you and Liz will want to spend some time talking. Did you have trouble working with the file we sent you?"

"No, all of that was pretty simple and in some cases just followed common sense."

"Glad to hear that. Oh, and did Liz tell you about her friend that will be helping you two?"

"Allie, yes she did and I've shared emails with her a couple of times so I even know what she looks like."

"She's cute."

Sissy smiled and said, "I agree, she is cute and so is Martin."

"Speaking of him, we'll have free time to relax here and there and feel free to flirt with him."

"And because?"

"I'll let Liz explain that to you, but Allie wouldn't mind at all."

"I'll see what I can do."

Liz didn't get to work until ten and was at Mac's waiting when Mac and Sissy arrived. The two women shared a hug and as Sissy was putting her things in the guest room, Liz said, "Mac, I had a brainstorm this morning and acted on it without checking with you first. It isn't anything that I can't undo though."

"Okay, share your brainstorm with me."

"I hired a part time gardener, of the hunky variety and a very sexy young thing for a housekeeper."

Mac smiled and as Sissy reappeared Liz said, "I called a friend and she had a contact with the drama class at Gettysburg, a small private liberal arts college. Anyway, they're interested in playing those parts for a little cash. They're off for the summer of course."

"What are they like?"

"They emailed me their photos and I talked to both of them. You'll really Like Beth of course."

"Um, why of course?"

"Because she's petite and so cute and she sounds just full of energy."

"Okay, and?"

"And Paul. He's a major hunk and the women will enjoy checking him out."

"I like it, but keep going."

Sissy listened closely as Liz said, "Well the story would be that they work for these three homes so we can share expenses. Hunk would putter with shovel and such as he pretends to put in flower gardens. He'll have to actually plant things of course, but he could work slow, and with three places he could be seen in different areas and doing different things. Shirtless and in perfect fitting shorts naturally. Of course Sissy, Allie and I would have to watch him to be sure he's doing okay. Oh and he's a weight lifter."

"Of course he would be. Okay and more about...Beth?"

"Right. All I can tell you is when I explained what we need and why, she thought that was so cool. I told her about dressing sexy and her response was, 'but of course and I might take the liberty of grabbing some rays in my little bikini too if that's okay.' I told her that was better than okay of course."

"And what would this cost Melvin?"

"Eight hundred. Four hundred each, for five days."

"I like it. Call them and get them out here."

"They'll be here at four," and she smiled.

"I should have known. Once Allie and the kids are here let's get together and go over our game plan.

"Let's go look at what you packed," Liz told Sissy, and they disappeared into the guest room.

Right at four o'clock Mac answered the door and there she stood. "Hi, I'm Beth and I hope I have the right house."

"You do, and you must be Paul."

He offered his hand and said, "That's me."

"Come in. Do you two know each other?"

"We do from college."

"Great." Liz and Sissy came out in small shorts and halter tops after hearing the doorbell, and Mac introduced everybody. Sissy and Liz checked out Paul as they smiled and shook hands, and Paul quickly surveyed both women, but especially Sissy.

Mac led everybody to the living room and said, "Make yourselves comfortable. While we wait for Allie and Martin, let's go over a few things. As I understand it Liz explained the purpose behind our dog and pony show right?"