Ch4 Lunch With Grey

Grey’s driver opened the car door for them and they rode off in his black Maybach.  It was top of the line and completely private in the back with a screen that went up between the driver and passengers.  Willa felt a little uneasy with just the two of them in the back of the car together.  He seemed a little too domineering for her.

“I didn’t expect to run into you again so soon after just meeting you at the Farmington Vineyards.  Small world.”  He actually did know about her to some degree because he had done some digging around about the Stockholms for his Aunt Miller’s piece of mind.  So he told just a little white lie.

“Yes, indeed.”  Willa felt uneasy and she shifted in her seat.  “I don’t mean to be forward, but how do you know the Miller Dairy folks?  I was surprised to see you today for the acquisition of their dairy farm.  Aren’t you in the real estate side of business?”

Grey looked at her intently before he spoke.  “I am in real estate.  I also have connections with the Miller family.  My mother is the sister of Darlene Miller.  She wants my help in putting their money to work for them in real estate now that they have sold the family business.”

“That makes sense.  I didn’t see that one coming.  I guess it really is a small world after all.”  Willa smiled.

They arrived at the restaurant and the driver opened the car door for them.  As they entered the restaurant the hostess smiled and said,  “Your table is ready Mr. Langley.  Follow me please.”

“You have been here before?”  Willa was stunned.  How did Grey know about the little local restaurant in Lawrenceburg when his business dealings were in Frankfort?  He was full of surprises.

“Mr. Miller brought me here once and I come here from time to time when I am in town.  The food is great!”

“I’ll take your word for it.”  The aroma coming from the kitchen smelled delicious and the dishes being served looked quite tasty.

The waiter handed them some menus and took their beverage orders.  “I heard that you will be taking over your dad’s business in the near future.  That’s a big plate for someone so young as yourself,” Grey said.

Willa took a sip of her water and spoke matter of factly.  “I have been groomed since before I left for college.  This business has been in our family for two generations.  I intend to keep it going through my generation and hopefully start into the next.”

Just then the waiter appeared and took their orders.  After he left Grey said, “Kaysea said you were a spitfire.  I can see why your dad chose to leave the business to you over your older sister.”

“My sister, Rainey, prefers to keep to the numbers.  She studied accounting at university.  Although I have a degree in animal science I also have started on my MBA.  By the time I fully take over from my dad I will have completed my final degree.  I came back early to help my dad run the business now so that he could help my mom.”

“You have a strong sense of family.  I see that you get that from your dad.  I haven’t met your mother, but I feel like she is probably the same.”

“That’s kind of you to say.  How do you know the Milford’s?  You mentioned previously that your families’ have known each other for quite some time now,” Willa enquired.

Their food arrived and the conversation continued.  “My dad went to school with Kaysea’s dad.  Nick has some growing interest in the Frankfort real estate market and I am helping him out.  I guess you could say that we are just one big family.”

“That’s wonderful and by the way this food is really good too.  I’m going to have to make a point to come over here for lunch sometimes now that I’ll be in town working more,” Willa stated.

“I’m glad that I could be of help in introducing you to someplace new.  Thanks for letting me take you out for lunch today.  It sure is better than having lunch alonge,” Grey smiled.

Willa blushed and nodded.  She really didn’t know how to take all of the compliments.  Her cheeks felt red again like they did when she first met him.  She took a few more sips of her cold water in the hopes that she could compose herself back to normal.

When lunch was over Grey told the driver to take them back to Stockholm Dairies.  Willa stepped out of the car when the driver opened the door and Grey handed her his business card.  “Call me when you are in Frankfort and I will be glad to take you to dinner.  It has been a pleasure getting to know you a little better today Willa.”

The driver closed the door and Willa was in shock.  She did not expect to get Grey’s number and an invitation to dinner.  She put the business card in her bag and saw her dad's driver standing next to the company car.  She walked over and asked him to drive to her favorite shoe store.

Shoe shopping was still on her agenda before heading back into work.  Her feet were killing her now and she needed to remedy the situation quickly.  She found a couple of smart looking two inch heels that would work with pants suits and skirts and paid the cashier.  While she was back in the car headed back to the office she changed into  a pair of new shoes.

Tricia greeted her when she entered from the elevator and asked if there was anything she needed.  Willa smiled and asked for some fresh water and told her to bring it to the conference room.  Willa picked up a stack of files from her dad’s desk and went to the conference room to dig into the day's work.  At five o’clock she called the driver to let him know that she was ready to head home.