“Uh-huh. What if we compromise?”
Oh, no. He had a bad feeling about this. His experience of compromising with a female in his private life consisted of him giving up on what he wanted, so the woman wouldn’t be mad at him any longer.
With great trepidation, he asked, “What sort of compromise?”
And so they started with the first activity on the list—dart toss. They discussed it and the type of atmosphere they’d like to present to the people. In the end,
it was cut in an effort to make the fund-raiser more sophisticated.
After they made it through a quarter of the list and had nixed all but one item, Gabrielle said, “Okay. So we should stick to just a handful of entertainments.”
“Or even less. For the most part, the affluent people you’ll be inviting will want to be seen.” He explained a little more of his understanding of the elite of Hollywood.
Gabrielle nodded. “Okay. I can work with this.”
“Now, what were you considering for the main focus of the event?”
She took a moment, as though considering everything he’d told her. “I think we should make it a golfing event. Lots of people golf, both men and women. And you do have an amazing golf course.”
“How would you know? It’s a mess.”
“Mrs. Kupps showed me some pictures. The course needs some TLC, but I talked to your head groundskeeper. He said that with the help of the entire grounds crew, they could pull it together. They might have to bring in some turf, but it is possible to have it together in time.”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “You really have worked hard on this.”
“I saw an opportunity and I took it. This fund-raiser will be great—if you’ll agree to it.”
His gut told him not to do it. But he saw the gleam of hope in Gabrielle’s eyes. He just didn’t have it in him to turn her down. What would it hurt to get this place cleaned up? He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to live here any longer. It would have to be restored if he were to put it up for sale. So he would let Gabrielle move ahead with her plans and when no one bought the tickets, he would still abide by their agreement. Once the planning was over, he would let her go back to her life.
He told her to take what they’d discussed and refine her list. Include a few more details and they’d go over it tomorrow. And then he would give her his decision about whether they should move forward with it or not.
He had a gut feeling that he’d dug himself a hole. Gabrielle had a determined look in her eye that said she would never give up on the fund-raiser. And he was going to have to find a way to be okay with all those people being here on his estate.
Unless...no one bought a ticket or showed up. But then Gabrielle would be crushed and he would be to blame. Either way he would be in trouble.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE PLANS WERE coming together.
Later that afternoon, Gaby straightened her desk. It had been a very productive day. She recalled her breakfast with Deacon. He hadn’t been very congenial at first, but once he realized she wasn’t going to give up, he became helpful.
And though she hated to admit it, he was right. This event needed a different vibe than the events she’d planned at the library. This was his world and he knew these people, so she’d follow his lead.
It may not be the type of event she was used to planning, but she would work to make it perfect. People would come. They would enjoy themselves, and they would donate to a worthy cause.
By five o’clock she’d also finished reading the screenplay Deacon had given her. She’d made a list of pros and cons and sent it to him in an email. With her tasks done for the day, she shut down the computer and then made her way to the guesthouse.
She brought the fund-raising plans with her. She was too excited to stop now. The plans were coming together really well and instead of this event being her get-out-of-jail-free card, it was turning into an event she believed in and wanted to see succeed.
Mrs. Kupps had placed some dinner in the fridge with a note for reheating it. Gaby smiled. The woman was the absolute sweetest. She wondered if Deacon knew how lucky he was to have someone so kind and thoughtful in his life.
Gaby settled at the table with her laptop, a legal pad and all the notes she’d taken during her talk with Deacon. She didn’t know how much time had passed when there was a knock at the door.
She couldn’t imagine who it might be. Mrs. Kupps had left long ago. And no one could get access to the private estate.
Gaby ran a hand over her hair and a finger around her mouth, making sure there weren’t any crumbs from the chocolate chip cookies that Mrs. Kupps had left her. And she rushed to the door. Gaby peered through the peephole and was shocked to find Deacon.
What was he doing here?