Part 4 (1/2)

”What?”

”Always thinking of others. I seriously don't know what I'd do without you, Aly. I doubt I'd ever think of this stuff on my own.”

I couldn't help but give a little smile. ”Oh, you could and you would. It's just common knowledge is all.”

Paul gave a burst of laughter. ”Well I'm in trouble then because I don't think of things like that very often.”

Rolling my eyes, our food finally came and we dove in. I was starving again and devoured my pancakes. I was also eager to get going on our day.

”Before we left yesterday, I printed out some maps of the neighborhoods here that we can look around in before meeting Mr. Shay,” I told Paul, reaching into my purse and showing him.

He grabbed the papers and perused them for a minute. ”These all look good. We should get going soon so we have enough time to see everything.”

I nodded. ”Before we go, I wanted to tell you that I did some research and there are no parks or playgrounds near Hidden Creek. I was thinking it would be nice if we could build one for the kids. What do you think?”

He thought for a moment. ”Yes, I really like that idea. I'm glad you checked that out. Add that in the plans.”

I smiled and nodded, making a note. The server finally came and brought our bill. Paul handed her the company credit card and she came right back with the receipt. He quickly signed it and we left.

Getting in his car, Paul asked, ”Where to first?”

Looking over the maps I'd brought, I chose the one closest to our hotel. Telling him where to drive, we pulled out of the parking lot and got on our way. I couldn't help but look at each house we pa.s.sed, wondering who lived in them and what their lives were like. I was also wondering if the people of Hidden Creek would be pleased with us being there or uncomfortable. Time will tell, I told myself.

As we reached the first neighborhood, it was obviously middle cla.s.s and kept up quite well. Some kids were outside playing and the parents were outside talking. It looked like a pleasant area and I took notes as Paul drove by. A few people automatically waved, probably thinking we were neighbors, and I couldn't help but smile and wave back.

After looking around for a few minutes, we got on the freeway and took the exit for the next neighborhood to check out. This one was obviously old and not well kept. While it didn't look as dilapidated as Hidden Creek, it wasn't far behind. A few kids were running around barefoot and even though it wasn't cold, I was worried it wasn't warm enough for bare feet. Suddenly a ball appeared out of nowhere in front of our car and I screamed at Paul to stop. Breaking quickly, we both sat there shocked as a child, not more than three years old, ran in front of us to pick up the ball. I looked around and could not see an adult in sight. Terrified, I rolled down my window and told the little boy to please be careful and always watch for cars. He just looked at me with a blank look on his face and kept walking. Turning to Paul, I found him watching the child then he turned to me.

”Oh, Paul,” I cried. ”Can you imagine what would have happened if we hadn't stopped?”

Putting his hand over mine, he rubbed circles over the back of it with his thumb. ”Don't think about it. It didn't happen, thank goodness,” he said quietly.

Finally pus.h.i.+ng the gas just a little, we continued driving down the street. I couldn't get over that not one grown up was out there with that little boy. I wondered where his mother was and why she wasn't being more attentive. Looking at the map of where we were, I saw that the area was called Bright Meadows and wrote that down on my notes. We'd definitely need to come back here as soon as we could.

Finding the next neighborhood, we took our time driving around. This was a very well kept area and obviously had money. Each house was large and had well manicured lawns. Some had wrap around porches and others had tall pillars. I didn't find one house that looked remotely rundown. Checking the name of the neighborhood, I saw that it was called Devons.h.i.+re. I smiled, finding it very appropriate. As we went up and down the streets, there were some children out playing as and I was relieved to see that there was adult supervision. Remembering the poor little boy in our previous area, my heart broke.

Since it was close to noon, we decided to hit one more area, then grab a light lunch before heading to Hidden Creek. Getting off the next exit, Paul took a right and immediately we were back in a poor area. Boarded up windows, overgrown gra.s.s and weeds - some didn't even have lawns - and there was trash everywhere. I hadn't seen Hidden Creek yet, but this one seemed just as bad off, if not worse, to me.

”This looks terrible, Aly. Worse than Hidden Creek. What's the name of it?”

Checking my notes, I confirmed that it was called Roosevelt. Looking around me, I couldn't help but feel sick at the devastation. Some of these homes can not possibly be occupied, I thought to myself. As we pa.s.sed one that I was sure fell into that category, I saw an elderly gentleman in a rocking chair on the crumbling porch. Looking to Paul, I saw that he was seeing this as well.

Shaking my head, I wrote down the house number and street and we continued on. I could not imagine living in an area and home that was so run down. My heart was breaking for the man in his rocking chair. We needed to start keeping a list of areas that needed our attention.

How many other areas were out there we were not aware of? While I knew there were plenty, I only just now started thinking about it. I made a mental note to ask Paul his thoughts on possibly expanding Pierce Homes out to other cities.

Stopping at a four-way stop, Paul glanced over at me. ”You doing okay?”

”Yeah, my eyes have just been opened wide,” I said.

He nodded. ”Mine too. Are you hungry at all? Do you want to grab a quick bite?”

Surprisingly, I wasn't that hungry, but I knew I needed to eat something. ”Yes, we should probably grab at least a little something.”

Nodding, he started driving when it was his turn. ”Where would you like to go?” he asked.

”Wherever. I'm not starving, so whatever we see will be fine.”

Getting onto the main road, we saw a hamburger joint or a place for tacos and burritos. Nothing sounded good to me at the moment after having such a big breakfast. I thought for a minute and decided a bean and cheese burrito would do the trick.

Paul pulled into the drive thru and looked over the menu. After asking me what I wanted, he ordered my bean and cheese burrito and a chicken taco for himself. When I reached for my purse, he shook his head and showed me the company credit card.

I rolled my eyes again. ”Seriously, Paul. I think I can pay for my ninety-nine cent burrito.”

”No can do, Chase. I don't care if you order a penny gumball, it all goes on the company credit card. This is a business trip, so no more fuss, okay?”

Smiling, I made a show of crossing my heart and leaned my head against the headrest. As we waited for our food, I looked around Paul's car. He drove a black Mercedes Benz E350 sedan and it was incredibly nice and roomy. I loved the feel of it and could get used to riding in it if things were different between us. Dammit, why couldn't things be different between us?

Being roused out of my whiny thoughts, I heard Paul call my name and chuckle. ”What's on your mind, Chase?” he asked as we drove off.

Not about to tell him, I said, ”I just can't stop thinking about that poor elderly man rocking on his front porch and the terrible condition his home and neighborhood are in. It makes me wonder how many other neighborhoods are out there like that that we're unaware of.”

Taking a bite of his taco, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and seemed to be thinking. ”Yeah, no kidding. You know there are so many. I really wish we could just help them all, but even Pierce Homes can only do so much.”

Seeing the disappointed look on my face, he continued. ”Don't get me wrong. Pierce Homes will continue doing this and hopefully be able to do more projects simultaneously. There's still so much to do we haven't even touched yet, but to help every single neighborhood in need is not realistic. We, as a company, can only do so much. You understand what I'm saying, don't you?”

I nodded. I understood, but it didn't mean I liked it. ”Yeah, Paul, I do, though I can't help but feel like we can do more. I was going to wait until we got back to the office to bring this up, but since we're talking about it, have you ever considered branching Pierce Homes out to different cities? Opening more locations so we can help more in need?”

”Yes, as a matter of fact. I've been considering it for quite a while, but haven't done much to research what it would take. I know we could, we have the money. I guess I've just been so wrapped up in securing the funding for the Glendale project and wrapping up the one right before it, that I haven't thought too much about looking into it.”

I was thrilled to hear this. ”I'm so glad you've thought about it. It hit me earlier as we were driving in the more run down areas, wondering how many other areas are out there we don't know about. I know we can't do it all but I know we can do more,” I said exuberantly.

Paul just sat there, smiling at me as he drove to Hidden Creek. We'd both finished our lunches at this point and were headed that way. I could tell the wheels were spinning in his mind and I was excited.

”Aly, when we get back to the office on Monday, how would you feel about looking into this for me? Maybe it's time to get that ball rolling.”

I couldn't contain my joy. ”Yes! I would be happy to. I'm so glad you're on board with this. Since it's not my company, I can only give you the ideas, Pierce,” I teased.

”Oh you did not just say that, Chase,” he said with a laugh.

”I think I did.”

He gave me a sly grin. ”Yeah, you did. You are the brains behind Pierce Homes, no doubt about it.”

I smiled then frowned when a song I could not stand came on the radio. I lunged for the dial just as Paul did and our hands touched, sending electricity soaring through me. I jerked my hand back and let him change the station.

He looked over at me. ”I guess you hate that song too, huh?”

I nodded. ”With a pa.s.sion. I cringe every time I hear it come on.”

He laughed. ”Me too. That guy's voice is like nails on a chalkboard.”