A Billionaire in Disguise #2 : A Perfect Plan(28)

"What's wrong?!" Mick startled when the phone rang and he saw who was calling him. He was sure something else had happened.

"You know how you told me to go to New York?"

"Yeah. But don't expect much of a therapy session from me at this hour."

"I think I'm going to go, Mick. I'll move there, and if me and Parker find each other, then it was meant to be. If it doesn't work, I'll come back."

"Sounds logical to me. When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow. Goodnight, Mick. I love you. I'll be by to pick up the shepherd."

With a smile, Emily hung up the phone and set her plans into motion. This would either be the craziest thing she's ever done, or the best. She was more than willing to risk it. Dying inside a little each day was no longer an option.

She drove up onto the used car lot and purchased a two year old Jeep. It was perfect to travel in and the dog could rest comfortably. She found which vehicle she wanted rather quickly. Getting the salesman to shut the hell up was a whole different story. Finding a place to live was even less of a challenge. She had called Camille Johnson first thing this morning and asked about a job, and perhaps a small furnished house to rent where animals were allowed. Camille's uncle owned three rentals, and one was available. She was delighted to bring Emily on as part of her staff.

Saying goodbye to her friends at the clinic wasn't easy. They all knew she wouldn't be coming back except for visits. After lots of hugs and tears, Emily slipped the new collar and leash on the shepherd, kissed Mick on the cheek with promises to call him, and then walked out the door.

Once in the Jeep, Emily looked in her rearview mirror at the dog, who quietly chewed on a toy. She hadn't felt this much excitement in so long. A new life. I'm getting a brand new life.

She had to sneak the dog into a motel when she was getting too tired to drive. Once she hit Manhattan, she was very glad she had everything planned out. The city was, indeed, the busiest place she'd ever seen. Knowing that Parker was in the same area gave her a thrill. She loved the new little house, which even had a fenced in yard. Luckily for her, the shepherd wasn't destructive.

Manhattan Veterinary Clinic was an older building, passed down in Camille's family of veterinarians. It was a busy place and they immediately made Emily and her dog feel at home. Camille's grandfather purchased two buildings that had gone up for sale some decades ago and made the veterinarian clinic into one of the largest in the area.

"Emily, your dog is such a good boy! What's his name?" Camille gave the shepherd a treat. 

"Well..."

"You mean to tell me you don't have a name for him?" Camille started to crack up. She was a petit woman in her mid-thirties, with short black hair. "Emily, you have to name the poor dog. I think we should make it a staff contest. They're a pretty creative bunch of people."

"Sure, why not!" The prize was a hundred dollar gift certificate to a local pet supply store and a fifty dollar gift certificate to the theater. Emily and Camille drew up the posters after work so they'd be visible for the staff the next day. At five in the afternoon tomorrow, hopefully the shepherd would have a name. Hopefully Parker will like it.



Parker walked down to check on the repairs taking place on the apartment building. All the tenants had moved back in, minus the six families who had too much damage done to their units. The foreman estimated, pending no complications, to have the place ready in a couple more weeks. At least that was some decent news he could share with them. He just wished he had some decent news within his personal life. His choices for this evening were to go home and be alone, or go on a vacation and be alone or sit in his office and overindulge in work projects. His brother and Rhonda had been hounding him to go away for a relaxing vacation. Relax? What the hell is that?

At five o'clock, Emily was saying goodbye to her last patient for the day. The staff was anxiously waiting to hand her the container full of name options. Each staff was allowed to submit three. Camille locked the front door and put the closed sign out front, then hurried back to where everyone was gathered. She handed Emily the container, who happily accepted it and sat in a chair in the middle of the room.

"Okay, when I read the names, people are going to yay or nay it. Here we go. The first choice is Max." Everyone laughed saying it was too common. "We won't say who suggested the name, we'll only announce that if a winner is selected. The next one is Bonzo." Everyone broke out in laughter. Even Emily and Camille were cracking up. The suggested names were interesting to say the least. Emily was losing hope after none of the names had been chosen yet.

"We're down to the last one! Let's hope Emily likes it!" Camille sat anxiously waiting.

Emily pulled out the last slip of paper. She heard the staff begin to moan and mumble. "Come on, guys, we have to give this one a chance." Then Emily stopped. She looked at the shepherd and had found the perfect name. "Chance. Come here, Chance." The shepherd lifted his head and came over to her. Everyone cheered, especially the young receptionist.

"Chance is the perfect name for that dog, Emily. But you go ahead and read the last one, then we can raffle the prize off," said Camille.

Emily nodded at Camille and then opened up her palm and read the tag. "Chance." Emily smiled over at Sonya, who put up her hand and cheered the loudest.

"When we heard about what had happened to the dog, you said you had to work really hard on him to give him a chance. That always stuck with me," said Sonya as she reached over to pet Chance.

"Congratulations, Sonya!" Emily got up and hugged her. She was given the prize and Camille made a new poster to put in the store window, announcing her as the winner, and she even attached a picture of the newly named canine. Sonya objected, but Camille encouraged her to be more enthusiastic.

"Camille, you'd make a poster if someone fixed their broken shoelace." Everyone laughed at Sonya's remark but they all knew it was true. The staff all loved Camille.



Parker continued to walk down Seventh Avenue, hoping he could find a place where his worries would fall from him. He bought an Italian Ice from a street vendor and casually strolled up the street. The lights in the city were blinking, and the crowd changed to a younger one. Parker let his mind wander while he walked and wasn't even aware that he'd reached Times Square until he heard the music. He stood and smiled at the memories of concerts he'd attended with his brother. I would love to come here with Emily.


 

 

 

Emily helped Camille close up the clinic, then they left at the same time. The clinic was closed on Sundays and Emily was grateful for a morning to sleep in. The night was beautiful with the perfect breeze, so she got back out of her Jeep, leashed up Chance, and headed towards the lights. She felt safe around this many people. She found herself at a vendor buying a strawberry Italian Ice, and continued on her way down Seventh Avenue. The night was young and Emily couldn't help but feel the vibes from people around her. Chance, with his red bandana, got way more attention than she did. She walked along until she saw a sign. "Times Square". I'll be damned. She had read about it many times, and it was always on her bucket list, but she'd never left Colorado to do anything adventuresome. When Emily lifted the cup of ice to her mouth, Chance took off in a run, the leash quickly whipping out of her hand. She screamed and ran as fast as she could. Chance was headed right towards a man. She ran faster. The dog had never even growled at anyone before. No no no no no! Chance began barking loudly and before she knew it, he was in the air flying at the man. There was nothing she could do to stop him.

Parker put his hands in his pockets and turned around to walk back. He heard a dog barking, and soon the large shepherd entered his sight and went airborne. At first he was startled, but he'd know that face anywhere. He opened up his arms and caught the dog, then landed on the grass with the shepherd licking his face.

"Chance! Oh my God, sir, I'm so sorry! I don't know what got into him! Are you okay?!" Emily was totally out of breath when she reached the poor man and the dog. She grabbed his leash and pulled him off, hoping she wouldn't see a bitten face or something worse.

"Parker?" Her heart began to beat even faster.

Parker got off the ground and stared down at her. "Emily, what are you doing in New York? Not that I'm complaining, trust me." Parker wanted to press his body against hers. He hadn't been this happy in a long time.

"I live here. It's a very long story. Can we talk someplace?"

Parker smiled and took Emily's hand. "I bought a house. We could go there if you'd like."

Emily smiled up at him and let him lead the way. The drive was quiet, until she saw the huge house. "You live here??"

"Yeah, I know it's pretty funny. Come inside but don't trip on all the furniture." Parker chuckled and opened the front door. Chance took off to investigate. Emily just stood there with a concerned look on her face.

"Furniture...."

"I know. Good taste huh?"

"Parker, the place is empty. But it's lovely."

"I'll grab us a glass of wine. Sit anywhere you'd like." 

Emily walked over to the only place available other than the floor. She sat on the couch and Chance soon came to lie by her feet.

"You named him? Chance is a perfect name for this guy."