Happy birthday, Peekaboo!

[Freypower]

Have a happy birthday, Jess.

[Glennsallnighter]

Happy Birthday Jess from me too! Have a wonderful one. I'll post your present when I can get into Photobucket! Its causing me a few problems at the moment - Doesn't seem to recognise my password!

[Peekaboo]

Aww, thanks everybody!! Love all of the pics . I just have to share this with all of you...I had to work last night and when the clock hit midnight to my birthday I was walking out of the breakroom to the casino floor and when i opened the doors I heard a familiar voice over the speakers. Dirty Laundry was playing. I had the biggest (and probably dorkiest) smile on my face as soon as I heard it. Right then I knew it was going to be a great day.

And Dreamer, does this very handsome man have 2 front row tickets for Tampa in that plate for me?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEEKABOO!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day. Here is someone to present you with your birthday gift - a plate full of Eagles tickets.

[Prettymaid]

Jess, he has enough for all of us! (Plus airline tickets and accomodations - same hotel that they're staying in!)

Well, a girl can dream...

[Peekaboo]

Ooh!!! Sounds good to me. Do I get reimbursed for my Florida trip next week?

[ticky]

Happy Birthday Jess!
I've already shown you part of this, but here's a little more and I'll keep working on it.
Hope ya'll enjoy it. It's just a fun little fantasy trip

***********************

Jessica had graduated from College with a double degree in media arts and business management, so how was it she’d become a baby sitter for a bunch of spoiled, rich phony snobs? She hated television. When she’d gone after the media arts degree it had been more of a wanting to be in front of the camera, maybe as a News Anchor or a correspondent. When she’d seen the ad for a studio manager in studio city for Fox she’d jumped at the chance. What a deal! She’d get to meet glamorous people and rub elbows with the entertainment elite! No. That had been all wrong. These people weren’t elite. They were mean and selfish and completely self involved. She hadn’t had any experience with movie people, but television was awful. She really hated her job, but she made 6 figures a year and had a wardrobe most women would kill for. Her shoes alone were worth a vault room at the bank. They were her guilty pleasure. Okay, so she told everyone she HAD to have them for her work, and that was partly true. They did expect her to dress a certain way and if she didn’t live up to their expectations the shallow self involved hedonists looked down their noses at her and, while this was unpleasant any way, it made her job almost impossible. She had to be respected and listened to if she were to hold any control over that little Payton Place they called a TV Studio. The truth was, she’d put up with a lot if at the end of the week she could go get a new pair of Manolo’s or Jimmy Chu’s. But this week had been it. Shoes or no shoes she’d had enough. That new anchor woman had been snubbing her all month and now she’d out right disregarded her, and the studio had backed HER! How was she supposed to do her job if they gave in to every spoiled poodle of a woman who challenged her standing? Jess had decided there and then standing in the executive’s office listening to him berate her and placate the awful woman that she would not stand for it any longer. It was time to move on. She’d been working in that dump for 6 years and, except for the shoes and clothes, had lived modestly. She could have retired and continued to live modestly, but she knew she’d go crazy if she did. She was the type who needed to stay busy. She needed work, but she didn’t have to settle for just anything. Besides having a nice nest egg set away, she had earned a great reputation as a hard nosed studio manager. She could write her own ticket.
She’d been sitting at the sidewalk café stewing over the nerve of her ex-boss, technically still her boss as she hadn’t put in her resignation as of yet, but it was just a matter of time. She’d picked up a copy of Variety, ordered a skinny latte and pretended to read. A young, fashionable woman sitting at an outdoor café by herself was not to be seen muttering angrily to herself or doing anything idle. She peered at the words on the paper and the pictures. None of them held any interest. She hated show business and show business people. The next page was the classified ads. How appropriate! Her eyes scanned the page and fell almost immediately on “Wanted: Studio manager for a small music studio. Must be willing to relocate to Texas.” Music studio in Texas? It couldn’t be. She read on. The address was “Bitter Creek Ranch, Amarillo, Texas” She couldn’t believe her eyes! It was like a sign from God. She was a HUGE fan of the Eagles and Don Henley especially, this was his studio! She’d read about it right after his ugly divorce. His wife had stripped him of about everything but this small studio and the surrounding ranch where he lived and worked. It didn’t take her long to tear the ad out, get herself home and on her computer to update her resume. It’d been 6 years since she’d had to do anything with it but it was an excellent resume and even the jerk at Fox who’s just reamed her out, could not deny she was the best of the best. She made a few phone calls and had three references lined up in less then a half hour. She was also sure she had sent up the red flag to her boss. Sure enough before the hour was out he was on her phone offering her double her current salary. Good God! That was more then some professional athletes made! No, she was sick of this life style. She was sure they sold Manolo’s in Texas. And besides, she wouldn’t need them there. Maybe Manolo made cowboy boots? Probably not, but it would be worth it.
By 10am the next morning, she was unemployed and faxing her resume and references to Texas. By 11:30 her phone was ringing. She was walking briskly down Ventura Blvd after picking up some dry cleaning and her phone started ringing. Traffic was loud and she knew that she’d never hear a thing so she ducked into a near by Kinko’s. The number wasn’t familiar but that wasn’t unusual. In her business, everyone and his dog had a cell phone or two. It was nearly impossible to keep up with all the numbers.
“Hello?”
“Hello Miss, uhh, Hi, My name is Don Henley and I’m calling in regards to a resume I received. “
OH my God! It was him! She’d never thought he’d call himself! No body made their OWN calls, no one of consequence! She’d had a lot of experience talking to celebrities and knew how to stay calm and get the job done without the fan fare, but this was different. The drawl in his voice, the slow easy speech made her stomach flutter.
“Y..yes Mr. Henley. I’m,..I’m sorry. It’s very noisy here. I’m afraid you caught me out running some errands.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Would it be better if I called you at another time?”
Jess nearly dropped the phone. She looked around her panicked. There was a small supply closet open at the end of one of the counters and she headed towards it. The sound of the printers and copiers, customers and staff, all working and all loud, was nearly drowning out the phone. A young man with a bad complexion called after Jess as she headed for the closet.
“You can’t go in th…”
Jess pressed a twenty dollar bill in his sweaty hand, smiled and closed the door.
“No! Oh no, I’m sorry, there, that’s better. It was so loud. I just needed to find a quiet spot.” Jess took a seat atop a stack of printer paper. It must have been card stock for it was very firm. “I can talk now. Yes Mr. Henley I did send you my resume. I am very interested in the position you had advertised. Is it still available?”
Don laughed on the other end. “Well Miss..”
“Jessica, please, call me Jess.”
“Jess, well yes, the position is still available, but I’m afraid it’s no where near what you’re used to. I can’t come near your current pay scale and to tell you the truth I’m afraid you’re overly qualified for this job. I think you’d be bored to tears.”
Jess smiled. He sounded.. uhh it sounded perfect. “Actually Mr. Henley..”
“Don, call me Don. No one calls me Mr. Henley except my Ex wife’s lawyer.”
Jess laughed.
“Don, I’ve been working in Studio City for 6 years. I hate television and I have a strong dislike for television people. I don’t need to work. I want to work and I want to work for you. I can promise you my full attention if you give me this opportunity.”
Don let out a slow low whistle. “Well, you are a power house. I’ll give ya that much. All right. If you can be here next week, we’ll talk. I can show you around and we’ll see where we stand then.”
There was a loud banging on the closet door. “Miss?” the pimple kid.
“Uhh, yes Mr. Hen.. uhh Don. I can be there next week. What day?”
“Oh we don’t hold to ceremony here. I don’t have any pressing engagements next week. When you get here, We’ll do it.”
Another loud banging on the door. “Hey Lady? You can’t stay in there!” pimple kid was sounding more then a little desperate.
“All right Don. I’ll fly out on Monday. I’ll let your people know my flight number and details when I know.”
Don chuckled. “I don’t have any people. Just give me a call when ya know. I’ll meet you at the airport.”
Don was going to meet her at the airport? She paused a moment and shook her head hard trying to dislodge the astonishment that had nested in her brain. Another loud Knock. This time it was a different voice. A deep male voice sounding very official.
“Ma’am, you’re going to have to come out or we’re going to have to call the police!”
“All right Don. I’ll call you. Thank you so much.” Jess hated to hang up the phone but if she didn’t, she’d miss her interview with Don because she’d be in jail. She unlocked and opened the door.
She smiled an apologetic smile at the small crowd of employees, customers and on lookers and scooted out on to Ventura Boulevard. She had to get home; she had a date on Monday.
The weekend was filled with chores, clean ups and second thoughts, but come Monday morning she was on her way to the airport. She’d called Don Sunday evening and told him her flight number. He’d been so kind and genuine she’d forgotten all her doubts for a while. It was now Monday and she’d be landing at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City in 15 minutes and he’d be there. There’d be a 4 hour car ride after that. Jess wondered about the kind of man who’d drive 300 miles to pick up a stranger, drive her 300 miles back to his home just to interview her for a possible job. It made her nervous and excited at the same time. Don Henley had been a dream of hers for many years. She’d been to every Eagles concert within a days driving distance for the last six years, and now she was about to meet the man himself. She had to remind herself at least three times during this trip that this was a job interview and she was a professional who was more then well qualified for this position. He’d be lucky to have her. To have her. The words rang in her mind and a silly grin spread across her face. She shook her head and for the fourth time reminded herself this was a job interview. As the plane touched down, Jess made a deal with herself. No matter what happened, this was a job and she would be professional. She would do her best for Don and his studio and devote her energies to this job.
The plane pulled in at 11:30 am and Jess unloaded. She’d only brought one small carry-on bag. It was a short trip and she wouldn’t need much. The gangway from the plane was long, made longer by her constant looking for his face, and then there he was, standing back from the crowd, wearing sun glasses and a cowboy hat, a denim jacket and jeans. He sure didn’t look like any rock star she’d ever seen, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was rugged and rough and sexy as hell.
“Professional Jess, professional. This is a Job, not a date. Come on girl, get a hold of yourself.” She mumbled to herself as she walked down the gangway, never taking her eyes off of him. She smiled confidently and pulled her bag up higher on her shoulder. Don walked slowly up to her.
“Yer Jess, aren’t ya?” His smile was vivid.
Jess stood for a moment with her mouth agape. She’d recognized him, how could she not? But it was impossible. He could not have recognized her.
“Yes, but how…”
He grinned a sideways grin “I don’t think there’s a woman in Oklahoma City riding business class that would know how to dress like that.”
Jess looked down at her simple Donna Karan suit. The linen skirt hit just an acceptable two inches above the knee, the bolero jacket was tailored and neat; the sheer blouse didn’t show anything obscene. Her shoes, of course, were perfect. Not made for tromping through cow pastures, but this was an airport. Her Chiffon Manolo’s were perfect for this out fit. She wasn’t sure what Don had been referring too. She was well quaffed. Jess took a look around her. She saw a lot of women in flowered dresses and jeans. There was plaid and flannel and polyester knit in every size and shape.
“Oh.” Jess smiled and shrugged.
Don chuckled. “I don’t think there’s a woman in Oklahoma or Texas who could pull it off like you do either.” His eyes were hidden by his dark glasses, but his smile gave away his amusement.
Jess blushed. “Professional, girl, keep it on the up and up.” She thought to herself. “Uh, which way do we go?” She said out loud.
Don had been leaning against a pillar that appeared to have no other purpose then to make him look casual and relaxed. Now he stood and took a breath.
“Right, do you have luggage?”
Jess held up her small carry on bag and smiled. “I travel light.”
Don turned his head and raised his eye brows.
“I guess so!” He smiled and spread his arm out in front of him. “This way, Ma’am.”
Jess nodded and took the lead.
Don hustled in front of her to open doors and made very little small talk on the way through the airport. He led Jess to a large blue pick up truck. On the side of the door was a picture that made Jess smile. Reminiscent of the old dog by the victrola, there was a cow sitting in front of a stack of speakers. The cow seemed to be… Jess leaned closer to the car door to examine the image.
“The cow is wearing sunglasses.” She continued to peer at the logo.
“Steer.” Don unlocked her door and walked around to the other side of the truck. He unlocked and opened his door as Jess opened her door and peered across the seat at him.
“Excuse me?” Jess wasn’t sure if he was making a request or a demand. She had no intension of trying any trick driving by attempting to steer the truck from the passenger’s seat. If he’d wanted her to drive, she’d had been happy to split the drive time with him. It was, after all a long trip.
“It’s a Steer, not a cow. See the horns?”
“Of course it is.” Jess said settling herself in the seat and searching for the seatbelt. Don buckled himself in and started the truck. Jess couldn’t seem to find her seat belt. There was no shoulder strap and any lap belt there was might have been was lost somewhere in side the seat.
“You don’t know the difference, do you?” Don was grinning as he turned to her. She was still searching for the seat belt. He leaned over her and slipped his hand between the seat back and bench. His head was right in front of Jess, she could smell him. He smelled warm and spicy, like cinnamon and cloves dipped in honey and vanilla and then washed in the ocean. Jess’s head was swimming and she felt a little dizzy. It was wonderful. Without thinking she leaned forward and inhaled. Don pulled out a seatbelt and sat up. She wasn’t sure if he’d noticed her smelling him, but he had paused just for a moment and looked at her. He was less then an inch from her face and his deep blue eyes held hers just for a moment. He smiled.
“Here ya go.”
Jess was lost in the moment, half expecting him to kiss her, so his words were surprising.
“Huh? OH! Thank you.” She took the belt. She was sure she’d turned at least three shades of red but Don was a gentleman and hadn’t said anything.
As they backed out of the parking lot Jess cleared her throat. It was time to regain some footing.
“Umm, as a matter of fact, I do.”
“Huh?” Don’s brow furrowed then he laughed. “Oh yeah, Well good, Maybe you’ll do alright on the ranch.”

The drive was long and quiet. Jess had thought it was pretty silly to drive her 4 hours to the ranch, interview her, and then drive her four hours back to the airport. She had tried to discuss the position during the trip but Don had put her off telling her he didn’t like to discuss business while he was driving. Jess stretched her mind to find something to discuss. The scenery was flat, nothing of great interest there. In the few hours they’d been driving she thought they must have passed forty cow pastures filled with cattle. She let out a low whistle as they passed yet another, the big brown animals standing like statues in the tall grass.
“I’ve never seen so many cows. They seem to be in every field around here.”
Don shrugged. “Well, yeah. It’s market season. They’re bringing them in to sell.” Don glanced over at Jess and smiled. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Damn, she thought she’d had that under control.
“That’s another reason I was here to pick you up. I bought 300 head of cattle yesterday. They’re shipping them out today. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of these big trucks we pass aren’t carrying my cows.”
“Cattle.” Jess smiled to herself. She’d caught him in his own error. Although it probably wasn’t a good idea to be correcting her possible future boss, it was a weakness of hers. She loved correcting other people’s errors.
“Huh? Oh… Yeah” Don chuckled. “…except they’re all cows, females and calves. We send the steers, males, to market when they’re 3 years old so I usually don’t buy them.”
He grinned back at her. Jess was blushing from her toes to the tips of her hair. She could feel it.
“But good for you for remembering. You learn fast. I think you’ll fit in fine at the ranch.”
Jess didn’t say much after that. She figured better safe then sorry and she’d decided to keep her mouth closed and listen for a while. That was something she hadn’t had to do a lot of since college. She was the answer lady. Listening and learning were rusty points for her, something to work on.
As they neared the ranch, Don pointed out neighboring ranches and fields. About 10 miles from the ranch, as best Jess could figure, he began to point his own fields, some were filled with cattle and some stood empty. At one field a large truck was backed up to the gate and cattle were being unloaded. Don honked and waved as he went past. A tall slender man with an enormous moustache and cowboy hat returned his wave then went back to the business of assisting the cattle off the truck, making sure they didn’t hurt themselves.
“Well. There’s one of the trucks.” Don slowed considerably to watch the cattle unload as they passed by. The roads had turned to dirt this far off the highway and Jess was thankful for the slower pace. Her teeth had begun to rattle a bit. As soon as they were past the truck Don’s speed increased and Jess’s dental work was once more compromised.
The house soon came into view. Jess caught her breath. It was magnificent! It was huge! There was a large A-frame entry way with extending ranch style wings. A second layer of the residence was stair-stepped behind the front in a Frank Lloyd Wright style but with the raw wood, adobe work and river rock chimneys, the house blended beautifully with its environment. Don grinned at Jess. He was obviously pleased with her reaction to the house.
“It’s somethin’, isn’t it? I fell in love with this place about 6 years ago. It used to belong to The Duke himself. “Don’s smile faded a little and he shook his head. “My wife didn’t want me to buy it. She hated living out here. Good thing I did I guess. It’s all I’ve got left.” He sat staring at the entry way and sighed, his shoulders slumping dejectedly. Then he sat up and took a deep breath. He turned and looked at Jess and smiled. “It’s a good thing I’m crazy about the place.” He opened his door then he surprised Jess by running around the front of the truck and opening her door for her. “Come with me and I’ll show ya your suite and the studio.”
Don took Jess’s carry-on from her and led the way into the house. The front doors were huge and looked very old. The rough hone timbers were at least a foot thick and held together with massive cast iron belts and pegs. The handles s-curved on either side of the opening. Jess stood before them with her mouth agape.
“These doors are amazing! They look ancient, like something off the Argo.”
Don laughed at Jess’s reference to the ancient Grecian story of Jason and his ship. “Funny you should say that. The story goes that the previous owner and the one who had the ranch built, was in Greece right after the war. A small town on the coast, I believe, and he found a church there that had been destroyed in a bombing. It was a fisherman’s chapel that had been standing for hundreds of years. The only things left of it were a few old stones and these doors. They say the doors were standing as if nothing had touched them. He purchased them and had them shipped back here.”
Jess gazed at the ancient door. There was no way, short of carbon dating, to know how old they were or what their original origin was.
“It’s a shame they had to be removed from the chapel. Didn’t the town want to rebuild it?”
Don’s face became slightly sullen gazing at the enormous entry. “I know, I feel the same, but I got the idea that there wasn’t much left of the town or it’s people. I think the money he paid for the doors was more needed then the chapel. It was an ugly war. It left a lot of widows and orphans.”
Jess was watching Don carefully. He seemed to be feeling the loss and hunger of each and every person in that small Grecian town nearly 70 years ago. He tenderly touched the doors then seemed to remember himself and turned back to Jess and smiled.
“After you, my Lady”
Jess smiled wanly and entered the house. The foyer floor was tiled with beautiful intricate tiles from either Mexico or Italy, Jess couldn’t tell from the pattern. The colors were blue and yellow with hints or brown and red and gold. Each one was a work of art and en-mass they created a vision of color and texture. A stairway to the right wound up the side of the A-frame with twisted and carved banisters leading to a free hanging walk above the main living area. The twisted and carved banister continued the length of the free hanging walk till it turned and followed the wall to the second story at the rear end of the A-frame. The walls of the main room were adobe with a huge fire place at the far end of the right wall that was surrounded with a long, over stuffed leather sofa and two huge chairs that looked to be upholstered with Pendleton blankets! On the left of the main room was a long pine table with three high backed pine chairs on either side and one high backed pine arm chair at either end.
Works of art lined the walls, all southwestern in design but originals, Pena and Gorman and Remington were all there. In the main living space the floor was large slate pieces set in concrete and softened by large throw rugs.
Jess was used to opulence but mostly it was self serving and garish, this was different. Everything was tastefully displayed and useful, and obviously used but well cared for.

[Peekaboo]

Great story Rhonda!!! I'm lovin it!! Can't wait to read what happens next. Nice touch with the Pendleton blankets btw. Being Indian, Pendletons are a great honor to recieve as a gift from someone. I got one from my grandmother for my highschool graduation about 7 years ago. Pendletons are beautiful blankets.

[Brooke]

Have a wonderful birthday Pb!

Here's to health and happiness!

[Ive always been a dreamer]

And Dreamer, does this very handsome man have 2 front row tickets for Tampa in that plate for me?

Dream big, PB, dream big!!!

[AzEaglesFan]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEEKABOO. HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY