Stand Out: Romance in the Rockies, #4

By Rose Fresquez

He's her boss. She's off-limits. One road trip might change all the rules.
After a miraculous recovery from a tragic accident, Brent Wise is back to running the billion-dollar company. With the board criticizing his decisions, the last thing he needs is his assistant to get under his skin. When Keisha talks him out of a profitable deal and the angry board members demand answers, he's left no choice but to invite her to an out-of-state meeting.
Keisha Freeman is forced to face her insecurities when asked to advocate for her friends' homes that are about to be demolished and replaced by luxory suites. Her extremely handsome boss might be a hothead and intimidating, but unlike her family, Brent treats her like the adult she is. Her mission is to prove to him that she's more than his enemy's little sister. She starts by defining the conditions of the trip: No private jet—just a simple road trip with a stop at every homeless shelter along the way.
On the ride of their lives, sparks fly as their love-hate sizzle continues to heat into attraction for one another. When family intrudes on a perfect romance, will they hold back or fight for their love story?

Stand Out is a sweet Christian romance that will take you on a heartwarming journey with memorable characters and an inspiring story of trust, acceptance, and following your heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rose Fresquez
• Release date: Apr 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224062638

Rose Fresquez

Rose Fresquez is the author of First Site and two other family devotionals. She's married to her prince charming and a proud mother of four amazing kids. When she's not busy taking care of her family, she's writing. Follow her on facebook at https://facebook.com/rosefresquezbooks/

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All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Stand Out is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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CHAPTER 1

Standing behind the photographer was the perfect spot for Keisha Freeman to sneak glances at her boss.

Brent Wise struck a commanding presence in his navy suit, with a white shirt beneath, that made his green eyes stand out. He gestured at the presentation screen, all eyes in the roomful of people trained on him.

With The Wise Enterprise selling their three Vail resorts to a rival company, several employees needed reassurance about their job security. A man almost as old as Keisha’s dad raised his hand, and Brent acknowledged him with a nod. 

If we don’t lose our jobs, how can you guarantee that we will not get a pay cut?

Keisha stood on tiptoes to peer over the tripod, needing to get a better look at Brent as he addressed the man’s question.

That’s not going to happen. We signed a contract that you get the same pay and a raise in a year if you remain diligent with your work.

Brent was the epitome of confidence. No wonder he was the CEO. A glance around the room of people clinging to every word he spoke, confirmed what Keisha already knew.

The camera moved. How rude! Didn’t the photographer notice that it was her hideout? Keisha almost tripped over the tripod as she scurried for another spot, behind a lanky tall man.

She wasn’t supposed to attend the conference, and Brent could never know that she was here. Keisha only worked at Brent’s home office when he was in town, which was at least three times a week, and on rare occasions five days.

She wasn’t necessarily stalking her boss, but her friend had needed a ride to Vail for a job interview. After dropping off Lucienda, Keisha had crashed the meeting just as Brent was starting the Q & A session.

Next question. Brent’s voice pulled her back in time to watch him scratch his shaven, chiseled jaw. His sandy blonde hair was combed back, as opposed to his usual style when it was slicked to the side, her favorite style. Either way, he was devastatingly handsome, but she would never tell him that.

Her phone vibrated from her jeans pocket and she pulled it out to check. It wasn’t Lucienda. Looking at the time on her phone screen, she knew Brent wouldn’t be talking much longer. He was expected to be at the Eagle Airport in forty-five minutes, where the company jet would whisk him away to Utah for another meeting at one of the resorts they owned in Salt Lake.

Pausing in the middle of his response, Brent frowned, as if scanning the audience. Oh no, had he seen her? She turned, peering through the big window—the snow capped mountains were a perfect distraction, until she heard him stammering before regaining his voice.

Her heart raced. What if he’d seen her here? Would he think she was stalking him? When she glanced back, he was massaging his temple. Probably the onset of a headache, not unusual since his accident less than two years ago.

When Brent announced he would take only one more question, that was Keisha’s cue to make her escape. She’d rather not scramble for an explanation as to why she was here. She was just being a supportive Personal Assistant. Perhaps that was a legit reason.

The air smelled fresh and the breeze wisped her hair as she walked past several cars in the parking lot to get to her 2013 Mazda. The car required more attention, but that was expected, since she’d bought it used. She would eventually buy a new car, in the near future. For now, she was saving up to open a restaurant in her small town someday.

Her phone chimed an incoming text just as she sat in the car. It was Lucienda, ready to be picked up at the school where she’d had an interview.

The drive to the school was only five miles, and Lucienda was standing in front of the brick building when Keisha pulled up. She turned off the gospel song that was playing just as Lucienda sat and shut the door.  There was no need to talk over the music.

How did the interview go? she asked, and Lucienda smiled, reaching for her hair ties from her wrist and pulling her hair into the usual ponytail. Her flawless skin was tan compared to Keisha’s ebony skin. Did you nail all the questions?

I think okay. Lucienda strapped on the seatbelt and Keisha drove out of the almost empty parking lot. We’ll see what happens.

Lucienda looked doubtful.  

How many teachers in Vail speak Spanish and English so fluently? Keisha was amazed how her friend spoke both languages. I know that you’re going to get hired. I’ll miss you when you’re gone. She meant it, and she was happy for her friend, confident that Lucienda was the right candidate for the job.

Did I say that it was an interview?  Lucienda glanced at the cars whizzing past in the opposite lane.

How would they not hire you? Lucienda’s easy going nature would make her the perfect employee. We’ve been praying, and God knows how much you need this.

I’m still praying for your dream, too. This year might be the year for that restaurant.

Keisha was far from achieving her dream of  opening a restaurant or soup kitchen for underprivileged families or the homeless. We barely have any homeless people in Eron.

But we have poor people, who, thanks to you, look forward to your fancy breakfast three times a week.

Keisha had convinced Ricci’s to open up their kitchen for her to cook breakfast for the underprivileged families. Still coming tomorrow? She turned the blinker to switch from the passing lane.

I don’t think you can manage the kitchen without me.

She was always grateful for her friend’s help. It’s the last day of school. I’m sure that all the families will show up. She only made breakfasts during the school season, and it would be great to see all the families one more time. I’ll make it simple.

While fixing breakfast, she intended to make Brent’s favorite strudel. He would be back tonight and in the office early the next day. He had a tendency to skip breakfast whenever he had those early meetings.

So, how did Brent do at the conference?

Lucienda was the only one who knew her secret feelings for Brent. He did great, as usual. She kept her tone as casual as possible.

You should tell him.

Keisha was tempted to pull over and have this conversation. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard you say. A loud honk had her hands vibrating over the leather of the steering wheel, and she straightened the car in her lane. Apparently the conversation required her full attention. I hope you never tell a single soul about this. Rumors spread like wildfire in Eron.

Not sure why I’d do that. Lucienda reached for the half empty styrofoam cup of water from the console.

If it gets to my brother, I’m sure he would hire private investigators and end things before anything ever started.

Lucienda’s laugh filled the car.  He’s married to Brent’s sister. I’m sure he would be happy for you.

She wished that was the case. That hasn’t made them friends just because they’re in-laws.

Point is, you’re an adult. Forget your brother and go after your guy. She set the cup back down. You’ve been swooning over him for two years.  Now that you work for him, don’t you think it's time to do something about it?

He was out of her league, among so many other reasons that would hinder their relationship. There was no use in dreaming. Yeah, I’ll do something about it, all right.

Really? Lucienda’s voice was filled with excitement. Keisha had to keep her eyes on the road, but she could almost see the wide grin on her friend’s face.

Yes, by doing nothing. Her brother assumed he was her dad just because he’d literally helped Dad in raising her after Mom left them. There wasn’t a man Trevor hadn’t questioned the moment he knew the guy was interested in Keisha. Putting things back in the closet where they belong. There was no need to drag Brent into a fight with Tevor.

She thought she was grown, and though Brent treated her like an adult, unlike her family, he might not want a woman nine years his junior.

You're going to drive yourself crazy if you don’t do something about it.

I'd be insane if I did anything about it.

You're already insane for obsessing about him.

Was she obsessed? She frowned and glanced at Lucienda before shifting her gaze back to the road. I’m not obsessed.

Uh huh! Her friend’s response was rather certain. He has a heart of gold, I will give him that.

Despite what he wanted everyone to believe, Brent had a tender heart. Keisha had learned that over the last year she’d worked for him during his recovery, and after. Yes...he does.

He was doing his best to please the Board of Directors, which would’ve been a good reason for him to move forward with the demolition of Lucienda’s family’s trailer park.

As they neared the exit towards Highway 115 that led to Eron, Lucienda suggested they stop for lunch before proceeding home.

The rest of the forty-minute drive flew by as Lucienda encouraged her about Brent, and talked about what Keisha could do to get his attention. All the talk had only stirred up the feelings she’d tried to mask for the last two years.

Maybe she could try to date her friend Carl instead. She’d only gone out with him twice. She’d hoped by doing so, she would stop fantasizing about her boss. I’ll call Carl and see if we can give things another shot.

Last I checked, your brother’s still the town’s detective.

Carl had decided to end their short lived romance after Trevor’s confrontation when he’d walked in on their almost-kiss and called him a loser.

Maybe I better let Carl be.

Could it be that she was attracted to Brent because he was older than her? Maybe because he reminded her of her brother, or maybe because he was off limits, and that’s why she wanted him so bad.

She drove Highway 115, passing farms and random homes. Soon, small cabins and trailers poked through pine and Russian olive trees. Keisha made a left turn and pulled into the trailer park’s parking lot, cutting the engine and stepping out.

Lucienda’s family’s trailer was the biggest one, by the lot’s entrance. Keisha trotted around to the front of the car to meet her friend for an embrace.

Don’t let your family run your life so much. Lucienda squeezed Keisha’s back.

I know.

Keisha still felt the need to respect the two men in her life who’d taken care of her and loved her unconditionally. But it was time she started setting some boundaries between what she could let her family do and not do.

CHAPTER 2

BRENT WISE PUSHED BACK the leather chair, tempted to close the laptop and call it a morning.

A video conference with angry board members was not how he preferred to start his day. Once upon a time, he’d shared a portion of his mind whenever he felt like it. Lately, he was struggling to be someone different, nicer, but it tended to drag things down a longer route than he liked.

I missed your point, Priscilla goaded, checking her fake painted nails as if bored with Brent’s speech. You need to clarify why you’re cutting out a profitable investment.

What do you think I’ve been doing the last fifteen minutes? Not the best tone to use if he was pitching for calm. He balled his fingers into a fist, tucking them safely under the glass table, afraid he would swing it on the laptop’s screen. But that would only prove he was the person who the board thought him to be. A ‘hothead’ is what they claimed when they’d struggled with their decision to make him CEO.

Your statement is vague. Tom scratched the bald spot on his head. Let’s go back to the new investments you initiated for Wise Enterprise.

Yes, the ones with no Return on Investment, Julian spoke, his observation not surprising, since he wanted his son in Brent’s place. You’ve only been CEO for less than two years and you’ve sold three resorts already.

Brent leaned back in his leather chair and loosened his tie. This meeting was a waste of his time, while he had urgent things to accomplish. If only the vultures could leave him alone. Didn’t they see that Vail wasn’t a legit investment? Don’t forget the ones we bought under my leadership. He shouldn’t have to remind them about Utah and Jackson Hole. Plus, we negotiated an exclusive deal with Vail.

At least there was one person in the meeting he could count on. Bill, one of dad’s friends, gave a gentle nod before lifting the steaming mug from the table and tilting it to his lips.

Brent was surprised at the tense silence that stretched among the rest of the members, long enough for him to massage his temples. Ever since the accident, it didn’t take much to stir up a migraine.

Let’s not forget why we called this meeting, Julian demanded. The trailer park.

You haven’t given a legitimate reason why you dropped out of the deal. Priscilla tapped her long nails on the table.

Even if several members didn’t like him, Priscilla seemed to have it in for Brent at an extra level. He had yet to find out the reason.

Since when did he care what anybody thought of him, anyway?

Since the accident that took the life of one of his drivers, and almost Brent’s. Since his assistant had crept her way into his life, almost into his heart. More importantly, God seemed to be chipping away some walls in his heart one at a time.

Because nobody had listened to his earlier response, Brent had to try again, hoping it was as persuasive as his first attempt. He rolled his chair forward and cleared his throat.

It’s important to keep the Wise name respectable in the community. The community they lived in,  but mostly because his assistant had made him lose sleep over the issue. Brent felt saving the trailer park was the right thing to do. Not to tear down people’s homes so that his company could replace them with their luxury suites.

This requires an in-person meeting at corporate. Julian pounded his fist on the table. You need to come up with a better reason.

Not necessary. He had more urgent things to do rather than sit in the same room with vultures who wanted to tear his job apart.

The shareholders will need to hear about this, Priscilla insisted, biting her lower lip.

Great! Brent’s jaw twitched. If only his dad had taken over the business after his granddad died instead of Brent’s uncle, they would have one hundred percent shares instead of the sixty. By the time Dad decided to step up, Brent’s uncle had sold forty percent.  I’ll think about it.

I don’t think you have an alternative. Bill lifted his mug up. That is, if you want your family’s legacy to stay intact.

Otherwise we’ll be losing investors over this, Tom added.

Brent’s hand hovered over the mute button on the video chat. He contemplated clicking, but he forced himself to half listen while they penciled the date for the meeting in San Diego.

I’ll check my schedule with my assistant first, Brent said flatly.

When the board meeting was over, he ground his teeth. He rarely drank coffee, but caffeine would come in handy to fight off his migraine.

He stood and walked to the window. The sight of the lush green lawn eased his sour mood. With May’s showers, everything had sprung to life. Daffodils, among the many other flowers decorating the gardens scattered throughout the lawn, were in full bloom.

A glance to the lake at the far end of the property sent a thrill of excitement for the upcoming sunny days ahead. He couldn’t wait to get on his boat and jet ski. This summer would be his first in his newly constructed home. He doubted he would have time for anything now that he was running the company, but even if he could get out on the lake once or twice this summer, it would still be satisfying.

Until then, he had to think of a way to put an end to the board’s demands from him. They were just looking for any excuse to complicate his job. Keisha had been convincing when she talked him out of buying the trailer park. Why hadn’t he been able to pull it off with the board?

He’d probably let his emotions make the decision, just like all the other times he’d let his assistant talk him into doing something. Perhaps he needed to start acting like a CEO. Like his dad, who didn’t let the board trample over him.

With that in mind, he sat back in his chair and skimmed through his emails, clicking on the ones from business partners, and responding if necessary. Keisha was on top of their shared account, and she saved him time by highlighting the most urgent emails that needed his attention.

SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, his heart skipped a beat at the gentle tap on his door. He didn’t have to look up as the door opened to know that it was his assistant, Keisha. The last fourteen months since she’d been working for him, she’d showed up exactly at seven a.m. Without permission from his brain, his gaze swept over her. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Morning! She smiled, walking towards him with a disposable cup in one hand. Whatever she had in her other hand had his stomach growling.

They didn’t have any tea prepared when I stopped by. I hope that coffee will do. He watched her set the cup on the glass desk. He was grateful that she’d somehow read his thoughts about his need for caffeine. I’ll get your chamomile during my lunch break.

She was good. Despite their differences in the past, he’d finally given in to hiring her because his sister, Sofia, had twisted his arm.

Thanks. He lifted the cup to his mouth. The perfect amount of cream, just the way he liked it.

Your morning snack.  She set a brown bag on the table.

The mouth-watering scent of an apricot strudel filled his nose. It wasn’t the first time she’d made him the pastry.

She spoiled him rotten. The days he worked from his house, he purposely skipped breakfast so he could eat whatever Keisha fixed for him. He didn’t pay her to bring him snacks or tea. In fact he’d never asked, but she’d taken it upon herself to take care of him. Not that he couldn’t take care of himself, but Keisha did a better job.

Addressing his thoughts about the trailer park property would have to wait. There was no way he wanted that vibrant smile of hers to vanish. Not yet.

His lips lifted into what he assumed was a tight smile. Thanks for the pastry.

Her silver earrings danced against her flawless brown cheek when she perched on the leather chair across from him. Have you thought more about pursuing the Maui properties?

It was surprising that he ran ideas by her before anyone else. I thought more about your suggestions to consider the long term ROI versus the upfront costs. He set the cup down on the table. I think it’s a good investment, but today wasn't the right day to present it to the board.  He massaged his forehead. If only he could get through this day without a migraine.

You need an ibuprofen. She shifted, ready to stand, and Brent put up a hand to stop her.

I’m okay.

I take it that your meeting didn’t go well? Keisha pulled her tablet out of her handbag. They usually started with a morning meeting to go through the day’s agenda and whatever new events she’d added to the calendar. Talk to me, maybe I can help.

He liked when they had a normal conversation, and preferred not to talk about the trailer park yet. So he took another sip of the coffee as his brain scrambled for any other topic. Small talk was always a good tactic...

Right, there was something that crossed his mind. He rested his arms on the table. Were you by chance at the Vail conference?

Her brown eyes widened and she clasped her fingers together as if thinking about her response. Why?

I sensed someone watching me. He’d felt a buzz of awareness— the way he felt sometimes under her scrutiny.

She chuckled nervously. Good grief, I thought by now you’re used to people looking at you.

This was different. He leaned back in his chair. It was hard to explain, but whenever he experienced that rush of warmth in a crowded room, nine out of ten times when he looked around, he’d catch Keisha’s piercing gaze on him.

You were in a room full of people... She stopped mid-sentence. Uhm, you didn’t see me, did you?...I mean, it may not have been...

That stammering. He was right. His eyebrow lifted and he met her gaze.

She fiddled with her purple cardigan. I mean...okay.  Rolling her eyes, she said, Maybe I stopped by briefly. I was in the area to drop off my friend for an interview.

Good. He wasn’t crazy.  Lucienda?

A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Oh...I didn’t know that you knew her name.

Goodness, Freeman, you don’t think I listen? Okay, this wasn’t the chat to transition him to the boss-like tone he intended to use with the trailer park topic. He’d better focus. He loosened his tie, suddenly hot from the new direction their conversation was headed.

Keisha must have caught on to his discomfort, because she changed the subject. For your social calendar this weekend, you’re golfing with your dad on Saturday, and you have a video chat with your cousin that—

I just saw my dad two days ago.

She shrugged. He called me last night. He wants to go golfing this weekend, and I told him you’re available.

So his dad knew how easily Keisha got to Brent, so he would rather go through her than ask him directly. He didn’t mind golfing, but he preferred using his Saturdays to catch up on work. Unfortunately, his doctor thought the extra stress could be the trigger of his headaches. Too bad he’d told Keisha that detail, too. Now she made sure to fill up his Saturdays with leisure activities. Golfing and a video call is all I can handle in one day.

I know. I’ll text you the link for church on Saturday night. She looked down at her tablet. He’d gone to her church twice, and the pastor prayed for him one of those times after he’d asked