Free Merging Assets by Cheryl Dragon Page B

women who hates other women. She wanted to be the queen. The only woman playing with the big boys. So glad she got hers.” Zoe sipped her soda.
    Crystal stirred her strawberry milkshake. “I’m glad Himmel did, too. Cheating at work and on his wife. What a creep!”
    “What they put you through! I just want to run them out of town. Better yet, shove them both in a barn full of angry bees.” She stabbed her coleslaw with a fork.
    That was pretty tough talk from the sweetest one in the group. “Are you okay, Lizzie?”
    “I have been moody lately. Finally, I went to the doctor and got a checkup. We weren’t trying or anything.” Lizzie blushed.
    “Pregnant?” Zoe asked.
    Lizzie nodded, and the women screamed in excitement.
    “That’s so great!” Crystal said.
    “Apparently, I need to catch up.” Ashley laughed.
    “It wasn’t a plan, but the guys can’t wait.” Lizzie’s tiny frame didn’t show a hint of it yet.
    Crystal took a bit of her sandwich and contemplated kids in a group relationship. Zoe made it work with her job, and her daughter was a mirror of her stylish, independent mom. They had no idea which of the four men was the father, and they all doted on the little girl.
    “Crystal,” Ashley said.
    “What? Sorry,” Crystal said.
    “Boy or girl. Make your bet.” Zoe nodded.
    Lizzie was so calm and had taken to life on a bee ranch with jeans and T-shirts. For some reason, Crystal saw her friend with a few sons. “I think it’ll be a boy.”
    “I don’t care as long as it’s healthy.” Zoe took a big bite of her cheeseburger.
    “Of course, it’s just fun to guess. Once you find out, we can plan the baby shower.” Ashley smiled.
    “I’ll help. I have a lot more free time now,” Crystal offered.
    “You won’t be swamped trying to get clients?” Zoe asked.
    “I’m starting slow. The guys own the garage now. That’s one. Mr. Nicholas has asked me to look at his retirement funds. I’m going to offer a review and recommendation service to small businesses. Go over the bookkeeping and give advice. Offer to do the tax forms and such. Some people might want more. Individuals will mostly want me to do taxes when the time comes, but maybe, they’ll want some financial planning, too.” Crystal shrugged.
    Lizzie raised her hand. “Count in the bee ranch. We could use a bookkeeping review. I’m no expert.”
    “Done.” Crystal nodded.
    “You’ll be very busy. People trust you.” Ashley smiled.
    “But you’re very calm for this lack of work. You’re not freaking out to get more clients and stuff going. Is it panic?” Zoe asked.
    Crystal shook her head. “No. I mean, I moved in with the guys, and I had been saving as much as I could since I’ve been working here in Lucky Springs. The promotion helped with a raise. So I’ve got enough of a cushion to go slow and do it right.”
    “Well, self-employment agrees with you,” Ashley said.
    “So does Lucky Springs. I can’t thank you enough for bringing us here.” Crystal nodded.
    “We needed jobs.” Ashley shrugged.
    Zoe lifted her glass. “To new job ventures and new babies!”
    The other women raised their glasses to the toast and clinked them. Taking a drink, Crystal knew they were all on the right track.
    * * * *
    Crystal walked into the main office at the garage, where Andy and Lance would be. Today she found all of them hanging out. She grinned and watched them for a minute before they noticed her. Her men. All four different and sexy and perfect in their own way.
    “What are you staring at?” Roman asked when he caught her eye.
    “The guys I love looking happy with what they’re doing. I think we’re finally in the right jobs and with the right people.” She walked in and locked the door behind her.
    “I think she’s up to no good,” Fred said.
    Andy laughed. “You hope.”
    She tossed her purse in a chair and checked out the smallish office as she went to each guy and took her time kissing them.
    “So things