Free Binder Full of Women by Kathleen Miles Page B

start on project binder,” Brett said leaving the room.
     “I can’t let you do this,” Rachel said.
    “Yes, Rach I am doing this. With or without your approval this is happening. Preferably with your help.”
    One thing Rachel knew for sure was that once Trent had his mind set on something it happened.
    If he was going to do it, she might as well be at his side helping him make the best possible biggest mistake of his life.
    After all, he had seen her through so much of her adult life. With her parents now living in Arizona, and her in Indianapolis, she really did depend on him.
    When she was starting her home staging business, he gave her extremely discounted rent for an office and warehousing. When it came to hiring a lawyer and accountant he provided his time and advice even accompanying her to a few of the meetings. Not because he didn’t think she could do it on her own, but for the support and a second set of ears.
    Now that her business was thriving, the most successful staging business in the state, he still gave her advice to help the company growth. There were so many financial aspects that he had natural intuition on while she was more the creative side. Many of her initial clients came to her because of referrals from him.
    After all he had done she could help him with this one thing.
    Extending her hand for a peace making handshake, Rachel said, “Ok then. Let’s get started on operation binder full of women.”
    There was no telling what kind of disaster this would lead to and now Rachel was in for the ride.
     

Chapter 2
     
    As promised, the next day Brett arrived carrying his binder. His arms were enfolded around a white, heavy duty binder complete with a cover that said, “Women”.
    When they sat down at the small round table nestled in the corner of Trent’s office that overlooked a small wooded area, Rachel took a moment to enjoy nature. It seemed to be the only thing real with this crazy wife hunt going on.
    Ready to start, Rachel pulled her chair closer to the table, catching the smell of Trent’s woodsy scent. She was never sure if it was his natural smell or the cologne he used.
    “I still can’t believe we’re doing this,” Rachel mumbled almost to herself.
    Trent reached under the table and gave her knee a reassuring squeeze.
    She had been up all night tossing and turning wondering what she could do to change Trent’s mind. Marriage could be such a magical thing. It was supposed to be two soul mates coming together as one. It was not supposed to be a business arrangement. Although that is what her last boyfriend had apparently thought.
    Of course she had the advantage of growing up with the luxury of witnessing what a fabulous marriage could be with her parents. She would settle for nothing less than that magic for herself.
    In the past when she tried to explain this to Trent he had grown distant, looking lost. Every once in a while she wondered if his mind was focused on another planet.
    “What about meeting someone in person? Isn’t there someone you already know? Aren’t there enough women in Indianapolis to meet just one?” Rachel asked as her fingers traced the rim of the binder.
    Indianapolis was the twelfth largest city in the U.S. and he had deep roots there. Rachel thought that surely in a large city like this with lots of civic and cultural offerings Trent had to know at least one person that he could accept as a wife.
    “It’s just why would you rely on a binder when there are so many fabulous women in the world?” she questioned. “Women who aren’t just after money.”
    “Just like all men aren’t after you to connect with me,” Trent said more harshly than he intended.
    Rachel shot him a glare. That was a low shot. It still hurt deep inside that someone she thought had loved her was really just using her to get to Trent. That’s what her last love, Bill, had done.
    “That wasn’t fair. Sorry Rachel,” Trent said rubbing her back. “There are fabulous