The Corporate Escape Read Online Free
Jeff.
“You must be kidding,” Lynn laughed.
“No,” replied Jeff. “I am completely serious. We are working on some sensitive international contracts at the moment, and as your legal counsel I require that you not speak of your job or your position the entire trip.”
“That should help to keep you from thinking about work,” laughed Steve.
“Can you do that?” asked Lynn.
“I just did,” smiled Jeff. “And I mean it Lynn. Not a word to anyone.”
“So what do I say that I do when asked?” Lynn replied.
“Say you are a business woman. You work at a big firm in America, and legally can’t say anything else.”
“You are serious!” exclaimed Lynn.
“Totally serious,” replied Jeff. “So, promise me, here in front of witnesses.”
“I promise,” Lynn laughed.
*****
Lynn was beginning to get excited. This was the opportunity of a life time. An entire month to tour, lay on the beach and truly get to know the Australians. How wonderful.
By the time Lynn stopped by her ban,k and arrived home, all her concerns had completely disappeared. She took out the brochures, itinerary and maps to see exactly what was in store for her.
First she would fly to New Zealand, spending six days in Auckland and Christchurch. From there she would fly to Melbourne for a week, and end her trip with 14 days in Sydney. Susan had brought by a beach bag filled with suntan lotion, new sunglasses, and five romance novels. Lynn had remarked that it was the perfect Bon Voyage gift. Susan had simply beamed.
An hour later Lynn was on the phone informing all her friends and relatives of her upcoming absence. Her parents were elated, as they felt it was not only a much deserved, but also a much needed, vacation. They were concerned about the hours she devoted to work and her current lack of social life. Her friends were all green with envy, and made her promise to send postcards. Her pastor was encouraging. He had assured her that she would be greatly missed, but that he was certain the vacation was a good idea. She had only persuaded him to continue to use her house for their Tuesday night Bible study by insisting that Cassie would be lonely and need the company. She gave him her detailed schedule with all the numbers where she could be called in case of an emergency.
Finally, she was ready to start packing. It didn't take Lynn long. She decided not to take any business suits, only play clothes. Her summer wardrobe was in the spare bedroom closet, and quickly Lynn selected her favorite outfits. She packed two formal evening dresses, just in case. But mostly she had jeans, shorts, cool casual summer dresses and pants, and of course, swimsuits. She could feel her mood lightening more each moment. She began daydreaming of the beach, as she packed her passport, camera and makeup in her carry-on bag. The ringing doorbell brought her back to the real world.
Her minister and his wife were smiling at her when she opened the door.
“We decided to drop by with a little Bon Voyage gift,” Pastor Wilson smiled.
“Actually it was just an excuse to come by and say good-bye,” confessed Alice, his wife.
“I'm so glad you did,” Lynn said sincerely.
“Thought you might get a chance to do some reading,” Pastor Wilson said. So, we brought you these.” He handed her two Bible study books and added, “Alice said you would rather have romance novels, but I told her we could at least try.’
“Well, you could have at least made them paperbacks instead of these heavy things,” teased Lynn.
“Excuses already,” smiled Alice.
They went over Lynn's brochures and itinerary. They shared in her excitement.
An hour later Alice got up, “We really must be going, we have a baby sitter at home. And you have a very long flight ahead of you.”
Lynn hugged the Wilson's good-bye and felt a sense of calm that had been absent for months. No big meeting tomorrow, no presentation to prepare for, no anxiety. Just a Limo arriving with
“You must be kidding,” Lynn laughed.
“No,” replied Jeff. “I am completely serious. We are working on some sensitive international contracts at the moment, and as your legal counsel I require that you not speak of your job or your position the entire trip.”
“That should help to keep you from thinking about work,” laughed Steve.
“Can you do that?” asked Lynn.
“I just did,” smiled Jeff. “And I mean it Lynn. Not a word to anyone.”
“So what do I say that I do when asked?” Lynn replied.
“Say you are a business woman. You work at a big firm in America, and legally can’t say anything else.”
“You are serious!” exclaimed Lynn.
“Totally serious,” replied Jeff. “So, promise me, here in front of witnesses.”
“I promise,” Lynn laughed.
*****
Lynn was beginning to get excited. This was the opportunity of a life time. An entire month to tour, lay on the beach and truly get to know the Australians. How wonderful.
By the time Lynn stopped by her ban,k and arrived home, all her concerns had completely disappeared. She took out the brochures, itinerary and maps to see exactly what was in store for her.
First she would fly to New Zealand, spending six days in Auckland and Christchurch. From there she would fly to Melbourne for a week, and end her trip with 14 days in Sydney. Susan had brought by a beach bag filled with suntan lotion, new sunglasses, and five romance novels. Lynn had remarked that it was the perfect Bon Voyage gift. Susan had simply beamed.
An hour later Lynn was on the phone informing all her friends and relatives of her upcoming absence. Her parents were elated, as they felt it was not only a much deserved, but also a much needed, vacation. They were concerned about the hours she devoted to work and her current lack of social life. Her friends were all green with envy, and made her promise to send postcards. Her pastor was encouraging. He had assured her that she would be greatly missed, but that he was certain the vacation was a good idea. She had only persuaded him to continue to use her house for their Tuesday night Bible study by insisting that Cassie would be lonely and need the company. She gave him her detailed schedule with all the numbers where she could be called in case of an emergency.
Finally, she was ready to start packing. It didn't take Lynn long. She decided not to take any business suits, only play clothes. Her summer wardrobe was in the spare bedroom closet, and quickly Lynn selected her favorite outfits. She packed two formal evening dresses, just in case. But mostly she had jeans, shorts, cool casual summer dresses and pants, and of course, swimsuits. She could feel her mood lightening more each moment. She began daydreaming of the beach, as she packed her passport, camera and makeup in her carry-on bag. The ringing doorbell brought her back to the real world.
Her minister and his wife were smiling at her when she opened the door.
“We decided to drop by with a little Bon Voyage gift,” Pastor Wilson smiled.
“Actually it was just an excuse to come by and say good-bye,” confessed Alice, his wife.
“I'm so glad you did,” Lynn said sincerely.
“Thought you might get a chance to do some reading,” Pastor Wilson said. So, we brought you these.” He handed her two Bible study books and added, “Alice said you would rather have romance novels, but I told her we could at least try.’
“Well, you could have at least made them paperbacks instead of these heavy things,” teased Lynn.
“Excuses already,” smiled Alice.
They went over Lynn's brochures and itinerary. They shared in her excitement.
An hour later Alice got up, “We really must be going, we have a baby sitter at home. And you have a very long flight ahead of you.”
Lynn hugged the Wilson's good-bye and felt a sense of calm that had been absent for months. No big meeting tomorrow, no presentation to prepare for, no anxiety. Just a Limo arriving with
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