Best of Last Man Standing Pt. 23
Over the next several months things changed dramatically for the Baxter Clan and at Outdoor Man.
Kyle still struggled with having two wives Mandy (Molly Ephraim) and Mandi (Molly McCook). After weekly calls to Jamaica to Jasmine he was no closer to fixing the issue he caused there.
After long discussions with Kristen, Kyle decided to relinquish the CEO position at Outdoor Man. He was never comfortable in the position. He was more into the daily operations. Kristen made him an offer he couldn't refuse. She gave him the position of COO. It fit him much better than CEO and he was happy to take the position. Kristen held onto the CFO position too.
Together they spearheaded a new era for Outdoor Man. They made strides in expanding their brand and offered franchise stores in neighboring states. They set their sights on California. They knew it was an untapped area where Outdoor Man would thrive.
Before setting their plan in motion, they began setting up permanent positions in the company. Kristen's father Mike Baxter (Tim Allen) would be CEO Emeritus. He would be used for consultation in matters that needed his experience and input. Her husband, Ryan Vogelson (Jordan Masterson) would head-up the Cannabis and Hemp portion of the company. She knew this was only going to get larger, especially in California. Chuck Larabee (Johnathan Adams) was made Vice-President in charge of security and loss prevention. Her son, Boyd Baxter (Jet Jurgensmeyer) was made director of purchasing for all things camping. Mandy and Mandi were made co-directors of the female clothing line, which included designing and marketing. Cammy (Sarah Gilman) was hired to oversee all purchases of wild game for the Outdoor Man grill, including out-state contracts with wild game preserves for human consumption. Jen (Krista Marie Yu) The company's Naturalist. She insured that Outdoor Man was seen it the right lite when it came to hunting, fishing and the environment. Joe Leonard (Jay Leno), was made director of construction for new projects and head of maintenance. Last, but not least, Eve Baxter (Kaitlyn Dever), was made pilot for the company corporate jet.
With the leadership team in place, Kristen set her sights on California. Eve flew her out there, along with Ryan, Mike and Kyle. They conducted several high level meeting with several investors in large affluent areas of California. They were making their fourth visit to Napa California where they were on the verge of closing a deal to award the franchise for their first store in California.
The California group was headed up by a high in demand corporate Lawyer name of Christi Plunkett (Anna Faris). She had secured two major investors, Jill Kendall (Jaime Pressly) and Candace Hayes (Sara Rue). They met at Jill Kendall's massive compound in the hills of California wine country and they hammered out the details for the deal..
As Kristen and her group boarded to plane for the trip back to Denver, she broke out the champagne and toasted, "To our first of many franchise stores in California. We have to get Joe out her immediately to oversee construction of the new store."
Mike toasted and sipped his glass of champagne, "I just hope Joe can focus on the job and not run off the rails."
Kristen chuckled, "You'd be surprised Dad on how the meetings with the therapist has helped him. He's a changed man and I am confident he's the man for the job."
Over the next eight months, things fell into place and time had arrived for the grand opening of the new Napa Valley, California store.
Kristen had the entire Outdoor Man leadership team, including her mother Vanessa Baxter (Nancy Travis) on the plane on their way to Napa Valley. When they landed, they had several limos driving them to Jill Kendall's mansion. There, they were greeted by her team, along with her lawyer, Christi Plunkett. Along with those two were Christi Plunkett's mother Bonnie Plunkett (Allison Janney) and her husband Adam Janikowski (William Fichtner). He was a retired stuntman. After Christi made it big in the attorney field, she persuaded him to undergo an untested medical procedure to repair his spine. It worked and for the past year, he has been walking, even without a cane now. Also there was Roscoe Plunkett, (Blake Rosenthal). He was Christi's son, who was taking business classes in college and took the job for the Napa store in advertising and promotions. There was Andy Pepper (Will Sasso). He was hired by Chuck for security for the Napa store. Candace Hayes (Sara Rue) the other major Investor for the franchise. Her husband, Baxter (Matt Jones). He was also Christi's ex. He was hired by Ryan for the store's Cannabis and Hemp sales department. They knew this would be a major part of the new store. They hired Chef Rudy (French Stewart). He was the Michelin Five Star chef for the Outdoor Man Grill. There were three more of the Napa crew there. First was Tammy (Kristen Johnston), she was hired by Joe to run the maintenance department there. The last two were Violet Plunkett (Sadie Calvano), the new store manager and her husband, Gregory (Davis Krumholtz), who was going to be the assistant manager there.
Kristen and Kyle were both surprised to see most of the management team for the new store there to greet them.
Jill and Candace met them and Jill stepped forward, "We just wanted to show just how committed we were to make this venture a complete success. I took it upon myself to cancel the reservation at the hotel in town. I have more than enough room for all of you to spend here. I have food catered, a fully stocked bar, even though as you know, a few of us are in AA and will not partake. That doesn't mean you can't and I encourage you to help yourself. My maid and butler will escort you all to your rooms. I have a large buffet setting up by the pool. Please make yourselves comfortable and we hope to see you all down by the pool in about an hour."
Kristen, Kyle and Mike were gracious enough to thank them all and they followed the staff to their room.
About an hour later, the Colorado group and the Napa group met out by the pool. The food was exquisite and the drinks were equally tasty and before long, everyone was chilled out and getting to know one another in the relaxed atmosphere.
Slowly the crowded patio began to disperse. Bonnie and Adam headed upstairs to change into their bathing suits. When they returned, they slipped into the hot tub. When Mike and Vanessa saw this, they turned to Eve and Mike spoke up, "How about it. I think we could use a little cooling off."
Eve turned to Cammy, "What do you think? and she nodded at her. The four of them hurried to change and when they returned, Mike and Vanessa joined Bonnie and Adam in the hot tub. Eve shook her head, "I'm just gonna kick back and enjoy the rays. I could use getting a little sun on my white skin." Cammy joined her and the two of them sipped tall cocktails and soaked up the rays.
Christi and Roscoe were at a table with Kristen and Boyd. They were going over a few of the contracts and as Kris put them away, she turned back to Christi, "You two have a gorgeous place here. So tell me, are the two of you together?"
Christi gave her a sly smile, "Yeah, I guess you could say that. It's been nearly four years now and it just keeps getting better."