Daddy's Saving, page 4
“Have you tried them all?”
“A few. Enough to have settled on this as my favorite. Grape was my least favorite so far. Cherry is very popular according to the servers, but it’s not a flavor I care for very much,” Knox shared.
“Now I want to try them all. Will you bring me back again?”
“Of course. You’ll want to live here after you take a bite of the burger,” Knox predicted.
“Why do you think I’ve stayed here for twenty-seven years?” the waitress joked as she set their burgers down in front of them.
Looking at the huge burger in front of her, Sharon glanced at Knox in amazement. “I can’t get that in my mouth.”
“Here’s the secret. Cut it in half and hold the burger sideways,” Knox whispered from the corner of his mouth as he looked around. He lifted his knife and scooted her burger in front of him to cut it into two pieces. A vaguely pink center showed.
“This one’s medium. That means this one is well-done.” Knox quickly cut the one in front of him in half to verify that it was brown all the way through. “How do you like your burgers?”
“I like them done,” she answered with a shudder.
“Then this one is yours.” He carefully swapped the plates in front of them.
“Do you like that one?” she asked apprehensively.
“I’d eat this burger if someone dropped it on the floor, but yes, I usually order medium here.”
Not sure she wasn’t taking the one Knox wanted, she lifted one half and took a sideways bite. “Mmm!” Squirming in happiness, Sharon chewed blissfully.
“Good, huh?” Knox nodded in satisfaction that she liked it as he lifted a half to his mouth and took a huge bite.
Sharon laughed when his eyes rolled back in his head in ecstasy. Taking another bite, she leaned over to bop his broad shoulder with hers.
“A convert! I knew it would happen,” he announced with delight shining from his gaze.
Picking up the glass ketchup bottle, he shook it carefully before holding it above the rim of her plate. “Are you a ketchup on the side or poured all over kind of girl?”
Carefully, Sharon pushed her fries to the side to create an empty space for him to squirt the ketchup. “Here, please,” she requested.
Pleased with the good-sized puddle he’d left on her plate, Sharon dunked a hot, crisp fry into the mixture and popped it into her mouth. “Yum! I don’t know which is better: the burger or the fries.”
“Sounds like I’ll have a buddy to bring here when I come,” Knox suggested.
“Count me in anytime,” Sharon agreed, tilting her head to the side again to wrangle the burger into her mouth.
That warm feeling that she’d experienced last night while watching the movie with Knox rekindled inside her. It had been so long since she’d had someone to have fun with, to talk to, to experience new things with. She’d thought that role would always be with Roger, but fate had different plans.
Looking up to meet Knox’s gaze, she asked again, “What do you want from me, Knox?”
“Everything.”
“And if I can’t give you that?”
“Then I help you get to the place where you can. There’s no manual here, Roni. No timetable.”
“What if it takes a long time or never happens?”
“It will. The Little girl in you will help you continue to heal. She knows what she needs.”
Sharon nodded. She couldn’t argue with that. Knox was right.
Again, his immense hand covered her knee and squeezed gently to reassure her. “Eat your burger and enjoy today. Tomorrow will be here soon enough, and you can worry about it then.”
She watched him take another massive bite from his hamburger to finish a half. Shaking her head, Sharon dunked another fry and popped it into her mouth. There was no way she’d make it through half of her burger, but she was going to make a gigantic effort.
A long time later, she and Knox rolled out of the diner. Sharon carried a to-go box of a half hamburger and a couple of bites left over from the first section. He helped her into the vehicle before sliding in behind the wheel. On their way back to the Edgewater campus, Sharon relaxed against the seat. Still pumped by her team’s success on the challenge course, the delicious meal had equally delighted her stomach.
“If I wasn’t afraid of having burger breath tomorrow on my first day back at Edgewater Industries, I’d take this for lunch,” Sharon remarked. She lifted the container to her nose and sniffed. “Probably better to have for dinner in my apartment.”
“Don’t plan on eating lunch at your desk tomorrow,” Knox warned.
“I’ll be too busy?”
“Easton will provide a working lunch, I’m sure.”
“What am I going to be doing, Knox?” If there was anyone that Sharon trusted to know the company inside and out, it was Easton. She’d joked about her new job, but inside, Sharon knew that whatever the shrewd business executive had in mind would be a good fit for her.
“Something that you’re going to love,” he promised.
“You know I’ll hunt you down if I end up doing something awful.”
“You can hunt me down anytime.”
Sharon didn’t know how to answer that, so she looked out the windshield. When Knox’s hand once again covered her knee, she linked her fingers to his and squeezed. She liked being with Knox. She’d always enjoyed his company professionally as she’d coordinated a million activities with him in his role as the security head. Now, she was delighted to learn more about him. He was a mystery encased in a powerful wrapper—a very masculine, handsome wrapper.
Chapter 5
Opening the front door to A Tower just like she’d done a million times before, Sharon swallowed hard. She’d dressed in her favorite suit, setting the copper threads that went through the jacket off with heels that added a final spark to the outfit. The shoes were as comfortable as they were beautiful. Who knew how much walking or standing would happen on this first day?
Streams of people passed as they headed for their job in the tower. Many greeted her and welcomed Sharon back to the company. She loved seeing the smiles on the employees’ faces. Around the country, Mondays were universally hated as the day everyone returned to work. But here, everyone seemed happy to be there.
One face did not smile. Knox looked severely at the delivery man standing at the front desk. Automatically, she knew that something was wrong. Sharon knew better than to interrupt him as Knox dealt with keeping everyone safe. Putting aside her plans to thank him for spending time with her that weekend, Sharon headed directly to the elevator.
In a swarm of bodies, she stepped inside when the doors opened. Easton’s office was on the top floor. She called her thanks when the man next to the call buttons automatically pushed that one for her as others called out their stops. The elevator cleared out quickly as it rose. Finally, she stood alone in the quiet as the last three floors lit up on the display.
Sharon stepped out into Easton’s outer office. It was quiet and abandoned. She walked toward the open door and spotted Piper wrapped in Easton’s arms. Unable to stop watching as Easton kissed the woman deeply, Sharon’s heart ached. There was no doubt that these two loved each other. Clasping her hands in front of her chest, she backed up to the elevator doors to give them privacy.
When she heard Easton’s deep voice speaking softly, she announced herself, “Good morning! I’m a few minutes early.”
Piper immediately walked into the reception area to greet her. The smudged lipstick gave her away. Sharon wondered how to clue the other woman in without embarrassing her. She definitely didn’t want Piper to greet guests with the passionate evidence on her lips—or rather, off her lips.
“Sharon! I’m so glad to see you!”
“Hi, Piper. You’re all settled in now and you’ve made the office your own. I love the new pictures,” Sharon complimented. She raised a hand and ran a finger around her lips to signal to Piper that her lipstick had smudged.
“Oh, thanks!” Piper immediately grabbed a tissue and wiped the makeup away.
“Did I get it?” she whispered.
“Perfect. Is Easton ready to see me?”
“He’s cleared his schedule for this morning. I bet you’re eager to find out what he has planned,” Piper commented as she ushered Sharon into Easton’s office. Casually, she wiped a bit of lipstick from the corner of his mouth.
“Thanks,” Easton commented as their gazes locked together.
“Ahem. Want me to come back later?” Sharon asked with a laugh. There was no doubt that these two were the perfect match. Somehow, she’d known it when Piper’s resume had hit her desk.
“Pardon us, Sharon. I’ve been looking forward to this day since you left. Come in. We have lots to go over today,” Easton urged as he gestured into his office.
Sharon paused inside the door. The large conference table at the side of the room held several stacks of papers. Does Easton want me to work there?
“We’ll sit over here,” Easton said, leading the way to the large workspace.
When they were both seated, Piper walked in with two steaming cups of coffee, fixed just as they preferred. “I’ll drop these off and then I’m shutting the door. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you, Piper,” Sharon said with a smile as she accepted the cup. She was so glad to see the woman settled with a glow of happiness surrounding her instead of the apprehensive air that Piper had when she’d first arrived.
When the door clicked, Easton got down to business. “I’ve made you wait too long to dilly dally now. I’ve created a new position that I want you to establish here at Edgewater Industries. You have a unique talent for seeing strengths and possibilities. I would like you to become our headhunter.”
“You mean travel around looking for people to drag to Edgewater Industries? I’m afraid I don’t like to be away from home for a significant portion of the week,” Sharon answered, feeling her heart sink in her chest. This couldn’t be the position Easton had promised her.
“I’ve explained this poorly. Let me start again. How many applications came across your desk when you searched for your replacement?” Easton leaned forward to meet her gaze.
“Hundreds. We had candidates inside and outside of the company apply. It wasn’t until Piper’s application arrived that I knew she had the elusive quality that would mesh well with you.”
“That’s what I want you to do. Find the ideal candidate that we need in key positions. I’m not going to waste your time interviewing people for every job on the grounds. All my employees are vital, of course, but the human relations department is doing a good job of finding solid Edgewater Industry personnel. They just don’t have your unique flair for choosing special positions.”
“Piper is just one lucky choice…”
“Nonsense. You’ve had your hands in the mix as I’ve chosen incredible assets to the company. From Knox in security, Belinda Jenkins in technology, Piper, Fane, even our talented Cynthia in the cafeteria, you’ve found unbelievably accomplished people to steer me toward. Each of those individuals could go anywhere, but they chose to be here. They mesh with our community and goals.”
“I didn’t really choose those people. I just pointed out characteristics that stood out to me,” she protested.
“That’s exactly what I want you to continue to do. Except now, you won’t be shuffling all the paperwork in my office. You will use your unique talents to strengthen Edgewater Industries.” Easton wove his web around her, and Sharon almost believed she could do this.
“Here are three profiles of candidates for a position as the shipping supervisor. I’m going to go read a report while you go over their files. When you’re ready, we’ll reconvene, and you can ask questions. They’re coming for a twenty-minute interview with you and the HR director, starting at nine.”
Sharon looked down at the applications and slid the papers out of the first file. Deliberately not looking at the picture inside the folder, she scanned the information that appeared on paper first. She glanced over the table and found a notepad and pen that Piper had placed in the center. Quickly, she made some notes and jotted down some questions before moving on to the second. Soon, she was ready to talk to Easton.
“Can I ask you a few questions?”
“Of course.” Easton rejoined her at the table and pulled a matching set of files toward himself.
“Tell me what you need from this position.”
“Our shipping endeavors will quadruple in the next year as we expand. The candidate needs to have enough experience to step in and take us to the next level without an extended period to learn the job. They need to be flexible to look at a project in a novel way. I believe we need to blaze new trails in this department. I need a combination visionary and nitty gritty implementor for this position.”
“Got it. This is totally outside of my experience. I can only tell you my impressions and work with the experts in the human resources department,” she warned.
“That’s all I’m asking.”
Trying to calm her apprehension, Sharon exhaled silently before nodding. She needed to trust Easton. They’d worked together for too many years. Her boss knew her strengths better than anyone. She glanced at the clock.
“Where are the interviews?”
“In the HR conference room,” Easton provided. “They will submit their choice and I will ask you to send me your recommendation as well. I will make the final decision on pivotal positions, as I always do. There will be other components to your job, but this will be the most important. I’ve set your schedule for the next month. Then, you’re in charge.”
“I’ll get out of your hair and go check in with the director of human relations,” Sharon said, standing to gather her notes and the folders.
“Stop by your new office. You’ll pass it on the way.”
“I have an office?”
“You do. And an assistant. Stop by to meet her. Your office is on the ground floor on the way to HR.”
“Easton…”
“Go, Sharon. I have scheduled a meeting with you in three days. I’ll talk to you then.”
“You have to keep me on my toes, don’t you?”
“Yes. I expect you to return the favor.”
Sharon nodded and stood. Taking the folder and her notes, she left Easton’s office. With a goodbye wave to Piper, who was on the phone, she summoned the elevator and descended to the ground floor. As the doors opened, she saw Knox, waiting in the vestibule.
“Want to see your office?” he invited.
“Yes, but I can wander there. You’re busy with other things, I’m sure.”
“I have a few minutes. Come on, it’s this way.” He led her down a familiar wide hallway past the security office.
Knox stopped in front of a clouded glass door bearing her name and the title Corporate Headhunter. “Pretty impressive, huh? I’ll let you go in by yourself. Dinner tonight?”
“Can I let you know at the end of the day?” she hedged.
“Absolutely.” Knox stood to the side and pushed the door open for her to enter.
Sharon smiled at him for understanding as she walked inside. She cleared the door in two steps and stared at the young woman who stood to greet her. “Debbie? Are you my administrative assistant?”
She didn’t even notice that the door closed quietly behind her as the familiar woman inside answered.
“I’m the temporary admin assigned to you. Easton stressed you may need someone with specific skills and may need to make a change. So, I’m here as long as you need me.”
“Changes be damned.” Sharon tossed away that idea as she rushed forward to hug her friend awkwardly, her hands full of the files.
Stepping back, Sharon said, “I’m never letting you go.”
“I’m not going to hold you to that promise. It won’t offend me if you need someone with another skill set. You’ll figure that out as you settle into this new position,” Debbie stressed as she took her boss’s free hand.
“First, breathe,” her assistant suggested.
The two women inhaled together and let out a raspy exhale together.
“Now. Look around,” Debbie instructed as she stepped back to clear Sharon’s view of the beautifully designed office.
“This is gorgeous. All of this space is for us?” Sharon marveled.
“It’s all for me. Your desk is through that door.” Debbie gestured to the side.
“I have an inner office?”
Sharon rushed to the door and opened it to see a large wooden desk already equipped with a laptop and a business phone. “This is for me? All I have are three interviews today. I’m not going to do enough to warrant this space.”
“Don’t say that. I’ve been working with Easton and Piper for four weeks already. Your schedule is a killer,” Debbie shared.
“Really?” Sharon moved toward the desk to turn on her computer.
“Boss? You don’t have time to dive into your future meetings,” Debbie warned, tapping her watch.
“Right. It’s time for the interviews.”
With one last look around, Sharon clinched the files tighter in her hand. She was going to need to set the world on fire to deserve this office. Waving to Debbie, she headed for the human resources department.
A man paused just outside the door to straighten his jacket and tie. Carefully, he swept his hair over his forehead. As if he’d heard the whisper of Sharon’s heels on the carpet, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. When the door clicked shut just as she reached it, Sharon stared at it in disbelief. He didn’t even hold the door open! Maybe he didn’t see her?
She pushed the door open and walked into the busy HR department. A large counter segmented multiple cubicles away from the reception area.
“Sharon!” A handsome man walked briskly toward her with a smile and an extended hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you. Come back to the conference room. I’d like to introduce you to the team.”
“Thanks, Bill. I’m glad to see you again.”
