Josie

by Beth Gildersleeve

  Josie wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked at the front entrance. The fountains were covered in protective wrap and the surrounding flower beds lay barren, waiting for their winter white snow cover. Keep waiting, Josie thought, and she crossed her fingers. Winter would come eventually. No use in hurrying it along.

  She leaned her head against the glass and pulled out the paper Elle had stuffed in her pocket earlier that day when she’d stopped at the Haven Woodworks to check on the roasting progress. Josie had been busy pulling the hot beans from the roaster so Elle had shoved it in her back pocket.

  Impatience can cause wise people to do foolish things. ~ Janette Oke

  No kidding. She crumpled the paper and shoved it back into her pocket. She’d be down for her mid-afternoon nap by now if she hadn’t been so impulsive about sharing the coffee with Gabe. She closed her eyes. Power nap. Standing up.

  “Mrs. Kane?” Josie’s eyes snapped open and fixed on the short older woman walking toward her. She wore a conservative suit and sensible shoes. Josie inwardly cringed. This woman was dressed for a professional work environment while Josie looked like she was ready to clean out the garage. “Oh, you’re just as pretty as the picture Mr. Kane showed me. I’m Darlene, his assistant.” The two women shook hands, and Darlene offered Josie a warm smile. Josie felt her shoulders soften. “Follow me up. Mr. Kane is in the conference room with Mr. Murray.”

  “Duncan?” Josie asked.

  “Well, yes, but he’s been Mr. Murray since he joined the company. Tyrone, this is Mrs. Kane. Make sure she’s added to the approved list.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m real sorry, Mrs. Kane,” Tyrone said earnestly as he held the elevator door open for them. He looked nervous. Josie felt sorry for the man who had wanted to throw her out on her backside not more than ten minutes ago.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Josie said, and she handed him an iced pumpkin cookie from her goodie bag. By the time the elevator opened on the tenth floor, Josie knew that Darlene had been with Witz Holdings for almost forty years. She’d started in the mailroom right after high school and had worked her way up. Along the way, she’d attended night school to earn her bachelor’s degree, and she’d worked for both Gabriel’s grandfather and father. Josie made a note to take Darlene out to lunch after the holidays and grill her for information. She wanted to know all the skeletons in the closet, and she had a feeling Darlene would know all of the gory details.

  To some, it might seem nosy, but to Josie it was a matter of survival. The sooner she figured out the Kane family, the better off she and Gabe would be. How could she support and help him if she didn’t know where the family landmines were or where the bodies were buried? She couldn’t risk any missteps.

  “Mr. Kane’s office is down here to the left, and the conference room is at the other end of the hallway on the right. Would you like me to walk you down?” Darlene offered. Josie was enjoying her company, but she’d already pulled Darlene away from her desk to rescue her from Tyrone. She didn’t need to take up any more of her time.

  “No, thank you, I’ll be fine.” Josie handed her a cookie. Darlene took a small bite, purred in satisfaction, and then smiled. “Now I know Mr. Kane will be happy to see you. Let me know if you need anything.” Darlene had been warm and welcoming but her parting comment made Josie think Gabe might not be happy to see her. Josie watched Darlene walk away before she turned toward the conference room. Once again, she questioned her rash decision. He’d better be happy to see me after all the trouble I’ve taken to share this with him, she thought as she focused on the room ahead of her.

  The curtains were open into the conference room and Josie could see Gabe, Duncan, and a woman studying a chart on the screen. Josie watched for a few minutes and every time the chart changed, the woman touched Gabe’s arm and moved a little closer to him. He’s not moving away, either. Josie gripped the paper bag tighter. Stay or run?

  Gabe looked up and saw her. His startled look morphed into a smile, and Josie decided to stay. He gestured for her to come into the room as he walked toward the door. He is happy to see me, she realized and a tiny part of her melted and her heart rate slowed down.

  Gabe opened the door for her and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “This is a nice surprise,” he said as he shut the door behind her and ushered her into the room. His hand on her lower back felt warm and reassuring.

  “An impulsive one. If I’d known you were in a meeting, I wouldn’t have come. I’m sorry,” she apologized with a wince.

  “Don’t be. I’m not. This is Anna Wilson, Duncan’s assistant.”

  “Technically, I’m his analyst,” Anna corrected Gabe as she touched his arm. Again. “And you are?” she asked in a condescending tone. Neither man seemed to notice the catfight starting underneath their noses.

  “Josie Wright Kane,” she said as she extended her hand toward Anna.

  “My wife,” Gabe added. Anna frowned slightly, but she shook Josie’s hand. Josie couldn’t help but notice Anna’s nails had a perfect French manicure while hers were back to looking a mess. The miracle manicure in Las Vegas hadn’t lasted long in the real world.

  “You’re a long way from home. What brings you out here?” Duncan asked. Josie did feel a long way from home. With its atrium and elevators, Witz Holdings’ corporate office in Plymouth was a far cry from Jo’s Joe’s cramped corporate offices in downtown Haven.

  She, Elle, and Josh each had a desk. Josie’s conference room was tucked in a back corner and furnished with her parents’ old six-person dining room set, unlike the behemoth before her, which could seat at least twenty.

  “I wanted to bring Gabe some coffee and cookies,” she said as she opened the bag. “Try one,” she urged. Duncan took one, but Anna shook her head.

  “No. I try to watch my figure,” she said with a pointed look at Josie. Duncan tried to take another cookie but Gabe grabbed the bag away from Josie.

  “Mine.” He peered in the bag. “There’s only two left,” he complained and his eyebrows rose questioningly.

  “Sorry, I had to give some away. But don’t worry. It’s a new recipe I’ve been experimenting with so there’s more at home. And speaking of experimenting…” She pulled the travel mug from her satchel.

  Gabe’s fingers brushed hers as he took it. Josie licked her lips and tried not to squirm under his gaze. She was nervous. About him. About the coffee. Would he like it? Had she failed? Had coming here been a colossal mistake? Gabe closed his eyes as he drank.

  “It’s good,” he said as he took another long sip. “Not quite perfect for Hart Hotels, but close. Real close.” He smiled at her.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Anna snapped her fingers as though she’d solved a mystery. “Duncan told me you owned some coffee shops. I’ve never had freshly roasted. Let me try,” Anna said as she grabbed the travel mug from Gabe’s hands. What the?! Josie couldn’t believe this little upstart was drinking Gabe’s coffee. And he let her. Josie watched the two of them. Gabe didn’t look upset and Anna looked smug.

  The scene was all too familiar to Josie. Young, impressionable, ambitious woman. Older, worldly, powerful man. She thought of herself and Michael during her stint at her aunt’s restaurant in San Francisco.

  “Not bad,” Anna said, pulling Josie back from her trip down humiliation lane. “Good idea to marry some coffee shops, Gabriel.” She handed the mug back to Gabe, who jiggled it and frowned. He handed the empty mug back to Josie, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t marry some coffee shops, he married me! Josie thought as she clenched her fists and bit the inside of her cheek. She revised her opinion of Anna. They were nothing alike. Josie had been clueless, whereas Anna was calculating.

  Josie stepped closer to Gabe, staking her territory. “What are you working on?” she asked as she studied the chart on the screen.

  “Prepping for Friday’s board meeting,” Gabe answered. He sounded annoyed.

  “The full annual board meeting, including family,” D
uncan added. “I’m sure Gabriel told you,” he said, but it was obvious he believed Gabe hadn’t. She wouldn’t give Duncan the satisfaction of knowing he was right.

  “Oh, that’s this Friday?” Josie asked as she looked at Gabe. He looked away from her. He feels guilty. Good, she thought. “I thought it was next week.” She pulled out her phone and pretended to change her calendar.

  She’d get the details from Darlene. She wasn’t going to ask King Gabriel for them. She smiled at the group. The smile didn’t meet her eyes, but she didn’t think any of them had noticed. Gabriel may have but she didn’t care. “Bye, hon. I’ll see you at home tonight,” she said before snaking her free hand through his hair and pulling his head down for an office-inappropriate kiss. He followed eagerly. She marked her man. When she stepped away, Gabe looked disappointed, Duncan seemed amused, and Awful Anna scowled.

  Score one for the little guy, she thought. She’d been frowned upon and dismissed from the moment she’d stepped foot in the hallowed, well-carpeted halls of Witz Holdings. I’m not something stuck to the bottom of their shoe. I’m Josie Wright. Owner of eleven successful, highly awarded, and much-loved coffee shops.

  She shoved open the door at the end of the hallway and dropped her hip on Darlene’s desk. The older woman didn’t look surprised. It was almost as if she had been waiting for Josie to storm into the inner sanctum. “So, tell me about this board meeting on Friday. Who will be there and what do I need to know?”

  Darlene handed Josie a pad of paper and a pen. “You might want to take notes.”

  Two days later, Josie felt as if she was storming the castle gates at Witz Holdings. Come on, come on, come on! Josie stabbed the elevator button repeatedly. Late is not how she wanted to be at her first board meeting. She’d almost canceled. Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong that day. But she wasn’t a chicken. The sooner the Kane Family and Witz Holdings knew who they were dealing with the better. She wasn’t going to cower in the background and let them take away her business.

  Anna’s words had played in her mind like a bad song on repeat. Josie knew she shouldn’t believe the young upstart, but she did. Gabe had said on more than one occasion he didn’t want Jo’s Joe, but that didn’t mean Witz Holdings didn’t.

  Elle thought she was crazy. She’d argued that Jo’s Joe had a decent local presence but Witz Holdings would never bother with a company so small. They’d want something regional, if not national. Even Josh thought Josie was one sandwich short of a picnic, and he wasn’t an original member of the Gabe fan club.

  Nothing like a weekend of power tools and assembly to bond her brothers to their new brother-in-law. At the time, Josie had been happy everything had gone well and that they’d successfully installed the roaster with no additional parts left over. But in retrospect, maybe it hadn’t been a good thing. Not if Josh had been lured to the dark side. Jamie was already there. Gabe Kane walked on water as far as her impressionable, younger brother was concerned.

  Josie wanted to trust her husband, but she couldn’t. Trust had been her natural default before men had lied and stolen from her. Three times a fool. Now trust had to be earned. And Gabe had a lot of making up to do.

  The elevator doors swished open on the tenth floor and Josie pushed out the three-shelf utility cart in front of her. She didn’t know where Darlene had gotten the cart, but Josie had been grateful when Tyrone had met her in the underground parking garage with it. She cursed the pencil skirt strangling her legs and the ridiculous and difficult-to-walk-in heels on her feet as she tried to hurry down the hall.

  She and Darlene had timed it so that Josie would show up at the break. It wasn’t a scheduled break, but Darlene knew the agenda and the players and she’d said an interruption would be welcome at that point, especially by Mr. Kane.

  Josie hadn’t argued with her, but she had a sneaking suspicion that Gabe didn’t want her at the meeting. She didn’t know if he was protecting her from another uncomfortable meeting with his family, like at his birthday party, or if he didn’t want her there because of Jo’s Joe. Regardless, neither she nor Darlene had mentioned to Gabe that she would be attending.

  Josie dreaded barging into the meeting. But Darlene had argued she wouldn’t be barging in if Darlene opened the door for her. And she was family, so she should be there. Darlene had said that Josie shouldn’t worry because she wouldn’t be the only one late. Darlene had confided that some of the members treated the meeting like an open house—they could come whenever they wanted. Josie had bristled at that. She took great pains to never be late and now she felt like it might be expected of her. If she’d been in jeans and tennis shoes she’d have been there by now. A little late for her interruption. Not a lot late.

  She slowed her steps as she neared the conference room. Through the window, she saw an older gentleman waving his hands around and a few others nodding their heads in agreement. Most everyone was engaged in the discussion but no one looked happy about it, especially the handsome man in the navy pinstriped suit commanding the front of the room—Gabe. His hands were on his hips and his lips thinned. Josie saw Aunt Sandra stand to face Gabe. Hailee tugged on her jacket but Sandra brushed her away.

  Darlene opened the door and muttered, “The cavalry has arrived,” as Josie pushed the cart into the room. As they’d hoped, all talking stopped and everyone’s head turned toward her. Some looked surprised, some curious, some slightly hostile, but Josie didn’t focus on them. She focused on Gabe. His jaw was clenched and she could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears. She swallowed around the lump in her throat and pulled herself together. She was Josie Wright Kane and she had every right to be at this meeting. Too bad her husband didn’t seem to agree.

  “Sorry, I’m late everyone. This is not how I wanted to meet you all, but the traffic gods were against me.” She stopped for a breath, hoping Gabe would jump in to save her, but he didn’t. “For those of you who I haven’t yet had the pleasure to meet, I’m Josie, Gabriel’s wife, and I’ve brought some treats and coffee with me. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I know I always think better in the late afternoon when I’ve got a little sugar in me.” By the time she’d finished, Gabe was at her side.

  She couldn’t read his mood. Gabriel was firmly in place. If he was mad, she knew he wouldn’t let it show, and if he was happy, he’d keep it to himself. He closed in on himself whenever he was with his family and it broke Josie’s heart. She couldn’t imagine living like that.

  “I, for one, could use a stretch and a snack,” Bruce McCoy, Gabe’s uncle and Witz Holdings’ chief legal counsel, said. A few others nodded in agreement. Josie felt Gabe relax next to her. She knew Bruce was one of the few people Gabe trusted.

  He looked at the clock above the door. “All right,” Gabe agreed. “Ten-minute recess.” He gave Josie a tight smile and walked away from her as the board members swarmed toward her. She didn’t know if it was for the food or the novelty of a fresh face.

  Darlene and Hailee stood next to Josie, guarding her. They poured coffee, served cake and cookies, and diverted questions. Awful Anna accepted a cup of black coffee but turned down dessert just as Aunt Sandra wormed her way to the front of the line. She praised Anna’s restraint but frowned when Hailee bit into a chocolate brownie. “It’s never worth the extra time at the gym,” she admonished her daughter. Maybe if Anna and Sandra ate something, they wouldn’t be so mean, Josie thought as she held her smile in place.

  “More for me then,” Hailee sang as she helped herself to a spiced shortbread cookie. She smiled at her mother. Sandra took the coffee Darlene handed her and Josie watched with relief as Sandra went back to her seat.

  Josie stole another glance at Gabe across the room. Each time she did, he seemed a bit more relaxed. Her arrival was meant to shake up the meeting, not her husband’s equilibrium. She shouldn’t have sprung this on him. They were a supposed to be a team. She should have strategized with him and not Darlene. Now that I know better, I’ll do better next ti
me, Josie promised herself.

  A few more members introduced themselves and congratulated Josie on her marriage. Several people asked rather pointed and informed questions about Jo’s Joe, which increased her concern. And one older woman looked at Josie’s stomach and asked if they’d eloped or had a shotgun wedding. Josie blushed but assured the old prude her belly was the result of one too many desserts, and they’d married in Las Vegas because of their busy work schedules.

  Gabe joined her. Finally, she thought as she kept her irritation in check. Causing a scene was the last thing she wanted. Hailee and Darlene took that as their cue and returned to their seats.

  “Did you save any for me?” he asked. Josie poured him a cup. He studied her over the rim of the paper cup, and Josie felt her nerves kick into overdrive.

  “You’re quiet,” she said instead of asking him if he was mad that she was there.

  He leaned forward and said near her ear, “I’m afraid of opening my mouth in case I say anything stupid.” His warm breath against her neck sent shivers down her back.

  “Why would you say anything stupid?”

  “Because you’re standing here in the middle of this shit-show in heels looking like every office fantasy I’ve had since the age of fourteen. I don’t know whether to kiss you or yell at you for being here.”

  “You’re right. That was pretty stupid. Yelling at me will get you nowhere, but kissing me will get you somewhere, Mr. Kane.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Gabe didn’t seem amused by her flirtatious tactic and the truth hit her. Hard. He doesn’t want me here. Her happiness deflated like a balloon, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of leaving.