The Heir
Page 17
“Knit? Isn’t that something older people do?”
Tami arched a brow at him and a pitying smile quirked at the side of her mouth. “Older people? Isn’t that a little ageist, Mr. Richmond? I thought your company prided itself on inclusiveness.”
It was gentle, but she was definitely chiding him and he had the grace to acknowledge her censure.
“I’m sorry, yes, it was inappropriate of me. And, please, do call me Keaton. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who knits. It’s certainly not a skill my mother possesses.”
“It’s wonderful,” she said, her eyes lighting with enthusiasm. “You get to work with color and texture, and see something grow from a straight line into a garment that can be worn, enjoyed and be functional at the same time. What’s not to love about it?”
“Well, when you put it that way...” He laughed in response.
She was different, that was for sure. If he wasn’t careful, he had no doubt she’d be giving him knitting lessons—she was so animated about it. He was impressed that she hadn’t been afraid to call him out on the ageist comment. There weren’t many employees here that would do that, be it existing or new. And she hadn’t hesitated. That was a good sign as to her personality, despite the fact he’d caught her fooling around on her chair when he’d arrived. Maybe she would be a breath of fresh air in the place. Goodness knew they needed something.
But they weren’t there to have fun and games, he reminded himself. They had a business to bring back to its former strength—and beyond—which meant that he had to focus on the tasks at hand.
“Okay, well, if you slide the stylus from the top there,” he said, gesturing to where she could extract the tool that would help her write on the screen, “we can get started.”
He waited until she’d done so before continuing.
“You may be aware that Richmond Developments has been in a state of flux since the death of our CEO, my father, Douglas Richmond. His sudden passing and the revelation of a second family gave the media way more fodder to create bad press against the company. We can’t afford any additional slanted reporting against the company or those working within it.”
An uncomfortable expression crossed her face and she nodded carefully before speaking. “I had read about your father’s death. My condolences on your family’s loss. It must have been very difficult for you all.”
Keaton felt every muscle in his body tense and let go again. So she’d obviously read the newspapers or heard the gossip. At least he didn’t have to revisit that again by explaining the situation in further depth to her.
“We are currently in a rebuilding phase,” he said firmly. “Part of that phase is strengthening relationships. First, within our company, then subsequently, with our suppliers and clientele.”
“That sounds like a very good plan.”
He allowed himself a smile. “Thank you for your approval.”
And just like that, she colored up like a beet all over again.
“I didn’t mean to sound condescending,” she said, obviously flustered.
“You didn’t,” he reassured her before continuing. “We are in a unique position, you and I. We don’t have a working history together, which is problematic in some ways, but in others it offers us a blank canvas from which to build. On the recommendation of the consultant we hired to target boosting staff morale, we are running structured team-building experiences across the company. As you and I are a team of two, we will be conducting ours together and using that time to ensure the wilderness experience that was chosen will meet our requirements as a team builder for both Richmond Developments and DR Construction. We are working to build a strong working relationship between the two companies and that starts with its employees. The other teams will be larger, obviously, based on their department sizes.”
A small V pulled between Tami’s dark eyebrows as she frowned. “A team of two. Just us. Together,” she repeated.
“Yes. I agree it’s not ideal, as we don’t even know one another, let alone know how we will work together, however, as one of the CEOs I have to be seen to be doing the right thing so we will embark on our team-building experience first thing tomorrow. It’s a good opportunity for us to discover one another’s strengths and weaknesses, while testing out the experiences the course has to offer. Another two groups will meet us there on Saturday morning and we’ll complete aspects of the course with them.”
The frown deepened. “Tomorrow? Isn’t that rather soon? I don’t even know what this will entail. What if I don’t feel comfortable with this idea? As you so rightly pointed out, we don’t even know one another. And you mentioned wilderness?” Her voice raised several octaves on that last word. “I’m a city girl. I don’t have any wilderness experience at all.”
“Nor I. Which makes it the perfect opportunity for us to rectify that. As I said, we leave tomorrow. I’ll arrange a driver to collect you from your home at oh-five-hundred hours.”
Tami squeaked a sound of shock. “That’s five a.m., right? Don’t you think that’s a bit early?” She gave a nervous little laugh. “I’m really not my best until at least eight.”
“Tami, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that as a new employee, you are on a trial period, per the terms of the contract you signed. Either of us can terminate that contract. If you’re telling me you don’t wish to work here then please feel free to leave.”
She looked at him then, her green-brown eyes widened in shock. “No!” she blurted, before composing her features. “I’ll be ready at five a.m., as required. Do you have a packing list?”
“I do, as it happens.” He slid a sheet of paper across the desk.
“I thought you preferred a paperless office,” she commented before covering her mouth with her hand. “My apologies again. I sometimes tend to speak before I think.”
“Well, then, that should make our time away very interesting, because I, too, have been accused of that. Sounds like it’s something we can work on together, right?”
She nodded and picked up the list. He watched as she skimmed the items.
“Hiking boots? Backpack for luggage, day pack for day trips? Evening wear? That’s an interesting list. Exactly where are we going?”
“Sedona.”
“But that’s—”
“In Arizona. About a three-hour flight, which we’ll undertake in the company jet, and then I understand we have a forty-five-minute drive to our destination.”
“Well, okay. I can make sure I have all of this by tomorrow.”
“I’m aware that you may not have everything required immediately at hand, so I suggest you spend the balance of this morning on orientation here at the office, then leave at midday to purchase whatever supplies you don’t already have. Make sure to forward your receipts to Accounting. They will reimburse you.”
She nodded and looked at him from under her lashes. Those eyes. They were intensely staring at him as if she was trying to read his mind and through to the very essence of him. It made him uncomfortable and he didn’t like that she could have that effect on him. He shifted his gaze so he was looking at a point just past her ear, inwardly shocked that he could be unsettled by something as innocent as a look. Was it that he was too suspicious these days? That he now saw villains at every twist and turn of each day?
He knew Tami Wilson would have been thoroughly vetted by HR before her appointment, so why did he feel this prickle of unease about her? Was it because she was so attractive? However she looked, it should make no difference to him whatsoever. He’d done the whole office-romance thing once before and been badly burned when his then-fiancée had slept with his twin brother. Granted, she’d initially thought Logan was him, but the fact remained their relationship had been destroyed, and while all three of them continued to work together, there was an element of strain there now that affected everyone around them. He sur
e as hell wasn’t going to set foot on that road again, no matter the appeal of the person working with him.
He bent his head to his desk and clicked a few buttons on his keyboard, then looked back up to her again.
“Any questions, Ms. Wilson?”
“Please, do call me Tami, and no. I think I have everything I need here.”
“Good, then if you’ll hand me back the tablet, I’ll ensure that any notes you made are sent to our cloud. You’ll be able to access that from your desktop and from your own tablet when it’s issued.”
She passed his device back to him. Their fingers brushed. It was the slightest of contacts, but it made everything inside his body clench tight. Instinctive fight-or-flight reflex, he told himself as she withdrew her hand and rose from her chair. Attraction, another more insidious voice whispered in his ear. He rid himself of the suggestion instantly, even though he couldn’t help but watch her as she walked from his office to her desk. The fit of her skirt enhanced the sweet curve of her backside and her jacket was nipped in enough at the waist to showcase a perfect hourglass figure. And he was being all kinds of fool looking at her and noticing these things, he reminded himself. He swiveled his chair to gaze out the window at the rain streaming down the glass, all but obscuring the cityscape beyond.
The outdoors course was going to be tough enough without the added complication of Ms. Tami Wilson. He wondered how they’d cope having to rely on each other through each demanding day...and night.
Copyright © 2021 by Dolce Vita Trust
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ISBN-13: 9781488070402
The Heir
Copyright © 2021 by Joanne Rock
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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