“I was serious,” she said.
“About?”
“When I told them I wasn’t overprivileged. I’m not. My dad made us work. He gave us things, but we were required to do chores, and when I was in college, I worked here during the summer, and I had a part-time job.”
I shrugged. “Okay.”
“I don’t want people thinking I’m one of those pampered princesses. We didn’t get our credit cards to go shopping whenever we wanted. My dad gave me a clothing budget and I had to stick to it. I know I’m young and I’m fresh out of school, but I’ve been working toward this for a long time. Yes, it came a little sooner than I was counting on but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready. I will do this, and I will do it well. I’m going to need some time, but I’ll figure it out. I’m going to work my ass off. I’m going to prove to everyone I deserve this job.”
I slowly nodded, turning on the blinker and turning off the main road to go out to the railyard. She was rambling. I knew she was nervous. It was a big step for her. I’d be scared as hell if I was her. “I believe you,” I said.
“Good. Because it’s true. I don’t want anyone thinking this was just handed to me.”
I pulled into the parking lot filled with older cars. “Look, we are going to be meeting the men that really run this company. These guys work the hardest and get paid the least. They deserve your respect.”
“I respect them,” she quickly retorted.
“Good. Then maybe just be a little more chill. They don’t care about your education or that you had an allowance. I guarantee your allowance was more than what their families made in a year.”
She looked hurt and embarrassed. “I wasn’t bragging.”
“I know that. I know you and Oakley and your family. I know you guys are good people, but these guys don’t know you. You don’t want to make a bad first impression. They don’t expect you to be one of them, but they do want your respect.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “Yes.”
“All right, we’ll start with Vida. She’s the gatekeeper. No one and nothing gets by her. No one fucks with Vida.”
She scowled at me. “Are you suggesting I would fuck with her?”
Hearing her drop the F-bomb was kind of cute. “No, I’m saying she’s someone you want on your good side. I have a feeling she’s going to like you because of who you are. But if she thinks you are not giving her the respect she deserves, she is going to make your life hell. Vida is a force.”
“I suppose you have sweet-talked her?”
I winked. “Damn straight. The woman terrifies me. I would never dare fuck with her.”
She opened the door and hopped out. I walked up the ramp and opened the door for her. I hoped like hell Vida was nice to her. Whether Cora knew it or not, she exuded class and wealth. It wasn’t intentional, but she was regal.
“Hey, Vida,” I said as I walked in behind Cora. “I want you to meet someone.”
Vida got to her feet and walked around her desk. She pulled Cora against her, smashing Cora against her very ample bosom. “Oh, I know little Cora,” she cooed. “How are you doing, sweetie?”
Cora hugged her back before taking a step back. “I’m good, Vida. How are you? How is little Maria?”
Vida laughed. “She isn’t so little anymore. She will start college this year.”
Cora looked at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I had no idea they knew each other. Now I looked like an asshole. “Vida, I brought Cora out to meet the team.”
Vida smiled and nodded. “Good. They need to see their new boss.”
“You know?” I asked.
She waved a hand. “Of course. Secrets do not keep in this company.”
“We’re going to head down to the warehouse,” I said.
She nodded and went back to her desk while I escorted Cora down the ramp. I was glad she had changed shoes. It was a dusty lot. I could hear the beeping of a forklift backing up, followed by men talking with the occasional shout for more.
I walked into the warehouse that opened up to a set of tracks. It was where shipments were loaded into the cars. Derek noticed me, and I didn’t miss the word he said.
“He looks happy to see you,” Cora teased. “I guess he must not think you respect him.”
“Trust me. Derek respects no one.”
The man walked toward us, looking none too pleased to see us. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“I wanted to bring Cora out to meet the team. She’s the new CEO. Cora, this is Derek. He’s one of the foremen out here.”
Derek looked at her, his eyes roaming over her before he looked back at me. “I see.”
“I’m Cora,” she said and extended her hand. “Can you show me around?”
Derek looked like he would rather eat a salad made of glass. He forced a smile. “Sure.”
I followed behind them as Derek whistled loudly. The activity came to a halt. While Derek made the introductions, I looked around the warehouse, noticing the amount of product sitting in the warehouse.
“What’s with all the freight?” I asked.
Derek looked at the guys, then back at me. “We had something similar to a blue flu run through here.”
“A blue flu?” Cora repeated. “Isn’t that what cops get when they are mad at their command?”
Derek looked uncomfortable. “Yes.”
“How many called in sick?” I asked in a tight voice.
“Seven. They didn’t call in. They quit.”
“Why?” Cora asked, clearly not understanding the situation.
Derek once again looked at me. “They were nervous about the coming changes.”
“What changes?” she pressed.
“Management,” he snapped. “None of them wanted to stay on board a sinking ship.”
Cora’s eyebrows raised as she turned her green eyes on me. “A sinking ship? The company? They feel the company is sinking?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Derek answered. “With Mr. Mallet gone, no one wanted to stick around and see what happened next.”
“Oh,” she said, clearly stunned. “I see.”
“When are these supposed to go out?” I asked, nodding at the crates.
Derek grimaced. “An hour ago.”
“Fuck,” I muttered and unbuttoned the nice shirt I had worn for the day. I rarely did the dress-up thing, but I knew today was kind of a big day. I pulled off the shirt and draped it over a box. “Let’s get this done.”
I walked over to the stack of crates that were being loaded before we showed up. Derek chuckled and made a circle in the air with his finger, indicating it was time to get busy. The forklift started up once again, and with my help, we loaded the first car.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Cora watching. She looked out of place in the hot, humid warehouse, wearing her designer dress and her flat shoes. She looked like a princess and there was nothing she could do to change it.
“We’ll get a full crew hired this week,” I told Derek, who was breathing hard next to me.
“I hope so. I can’t run an efficient operation with a half crew.”
“I know. I understand. I’ll get it handled.”
“Thanks, man,” he huffed, handing off another box.
With the last car loaded, I walked back to where she was talking to another one of the workers. I was sweating like a pig and in dire need of a cold beer. I picked up my shirt, figuring it was already dusty and not worth putting on. I used it to wipe the sweat from my brow before looking at her. “Ready to go?”
At first, I thought she was going to call a cab instead of getting back in the truck with my sweaty ass. “Yes,” she said. “Maybe we should get you something to drink.”
“I could definitely use a drink, but it’s not even noon.”
“Water. I was suggesting water.”
I grinned, giving her a wink. “Too bad.”
We got back in the truck and I blasted the AC. My white T-shirt was damp with my sweat and had dirt marr
ing the white landscape of the semi-new shirt. It would go in my rag pile.
“Why did you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Load that freight. Isn’t that what they are supposed to do?”
“They needed help. We can’t afford to have shipments going out late. This is a critical time for the company. It’s your first week as the boss. You can’t start off on a bad note. You’ll lose business faster than you can blink.”
“But couldn’t we have just called down to one of those employment agencies? They could have sent some guys out.”
“We could have but that would have taken hours, maybe days. The shit needed to get loaded now. Sometimes, you have to jump in and help. You have to get your hands dirty for the greater good. Your employees need to know you are in it with them. If you stand back and direct and never help, they are not going to respect you.”
“I’m not sure I could lift those boxes,” she said.
I laughed. “I didn’t mean it literally, but you could learn to run a forklift. You are not always going to be able to sit in your ivory tower.”
I heard her sharp gasp. “I’m not in an ivory tower.”
“I’m sorry, a red Porsche.”
She shot me a glare. If she wanted to come in and be the big boss of an operation she knew shit about, she was going to have to get her hands dirty from time to time. I was fine with helping her, but I was not going to do all the work while she took all the glory. Beau had asked me to help her out and show her the ropes. I would do it, but I was not going to do her job and mine. I would just as soon take over the whole company if that was the case.
“I guess you’re one of the bitter ones,” she snapped, looking straight out the window.
“Bitter ones? What the fuck does that mean?”
“You’re bitter because of who I am. You’re bitter my dad left the company to me and not you.”
“Not at all, princess. Your dad was always going to leave it to you. I just hope you figure out royalty isn’t easy.”
I heard her mutter under her breath. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but she was partially right. I was a little bitter he’d left her the company instead of Beau. Beau should be in the big chair. He was far more experienced and ready to take over.
I wasn’t sure I was ready to be the guy in the shadows while she sat and looked pretty.
Chapter 10
Cora
I knew I was supposed to be somewhere else, but I didn’t care. I walked through the office, remembering to smile as I passed the open doors to offices and the many people working at desks around the area. I was supposed to be at the railyard. That was where Rogan was, which was why I was at the office.
I wasn’t interested in seeing him or talking to him. I wasn’t interested in his comments about my privilege. I had half a mind to tell Oakley what he had said. My big brother would put Rogan in his place.
I wasn’t going to be a tattletale on top of a princess, though. I could handle Rogan. There was no point in me going out and getting my hands dirty, which was exactly what he wanted me to do. He wanted to see if I could. He wanted to see how dedicated I was to the job.
I didn’t need to pass his test or any other test. The company was mine and I was going to do it right. He could throw all the boxes he wanted and look hot as hell in his tight shirt with muscles bulging and sweat pooling. I believed in working smarter, not harder. I would hire people to do that job while I focused my attention on the business.
I sat down in my father’s chair, which I decided I was going to get rid of. I couldn’t be in the chair where he died. It was too weird. For now, it would have to do. I put my hands flat on the desk, trying to feel my father’s presence. I took several deep breaths with my eyes closed. This was going to be my first official day at the office as the woman in charge. I needed all the strength I could get.
“Good morning,” I heard Beau say.
My head popped up. “Hi.”
He walked into the office, looking around before taking a seat in one of the chairs. “I wasn’t expecting to see you in here this morning.”
“You weren’t?” I played innocent.
“I thought Rogan was taking you out to the railyard and one of the other sites.”
“Oh, I saw it yesterday and I had a lot of stuff to get done here.”
He slowly nodded, clearly not buying my very weak excuse. “I see.”
“I just have a lot to catch up on,” I said, trying to sell my story. Judging by the look on his face, it wasn’t working. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to keep trying.
“I remember when your father first got the idea to buy a train company,” he said. “I thought he was crazy. Everyone did. It was just a small company back then. Your father had a vision. It was a vision only he could see, but he was so passionate about it, people just kind of believed in it as well. He had that power to inspire people.”
I nodded in agreement. I wasn’t sure if he was taking a walk down memory lane just for the hell of it or if he was trying to tell me something. “He was always passionate about his work.”
“He was passionate, but I will tell you, passion was all he had to go on sometimes. He faced a lot of hurdles, especially in the early years. There were a lot of people who thought he was crazy. They thought he would be bankrupt within five years, if not sooner. When he first took over the company, it was a tight-knit group of guys. You can imagine how unhappy they were about an outsider coming in.”
“He did mention that,” I said, now knowing there was a moral to the story coming soon.
“The reason your father was so successful was because he wasn’t just a hard worker. He was good with people. He listened before he spoke. He never let them get under his skin, and let me tell you, some of them sure did try. He was too damn committed to making this company work to let anyone get in his way. He knew if he let them see him sweat, they would pounce. He kept his cool. He remained strong but he was also willing to listen. He worked alongside them.”
Beau was essentially parroting what Rogan had said. The way Beau said it was a little more tactful and a lot less insulting. “I do want to do that.”
“This company is big in the sense we make a lot of money, but not so big you can’t learn the names of your employees. I don’t expect you to travel the country and meet every employee, but here in Houston, there is no reason you can’t get to know them. I’m not saying you need to know their families and what not, but you need to know your key players. You need to visit the distribution centers. You need the people that work for you to see you. They don’t want to work for the person behind the curtain. They want to work for the person they know and can trust.”
I nodded. It was a speech I had heard my father give several times. He prided himself on knowing a little bit about every one of his employees. “Rogan wanted me to go back to the yard and then one of the larger distribution centers.”
Beau nodded. “Yes, he did. You’ve had experience here in the office. You’ve answered phones, you’ve done some dispatching, and you’ve worked on the accounts, but there is a whole other side to the business you are going to have to learn. It’s important. You can’t do a good job if you don’t know what the job is.”
“It isn’t like I’m going to be at the railyard regularly,” I argued. “I met the foreman and stuff. I know where it is.”
He smiled. “That isn’t enough.”
“Rogan was loading trains—by hand! I can’t do that!”
“And why do you think he did that?”
“Because a few guys didn’t show up because they think I’m going to bankrupt the company!”
He offered a smile. “You don’t think the team working on loading the car could have handled it themselves? Do you really think Rogan, one man, made a huge difference?”
I shrugged. “He did do a lot of work.”
“Yes, but those guys would have gotten it done regardless. Rogan is a little rough around the edges, b
ut he learned from your father. He didn’t want those guys feeling like they were being abandoned and left to fend for themselves. He wanted them to know he was in it with them. He was conveying his support and concern for the predicament they were in just by getting in there and loading a few boxes.”
I frowned, shaking my head. “Are you suggesting I need to go down there and load boxes?”
“Maybe not quite like that but there are going to be times when you have to step out from behind the desk and get things done. People are not going to trust you to tell them what to do if you don’t have the first clue about their job. This is why your father had you work in different departments every time you came to work for the summer. He needed you to walk a mile in the shoes of the people you would one day be leading.”
I knew what he was getting at. I’d fucked up. It wasn’t like I meant to come off as too good to load freight, but I didn’t see what difference I could have made. “I don’t want people to think I was handed this job. I don’t think it is a birthright. I was working toward earning it. I would have spent time in every position had there been time. Life decided I wasn’t going to get that time.”
“I agree,” Beau said. “We have purposely kept your schedule very light this week. This is your chance to ease into the position.”
“I’m trying,” I told him. “I really am but I feel like a fish out of water. I feel like everyone is looking at me and making snap judgments.”
“There is nothing you can do about that. You only need to worry about holding yourself to the high standard you will hold your people to. Always think before you speak. Hold on to your integrity, and last but not least, never let them see you sweat. You are the leader. Everyone is looking at you. Everyone is waiting to take their cues from you. I know you can do it. You might falter along the way and that is okay. Let me help you. Let Rogan help you.”
“I am. I will. It’s just, well, Rogan called me a princess and said something about me in an ivory tower.”
Backing You Up Page 6