by Unknown
“What’s up, girlfriend? I couldn’t really get what you were mumbling on the phone. Are those gorgeous terrors of yours causing you grief again?”
“No more than usual, but it’s not them that’s the problem.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is. Do you remember me telling you that Jordan Lambert offered me a job last year?”
“Do I? Man, you were incensed, and you certainly told him where to go.”
“Ahem. Yes, it was sort of like that.”
“You still don’t like him?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I just remembered how sharp you were with him last year when he came to help with tables and chairs for the Christmas lunch.”
“Don’t exaggerate.” Megan blushed a little as she remembered the cold shoulder routine that she practiced on most of the rich men she came into contact with when she was cleaning Prossers Bay’s elite homes. Jordan had been no exception, and to be fair, had probably deserved it the least.
Stephanie made a noise of disbelief. “So, what’s he done now?”
“He’s offered me a job.”
“Wow! He must want you. He’s certainly persistent.”
Megan ignored the suggestive wink Stephanie gave her.
“It’s a better job than the one he already offered. He wants me to take on the whole housekeeping job. With a bundle of money to boot.”
“What?”
Megan thrust the paperwork into her friend’s hand. “Here, read this.”
Stephanie took her time at first, then she was flicking backwards and forwards like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Much like Megan had done earlier.
“Hell’s teeth, Megan. You can’t turn this down.”
“Actually, I can. The question is, should I?”
“Are you kidding me? The medical plan alone has to be worth it. But, man, that salary would make your life a breeze compared to how it is right now.”
“I know it would. But what about the fact that I don’t want to work for him? And what about Abby? She gave me that job when I was desperate. She lets me work hours around the girls. She’s my friend.”
“Our friend. And you must know that Abby wouldn’t stand in your way. When I told her about his first offer, she thought you should take it.”
Megan was astonished. “You told her?”
Stephanie looked guilty for a split second. “Sorry, yes I did, but it was after you told me you weren’t interested. It was when Abby was still depressed, before Liam’s surprising arrival. I wanted to make her feel better, and to know how we felt about her. That her life was good without children. That she had friends who were there for her.”
Megan’s eyes filled at the memory of Abby’s years of suffering. “I understand why you did it, but that makes it even harder. She deserves my loyalty. I couldn’t let her down.”
“You’re crazy. She’d be happy for you. Abby’s been all about family since she and Max decided to adopt Liam. She loves you, and she appreciates how hard it is for you financially to manage on your own. We all do.”
“I’m sure that’s true, but it wouldn’t feel right.”
“Do you want this job? Yes or no?”
Megan had never been able to lie to Stephanie, not even when they were kids at school and she’d wanted to pretend that her parents, who left her with her grandmother for months at a time while they pursued their philanthropic lives, cared about her.
“The more I think about it, the more I think I do. Managing a team is definitely a step up, and it’s more like what I had planned for myself before I got pregnant. Then there’s the money.”
“There you go. Talk to Abby and stop beating yourself up about it. Then when you do take the job we can all celebrate with a glass of wine. Goodness knows we haven’t done that in a while.”
Megan smiled for the first time. If she took this job, her financial worries would be gone. She looked around at the shabby two-bedroom house that had been her grandmother’s until she passed away and was now Megan’s. It had been rented out for years prior to her return to Prossers Bay and was in desperate need of a makeover. She could start with a can of paint and do what she had been wanting to do ever since she’d moved in, and that was paint the girls’ room. Something cheerful and cute – just like them.
“I’ll talk to her at lunch tomorrow,” she said, suddenly decisive, and scaring herself in the process.
“Atta girl. I’ll make myself scarce if you want to do it alone.”
“Would you think I was a coward if I asked you to stay while I tell her?”
Stephanie laughed. “No, but don’t stress about it all night. Abby will be fine. She knows that we’ll all move on from cleaning one day. Having a child is all she’s ever wanted, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she eventually sold the business to spend more time with Liam.”
“This is so weird. A couple of hours ago I knew what my life was. Now I have no idea. And there’s so many things to think about.”
“What now?”
“Working full time for a start. Who’s going to look after the girls?”
“Have that conversation when you need to. One step at a time, my friend. Now I’d better get going or we’ll both be shattered tomorrow.”
As usual, Stephanie was the voice of reason. She had a calming influence that was only surpassed by their friend Jeanne.
They hugged and Megan was left to try to shut her mind off about all the reasons for taking the job and the very few, but strong, reasons against it. Not an easy thing to do; no matter what Stephanie had said, she would feel guilty for deserting Abby.
Also, the thought of working with Jordan made her shiver, and the worst part was, she wasn’t scared of him. Sure, he made her nervous, and that made her angry, something she could hardly justify when her hormones were doing a tap dance every time she was near him.
Hopefully she’d be able to shut off her thoughts long enough to get to sleep.
Chapter Three
The three women had finished for the day and were cleaning out the van. It had been a tense day for Megan as she waited for the right time to tell Abby about the job offer. Stephanie had given her lots of leads but Megan couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
“What on earth has gotten into you?”
Megan’s head shot up and she looked at Abby in surprise. “Pardon?”
“I’ve asked you a question three times and you keep staring into space.”
“Sorry. I’m not really with it today.”
“Are you feeling okay?”
The concern on Abby’s face made her feel worse. “I’m not sick.” She twisted a rag and took a deep breath. “I need to talk to you. Maybe we could have a chat over a drink or something.”
Her awkwardness immediately put Abby, sensitive to any of their moods, on high alert.
“That doesn’t sound good. You’re not leaving me, are you?”
The basket she’d just picked up fell from Megan’s hands. The basket Abby had recently filled. Abby’s garage floor was concrete so what didn’t smash ended up lying in a pool of cleaners, cloths and gloves.
“Shit! I’m so sorry, Abby. I’ll clean it up right away.”
Stephanie, who’d been keeping out of their way at the washing machine, rushed to help her, but Abby stood by the van door.
“That’s it. You’re quitting, aren’t you?” she demanded.
Megan felt terrible. “I had an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Abby surprised her by laughing. “It’s an old line but I’m sure it’s appropriate. That bloody Jordan’s been sniffing around you again, hasn’t he?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Megan felt herself blush.
“The job. What else would I mean? Oh my goodness. Stephanie said I couldn’t see the obvious, but you like the man, don’t you?”
Megan had the urge to stamp her foot the way Cody did when she was caught out, but she tried to deflect Abby instead. “I do not. He’s n
ot my type.”
“I beg to differ. That sort of man is definitely your type,” Stephanie interjected.
Megan glared at her. “Maybe years ago. Before I found out what the rich and great-looking men are like. A good time, no cares and certainly no sense of responsibility.”
“That’s harsh. I’ve always thought of Jordan as a gentleman, but you’re right. He is good-looking,” Abby smirked.
“You’ve only known him for five minutes.”
“Actually, it’s more like a year. When he first came to town he found out about my cleaning company, and asked if I’d be interested in working for him.”
Now it was Megan’s turn to be surprised. “You never told me.”
“Or me,” Stephanie added.
“It was after I had the all-clear from the doctor to go back to cleaning full-time. I knew I wasn’t mentally or physically able to take on any more work and I couldn’t expect you two to do more. You were already doing so much to help me. Frankly, the idea of being around strangers was even more of a turn-off.” She smiled. “He was pretty persuasive, though, so I get that he would have been difficult to turn down, especially if he offered you anything close to what he offered me.”
“That’s the point. Stephanie told me that you knew about his job offer last year, but it was nothing compared to this. It’s more money than I’ve ever dreamed of earning. Things are getting worse each month and I’m struggling to keep my head above the smallest bills. I actually can’t afford to turn him down, but I hate leaving you.”
“You’ve done really well to make things work for as long as they have. I can only imagine how hard it’s been to raise two children by yourself. I wish I could offer you more money, but I can’t.”
“You pay us more than fairly, Abby. I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like I have a choice.” Megan felt her mouth wobble and her eyes fill.
Abby put her arms around her. “Take the job, Megan. You deserve this. You have to do what’s right for you and the girls, and there’s no need to worry about me. I’ll figure something out. And for the record, Jordan really is a good man. Everyone in Prossers Bay thinks so, and we can’t all be wrong.”
Stephanie put her arms around them both. “I’ll sure miss having you around, but it’s not like we won’t see each other, and maybe now you’ll be able to afford a sitter with all the money you’ll be raking in. Then we can actually have a night out instead of sitting in your living room with a movie every time.”
Megan sniffed back her tears. “But I like those nights.”
“Silly, we can still have them, but we can do other things too.” Stephanie laughed and squeezed them harder.
Megan knew how lucky she was to have these women as her friends. They’d been supporting her since the day Callum had walked out on her, and they were happy for her even though it would force Abby to look for another employee and their band of three would be no more. At least not on a daily basis.
She guessed she was really doing it. Now all she needed to do was to tell Jordan. She’d go see him tomorrow. The sooner the better, because she couldn’t afford to think about him too much.
***
Jordan was sitting in his huge office, the door open and the view through his windows was spectacular. He loved this space, and he loved the resort. In spite of all the drama with contractors and having to oversee every little detail it was his best accomplishment to date. He was just pondering whether he was close to hiring a new housekeeping manager or if he was going to have to advertise the position when Megan appeared in the doorway.
Looking very businesslike, she wore black pants and a white shirt instead of jeans and a t-shirt, the only thing he’d ever seen her wear before. Her hair was tied back neatly, which looked fine, but he preferred it swinging around her face and shoulders. He felt nervous, and he wasn’t sure why. Naturally, he’d be disappointed if she didn’t take the job, but that didn’t account for the fact that just seeing her made his palms sweat like a teenager’s.
“Good morning.” Luckily his voice sounded calm enough.
She looked unsure of herself, embarrassed, even, as she twisted the envelope in her hands.
“Hi. There was no-one at the desk so I just kept walking.”
“Chelsea, my manager, had to deal with a guest, and I’m usually found here.”
“Don’t tell me that you work seven days a week?”
“It’s hard not to, since I live on the property.”
“Really?”
He came to stand beside her. A smell of flowers and something that was uniquely Megan’s teased his nostrils. “Look behind you. That’s my place just up on the hill.”
Megan went to the doorway and opposite the wall was glass, with a view of the back of the resort. She gasped at the natural wood and glass house that sat looking over the Haven and therefore Prossers Bay. It melded into the landscape beautifully, and looked both modern and attractive, not an easy thing to do, as Jordan knew.
“It’s gorgeous. I bet you have a great view.”
“I do. On a clear day I can see right over to the Coromandel Peninsula. I’ll take you up there sometime if you’re interested in having a look around.”
Jordan couldn’t help the pride in his voice. The resort had evolved since its inception, but his residence was something he’d imagined from the first time he’d looked at the property. The fact that it had turned out exactly as he’d envisaged was the best thing about living on site.
“I’m taking the job,” Megan blurted.
He wasn’t sure if she was trying to deflect the possibility of seeing where he lived, or whether she had to get it out in case she changed her mind. It didn’t matter; he was just happy that she was coming to work for him. He decided to play it cool so he wouldn’t scare her off.
“Great. When will you start?”
“I’ve given Abby two weeks’ notice.”
“I guess I’ll have to manage until then.” He appreciated that she would have to work out some time, and he did feel guilty for poaching her off Abby, who was a lovely woman. But he really did need her. And he should stop thinking about the many ways.
“Could I have a look around the resort, to get a feel for the place?”
“Absolutely. Here’s my manager, so we can do it now. Chelsea, this is Megan, who’s going to take over the cleaning side of things.”
Chelsea had entered the room, looked Megan up and down, then after the introduction gave him a wicked grin and shook Megan’s hand enthusiastically.
“Thank goodness. Pleased to have you on board. It’s been a nightmare around here. Literally.”
Immediately, he sensed a thaw in Megan. Chelsea was incredibly charismatic and most people liked her immediately.
“Chelsea’s my right-hand person, so if you need any help and you can’t find me, she’ll have all the information. We’ve worked together for nearly a decade, and when I moved here from New York she kindly came with me.”
“You must have found living in a small town like Prossers Bay a big change from a hotel in New York,” Megan said to Chelsea.
“Definitely, but I love it. The people here are so friendly and the resort is beautiful, not to mention the great weather.”
“The climate is pretty good, although it can get pretty cold and wet in the winter.”
Chelsea laughed. “I believe it doesn’t snow in the Bay, or get below zero, which is a huge plus in my books.”
“Exactly the reason I chose New Zealand for the resort. That and the stunning beauty.” Jordan couldn’t help give Megan a wide smile and was rewarded with one of her blushes. “I’m just going to show Megan around. Are you okay for a while longer, Chelsea?”
“Steve from the next shift should be here any minute, so you two go ahead and I’ll catch up with you later.”
Jordan agreed and held the door open for Megan. They walked past the restaurant, which had a raised view of the Bay from its floor to ceiling windows. Jordan pointed out the spa and the tennis cour
ts and soon they were at the pool. This was also raised and had an infinity look at one end.
“I love the whole idea of feeling like you could continue walking from the pool and step right into the ocean.”
“It is pretty cool. Sometimes I come down late at night when most of the guests have gone to bed. Floating away from the lights, I feel like I’m the only one here. I could drift out to sea and no one would notice.” He laughed self-consciously. “Not in a bad way, you understand?”
Megan was looking at him in a way he couldn’t interpret, and perhaps because he’d sounded like a complete idiot, she changed the subject.
“The place is amazing. I had no idea it looked like this. I knew it would be posh, but it’s so modern, and yet it doesn’t detract from the beauty of its surroundings.”
“I’m glad you think so. I tried hard to find that balance, which is why we have so many native plants and trees. Many of them have been transplanted but not all.”
“I love that you’ve got so many pohutukawas along the beach.”
He laughed. “I didn’t have too much choice. The council are strict with that sort of thing, but I would have kept most of them anyway. Aren’t they called the New Zealand Christmas tree?”
She looked surprised. “They are, due to the vibrant red flowers that bloom in summer – our Christmas.”
“Now, that was strange. Having a hot Christmas. Chelsea and I thought it was so weird, but it didn’t take long for us to appreciate it.”
“Chelsea seems great.”
“Bringing her with me from New York was one of the best ideas I’ve ever had. She knows how to look after the guests and she can handle the mess bookings can turn out to be, so cleverly, with little disruption, that I had to have her. And now that I have you, things should really improve.”
“You’ve been having some issues, I gather?”