“Before the waiter delivers our food, I would like you to tell me why you want to hire me,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.
His lips quirked into a smile. “I thought you knew what was going on at Granger.”
She quirked her lips right back at him. “I know enough, but I want to hear your version.”
“All right.” He began talking, and she took it all in, every detail, specific or otherwise. He spoke smoothly, elegantly and with confidence, even when she doubted he was truly feeling it. He told her she was recommended by their company’s attorney, who was also a longtime family friend. He went into details about the buying up of additional shares and the stockholders’ meeting that was held that morning. He went over his agreement with Freeman—the two of them would work together to ensure the success of the company.
He ended by saying, “Well, that about covers it.”
She studied his gaze for a moment, thinking he wasn’t a man someone could read easily and, for a woman, not at all. She sipped her wine and then said, “Mr. Granger, you called me to help bring your company around. I’m capable of doing that. However, you will have to be straight with me on all levels. You did not tell me everything.”
She saw his eyes darken, shadowed with irritation at her accusation. “And just what is it that I haven’t told you, Ms. Bradford?”
“Why three men who once swore never to work for Granger Aeronautics are suddenly doing so. I understand about your grandfather’s death and all that, but the three of you could have easily let Titus Freeman run things...after all, he was vice president. You were satisfied with your job at that government agency in Los Angeles, your brother Caden is a professional musician with quite a following and your younger brother Dalton is pretty much known on the European circuit as quite the ladies’ man. A number of women have nicknamed him ‘Cocoa Puff.’ And probably what most people don’t know is that he’s a billionaire, not from taking advantage of any of his older lovers, but from investments. So my question to you is, why are the three of you here?
Jace didn’t say anything for a moment, wondering how much to tell her. Then after looking in her eyes, observing that you-better-not-bullshit-me look, he decided to come clean. “It was a deathbed promise. My grandfather asked the three of us to take over the running of Granger Aeronautics. And it’s a promise I intend to keep.”
She could admire that, but still...why would his grandfather ask the three of them to do that? Richard Granger knew they had lives they were more or less content with. Why would he ask them to give up their livelihood for a company they’d walked away from years ago?
Evidently, she had a confused look in her eyes, because he said, “I don’t know why he asked that of us, considering everything. But we knew our grandfather. We don’t think it was last-minute manipulation. I honestly believe he thought we could do a better job than Freeman. Why he felt that way, I’m not sure. Granddad loved Granger Aeronautics. He wouldn’t turn the running of it over to us unless he felt we could do it.”
She took a sip of her wine and then asked, “For how long?”
“Excuse me?”
“How long will you stay at Granger? Just until I get it out of the red? I understand you didn’t resign from your company in California, but took a leave of absence.”
Jace frowned, wondering how in the hell she knew that. She wouldn’t have been able to find that out in twenty minutes. But from the self-confident look in her eyes, he had a feeling she had. She must have some damn good contacts.
He took a sip of his drink, because at the moment he couldn’t answer her. All he knew was that he was staying put, but he had a feeling his saying that would not be good enough for her. “Just what do you expect of me, Ms. Bradford?”
“Maybe you ought to be asking yourself what those employees of Granger Aeronautics expect of you, Mr. Granger. I would think they’d want someone who plans to do right by them and not leave them out in the cold. They worked hard for your grandfather, and most were loyal. They expect a leader who would remember that.”
And he had remembered that. He knew then what his answer to her question would be. “I can only speak for myself, but I’m staying.”
At that moment, the waiter interrupted by bringing out their food.
* * *
Over lunch, Shana asked Jace several questions that she felt he answered truthfully. He even told her about the other promise they’d made regarding her father. She definitely felt he had a lot on his plate but was confident he knew how to handle his business.
He asked her more questions, specifically how she would go about evaluating the company if she accepted the job. She made sure he knew she hadn’t decided whether she would work for him or not before she went into explaining her company’s in-depth evaluation process. Although, in the end, he didn’t have to implement all her recommendations, but the success ratio would increase if he did so. She could almost guarantee it.
She appreciated that he was honest enough to admit that in some areas he felt like a fish out of water, but over the years his grandfather had kept him abreast of some things, so he was familiar with the day-to-day operations.
“If you take the job, I think having you work on the premises would be a plus,” he said, pushing his plate away.
She glanced over at him. “I’m surprised you would want your employees to know the company is in a dire enough situation that I had to be called in.”
He shrugged. “They know anyway, and I have an idea how they found out.”
Shana considered his words and said, “I know Freeman would be the logical culprit, but I’ve discovered the logical one is not always the guilty party. You would be surprised what’s tucked away in closets that I usually expose. People you thought you could trust can prove otherwise. I would suggest you watch your back, not just with Freeman but with others. Some might think you don’t know what the hell you’re doing and try to take advantage.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
The waiter came to remove their plates. Wineglasses were replaced with coffee cups, and they continued talking. She was being evasive about whether she would take on Granger Aeronautics, and with good reason. She had just come off a big, lengthy assignment and had looked forward to taking a month off to do practically nothing. She had considered accompanying Jules on one of her easier assignments, just to have girl time with her sister, since both of them were usually busy. If Shana took on this job, she would be back to working from sunup to sundown. Her weekends would be filled with endless time spent at her computer. Besides Joyce, she had two other assistants, but like her, they were looking for a break between cases. They would still get theirs, she would see to it. They needed it. That meant she would have to work even harder.
And then there was the issue with her father. She might need to spend time with him as well if he was thinking about remarrying and the likely candidate was a woman he’d only gotten to know in the grocery store. She could understand any man wanting female companionship at any age, but getting married was a whole different topic. She couldn’t wait to discuss it with Jules.
She noticed there was a lull in the conversation and she glanced across the table to see Jace staring at her. She didn’t have to ask him why. He was still checking her out. She understood it was a man thing, but he was working overtime. Too bad it was an interest that wouldn’t go anywhere.
She sipped her coffee and for the moment appreciated the quiet time that allowed her to think. And the one thing she couldn’t help but admit was that she liked him. She liked that he had loved his grandfather so much that he was willing to make sacrifices. Finding his way around Granger Aeronautics wouldn’t be easy, and like she’d told him, he would be a target. It took no time at all to tell that he was highly intelligent and had those same leadership qualities he’d praised his father and grandfather for having. For some reason, she wanted him to succeed, and she knew there was a possibility he would do the latter without her company’s help.
“I’ve decided to handle your case, Mr. Granger.”
He held her gaze for a moment and then said, “I appreciate that. For a moment there, I was thinking that you wouldn’t.”
She’d figured as much from the surprised look in his eyes. “I considered walking away but only because you hadn’t completely leveled with me at first. Now you have. You made a promise, and what I admire and respect is that it’s a promise you intend to keep. Your job as an attorney didn’t motivate you. You did it, and you did it well, but there was no challenge. You need a challenge, Mr. Granger. One that you know will pay off not only for your employees but for your grandfather and father, as well. You will be dedicated. Turning your company around won’t be easy, but you intend to make it work. And you’ll succeed because you’re willing to make changes, even sacrifices, to reach your goal. And most important, you have waylaid my fears that you’re not in it for the short-term. I believe you’re in it for the long haul.”
She paused a moment and then added, “However, I’m not sure about your brothers. I intend to speak with them soon, because even though you’re your own man, you’re also their brother, and the oldest. And you want them to want this as much as you do. Call it a brother’s honor, but you want their support. You want it, even though you don’t necessarily need it. You’re going to do whatever you feel needs to be done anyway. But I admire that you care for their feelings, and I can understand that. I have a younger sister, and I can see putting her well-being and interest before my own.”
Jace didn’t say anything for a moment as he sipped his coffee. She was right. He was in it for the long haul. He hadn’t accepted that until now. He wasn’t sure about his brothers, but he could safely say he was in. And he wanted his brothers in with him, but would understand if down the line they wanted out. They had their own interests and careers. It was an individual thing. Working in a corporation wasn’t for everybody.
“You want to know what I think?” she asked.
He glanced over at her, met the darkness of her eyes, felt the stirring in the pit of his gut and willed it away. “Yes, I want to know what you think.”
“Granger Aeronautics has always been your legacy. But I think that today you’ve realized it’s your destiny.”
He didn’t say anything because he was thinking about how long he hadn’t wanted to claim his legacy and how adamantly he’d been against it. Yet here he was, ready to jump in with both feet and not look back.
“Now that we’ve gotten all of that taken care of, I do have a request, although my common sense dictates otherwise, Mr. Granger.”
“Before you say anything, I think since we’ll be working together it would be appropriate for you to call me Jace if you don’t mind my calling you Shana.” At her nod, he then asked, “So what request do you have?”
She smiled over at him. “That I order dessert. I have a weakness for chocolate.”
Chapter Nine
“So, how did it go?”
“How does she look?”
Jace wasn’t surprised his brothers were in his office waiting on him when he returned from his meeting with Shana. Tugging off his jacket, he glanced over at Caden to address his question. “The meeting went well, and she’s agreed to help. She’ll have a place here in the office just to be visible. Hopefully, that will put employees at ease.”
Then, answering Dalton’s question, he said, “She’s a beautiful woman who has a pleasant personality, but at the same time pulls no punches. She’s sharp and highly intelligent.”
Dalton grinned. “Boy, aren’t we full of compliments?”
“And she deserves every one. I think she’s going to get us through this.”
“Hell, I hope so. I’m missing Europe already,” Dalton said, smiling all over himself.
Jace sat on the edge of the desk and studied his younger brother for a second before saying, “I’m sure you are, Cocoa Puff.”
Surprise lit Dalton’s eyes. He then grinned sheepishly and said, “Hey, what can I say? When you got it, you got it. I guess your girl-wonder checked me out.”
Jace smiled. “Yes, she did.”
Caden laughed. “Cocoa Puff?”
Dalton frowned. “Well, I bet she can’t tell you where my tattoo is.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that. Like I said, she’s good.”
“And I bet you checked her out real good,” Dalton said.
The smile left Jace’s face as he moved around to sit behind his desk. “This is business, Dalton. I don’t see every female with a nice pair of legs as a sex object.”
Dalton rubbed his chin as his smile widened in approval. “So she has a nice pair of legs?”
Jace refused to be baited, so he changed the subject, asking, “Anything interesting happen while I was gone?”
Caden shook his head. “It’s been quiet. Almost too quiet. I think everyone thinks Caden and I are spying on them. When will your wonder-woman start working?”
“Tomorrow. So we need to make sure she has an office ready.”
“I’ll be happy to help her move in,” Dalton volunteered.
Jace gave that some thought. His brother was such a bullshitter, and Shana Bradford was just the woman to give Dalton a firm kick in the ass. But he didn’t want Shana to have to deal with drama on her first day. “There’s no need, Dalton. I’m sure she can manage just fine on her own.”
He didn’t say anything for a minute then added, “Warning, Dalton. We need Shana Bradford, so don’t make a pest of yourself.”
* * *
“Okay, Shana, you’ve been blowing up my phone. What’s going on?” Jules Bradford asked her sister as she tossed her backpack on the hotel bed. Today had been extra long. She was investigating a kidnapping that happened over two years ago. During a custody battle, the father had kidnapped his son and faked their deaths. The mother never believed her husband and son were dead and had hired Jules to prove otherwise. Her search had led her here to a small town in Mexico. She had spent an entire day trying to get information from some of the locals, and no one was talking.
“It’s about Dad.”
Jules stopped in her tracks and held the phone tight in her hand. “What about Dad?”
“He’s thinking about remarrying.”
I must have heard wrong, Jules thought, dropping down on the bed near her backpack. “What are you talking about, Shana? Dad isn’t even seeing anyone.”
“I know.” Then Shana gave her sister the details. The same ones her father had given her.
Moments later, Jules said, “Umm, probably a phase he’s going through. I’m sure most men his age have gone through it. Dad’s been a widower for over thirteen years with no serious involvements that we know of. He probably saw this woman a few times, thought she was hot, talked to her, decided he liked her and that was it.”
Shana, who was sitting in her office, having taken a break from doing more research on Granger Aeronautics, rolled her eyes. “That’s not it. You were not there when he was telling me about this Mona. I saw that sparkle in his eyes. It might be more than a phase, Jules.”
“Then we’ll stop it. Work up a plan, and we’ll implement it when I get back.”
“Just listen to what you said. Our father is happy, and you want to jeopardize it? Would it be so bad if he truly likes this woman and wants to marry her?”
“For crying out loud, Shana, just listen to yourself! What cloud are you floating on? Dad barely knows the woman, and he’s thinking marriage? And there is a big difference between happy and hot. I’m still going with the idea of him being in the hot prime of his life.”
It was times like this when Shana knew she needed to end the conversation with her sister. “You must have had a bad day,” she said.
Jules stood and began stripping. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you sound like you could chew a couple of people up and spit them out.”
Jules smiled. Her sister knew her well. “And I would begin with a number of the people
I interviewed today. They were lying through their teeth about not recognizing a picture of Marcos Rodrigo. The man is hiding out here someplace with his son. I can feel it.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll find them,” Shana said, closing one document on her computer and opening another. “Look I’m in the middle of research and I—”
“Whoa! Wait! Research? I thought you were taking a month-long break!”
Shana wished she hadn’t been reminded. “I was, but I got a client who needs me.”
“Don’t they all, Ms. Fixer-Upper? What makes this one so special you’re giving up a month of fun and sun?”
Shana’s hands stopped stroking the keys, and she paused before entering a name in Google. “I didn’t say he was special.”
“He? Sounds interesting. I hadn’t said anything about a ‘he.’ I think you just told on yourself.”
Shana frowned. Leave it to her sister to grasp any little thing and run with it. “Mistake on my part that wasn’t intentional, but understandable since Jace Granger is now the CEO of Granger Aeronautics. I met with him earlier today and agreed to help bring his company around.”
“So, again, I ask, what’s so special about him that made you give up your time off?”
Shana thought long and hard about her sister’s question before saying, “A number of things, but most of all his integrity. It was a deathbed promise he intends to keep. You know how I am about those sorts of things.”
If anyone would know, it would be Jules. They had both promised their mother while she lay dying of cancer that they would be good girls and not cause their father any problems after she was gone. It was a promise they had both kept. Graduating from high school with honors, they had both finished college in three years instead of four, going practically year-round.
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