“No problem. It’s been beneficial to us all.”
Someone turned on the radio and music piped into the room, not too loud for them to have to shout. Jack tapped his foot in time.
“Great song, isn’t it?” Trish said.
“Yeah.”
“I think Adahy Woods is playing at Whitewash on the weekend. Do you want to go?”
It took Jack a second to register what Trish had said, and then a second more to realize she was asking him out on a date.
Hell.
“Ah, no … thanks for the offer though.”
Trish pouted, but didn’t seem too put out. “Don’t date team members?”
His gaze found Bridget without meaning to. “Something like that.” He looked back to Trish and her expression had turned knowing.
Shit! He had to be more careful.
“Lucky girl,” Trish said as she stood. “But be careful, she’s been burned before.”
Before Jack could figure out how to deny it, Trish was over talking with Sally. He had no idea whether Trish was a gossip, whether she was spreading rumors right now as he watched her. Bridget wasn’t going to be happy, but a small part of him hoped it would all come out, that they’d stop having to keep it a secret. Bridget would soon discover she wasn’t treated any differently because she was in a relationship with him.
He sighed. She needed more time and he had to respect that. Scanning the room, Jack saw Dirk sitting by himself reading a book. He needed to do something to get him involved. Dirk was part of the team and he had to start acting like it. Jack wasn’t sure how he’d get through to him, but he had to try.
* * *
The next morning, fueled by coffee and croissants, Jack stood in front of his team. They were in a large meeting room that had a wall of windows on one side, overlooking the garden. Jack planned to move things outdoors after lunch for a change of scenery.
“It’s budget time and we need to decide what projects to include for next year,” he began. “You all have ideas you want to see implemented, so we need to work out which are the most beneficial to the plant. I also want to hear your suggestions for improvements that won’t necessarily cost a lot of money. This is going to be part business plan and part budget plan.”
Around him people nodded. He was pleased to see most had brought notes with them. “We’ll start with the environmental section.” Jack had neglected them a bit since he’d arrived because safety had been such a high priority.
“Do the rest of us have to stay and listen to this?” Dirk complained. “What they do doesn’t affect us.”
Jack kept his expression pleasant. “Of course it does. Environmental projects might have a safety effect and vice versa. Plus the more people thinking about a problem, the more options we can discuss.”
Dirk scowled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
Jack was going to have to take Dirk aside and talk to him after this. He wasn’t being part of the team. He gestured for Sally to begin the discussion.
* * *
By the time they broke for lunch, Jack’s head was spinning and he figured everyone needed a break. He was grateful Jeremy had offered to take notes, because he wouldn’t have been able to keep up himself. His team was not short of ideas and most of them were good ones, but there was one common theme that ran through the session. They’d been asking for the same things for years and kept getting knocked back because of budget considerations. Jack asked them to review their projects and check if they could be broken down into smaller stages. If they only had to ask for money for one stage at a time, they might have a better chance of approval.
The problem was, Jack’s department wasn’t directly involved in making money for the business. They were a support team and while if something in safety or the environment went wrong it could cost the company millions, no one outside of the department thought there was a big risk. He was going to have to get his figures together, find examples of where things had gone wrong and use all of his powers of persuasion when it came time for the budget meeting with management.
They ate lunch outside on the veranda, everyone more than pleased to get out of the room. In the middle of the garden there were two picnic tables, shaded by a couple of trees. Jack decided moving out there might work to keep the ideas fresh and people awake.
They carried their things to the tables and finished their discussions about training. They were considering an online training program to allow shift workers to keep their skills up to date without having to sit down with a trainer, which would also enable them to do their training on night shift when the workload was lighter.
“It might be modular,” Bridget said. “We could buy one module, whichever would have the best return on investment, and then get the other modules in future years.”
“I’ll look into it,” one of the trainers said.
Jack was impressed by the way Bridget had taken part in the session so far. She had so many ideas and sensible suggestions to improve the plant. He was looking forward to hearing what she had to say about safety.
He wrapped up the training discussions and turned to his safety staff. “I’ve been a little alarmed at the level of safety around the plant,” he began. “We’re in real danger of someone getting badly injured. The project for encasing the relief valves in the crude unit is well underway and I appreciate all the support you’ve given Bridget.”
“The auditors don’t know what they’re talking about,” Dirk grumbled. “They think they know about safety but they don’t know shit about what will work on this plant.”
Jack couldn’t let Dirk’s comment go unanswered. “You don’t think the issues they highlighted in their audit report are a problem?”
“They’ve always been there and nothing’s happened.”
This was the kind of attitude Jack was trying to change on the rest of the site, he didn’t need someone in his own department with it as well. “We’ve been lucky so far. Bridget developed the action plan from the department’s suggestions, and its implementation will go a long way in improving the safety on the plant.”
Dirk grunted. “You’re just saying that because you want to get in her pants,” he mumbled.
Bridget gasped and then it was so silent Jack could have heard a pin drop. His staff exchanged glances, waiting for his reaction.
Dirk crossed his arms. “I’d be careful, Jack. She almost killed three guys at her previous job because she was sleeping with her boss.”
Chapter 16
Jack clenched his fists. Across from him Bridget flinched, her mouth dropping open, and then fire appeared in her eyes, telling him she was about to explode.
“That’s enough,” he said, struggling to maintain a calm tone. “By suggesting the project is a waste of time, you’re not only insulting Bridget’s and my integrity, but also the rest of the team’s. Go inside, and I’ll talk with you in a minute.” He wasn’t going to dignify Dirk’s disgusting comment with a reply.
Dirk glared at him and then looked around the table. He swore and stomped inside.
Jack let out a breath and slowly unclenched his fist. “I want to set a few things straight,” he said, making eye contact with each of his team members. “I moved in with Bridget because her roommate married my brother. I needed to find new accommodation and she needed someone to help pay the rent. It was a practical solution.” He paused, glancing at Bridget who was watching him carefully, waiting for what he was going to say next. “If any of you have concerns this arrangement will affect the way either Bridget or I behave at work, you need to raise it with HR or with me.” His team members had expressions of shock and interest. All of them met his gaze. “But if anyone insults either Bridget or myself the way Dirk just did, there will be disciplinary action. Am I clear?”
Everyone nodded.
“We’ll take a fifteen-minute break.” Jack waited until they all stood and moved away.
Bridget made a beeline for her room and both Sally and Trish followed her. He didn
’t have time to go after her himself like he wanted. He needed to control his anger and deal with Dirk. He really did not need this now. Dirk’s reaction was exactly the thing Bridget had feared. Would she use this as a reason to break up?
Taking another breath, he went to face the jackass.
* * *
Bridget moved as fast as she could without running, heading to the privacy of her room. Part of her wanted to rage and part of her wanted to sob. She’d never got along with Dirk, but for him to say those things in front of the whole department was just plain wrong.
She burst into the room and slammed the door behind her. She paced, clenching and unclenching her hands. She really wanted to hit something.
Preferably Dirk.
Was he the only one thinking those things, or were the others too polite to say it out loud? Was she ever going to escape the stigma of the Lionel affair? Did everyone secretly believe she was to blame?
The door behind her opened and she whirled around to find Sally and Trish.
Trish gave her a sympathetic smile. “How are you holding up?”
Bridget took a couple of breaths, trying to calm herself enough so she could speak. She focused on business first. “Does everyone believe my project is a waste of time?”
“Of course not,” Sally said. “Dirk’s a bitter man who can’t handle being told no.”
“It’s a nightmare working with him,” Trish added. “I hope Jack can get rid of him.”
Feeling a little better, Bridget stopped pacing. She turned to Trish. “We discussed the corrective actions as a group. You all had suggestions of your own.” She was sure of it.
“Yeah, and you listened to them. That action list was developed by the whole department.”
The relief was soothing. Dirk had made her doubt herself. Bridget took a breath. “What about what he said about me and Jack?”
Sally and Trish exchanged a look.
“There’s always going to be talk,” Sally said. “You know what people are like.”
“And it’s no one’s business,” Trish added. “You’re both adults. I’m pretty sure you can keep work and your private life separate.”
Bridget stared at Trish. “You think there’s something going on between us?” Had they been so obvious or was it only because of the house situation?
“I saw the way Jack looked at you when I asked him out.” Trish shrugged. “I figured even if you’re not involved, he’s interested.”
Damn him! Bridget sat down on the bed and put her hands in her head.
“Hey, Bridge, there are worse things than having a single, sexy man interested in you.”
“He’s my boss.”
“Once bitten, twice shy,” Sally said to Trish. “You know what happened.”
Everyone knew. That was part of the problem.
“Bridge, we know how dedicated you are,” said Trish. “We’ve heard you take on Kevin. There’s no way you’ll let anyone come before the safety of the plant.”
Trish’s confidence in her was comforting.
“Why don’t we go out there before Jack gets back?” Sally suggested. “You can ask the others what they think. They’ll tell it to you straight.”
She was right. If anyone disagreed with her they’d let her know. Bridget got to her feet. “Let’s go.”
Outside the others were hovering in a group talking. Jack and Dirk hadn’t returned. When Bridget approached, they stopped talking and faced her.
“All right,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Who agrees with Dirk? If any of you think I’m incompetent or that living with the boss will skew my judgment, you need to speak up.”
Jeremy was the first to respond. “We know Dirk was talking bullshit, Bridge.”
She smiled at him. He’d always been on her side.
Ken stepped forward. “I was just messing around earlier. I didn’t mean it.”
“You’ve always got our backs,” one of the trainers said.
“I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Kevin the way you do,” Sally said. “We’ve been able to achieve a lot for the environment this year because of you.”
Bridget breathed out a sigh of relief. “If you have any concerns, you’ll let me know?”
They nodded. She glanced at her watch and then at the door where Dirk and Jack had gone. She wasn’t sure how long they would be.
“Shall we get back to work?”
* * *
Jack took a moment outside of the room to calm himself further before walking in. Dirk was sitting slumped in one of the chairs.
He looked up as Jack walked in and scowled. “It’s not like I didn’t say what everyone’s thinking.”
“Your comment was completely unacceptable and Bridget would be perfectly within her rights to raise a harassment case against you.”
Dirk paled.
“What’s your problem with Bridget?”
“She’s got everyone fooled. The incident at her last job proved her incompetence but Jeremy was so blinded by her that he convinced Dionysus to hire her. To give her the job that was meant to be mine.” His words were bitter. “Then she besotted your predecessor so much she was asked to be acting manager when he got sick.”
“So you think you deserve to have my job?”
Dirk nodded, glaring at him.
Jack kept his tone even. “In the five weeks I’ve been here, I haven’t seen a single example of your ability to lead,” he said. “During the exercises yesterday you didn’t listen to others, you went off on your own and seemed incapable of working as part of a team. I would suggest that’s more likely the reason you didn’t get the job you wanted.”
Dirk flung his chair back and got to his feet. “Nobody’s going to listen to me anyway. Not if it means disagreeing with you or Bridget. I could go to HR.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jack said. “I’ll arrange a meeting with them tomorrow. I’ll send you the details.” He stood. “It’s time for us to rejoin the others.”
He took immense satisfaction at the shock that crossed Dirk’s face as he walked out of the room.
* * *
The rest of the afternoon went without a hitch. Jack was pleased that Bridget seemed OK. Whatever had happened while he was talking to Dirk had calmed her, and she took part in as much of the discussion as she had before Dirk’s interruption.
Dirk returned to the group and sat silently, scowling the whole time. There wasn’t much Jack could do about that but he would document exactly what had happened when he got home and present it to HR in the morning. He did not want someone so toxic in his department and this was the first step in getting rid of him.
When they were finished, Jack promised his team he’d collate all their ideas and they’d meet again next week to whittle the projects down to something he could present to the management team. While the team collected their things and said their goodbyes, he packed up. Bridget was talking with Trish and Sally and they both hugged her before they left.
Jack waited until everyone was gone before he approached Bridget. “How are you feeling?”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Exhausted. I want to go home and soak in the bath.”
He shut the image out of his mind. She did look tired. As they walked to his car he asked, “What happened while I was speaking with Dirk?”
“Sally and Trish talked to me. Trish is convinced we’re involved, but she doesn’t care. Neither does Sally.” Bridget shrugged. “I spoke with the rest of the team, asked them straight out if they had a problem and they don’t. I think it’s just Dirk.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Did he tell you what his problem was?”
Jack hesitated. “I can’t tell you that, Bridge. But I can tell you I made it clear his behavior was unacceptable.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you sending him away. I was going to blow my top.”
He smiled. “I know.” Jack unlocked the car and put their bags in the trunk, before sliding into the driver’s seat. Pullin
g into the traffic, he said, “You came up with some great ideas today, both for safety and the other sections.”
“I’ve been involved in everything for the last six months,” she reminded him.
“The team respects you a lot.”
“I listen is all,” she said. “Sometimes all they need is someone to listen to them.”
Jack nodded. They all had limitations as to what they could do, whether they were time, money, or approvals, but to have someone listen to your concerns helped.
“Were you pleased with the outcomes?” Bridget asked.
“Yes. I got to know the team better and we’ve got a lot of great ideas to work toward.”
They were silent for the rest of the drive. Jack carried their bags inside and once the door was closed, he gathered Bridget into his arms.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for hours.” He held her for a long moment, needing to touch her, to offer her comfort.
She hugged him back. “What was that for?”
“For not being able to go to you after Dirk said those things.”
“You did the right thing,” she said. “Work has to come first.”
Bridget was right. She came first in everything to him, but while he was her boss, he had to be the manager and not the lover. Perhaps they couldn’t work on the same team and be involved. Perhaps it was a distraction for them both.
But he wasn’t willing to let her go.
She stepped back. “I’m going to take a bath. I need to soak my muscles and relax. Some of the exercise we did yesterday is creeping up on me.”
He wanted to ask if the bath was big enough for two, but he suspected she needed some space. “Do you want anything to eat?”
She shook her head. “I’ll make some toast when I get out if I’m hungry. We ate a lot today.”
He let her go. She wouldn’t like it if he tried to crowd her, she wasn’t one who needed pampering or molly-coddling.
No matter how much he wanted to.
* * *
Jack’s cell rang as he sat down on the couch with a beer and a sandwich.
“Jackson, did your move go well?” his mother asked.
“Hi Mom. Yeah, I got a few of my things out of storage because Tanya took her stuff to Hal’s.”
Break the Rules (The Flanagan Sisters Book 1) Page 15