Page 212 of Sing with Me

Jodie nodded. “Five months pregnant with my third child, and suddenly a single mother. You gave me a receptionist job because I can talk to people with a smile on my face no matter what my own personal circumstances look like.”

“It was temporary, but you proved yourself invaluable.”

“I worked my way up. Did you call me here to offer me a new pay raise or a Christmas bonus?”

“It’s still July,” Diehl said.

“This week is the last full week of July.” She swiped her tablet to display a large clock. She showed it to him. “FYI, your kids start school in two weeks.”

“What?” Diehl blinked. “What happened to summer?”

“Summer is gone, Mr. Brooks.”

Is Skye gone too?

“We’re closer to Christmas than ever before.”

“No, we’re not.”

Jodie leaned toward the desk between them. “Many of us are anticipating that management is working on our Christmas bonuses.”

“On that cheery note, let me ask you if these are done.” Diehl scrolled up the notes he had been jotting down on his iPad. “Riley’s new office?”

“Emptied out for her to fill in.”

Diehl wondered what Riley would say when she found out that she would be occupying Parker’s old office. “Good. Have you confirmed my meetings next week with the potential buyers of Brooks Manufacturing?”

“You don’t have to micromanage me as you have done the last twenty years,” Jodie said.

“Yes or no?”

“Yes. I also resolved some scheduling conflicts with some of the meetings because your dad wants to meet a couple of them at the golf course instead of here in the office, and two of them canceled.”

“Reasons?”

“None, sir. I tried to pry—I mean, ask.”

“And?”

“Being friends with their administrative assistants helps.”

“And?” Diehl was getting impatient.

“In both cases, there have been unconfirmed Urquhart sightings.”

“Jared. He must have found out that we’re selling Brooks Manufacturing. What could he be thinking?”

“That Brooks Investments is in some sort of financial trouble. Mr. Urquhart is known as a vulture.”

“More like a buzzard.” Diehl leaned back in his chair.

“Do you want me to schedule a meeting with the buzzard, sir? For the kill?”

“Nah. His office will give you the runaround. I’ll call his private line myself.” Maybe he could congratulate Jared on his newly acquired position as the majority shareholder of Saffron on Jekyll.

“Anything else, sir?” Jodie asked.

“That’s all.”

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