Page 3 of Restored By the Mountain Man
“My office,” I rasp.
“Right,” she shakes off the brief raw moment and hides back behind that assertive, friendly city girl demeanor.
As we make our way toward the west offices where Nash’s and mine are located, I review her portfolio. Assessment: Zoe Diaz isn’t fond of silence.
"This is a serious setup," she observes, examining a high-end spectrometer we pass on the way.
Keeping my eyes on her last projects in Portland, I reply, "We take quality seriously. Our reputation depends on it."
And as much as I’d like to find some fault, any fault whatsoever with her qualifications, I can’t. She’s the damn best candidate we’ve come across. I’d be an idiot not to hire her.
I open my office door, making room for her to enter. She thanks me with a business-appropriate smile. I catch myself cataloging the four distinct smiles I’ve already witnessed from Zoe Diaz in such a short time.
“Please, have a seat,” I tell her, sitting in my chair, oddly thankful for the barrier of my desk between us.
Holding in my defeated sigh, I open the left drawer, retrieving the hire folder. I lay it in front of her. "The formal job description, compensation package, and benefits information."
Her eyes briefly widen before she quickly adjusts her stunned reaction. Opening to review the contents inside, she asks, "Don't you want time to consider other candidates?"
I’m not one to waste time. I give her honesty. "I've already interviewed three others. None of them understood both the science and the craft the way you do." I pause. A brief moment to decide if this will lead to trouble or not.
If so, that’s my problem. Not hers. "The position is yours if you want it."
"I want it," she says decisively. "When would you like me to start?"
In true Zoe Diaz fashion, I expected nothing less.
"Monday," I answer. "Unless that's too soon?"
"Monday works for me," she confirms. "I'll make it happen."
I nod once, determined to figure out this reaction to her and squash it. Immediately. "Cynthia will help you complete the necessary paperwork before you leave today."
I send a message to Cynthia from my desktop. Efficient as ever, there's a knock at the door before Cynthia peeks in. "If you’re ready, I’ll escort Ms. Diaz to HR.”
I stand, ready to get the fuck out of here so I can shake off her effect on me.
"Welcome to Hunter Distillery, Zoe."
There’s one of the four smiles again. "Thank you for the opportunity." She extends her hand for a formal shake.
Almost to defiantly prove to myself today’s strange behavior has nothing to do with her specifically, I take her much smaller hand in mine.
Of course, it’s the softest skin I’ve ever held.
"I won't disappoint you,” she says confidently, letting go and following Cynthia out.
Who am I kidding? This is a hundred percent about her. In the past thirteen years, I only had eyes for one woman.
I lean against the wall behind my desk, thumping the back of my head a few times.
I close my eyes and whisper, “Liz. I’m so sorry.”
CHAPTER 2
ZOE
An hour later, after completing paperwork with HR, I sit in my car, still processing what just happened. I've been offered my dream job. I'm moving to Eden Ridge. Everything is happening so fast, I barely have time to second-guess myself.
