Christmas Elopement. Anne Eames
Читать онлайн книгу.
Dwayne looked crushed, but put up a brave front.”Very well. I’ll call you tomorrow and we can discuss it then.” He slid out from the booth and Carrie followed suit, Cash right behind her.
Carrie held out her hand to Dwayne.”Thank you, Dwayne. I appreciate your help.”
“My pleasure, Carrie,” he said, with another limp shake.
She turned to face Cash, not certain what to say. As much as another interview would have been encouraging, she felt a measure of relief at having been politely put off. Before she could speak, he took her hand between both of his. He didn’t shake it, but held it there gently. It was something far more intimate than she would have expected from this button-down executive type.
“It’s…well, it’s been interesting, Ms. Sargent.” A smile lingering on his lips, he turned and left, his hand now on Dwayne’s shoulder, nudging him out the door.
She stood there a moment longer, staring after them. Cash wasn’t going to call her back; she knew that. There were other jobs. She’d find something else in time.
So why did his rejection feel like a sharp jab to the solar plexus?
“What do you mean Sam’s not here?” Cash lowered his voice and tried again. It wasn’t Peg’s fault things were in chaos.”Did you try the yard?”
“Yes, sir. Uh—” she swallowed hard, then finished in a flurry”—his wife just called. He’s sick and won’t be in today.”
“Again? How many times does that make this month?” Peg started for the file cabinet and Cash stopped her.”Never mind, Peg. I’ll look into it later. For now, why don’t you try to find Flutie for me? We need to talk.”
The phone rang and Peg darted back to her desk.
“Good morning, Cunningham Construction.”
“Good morning, Peg. Dwayne Flutie here.”
“Mr. Flutie! I was just about to call you. Just a moment and I’ll transfer you right to Mr. Cunningham.”
With a blueprint propped open with his elbow, Cash picked up the receiver and barked a greeting.”Hello?”
“Cash…Peg tells me you wanted to talk. Could this have anything to do with last night’s meeting in Carmel?”
Cash could hear the dollar signs in Flutie’s tone and mentally calculated how much this decision was going to cost him. He sighed out his answer.”Yes, it does. Why don’t you give her a call and see if we can talk before the lunch crowd arrives? Tell her I can be there by eleven.”
“Wouldn’t you rather she come to your office?”
He didn’t have time to wait for her day off, whenever that might be. If he made an offer, she’d probably have to give notice at the pub.”No. I’d rather go there…as soon as possible.” There was a moment of silence at the other end of the line. “Is there a problem?”
“Well…actually, I have a luncheon appointment I can’t break at this short notice.”
Ah, gee. That’s too bad.”Look…Dwayne…” He swallowed a smirk and forced his voice to remain even.”I promise to behave myself in your absence. And by the way, you were right. She does seem to be the perfect person for the job.”
“Thank you, Cash.” Another pause, then,”You know, I should be the one to discuss her compensation package with her, should you get that far.”
So you can hold me up for the highest possible salary and a higher commission.”Yes, I know.” He purposely avoided answering the question, giving his own directive instead.”Give her a call and let Peg know, okay?”
“I’ll get right on it.”
Cash eyed the blueprint in front of him, then checked his watch. If he left now, he could visit at least one job site and still make it to the pub on time. He rolled up the blueprint, shoved it into its labeled tube and grabbed his briefcase.
As he passed Peg’s desk, he called over his shoulder,”Flutie’s going to be calling me back. Catch me on the mobile with his answer. I’ll be back after two, Peg.”
Peg waved an acknowledgment and picked up the next call.
Carrie replaced the receiver and met Gus’s curious gaze.
“Cunningham wants to talk with me…here at eleven.”
“How ‘bout that! He’s not as pigheaded as I thought he was,” Gus said with a devilish twinkle in his eye. “I think you have a new job, lass.”
A part of her said Gus was right. Another part left her breathless and worried. But there wasn’t time to analyze why. Tables needed setup and the bar needed restocking. She pulled a couple of fifths from the crate, wiped them with a damp cloth and found empty spaces behind Gus. “Even if he makes an offer—which isn’t at all a sure thing-I’ll still give you two weeks’ notice.”
Gus stopped wiping the counter and faced her.”You’ll do no such thing, Carrie Sargent. If he wants you to start tomorrow, you go.”
“But you’ve already scheduled—”
He gripped her by the shoulders and finished her sentence.”I’ve already scheduled you for more hours than two of my regulars…which means they’re grousing among themselves when they know I’m listening. So it’s settled, lass.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Gus?” She’d half suspected as much from her lukewarm treatment by the other waitresses, but she’d hoped it was just because she was new and had to prove herself.
“Because I knew you’d find something soon and they’d get over it. Besides, the same ones complain when I don’t give ‘em enough time off. So now, Carrie darlin’, do we have a deal?”
She pulled him into a bear hug.”You’re not the crusty old goat you pretend to be, Gus McGee,” she said, a sheen settling over her eyes.
He thumped her on the back and returned to his chores, disguising his own emotions with a gruff response.”Well, we’ll see about that. If ya don’t get those tables ready before I open the door, I might have to fire ya before ya ever set eyes on that Mr. Cunningham.”
She threw a stack of napkins atop a tray of silverware and rushed around the end of the bar, doing her best to feign fear at his idle threat.
Her tasks were barely complete when Gus unlocked the door at 10:30 and a stream of patrons rushed in. Carrie greeted them all with a smile, calling the regulars by name as she ushered them to a booth or table. It was nearly eleven before more help arrived and the customers’ needs were all attended to. She’d intentionally left the front booth by the window unoccupied. Now she noticed the lone figure there. He’d seated himself and was patiently waiting, watching her every move. Dark hair and blue eyes faced her whenever she stole a peek.
Finally Gus took her tray and whispered hear her ear,”What are you waiting for? Christmas? Go talk to the man, lass. We got things covered.”
Carrie wiped her hands on her apron and tucked unruly curls behind each ear, exhaled a long breath and walked to the corner booth. She slid in opposite him, noticing her shortness of breath—which seemed to be a recurring problem whenever she was near this man. Was she intimidated or bedazzled? Either way, she didn’t like it, and she fought for a measure of control.
“Would you like some coffee?” Way to go. Start off subservient. That strengthens your position.
“No, thanks. I’ve had my fill for the day.” His planner was open to blank note pages, with his pen resting on top.”Are you sure you can spare the time now? I don’t want to cause you trouble on the job.”
Well, I’ll be! Sensitivity. Maybe she’d misjudged him.”It’s okay. I told Gus