Tina Beckett - Flirting With The Boss

“Everyone, this is Lorelei Hutchinson. Since Lyle Hutchinson’s death, Lori will be taking over in her father’s place. It’s thanks to her we’re all back to work on this project.” The men let go with cheers and whistles. Jace forced a smile, knowing this was a means to get this project completed. But damn, being beholden to a woman stuck in his craw. “Okay, now back to work.”

“Thank you,” Lori said. “So many people in town have been looking at me like I have two heads.”

“Has someone said anything to you?” he asked.

“No, but they’re wondering what I’m going to do.” She shrugged. “Maybe I should just make a big announcement in the town square. ‘Hey, everyone, I’m not here to cause trouble.’”

A strange protective feeling came over him. “Now that the project has started up again, maybe they’ll stop worrying.”

“I hope so. I’m bringing my sister and nephew here to live. I want to be part of this community.”

“What you did for Mac Burleson yesterday was a pretty good start.”

“Oh, Mac. Is he here?”

Jace nodded. “Yeah, he was here waiting when Toby opened the gates.”

She glanced around the area. “How is he doing?”

“Good so far.”

She looked up at Jace. “There he is. Would you mind if I talked to him for a moment?”

“No, not a problem.”

She walked across the large entry to the wall. Jace watched her acknowledge a lot of the workers before she got to Mac. She smiled and the man returned it. In fact he was smiling the whole time Lori was talking. Then he shook her hand and Lori walked back. “I just hired Mac to paint a couple of bedrooms at the house.”

“Hey, are you stealing my help?”

“No. He’s agreed to come over this weekend with his brother and paint the upstairs. I don’t think my nephew wants to sleep in a pink room.”

Jace nodded, knowing she would be erasing the last of her own memories of her childhood. “There are other bedrooms for him to sleep in.”

“I know, but it should have been changed years ago.”

“Maybe there was a reason why it hadn’t been.”

She looked at him. He saw pain, but also hope. “Lyle Hutchinson knew where I was since I left here twenty-two years ago. My father could have invited me back anytime. He chose not to.”

Lori turned to walk out and he hurried to catch up with her. “Look, Lori. I don’t know the situation.”

She stopped abruptly. “That’s right, you don’t.” She closed her eyes. “Look, it was a long time ago. My father is gone, and I’ll never know why he never came to see me. And now, why in heaven’s name does he want me to run his company?”

“I can’t answer that, either.”

“I’ve dealt with it. So now I move on and start my new life with Gina and Zack. I want them to have a fresh start here, in a new place, a new house and especially a new bedroom for my seven-year-old nephew.”

Jace frowned. “I take it Zack is without his father.”

Lori straightened. “His parents are divorced.” She glanced around. “I should be going.”

“I need to get back, too.”

They started walking toward the door. “If there’s anything you need,” she offered, “just give me a call. You have my cell phone number. I’ll be at the bank most of today.”

He walked her out. “I can handle things here.” Then he felt bad. “Maybe in a few days if you’re available we could go over some samples of tiles and flooring.”

She looked surprised at his request. “I’d like that. I want to be a part of this project.”

Her steps slowed as she made her way over the uneven boards. He took Lori’s arm, helping her along the path.

“What about the bank?”

“I doubt Mr. Neal will enjoy having me around.” She stopped suddenly and nearly lost her balance. “Oh,” she gasped.

“I got you.” He caught her in his arms. Suddenly her trim body was plastered up against him. Even with her coat he wasn’t immune to her soft curves. And he liked it. Too much. He finally got her back on her feet. “You need practical boots if you come to a construction site. Go to Travers’s Outfitters and get some that are waterproof. You don’t want to be caught in bad weather without protection.”

She stopped next to her compact car. “I need a lot of things since I’ll be living here awhile.”

“Like a car that will get through the snow. This thing will put you in a ditch on the first bad day. Get something with bulk to it. You’ll be driving your family around.”

She nodded. “I guess I need to head down to Durango and visit a dealership next week when my sister flies in.”

Before he could stop himself, he offered, “If you need any help, let me know.”

She gave him a surprised look, mirroring his own feelings.

Two hours later, Lori glanced across the conference table at the Destiny Community Bank’s loan officers, Gary Neal, Harold Brownlee and Larry McClain. The gentlemen’s club. “I disagree. In this day and age, we need to work with people and help adjust their loans.”

“In my experience,” Neal said, “if we start giving handouts, people will take advantage. And no one will pay us.”

She tried to remain calm, but she was so far out of her element it wasn’t funny.

“I never said this is a handout, more like a hand up. All I suggested is we lower the interest rates on these loans.” She pointed to the eight mortgages. “Two points. Waive the late fees and penalties. Just give these families a fighting chance to keep their homes. We’ll get the money we loaned back.” She paused to see their stunned looks and wondered if she were crazy, too.

She hurried on to say, “Mac Burleson has a job now, but he can’t catch up on his mortgage if we don’t help him.”

“We’ve always done things this way,” Larry McClain said. “Your father would never—”

Lori stiffened. “Well, I’m not my father, but he did put me in charge. In fact, I’m going to become more involved in day-to-day working here at the bank. I can see that there aren’t any women in management positions. That needs to change, too.”

The threesome gave each other panicked looks. “That’s not true. Mary O’Brien manages the tellers.”

Were these men from the Dark Ages? “I mean women in decision-making positions. It’s a changing world out there and we need to keep up. I’ve seen the profit sheet for this bank. Over the years, it’s done very well.”

Neal spoke up again. “You can’t come in here and just change everything. You’re a schoolteacher.”

Lori held her temper. “I became an expert when my father put me in charge of his company. Just so you know, not only am I a good teacher, but I also minored in business. So, gentlemen, whether you like it or not, I’m here.”

She was feeling a little shaky. What if she was making a mistake? She glanced at her watch. “I think we’ve said about everything that needs to be said for now. Good morning.” She took her purse and walked out.

She needed someone here on her side. She walked to Erin’s desk.

The girl smiled when she approached. “Hello, Ms. Hutchinson. How was your meeting?”

“Not as productive as I would have liked.” She sat down in the chair next to the desk. “Erin, could you help me?”

The girl nodded. “If I can.”

“I’m looking for someone, a woman who is qualified for a managerial position. Could you give me some candidates?”

The pretty brunette looked surprised, but then answered. “That would be Mary O’Brien and Lisa Kramer. They’ve both worked for the bank for over five years. I know Lisa has a college degree. I’m not sure Mary does, but she practically runs this bank.”

“That’s good to know, because I need someone to help me.” She was going to need a lot of help. Since her father had never promoted a woman that was one of the things she needed to change. Immediately.