Chapter 7
Charlotte
Tip #7: If your boss’s family adopts you as “practically a grandchild,” prepare for unsolicited life advice, thinly veiled guilt trips, and extra servings of garlic mashed potatoes.
M y heels clicked on the polished hardwood floors as Isaac and I hurried down the hallway toward the dining room. We were late.
“We stayed too long at the office.” I shook my head, making my ponytail swing around and almost hit me in the face.
Isaac glanced at his watch—a silver one I’d given him for his birthday last year. (Watches were always a safe gift option with Isaac, and this one was more expensive and nicer than the others I’d previously gotten him thanks to my generous salary.) “We’ll make it in time for the main course at least. My family will understand, Charlotte. Working overtime is part of the job.”
I shot him an exasperated look. “Even if we’re on time for the entrées, it’s still rude to show up this late. Your family may tolerate it, but they shouldn’t have to.”
He raised an eyebrow at me as we approached the dining room door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said too quickly.
His gray eyes narrowed. “Charlotte….”
I squared my shoulders. “This is just another reminder of why I need to leave Warner Print. Working late shouldn’t be the norm.”
Isaac’s brow furrowed, but before he could respond, I pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped into the dining room of Estelle Warner’s house.
The scene before us looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. A glittering crystal chandelier cast warm light over the long wooden table where the Warner family was gathered. Chairs with elegant upholstery were tucked around the table, and steam wafted up as Estelle, Walter, and the others lifted polished silver domes off the platters of food.
Six pairs of eyes glanced up as we entered. “Charlotte, Isaac, you’ve made it!” Estelle stood up and crossed the room to greet us. The click-clack of tiny paws on the floor announced Chuck’s arrival as the chubby terrier-pug trotted along at her side.
“Sorry we’re late,” I apologized, bending to pat Chuck’s head. He snuffled happily, his stubby tail wagging. The way he sat made fat rolls appear around his neck, and his belly looked unusually round.
Estelle took great pains with Chuck’s health (I didn’t even know dog chiropractors were a thing until Estelle decided Chuck needed one) but now the pooch resembled a fuzzy butterball.
“Don’t worry about being late; you arrived at an excellent time! We’re only now uncovering the main course.” Estelle smiled warmly before giving me an airy hug. I barely had time to smell her familiar perfume before she patted my back and released me. “How are you, dear?”
“I’m great,” I said. “Chuck is looking… ” I trailed off, unsure how to describe his portly state.
Estelle sighed. “Yes, he is quite overweight,” she said. “I’ve had to harden my heart to his sweet begging. The vet told me his weight could hurt his joints and had me put him on a special diet. But even though I’ve been very strict with the food and limited his treats for the past three weeks, he doesn’t seem to be losing any weight.” Estelle hovered over her dog like an anxious mother.
I patted the well-fed dog. “I’m sorry to hear about your diet, Chuck.”
Chuck panted happily, then sneezed twice.
“Take a seat, Charlotte,” Walter Warner called to me.
“Thank you, I will.” I circled the table, aiming for the open chair next to Jenna, and did my best to ignore the knowing looks Samuel was shooting Logan and Isaac.
All of the Warners knew I had given Isaac my resignation, however, this was the first time I’d be seeing them outside of office hours and work events since the announcement.
“Hello, Jenna,” I said, greeting Isaac’s cousin, who was Logan’s older sister. “Your fiancé couldn’t make it tonight?”
“No, Owen had a night shift at the hospital. But hold up, I want a hug!” Jenna slipped out of her chair so she could give me a tight hug.
Across the table, Isaac greeted Estelle. “Mother.” He kissed her cheek.
“Good evening, Isaac. Thank you for making time to come.” Estelle fondly patted Isaac’s cheek then shooed him to his seat as she took her own at the head of the table.
Jenna was still hugging me when Isaac approached us—he’d have to take the only other empty chair between Logan and myself.
“Hi, Isaac.” Jenna beamed at her cousin and gave him a much shorter hug before she plopped down in her chair.
“Hello, Jenna,” Isaac acknowledged as he pulled my chair out for me.
I gave Isaac a quick smile of thanks and was unsurprised when he gently held my elbow to stabilize me as I sat.
The entire thing was a dance I was used to—Isaac was forever linking his arm with mine, pulling out chairs, or opening doors for me thanks to all the social events we attended together on behalf of the business.
As a result, I was used to the feeling of Isaac’s fingers grazing my arm. Although… his warm hand on my elbow lingered a few moments longer than usual. It was enough to grab my attention, so I glanced up at him.
He must not have realized he was holding on, because he blinked in surprise, then gave me a brief smile before letting me go and seating himself.
The scent of herb-roasted chicken and garlic mashed potatoes wafted through the air as dishes clinked and platters were passed around. I served myself a helping of glazed carrots, the caramelized honey glaze glistening in the light.
“Let me guess: Work kept you late again?” Samuel asked Isaac, his tone sarcastic but not unkind.
Isaac took the carrots from me. “We had some documents to review before tomorrow’s meetings. It was a tight deadline.”
Walter jabbed his fork in Isaac’s direction. “This is why Charlotte is quitting. You two can’t even make it to a family dinner on time because of all the extra work you insist on taking on.”
“I’m the CFO, Grandfather. I can’t delegate someone else to be on top of Warner Print’s finances; it’s my job,” Isaac clinically said.
Walter flattened his lips into a thin line as he cut into his chicken.
I avoided acknowledging the conversation and reached for my wineglass to take a fortifying sip of the rich merlot. Underneath the table, I felt something brush against my foot. Glancing down, I spotted Chuck sitting by my chair, his stubby tail dusting back and forth as he adoringly gazed up at Isaac.
Since when was Chuck so enamored with Isaac?
“Logan told me you were quitting,” Jenna said, jumping into the conversation. “But I couldn’t believe it until I heard it straight from you. So, are you really leaving?”
“I am,” I said.
“Are you absolutely certain you can’t be convinced to stay?” Samuel asked. “I’ll do whatever it takes, even if it means stealing you from Isaac.”
I smiled and shook my head but grew puzzled when I heard enthusiastic smacking that didn’t sound like it came from a human. Curious, I peeked under the table again just in time to see Isaac discreetly slip Chuck another piece of chicken. Chuck was so deliriously happy with the treat his breath came in quiet snorts that reminded me of a pig.
Well. Two mysteries solved: Chuck’s presence and why his diet wasn’t working.
“Samuel, don’t push Charlotte’s boundaries—you need to respect her choices,” Estelle firmly said.
“Thank you for the support,” I said. “I didn’t expect anyone to understand my reasoning.”
“As someone who married into the family, I understand all too well.” Estelle shook her head in mock anger. “And if any of these young men try to guilt you, tell me and I shall set them straight.”
“You’re too sweet, but hopefully I won’t have to take you up on the offer,” I said.
I felt something brush against my suit pants, and I glanced down in time to see Chuck trot past me, heading to a different part of the table.
“Estelle isn’t the only one on your side.” Walter nodded at his daughter-in-law. “I also think you’re making the right choice. Working yourselves to the bone as you are? That’s no way to live—you don’t even have enough time to watch any television!”
“Picking alliances, Grandfather, and not siding with Warner Print? How traitorous.” Isaac took a roll that was so fresh out of the oven it was still steaming from the basket, and set it on my plate before getting one for himself.
“Hardly. Charlotte is an honorary granddaughter,” Walter declared. “I want her to be happy.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest at his words even as Isaac and I exchanged a rueful glance. (It was no small wonder why so many Warner Print clients thought we were married.)
“I can certainly see why you want to leave, especially when you and Isaac work so late all the time.” Jenna leaned forward so she could look around me and give Isaac the side-eye. “But selfishly, I also want you to stay on. Not for work reasons, but because I’ll miss you terribly if you go.”
“Agreed,” Logan chimed in, surprising me. It was the first word he’d spoken since we’d arrived.
I smiled at them both. “That sounds like a compliment—that you’ll miss me.”
“It definitely is,” Jenna assured me earnestly. “Like Grandpa said, you’re part of the family now whether you like it or not.”
An odd snuffling sound caught my attention. I pretended to drop my napkin and leaned down to retrieve it. Just as I’d thought, Walter was surreptitiously feeding Chuck a morsel of his potatoes under the table. The dog licked Walter’s fingers clean, his entire back end shimmying with glee.
Sitting back up, I fought to keep a straight face. If Walter and Isaac were slipping the canine snacks, what were the chances Samuel was too? (All three Warner men claimed to tolerate Chuck for Estelle’s sake, and yet here was Chuck, resembling a blown-up balloon.)
“Anyway!” Jenna continued, her blue eyes wide and earnest. “I really hope you at least stay in the area, Charlotte. I would be devastated if you moved away.”
Isaac’s fork clattered against his plate. “Move away?” he repeated, his voice devoid of inflection. “Why would Charlotte move?”
“She’d have to, wouldn’t she?” Jenna nibbled on her chicken. “Fox Creek is a small town with a lot of small-scale businesses, so there aren’t a lot of job opportunities for someone with Charlotte’s impressive résumé. I just assumed she’d have to relocate to a bigger city.”
Isaac was suspiciously silent and tense next to me, so I glanced up at him and was surprised to see a myriad of emotions flickering across his face. Shock. Disbelief. Something that looked almost like… pain?
“You’re right, Jenna,” Samuel said slowly, horror dawning on his face. “I hadn’t even considered that.”
All eyes turned to me. I swallowed a bite of the formerly mouthwatering garlic mashed potatoes, the flavors suddenly tasteless on my tongue. “I… haven’t really thought that far ahead,” I admitted. “I don’t have another job lined up yet.”
Feeling like a child caught making a foolish decision, I looked from Estelle to Walter and rushed to add, “However, I didn’t do this impulsively. I made sure to save up enough cash to cover my expenses for several months. And I’m planning to start my job search before I leave on my Switzerland trip.”
“Switzerland trip?” Natalie asked.
“To celebrate my new stage in life,” I said. “I’ve always wanted to see Switzerland, but I didn’t have the time or resources.”
I was overpaid in my position, but there was a reason I’d waited as long as I had before even considering quitting. I’d paid off all my student loans, helped my parents with some medical debts, paid off my car loan, and obsessively funded my employee 401(k) plan.
Walter grunted, seemingly satisfied with my answer, but Estelle’s eyes sparkled as she declared, “A vacation sounds lovely, dear! You deserve a chance to relax and see the world.”
I glanced around the table, noting how Samuel’s face had fallen into a pinched, pained expression, while Isaac’s remained as icy as a Fox Creek winter.
Natalie piped up, her voice bright and earnest. “Congratulations on the trip—I hope you send us pictures! If you ever want to work for city hall, I’d be more than happy to put in a good word for you.” She leaned over the table conspiratorially, her ash-brown waves tumbling over her shoulder as she stage-whispered, “Though, between you and me, I wouldn’t recommend it. With your finance experience, they’d definitely snatch you up, but that would mean dealing with the town board.”
Jenna scooped a serving of strawberry-spinach salad onto her plate. “And that would be bad?”
“Right now? Absolutely.” Natalie made a face. “There are two board members—Mr. Donald and Mrs. Yarnner—who have a full-blown neighborhood feud going on between them. They love using city finances as an excuse for a verbal brawl, and you do not want to get pulled into it.”
Logan shifted in his chair. “What are they fighting over?”
“Mrs. Yarnner’s son broke up with Mr. Donald’s daughter,” Natalie explained. “So naturally, Mr. Donald is convinced Mrs. Yarnner raised her son to be a cave troll who doesn’t appreciate his daughter, while Mrs. Yarnner says Mr. Donald’s daughter is an immature, clingy girl.”
I ate my glazed carrots, fascinated. “Who is right?”
“Honestly, they both are,” Natalie said. “Their kids are teenagers. With all those raging hormones, neither is a model of good decision-making or emotional maturity.”
“Oh my,” Estelle murmured, her hand fluttering to her chest.
Natalie nodded sagely. “City politics can be very personal in small towns.”
During Natalie’s explanation, I thought I heard the telltale pad of Chuck’s paws, so when I got the chance, I snuck a peek under the table. As expected, Chuck practically tap-danced around Samuel’s legs with excitement as Samuel slipped him a slice of strawberry from the salad.
Yep. The Warner men were total goners for Estelle’s pet. I would need to think of a way to subtly clue Estelle in, or Chuck was never going to lose weight.
When I straightened up in my seat again, I smiled at Natalie. “Thank you for the offer, Natalie. I really appreciate it. However, I wasn’t planning a career in politics. Jenna’s guess is correct, and I will likely have to job search outside of Fox Creek.”
The words tasted bittersweet on my tongue. Although I hadn’t lived in Fox Creek until my parents moved here when I was in college, I loved this quirky little town and the people in it. Ella might be my only personal connection, but most of the city was kind and friendly, and I enjoyed the small-town charm.
Walter’s gentle voice pulled me from my melancholy thoughts. “You should take all the time you need, Charlotte, to figure out what you want your future work life to look like. Don’t let anyone rush you into a decision.”
I smiled at him, warmed by his grandfatherly concern. But before I could respond, Samuel’s playful sigh cut in.
“This hardly seems fair! If I’m not allowed to try to convince Charlotte to stay, then you”—Samuel pointed an accusing finger at Walter—“shouldn’t be able to try to encourage her to leave.”
Laughter rippled around the table at Samuel’s mock outrage. I bit back a grin as he turned to Isaac. “And you, Isaac! Why aren’t you the one confronting Grandfather about this? Are you really going to let your Charlotte slip away so easily?”
My lungs squeezed at his word choice: your Charlotte . But Isaac merely leaned back in his chair, his expression as inscrutable as ever. The motion gave me a clear view of Logan on his other side, and I watched as the stoic man bent down to scoop up a happy and panting Chuck—who had probably been hoping Logan would feed him too.
Logan settled the chubby pup in his lap, absent-mindedly scratching behind his ears. Estelle cooed at the adorable sight until her brow abruptly wrinkled.
“Why does Chuck have crumbs all over his muzzle?”
Maybe I wouldn’t need to clue Estelle in after all.
Samuel smoothly interjected. “He’s a dog, Mother. He was probably just sniffing around for fallen scraps under the table.” He shrugged casually.
Estelle, normally all elegance and beauty, narrowed her eyes to slits. She looked from Logan to the others, her gaze finally coming to rest on her father-in-law and sons.
Logan, the traitor, pointed silently at Samuel, Walter, and Isaac in turn.
“You’re feeding him?” Estelle thundered. “And human food, no less?”
“Who, me?” Walter said, playing dumb.
“I would never!” Samuel declared.
“Neither of you are fooling me—there are potatoes on Chuck’s whiskers! And don’t think I haven’t noticed you avoiding my eye, Isaac. You three ought to be ashamed of yourselves!” Estelle scolded, though the twinkle in her eye belied any real anger. “Sneaking poor Chuck forbidden snacks when you know he’s on a diet!”
Walter deliberately avoided Estelle’s pointed look, his eyes darting guiltily around the room. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Estelle.”
Samuel sighed indignantly. “Logan, you traitor. Selling out your own flesh and blood? Whatever happened to family loyalty? And you’re my designated attorney!”
Logan shrugged, unperturbed. “Sorry. I don’t represent liars.” He scratched behind Chuck’s ears, prompting a happy yip from the pampered pup.
“I suppose this means you boys are volunteering to take Chuck on extra walks to work off all those illicit treats?” Natalie chimed in with a mischievous grin.
Walter’s eyes widened in horror. “Absolutely not! I’ll have you know my knees aren’t what they used to be. I’m not about to go traipsing around with that furball.”
Jenna burst into laughter as Samuel declared Logan had no proof as to who had fed the dog, and I sat back in my chair and observed the chaos with a smile.
This was why I enjoyed spending time with the Warners even though they were technically my bosses. They weren’t just warm and gracious, they welcomed me into their familial bickering and good-natured teasing, and despite all their wealth and prestige, they acted like any other family. (Any other family if I ignored the lakeside mansions, catered dinners, and the fact that Warner Print had a company jet.)
As the banter continued, I snuck a glance at Isaac. He was staring down at his plate, his brow furrowed.
Concerned, I brushed his arm with my fingers. “Are you OK?”
He blinked, as if startled from a deep thought. Then his face smoothed and he offered me a small nod. “I’m fine. I was merely lost in my head.”
He glanced at the still-squabbling Samuel and Walter waging a verbal war on Logan. “I’d apologize for their behavior,” Isaac said ruefully. “But I imagine it wouldn’t do any good as you know they really are just as petty and childish as they’re acting.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for—I love it. The noise, the chaos, the way you all rib each other precisely because you love each other.” I smiled wistfully. “It reminds me of my own siblings. I haven’t seen them in ages.”
As I was the youngest child in my family, I was also the only one who had followed Mom and Dad to Fox Creek. The rest of my siblings had settled elsewhere in Wisconsin.
Isaac studied me for a long moment, his brow furrowing slightly. “I’m assuming you haven’t seen them because you work too many hours?”
I hesitated, but there was no point in sugarcoating the truth. “Yeah.”
He nodded slowly, his expression pensive. “I see.” A pause, then, “Charlotte, be honest with me. Since you became my executive assistant, have you spent more time with my family than your own?”
I didn’t even have to think about my answer. “Yes.”
Something seemed to click behind Isaac’s eyes, as if he finally really understood why I was so adamant that I had to leave.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as he absorbed this new information. Around us, the lively chatter of his family continued, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter.
“I’m sorry,” he said at last, his voice low and sincere. “My family shouldn’t have become more of a constant in your life than your own.”
“While I’m happy you seem to finally get my thought process for quitting, I do bear some of the responsibility, as I could have ignored the office problems and gone on vacation anyway,” I said. “Besides, your family is great. I love spending time with them.”
I smiled fondly at the gregarious family I’d come to know so well that I didn’t even question the oddity of Warner Print’s founder quarreling with the current CEO while the CLO held Chuck out like a baby so Estelle could wipe his muzzle free of potatoes.
Isaac remained thoughtfully quiet next to me, and I didn’t know quite how to interpret it. Was he starting to accept my decision, or was he quiet because now that he was armed with more knowledge he could think of new ways to convince me to stay?
While the dreamy part of me—which seemed to have noticeably questionable intelligence—would like to assume Isaac was thinking of me, I knew my boss/friend all too well.
Isaac loved Warner Print, so it was unlikely he was thinking of me first.