Chapter 5
Cici
I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to reign in my frustration.
Josh keeps sending me reports that aren’t completed.
Or if I ask him for a file from one client, he’ll send me the wrong one.
I swear he’s doing it so I'm forced to go see him without Uncle Parker or Uncle Luke at my side. I don’t understand it one bit.
“What’s going on, sweetheart?” Uncle Luke takes a seat on the other side of my desk and watches me carefully.
“I'm getting really annoyed with Josh. Ever since Uncle Parker started coming to meetings with me, he hasn’t been giving me the files or reports I ask for. It almost seems intentional.” I frown at my computer screen.
“Why would he intentionally do bad?”
“That’s what doesn’t make sense. Uncle Parker made it clear I have the power to fire Josh for any reason. I almost feel like he wants me to approach him and talk to him without Uncle Parker around.”
“Give me a list of what you need and a list of what he gave you. I’ll go have a little talk with him.”
“But-”
“No, Cici. He thinks he can walk all over you and manipulate you. I'm not allowing that in my company and you shouldn’t allow your employees to do that either. I want you to tell Parker or me whenever Josh does something like this and we’ll handle it.”
“I just don’t want my employees to hate me.”
“And you don’t want their love if you only get it by being disrespected and manipulated.
It’s a delicate balance. Parker and your dad always preferred to be feared and respected than liked.
I try to balance the love and respect, but I'm not afraid of making enemies either. The whole purpose of you taking over your dad’s position while Parker and I are still here is so you have time to learn all of this before the company is handed off to you.
We don’t expect you to be perfect from the start… Though you basically have been.”
“Thanks, Uncle Luke… Am I the only one who’s going to work here? I don’t want to run this place alone.” I grimace at the thought.
“Lachlan wants a position here and I truly think he’ll do well.
He couldn’t care less if he’s liked or not, so that will work out well for you.
” He grins. “He’ll be working here over the summer again to learn a little more.
He only has two classes to take in the fall before he graduates so I'm hoping next year we can give him some more responsibility. I think Joey wants to come, but I can never be too certain when it comes to my daughter. She definitely takes after her mama. She’s a wild one.
” He rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide his smile.
“What about Mia?”
“Oh, little Mia.” Uncle Luke shakes his head.
“She starts college in the fall and though I think she might want to come to Scott, Powell, and Coleman, I'm not sure Parker will survive that if he’s still working here.” He chuckles.
“She sure knows how to test his patience… almost like another girl I know.” He winks at me, making me laugh.
“I only do it because it’s so easy and it’s fun.” I shrug.
“Oh, I know. Your dad always did it too. I could sit by and watch the entertainment without getting into trouble. It was great.” He stands to his full height and stares out my window for a moment. “Send me those lists and I’ll talk to Josh.”
“I already did.” I grin.
“Of course you did. I swear I’ll never get used to how you anticipate every move people make.”
“I learned it from my daddy.”
“I know you did, which is funny because he has that superpower, yet he never wanted to use it at work, only when poking his nose into peoples’ personal lives. I’ll let you know what happens with Josh.”
“Thanks.” I settle back into my chair and get back to work. The faster I can finish my list of things that need to be completed today, the faster I can go home.