Chapter 5 Callum
FIVE
Callum
I skulked around the hospital hallways for a while to give Rosie and Zandra a chance to visit with Manny. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and the antiseptic smell made my stomach churn.
Or maybe that was just a rare case of anxiety getting to me.
My flirtatious nature had caused me trouble on occasion, but I’d always managed to skate through without too much drama. Hitting on my boss’s beloved granddaughter, though? That had been a mistake of epic proportions. Everybody at Hearthstone knew how much Manny adored Zandra.
The only thing that could’ve been worse? If I’d actually slept with her, and Manny had found out about it.
Why didn’t he have any current photos of Z in his office? As it was, she looked a lot more grown-up than she had back in high school.
Back then, she’d always worn her hair in a thick braid, and despite her constant scowling and growling at me in class, there had been something…innocent about her.
Any time she’d been around, my eyes had drifted her way, my brain puzzling over her like she was a complex football play I couldn’t figure out. I hadn’t been able to understand why she didn’t like me.
Didn’t make any more sense to me now.
In fact, I was amazed Zandra would care enough about me to hold on to a grudge, considering everything she’d accomplished since graduation. Neither of us was in the same place we’d been back then.
But that same old feeling crept up my spine. Frustration over the fact that Zandra couldn’t stand me.
After visiting the cafeteria for a terrible cup of coffee, I poked my head into Manny’s room. He was propped up in bed, watching something on the TV.
The coast was clear.
“Ah, there you are, Callum,” he grunted. “Was hoping you’d come back. Though you must have better things to do with your day than visit a decrepit old guy like me.”
“Please. You can’t pull off the humble routine any better than I can, Manny.”
He chuckled. “We have that much in common.”
“We do. Besides, I had to come see you because I can’t resist a pity case.” I settled into the chair beside his bed. “Gotta get that good karma.”
He laughed, this time deep from his belly. “Anyone else, and I’d assume they’re just brown-nosing the boss.”
“Good thing you know me better than that.” I pulled out my travel backgammon set and placed it on his bed table. “Ready for me to wipe the floor with you?”
“Big talk considering that’s never happened yet.”
“How do you know I haven’t been hustling you?” I asked. “I’m playing the long game.”
He snorted. “At this rate, I’ll croak before you reveal your skills.”
We’d started our routine of playing backgammon last year. Sometimes Manny got worked up about vendors screwing up our orders or budgets not lining up. The many stresses of owning a business, I guessed. When he got like that, I could usually turn around his mood with a game.
Probably didn’t hurt that I sucked at this, and he always won. But I was determined to get better at it.
I’d never been close to my own grandparents. Growing up, Mom had done her best to take care of the four of us, no thanks to our dad. After she died, us kids had taken care of ourselves, along with Teller and Piper Landry across the street.
So it was nice to see how much Manny loved his granddaughter, even if a part of me was a little envious too. She had her grandpa, her aunt, and two parents.
Only child, though. I wondered what that was like.
Manny and I played in comfortable silence for a while, the familiar rhythm of the dice and the click of the pieces soothing my edges. Finally, I worked up the courage to broach the very subject that had been weighing on me.
“I was surprised to see Zandra back in town.”
Manny’s face softened with unmistakable pride. “It’s good to have her around again, though I wish the circumstances were different. She’s had a hard time lately.”
My brow wrinkled. “She has?”
“Some drama with a boyfriend. Good riddance, if you ask me. But now she’s back home. Maybe I should be grateful her ex is an idiot.”
My mouth ticked up with a smile, but the thought of Zandra struggling put a damper on that.
I hadn’t even thought about other reasons Z might be in town.
I’d just assumed she’d left her fabulous life in whatever big city she was conquering to help out the family.
The idea that she might be running from something, some asshole guy, didn’t sit right.
“She doesn’t like me much,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“Don’t worry about it. Zandra takes after me. She’s crotchety beyond her years.”
I laughed. “Not going to argue with you there.”
“She doesn’t like most folks, and neither do I. But she’ll probably warm up to you. I did. You have a tendency to grow on people.”
“Like athlete’s foot?”
“You read my mind.”
Inside, I could only hope Zandra would give me a break. At least it seemed like she hadn’t badmouthed me to her grandfather. Yet. She’d said she wouldn’t, but she’d always been unpredictable. I was relieved she hadn’t done anything overt to screw me over out of spite.
There was more I wanted to talk about with Manny, though. I’d genuinely come to spend time with him. But yeah, I had an agenda. And I had to think he’d understand.
Since I’d started at Hearthstone, Manny had become a mentor. Never went too easy on me and didn’t insult my intelligence either. When I’d asked for more responsibility in the past, he’d given me a chance. He’d always been accepting of my volunteer firefighter duties too.
I had to believe that, if I told him I wanted the general manager position, he’d give me a fair shot.
“You haven’t changed your mind about hiring someone to replace you at Hearthstone?” I asked.
He made a show of grumbling about it, muttering something about being put out to pasture, but eventually nodded. “It’s time.”
“I was thinking about applying.”
“Bar manager not enough for you?”
“I think I’ve done a great job, and I’m ready for a bigger challenge.
I know Hearthstone inside and out.” I launched into the argument I’d rehearsed.
“As bar manager, I’ve gotten to know the brewery side of things by working closely with Russ.
I know the restaurant too. And I’ve been filling in for you here and there while you’ve been gone.
Working with suppliers. Handling employee issues. ”
“With my active supervision,” he noted.
“Yes. But I’ve been picking things up fast.”
He folded his hands on his stomach, his expression turning thoughtful. “You do pay attention. More than most. You’re a good kid.”
“I’m thirty-four. Hardly a kid.”
“When you’re my age, everybody seems like a kid. But that wasn’t a criticism. I like you, and I trust you. Do I think you’re ready to run Hearthstone? I don’t know. That’s a tall order.”
“If you’re worried about my firefighting duties—”
“If anything, that proves your resilience. Same with your military service. Numbers and spreadsheets don’t come naturally to you, but you’re a strong leader to the other employees. I’ve also never once seen you give up on anything, no matter how difficult. That’s a rare quality.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He sighed, scratching his head. “But the issue is my granddaughter.”
Oh, hell. Maybe she’d said something to him after all.
But then Manny continued. “With Zandra back in town, she could potentially take over operations herself. Step into my shoes.”
And now I truly felt like an idiot. How had I not seen this coming?
Zandra had a business degree. She was family. How could I ever compete with that?
“No worries. I totally get it. Family comes first.” I hadn’t even considered applying for the job a few days ago, but dammit, the disappointment stung.
“Now, don’t give me that hangdog face. I’m not saying you have no shot.”
My eyes lifted.
“You really want this, Callum? It’s not just an increase in salary. It’s a heck of a lot of work.”
Before I could respond, there was a soft knock. Zandra appeared in the doorway, but when she saw me sitting there, she took a step back. “Sorry. Rosie and I finished lunch, and I thought I’d say goodbye before I drove back to Silver Ridge, but I can come back later.”
“Nonsense,” Manny called out. “It’s ideal timing you’re here. I need to talk to you and Callum both. I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“Uh oh,” I muttered. “Is that good or bad?”
“No jokes right now, Callum,” my boss grumped. “Zandra, don’t make me wait. Come sit down.”
She came in, her eyes darting between her grandfather and me. I just shrugged and subtly shook my head. I didn’t know what Manny was going to say either.
Yet a touch of warmth flared in my belly, just from having her closer.
“It seems you’re both interested in replacing me as the head of Hearthstone Brewing. And I believe you’re both excellent candidates.”
Zandra’s gaze flew to me again. “Callum too? You’re sure?”
I gave her a sardonic stare. “I’m the only other person in here.”
“Callum, you’ve been a loyal employee for years. You’ve proven yourself time and again. But you don’t have broader business experience. You also have a tendency toward being too friendly and familiar. In other words, you need to learn to keep your dick in your pants with the customers.”
Zandra snorted, then tried to cover it with a cough.
“Yes, sir.” My face burned, though everything he’d said was true.
His granddaughter looked like she was loving every second.
Then Manny turned to her. “Zandra, you have the smarts and the degree, as well as business experience. Of course, the results of your last venture were…” He paused. “Less than stellar. More like a dumpster fire, from what I’ve read about your company’s demise online.”
That satisfied expression slid off her face, and I felt a stab of sympathy. So she’d had a bad breakup and a career setback? Maybe that explained why she’d been so extra pissy.
“I can always trust you not to hold back, Grandpa.”
“And why would I? You’re both tough. You can take the truth.”
I stood and crossed my arms, shifting on my feet. “Then tell me straight, Manny. Would you honestly hire me over your granddaughter?”
“I would. I don’t believe in nepotism. But you’d have to earn it, Callum. So would she.” There was something devious in his smile.
“How?”
“Exactly,” Zandra chimed in. “What is it you have in mind?”
“A two-month trial period. You’ll work together. Callum, I want you to help Zandra get to know Hearthstone as it operates today. Show her the ropes. She knows plenty, but she’s never worked for a restaurant or brewery before, much less been in charge of this one.”
“Okay,” I said. “I can do that.”
“And Zandra, you’ll help get Callum up to speed on the business, logistics, and management side. With plenty of input from me, of course, because I need to make sure neither of you messes this up. Hearthstone is special. I’m sure we can all agree on that.”
We both nodded.
Meanwhile, my brain was working. Could I really manage this?
“But what if Callum and I don’t work well together?” Zandra asked, her voice tight.
“Then you’ll figure it out. That’s what good managers do. At the end of the two months, I’ll hire the best person for the job, whether or not they’re related to me.”
I felt the muscle in my jaw pulsing. “Are you sure about this, Manny? Can’t you just let us interview, and you decide now?”
Z nodded along, for once agreeing with me.
But he studied us shrewdly. “That wouldn’t be any fun. Also a lot less effective. A trial period means the winner will take over with all the knowledge they need. The loser still has a job at Hearthstone regardless. But only one of you will be the boss.”
Shit. Sounded like we had no choice.
“Not afraid of a little friendly competition, are you?” Manny asked.
“No, Grandpa,” Zandra murmured. “I can handle it.” Her eyes locked on mine like she was sighting me through a scope and ready to pull the trigger.
I put my hands on my hips. “Same here. Bring it on.” Though inside, I didn’t feel nearly as confident as my voice sounded.
Zandra had already made it clear how she felt about me, and now I was supposed to work closely with her, train her, and somehow come out ahead in this competition?
I was pretty much fucked.
But, hey. That had never stopped me before.