CHAPTER ONE #2
“Just the one. I did my research into your firm. As an office, this place seems rather small for the number of people it takes to organize all the rodeos you run across the state.”
When he smiled, its warmth and welcome had the impact of a thousand suns.
“Actually, that’s a good observation. My immediate family recently relocated to Emerald Ridge or is in the process of doing so.
My dad is already here, so I came, too. What you see is essentially a two-person satellite office.
The main operations remain in Dallas, and you’ll act as my liaison between the two offices, while helping set up and run this branch.
You can decorate, if you want. I’ll give you a generous budget for that. ”
Meaning she could put her plants on the windowsill. “It could use some life,” she said diplomatically.
His laugh was deep, rich and throaty. “Exactly. Eventually, if I choose to stay in Emerald Ridge, I’m envisioning a multiyear transition.
I wanted to take some time to settle in and ensure I liked living here before I uprooted my entire company.
For now, though, this is home and if I make it permanent, then I’ll work on moving everyone else or offering generous severance packages to those employees who don’t want to relocate.
Like my former Dallas admin who chose the golden parachute and retired. ”
“Slow and steady sounds like a good plan. It’s not as if Dallas is that far of a drive if you need to be there in person when you can’t make do with a video call.”
“Exactly.” He gave a thoughtful nod before studying her for a minute. “I assume Jenny gave you the details? All the fine print as to salary and benefits.”
Rachel knew what compensation package Oakley was offering, and it was everything she could have hoped for.
Not only did it cover enough for her to afford childcare and her apartment, but after paying off her debt there might be enough left over so she could start saving again, so long as her car didn’t die.
Plus, after her forty-five-day probationary period, she’d have company-paid health insurance for her and Allie, too.
“Yes. Jenny explained the terms and they’re acceptable. ”
“Great.” He gave a pleased nod. “In that case, how about you start tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” She hated the way her voice squeaked. Her start date had come sooner than expected, and now she’d have to find a sitter on short notice.
His golden eyebrow arched in query. “Is that a problem? I’ve got a busy week filled with meetings, and tomorrow is best for me to get you onboarded.
I can have HR reach out this afternoon to set you up with login access, that sort of thing.
Jenny told me she already had you fill out all the necessary paperwork. ”
“She did and starting tomorrow will be fine.” Rachel would make it work.
Taylor, her elderly neighbor across the hall, had said she’d watch Allie whenever Rachel needed.
She was a former early childhood educator and a grandmother, and she’d been a godsend.
She’d see if she’d mind doing it until she enrolled Allie in an early childhood center.
“Great. I’ll call Jenny so she can get it set up.
” Oakley stood, indicating the interview was over.
He glanced at her fully. “Oh, and one last thing. There’s no need to dress up for me.
Feel free to be in business casual. Jeans are fine on Friday.
If there’s an occasion where we need to be more formal, I’ll let you know. ”
“Thank you. I’ll make a note of that and dress appropriately.
” She would not make a note of how well his polo and casual pants fit as he rounded the desk.
The light from the window behind him created a halo effect, as if the universe emphasized that this job was her salvation.
She bit her lower lip as he reached out his hand.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Rachel. See you tomorrow at eight.”
“See you then.” She attributed the zing that occurred when he shook her hand to the excitement of landing the most promising job opportunity she’d had in a long while. No more food deliveries…or filling people’s grocery orders. She was on her way back to something full-time and permanent.
Her phone rang before she’d reached the apartment she’d rented.
The one-bedroom unit was located over Emerald Ridge Yoga & Pilates.
Since the studio and the Fortune Rodeo offices were both on Emerald Ridge Boulevard, she’d walked to the interview.
The entrance to the building’s apartments was down a side street, and Rachel was sweating by the time she climbed the stairs to the second floor.
She stepped inside the apartment, stripped off the jacket and shirt clinging to her skin and fanned herself with her hand.
Her phone rang again and this time Rachel answered the video call from Jenny.
Because she was wearing nothing but her bra and skirt, she pressed the audio-only button.
“Congrats!” her friend said the moment Rachel answered. “I told you that the right thing would come along as long as you were patient. I’m happy for you. I just heard from Oakley, and he mentioned he wants you to start tomorrow.”
“That’s correct, and thanks—I’m happy for me, too.” Unlike Oakley’s office, the apartment AC didn’t do a good job cooling, so she flipped the switch on a small round fan she’d purchased. Air blessedly began to blow. “I needed this, Jenny.”
“I know you did. It’s been a rough go these past eighteen months. But you can put it all behind you. Now that you’re in Emerald Ridge, you and Allie will get a fresh start. No more Mitch. And the best part? No more Clemons Frost and his frivolous lawsuit.”
“That jerk.” Rachel had worse words she wanted to say about the pompous man, but thanks to some free-trial yoga classes she’d taken downstairs, she’d been working on using calming techniques to achieve inner peace and Zen.
She needed both. The last eighteen months following the discovery of her pregnancy could be described by one word: tumultuous.
Minus the birth of her daughter—Allie would always be a joy and never a regret—when it rained it had poured.
Not only had Mitch left her high and dry and skipped town so that the lawyer she’d hired couldn’t find him to serve him custody paperwork to pay child support, but she’d been in a café when Allie had projectile vomited.
The person behind her had been hit, and one Clemons Frost had sued her for one hundred thousand dollars.
She didn’t even have 2 percent of that in her bank account.
Her parents, who were in California, had offered to help with her legal fees, but Rachel had turned them down.
They had their own bills following one of the natural disasters that had ravaged the state.
While their house had been mostly okay, they’d had minor damage requiring an insurance claim.
As for Rachel’s siblings, none of them were in a financial position to assist, and they weren’t close enough for her to be comfortable asking them anyway.