Chapter 22 #2
Bronwyn stared at the food in front of her.
Despite what June and Mo seemed to think, she didn’t forget to eat.
She’d just learned to deal with being hungry.
She was careful to never skip meals entirely.
But sometimes, she didn’t have time to stop for lunch, so she munched and nibbled throughout the day.
But this was so much better. She took a triangle of the club sandwich and bowed her head. Lord, I’m in a mess here. Thank you for the food and for the man who provided it. Please show me what to do . . .
Five minutes later, the clacking of computer keys stopped, and Mo stood, stretched, and approached the table. He grabbed half of the sandwich and his salad and sat at the end of the conference table. His phone rang and he answered it. “Yo.”
“How’s it going?” Meredith’s voice came through the phone.
“Good. You’re on speaker. Bronwyn’s here.”
The zing that went through her when he said her name almost distracted her from Meredith’s greeting.
“Bronwyn?” Meredith said her name again.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“I have more thoughts about your office. Could I swing by tonight?”
“I wish you could, but I have plans.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“What kind of plans?” Meredith asked, nosy as ever.
“If you must know, I have a massage tonight.”
“Ooh. Nice.”
“Perks of being the boss.”
Meredith scoffed. “More like perks of having Landry make you take care of yourself. Have you noticed that if the people who love you didn’t insist on it, you would never eat a real meal, get any rest, or have that fabulous masseuse work the stress out of your neck and shoulders?”
Before Bronwyn could say anything, Meredith continued, “Don’t let her fool you, Mo. Landry sets up the appointments and guilt-trips Bronwyn into going. And even then, she only agrees because Katrina, the massage therapist, uses her as a guinea pig for new techniques.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Mo said. “I’ve only been here for a few hours, and I’ve already had to order her lunch because apparently someone doesn’t stop to eat.”
“How did you learn that?” Was there a hint of eagerness in Meredith’s voice?
“June and I had a lovely chat.”
“I see.” Definite disappointment.
“June needs to be careful who she spills my secrets to,” Bronwyn grumbled.
“Whatever. The Haven would fall apart without you, and you would fall apart without June,” Meredith added.
“She runs a tight ship.” Mo’s tone was approving. “I like her.”
“What?” Meredith sounded as surprised as Bronwyn was. “Did you say you like her?”
“I do. Like I said, we had a chat. She’s Team Bronwyn all the way.”
“Oh good. I was wondering.”
“Bronwyn knows how to put good people around her when she has control of the situation,” Mo said.
“We just need to sort this mess so she can put the people she wants in positions of authority across The Haven. If she could put good people in a few key positions, she wouldn’t need to work eighty hours a week. ”
“Well, then get on with it and get this mess sorted.” Meredith’s voice faded out and Bronwyn thought she heard her say something like, “Okay, just a sec.” Then her voice came back through the line. “I have to dash. My afternoon looks like two root canals. What do you have on your agenda?”
Mo didn’t say anything, so Bronwyn assumed he assumed the question was directed at her. “After I eat this lunch, I have rounds to make.”
“You need a little face time with the guests and staff.” Meredith didn’t make it a question.
“Exactly. I’ll deal with whatever drama unfolds from that. Then I have an interview with a reporter.”
“What?”
“It’s for a travel magazine that caters to a European market. I forgot I’d said I could squeeze it in today. We’ve had a few new guests in the past couple of months that have convinced me there’s a market there.”
“How does this help you stay under the radar?”
“It doesn’t. But I’m not trying to stay under the radar of those who want to be here.
I’m just trying to be sure Gossamer Falls doesn’t wind up overrun with paparazzi desperate to sneak a peek at the guests here.
Plus, my father asked me to take the interview.
” Bronwyn sighed. “But I think Uncle William is the one behind it.”
Mo sat straighter in the chair.
“Is this an in-person interview?” Meredith asked.
“It is. The journalist should arrive in the next hour. We’re supposed to talk around four thirty. Then he’ll be staying here for the next two nights. We’re supposed to meet again before he leaves.”
“I don’t like the sound of this.” Meredith’s voice was laced with worry.
“I don’t like it either,” Mo said. “That’s why I’ll be going to the interview with her.”
“You’ll what?” Meredith shrieked.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Bronwyn added.
“I have concerns. This guy could be who he claims, or he could have nefarious motives. Either way, I don’t think it would be prudent for Bronwyn to be alone with him. And since I’m sitting right here, there’s no reason for her to take that risk. I’ll go with her and help judge the situation.”
“Good plan. I like it. Bronwyn, what do you think?” Meredith asked.
“I think it’s overkill, but I won’t argue about it.” Bronwyn stared straight at Mo as she spoke.
“Good.” His eyes held hers.
“I wish I could be there. Sometimes being an adult is so annoying. Responsibilities and all that stuff. Why did we grow up again?” Meredith’s plaintive voice almost made Bronwyn smile.
“No choice in the matter, Mer Bear.” Mo held up three fingers. Then two. Then one.
“Mo! No! We removed that nickname from usage years ago.”
Mo shook with silent laughter. “Did we? Sorry about that.”
“Payback, brother dearest. Prepare thyself.”
Mo’s laughter was no longer silent. He continued to look at Bronwyn. She was laughing now too.
Meredith sounded like she was trying not to laugh as she said, “I have to go. One of you text me when you’re done and give me an update.”
“I’ll call,” Mo said, not dropping his gaze. “Bronwyn has a massage.”
Bronwyn couldn’t look away.
“Oh, right. Okay. Talk soon. Love you both.”
“Love you,” Bronwyn replied the same way she always did. And Mo also replied with the same words.
And for the split second before he returned his focus to his computer, Bronwyn wasn’t sure if he’d been talking to Meredith.
Or to her.