Chapter Two
Lulu
Humming I leaned in and carefully, gently adjusted my post-it notes one more time. They were perfectly centered between my favorite notebooks, my newly opened spray of colorful pens and directly across from the open laptop screen.
Everything was exactly how I liked it. Down to the millimeter.
The only thing that was missing was a single line of text on the blank white screen of my laptop.
“White screen of death,” I whispered to it, aware that Bruce might hear me from across the room and wonder why I was talking to an insentient object.
The screen, thankfully, didn’t respond, save the cursor which blinked back at me, a throbbing reminder that I’d done virtually nothing since starting officially at the Salus Glen Times.
Nothing.
Zilch.
Zero.
Not even a grammar request from Grandpa.
And I was losing my mind over it. Clearly, since I was suddenly distracted by the fact that too many of the purple toned pens were together in the ‘I love Salus Glen’ mug that I’d stolen from the small kitchenette space.
I was so focused on distributing the colors more accurately that I didn’t hear my grandfather until he was standing directly in front of my desk.
“Lulu,” he said.
I leaped up, bumping the mug in question and sending the pens scattering across the desktop. “Grandpa Lennon – Editor Lennon?” my words fell out in a rush. “I mean, hi.”
My grandfather curled a brow at my antics before sighing deeply. “Bored already?”
I swallowed and then smiled widely at him. “Is it obvious?”
“Yes,” Bruce shouted across the room, his eyes rolling as he kicked back in his chair and sipped his coffee. “For God’s sake, Lennon gave the girl something to do.”
“The girl?” I echoed giving him a long look.
Bruce set the coffee cup down with a flourish, “Sorry, Lulu. I meant, your new associate would like something to do. And I would like you to give her something to do before I chuck her out the front door for clicking those pens so many times.”
“I did not click.”
Both men turned to look at me and I felt the heat rise up the back of my neck, “Okay, I clicked. But only a few times. I needed to make sure they all worked.”
Bruce snorted, and grandpa grinned down at me. “No interest in settling in and relaxing?”
“None,” I said.
“Alright, then, I guess I could have you cover the press conference for that new organization opening this week.”
“A press conference?”
Grandpa Lennon shrugged, “It’s more of a private sit down really, since we are the only press around. But, either way, we call it a press conference around here.”
I barely heard anything after the ‘press conference’. “When is it?”
“This afternoon, at town hall. They’ve got a new office going in there. You’ll be meeting with Traum Emerson, he’s the head of the External Trade Agency.”
“What is that?”
Grandpa Lennon nodded down at my laptop, “That’s what we want to find out.”
I took a few notes, “Got it, Travis Emerson, External Trade Agency.”
“Traum, like trauma without the a.”
I wrinkled my nose, “That’s not great.”
“But, memorable,” Grandpa Lennon rapped his knuckles on the heavy wood of my desk. “Have a short article ready and in my inbox by tonight.”
I stood up, reaching for my coat and slinging it around my shoulders. “Don’t worry boss, I’ve got it.”
I headed towards the door. My hand was on the handle when my grandfather spoke again, still standing by my desk. “Lulu?” His face was serious when I looked back.
“Yeah?”
“Be careful with Traum and his brother. They are here for a reason and until we know why, keep them at a distance.”
I cocked my head, “Of course.”
The door creaked shut behind me as I stepped out into the brisk spring air. Pulling my collar up against the temperature, I turned and pocketed my notebook, pen and phone. I had just enough time to get coffee and a snack before heading over to town hall.
A half hour later, my belly was happily full of a blueberry scone and my half-empty latte cup gave me something to fidget with as I sat in a freshly built reception area. The chairs were new, the art was new, even the smell of paint was still fresh in my nose.
But, one thing was clear, whomever was setting this space up had money to play with. After crossing my legs, I pulled out my pen and notebook and noted the expensive feel of the space, so at odds with the rest of Salus Glen’s aging town hall.
“Ms. Yale?” A deep voice spoke, startling me out of my notes. Raising my eyes, I found myself staring up at a very tall man, dressed casually in a blue suit and grey shirt. I stood quickly, fumbling to put my notebook away and extend my hand.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t even hear you.”
White teeth against warm tan skin smiled at me. “Part ninja, part trade agent,” his hand found mine, “Completely happy to make your acquaintance.”
Oh, he was smooth. The charm rolled off his tailored suit in waves and, as he shook my hand, my eyes habitually swept down low to his left hand.
No ring.
Interesting.
“I’m Traum Emerson,” the man said, releasing my hand as he stepped back giving me room to breathe. “Shall we go to my office?”
“Wherever is most comfortable,” I said immediately, my gaze sweeping across the room quickly. “Am I the only one?”
Traum led the way down a short hallway, past two other doors before tucking into a large window-lit office at the end. “You are.”
He gestured to a soft-looking chair across the desk from him. I took it quickly, taking my phone out and setting it on the desk in front of me. “I can’t decide if I should be flattered or embarrassed.”
“Well, considering the size of Salus Glen, I’m just flattered someone wants to come hear me talk.
”’ His eyes were so dark it was hard to tell where the brown iris changed into the black of his pupils.
“Well,” his smile curled up, “Two someone’s I guess.
” He rose from his chair once more, “But then, she has to listen to me.”
I turned, immediately seeing a tall blonde woman leaning against the door jam.
Traum passed by once again, leaning over to press a kiss against the newcomer’s cheek.
They moved with an enviable comfort with one another, the woman’s hand curling around Traum’s elbow as he swept a thick arm around her waist.
My cheeks ached a little as I forced myself to not grin at them. How could anyone hate love? Especially when there were couples like this out there in the world.
I stood, extending a hand. “Lulu Yale, Salus Glen Times.”
“Bailey Emerson, contracts, logistics and anything else that this guy can’t figure out.”
She shook my hand firmly, her long nails shimmering in the overhead light. Bailey was stunning with her high cheekbones and bold dark brows. She assessed me with a quick cursory look before nodding towards my seat. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, no interruption. You’re more than welcome to join us if you’d like. I was planning only a short informational article for our weekday publishing and then, if you’d like, I’d be happy to set up a regular meeting to discuss anything else you’d like conveyed to locals.”
Traum nodded, “Sounds reasonable.”
I twirled my pen, “I will admit that, in order to do any of that, I have to first understand what exactly you do here.”
Traum’s lips curl in a smile, “In Salus Glen or here in the External Trade Agency?”
“Both,” I grinned and then leaned over to push a button on my phone, “You don’t mind if I record this do you?”
Traum shifted but responded with a quick nod. “Sure.”
I tapped the record button on my voice memos before turning my attention back to Traum. “Why don’t you start with who you are? And then, we will dive into the External Trade Agency.”
“Well, that’s an easy place to start. My name is Traum Emerson and I’m the new head of external relations for the ETA.
My job is to convince people to look to smaller cities, like Salus Glen as a new start.
The small town dream isn’t dead, it’s just been delayed.
And, with small towns able to offer safe housing, well-organized education systems and more than enough job opportunities, it makes sense that they be the next step in the population shift away from large cities. ”
“And you want to bring new people to Salus?”
‘I want to bring the right people to Salus.”
I hummed, “Good answer.”
My eyes flickered up to him once again, “You didn’t answer the part about yourself.”
His fingers steepled, “There isn’t much to say. My life really started the day I met my partner, Bailey and Salus Glen seemed like not only the best place for us to settle, but also an amazing opportunity for others like us.”
“Like you?”
Traum’s stare was dark on mine, “Others who have not found a place where they can truly call home.”
I took a quick note, tapping my pen against my thigh. “Any family with you? Kids?”
“Not yet,” his smirk was directed over my head at Bailey, who I knew still stood behind me. “But, we both have high hopes for Salus Glen being our future.”
Ugh, cute. I hated them. Not really, they were adorable.
“What would you consider a success for the ETA?”
“That we provide a real future for those who are looking for somewhere to thrive, and in turn create a new wave of success across a town very deserving of it.”
I blinked, “That was a really good answer.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. It is the truth.”
I nodded, looking over my shoulder at Bailey who was sending her partner a dreamy little smile. “He’s good.”
“He’s very good,” she responded. A moment later, her cheeks pinked and I saw her chin duck. “I mean, at his job.”
“I’m sure.”
I stood, turning my recorder off and picking up my things. “I know this was really informal, but that’s really all I need.”
Traum rose, “I’m glad this worked out. If you have any questions, please route them to me directly. We may someday have a receptionist, but that is a ways out still.”
I smiled, “Lovely to meet you.”