Epilogue
CARLOS
“…have a lot of experience with this type of hotel management,” the candidate, a good-looking redhead in his early thirties, says. His name is Kieran, and so far he’s my pick to be the new manager at Mannix Estate.
He’ll be only the third manager we’ve had since opening nearly sixteen years ago.
The estate is a lot of work, but Ned and I seem to have a knack for picking people who love it there.
The outgoing manager, Carina, has been with us for seven years, and Kyle, who was the first manager we hired, stayed for nine.
We can’t be sad about a track record like that.
Ned was skeptical about interviewing Kieran, since he’s so young, but Carina worked with him when he was fresh out of college and recommended him.
Since we were going to be in Atlanta for a fundraiser anyway, he agreed we should at least give the guy an interview.
And based on the vibe I’m feeling from the love of my life, he’s changed his mind and agrees with me that Kieran will be a good fit.
“Your experience is fantastic,” Ned says, proving me right.
“Most of the people who applied have hotel management experience, which is great, but since Mannix is so much more than just a hotel, your background in cruise ships and at Joy Universe is exactly what’s needed.
I’m not sure how much you know about Mannix, but it’s not what most people would call… normal.”
Kieran smiles. “Because of the ghosts, you mean?”
Ned and I nod. “What have you heard about them?” I ask.
He shrugs. “You promote the property as being haunted, so I’ve read all your marketing material. But I’ve also been in contact with Carina over the years, and she’s mentioned the ghosts before. My understanding is that they’re friendly?”
“Very friendly,” Ned confirms.
“And eager to be helpful,” I add. “That part might drive you nuts.”
“There are worse things. They’re still people, right? Just dead ones. I work in hospitality management; I’m used to dealing with people.”
That’s encouraging. “They feel somewhat proprietary about the estate,” Ned says, but Kieran doesn’t seem fazed.
“They’ve been there for a long time, so I’d be surprised if they didn’t. I can’t say for sure that there won’t be personality clashes, but I’m not anti-ghost, and I’m prepared to work with them if they’ll work with me.”
“You’d be prepared to come to Illinois and meet them ahead of receiving an offer?”
“Of course. I’d want to see the estate before making a decision, anyway,” he says smoothly, reminding us that he has options and is in demand. I smother a smile. I really like this kid.
We hash out a few more details, including salary and benefits—both of which are generous, because the estate is doing very well and Ned and I believe in taking care of our employees—and then wrap things up.
Once he’s gone, Ned leans back in his chair and scratches his beard. He shaved it once, about ten years ago, but we both hated that, so he grew it back again. It’s mostly silver now, as is his hair, but he’s still my sexy Viking guy.
“You were right,” he concedes. “He’d be perfect.”
“If the ghosts like him.”
“Naturally. I’m sure they will, but we’ll set up a meeting.” He smiles. “He reminded me of you at that age.”
“Really?” I’m surprised. “Why?”
“Confident, friendly, attractive… all the things that made me say yes to that first date.”
I grin, remembering that night. “I thought you said yes because I gave you a dollar.”
He throws his pen at me, and I dodge it, then stand and pull him out of his seat for a kiss. “Can you believe that was twenty-five years ago?”
As his lips descend on mine, he says, “I can believe I want twenty-five more.”