Page 36 of Love Like Lightning

Despite our track record, he never makes any hard and fast claims of success. He’s never told me in so many words, but I have a feeling that something went sideways with a client before I started working with him and he’s not willing to risk over-promising and failing.

But since we teamed up, we’ve had a one hundred percent success rate. Truth be told, that's completely due to Cam's dedication. He makes sure we stick around and attempt any possible avenue to get where we need to be.

And we do.

“All right, come on back. Marc’s waiting for us in the small dining room.”

We follow behind her, and I worry about who’s going to cover the check-in desk before I remember that quiet means no people. She must not be worried about anyone trying to check in while we’re meeting, so I don’t say anything.

All I can see as we walk into the small dining room is the pile of baked goods right at the center of the table. My stomach practically screams at me to grab one, but I silently remind it that we had a granola bar. I can survive a meeting without a snack. Maybe I’ll grab something on our way out.

Marc Wright, Gina’s husband, sits at the head of the table eating something that looks suspiciously like a chocolate croissant.

He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with fair skin and light brown hair that’s starting to fade to gray at the temples. His bright green eyes always seem to be smiling, even when his lips are turned down into a small frown.

After we reintroduce ourselves, we all take seats, and I pull my laptop out of my leather satchel bag. I let Cam take point in the conversation, knowing that I’ll get pulled in when necessary. Even so, I tune in so I can take notes.

I try not to focus too much on my computer while I let my fingers fly over the keys, but at some point, I kind of zone out. My brain still processes what it needs to, so I continue nodding along and taking my notes.

My ears perk up when Gina brings up her kids. I knew that this business was family run, but when we were here the last time, we didn’t meet any of their adult children who help out.

“So I know we spoke about the first few weeks being us really figuring out what the plan is and how much needs to be changed.” Marc nods his head as he speaks, almost as if he’s reassuring himself that we’re not going to be coming in and changing things right away.

“That’s right. And we only do what you’re on board with. I like to build trust between us, make sure that everyone feels that this is more of a short-term partnership than anything else. We’re not coming in to take over,” Cam explains easily. “There’s no set timeline, of course. We’ll be here with you until you say otherwise. But yes.”

“We haven’t exactly told the kids all of what’s going on,” Gina admits, shooting a furtive look to her husband, who frowns.

I stay quiet and watch as Cam processes this new information. He hums in acknowledgment and leans forward to rest his arms on the table. “What does that mean?”

“While we figure things out with you, before we ultimately implement anything, we’d like to keep your presence and the reason for it from them, if possible.” Gina looks right into Cam’s eyes as she speaks.

“Would you like to draw up an NDA?” Cam steeples his hands together in front of him, glancing first at Gina, then Marc.

The question seems to shock them, and they both shake their heads emphatically.

“Not necessary,” Marc says.

“I trust you two with our business, so I can trust you with this,” Gina confirms.

“All right. We won’t speak about our work here. Not that it’s any of my business at all what you tell your family, but I do think it’s important to state that the sooner you all get on the same page, the better. What are their names, just so we know? Small towns are small, after all. If we’re living here, we may run into them.”

I’m all about our clients' privacy, always. We never talk about what we’re doing unless the people we’re working for want to be open and up front with their community.

Especially in small towns like Ever Lake.

It’s just a little odd that they’re keeping this from their kids. Even taking into account that they’ve discussed possibly selling and the likelihood of losing the business altogether, I would think they’d want their family informed.

After the first few weeks, it’s inevitable that people will find out, regardless. But if they want to keep things quiet until then, that’s their prerogative.

“Ian will be at school unless he makes an impromptu visit.” Marc folds his hands together as he eyes the mountain of pastries no one else has touched yet.

I’ve had my eye on a berry popover that looks to die for, but I’m forcing myself to hold out until the end of the meeting. It wouldn’t be professional to conduct business with jam on my face. I wonder if it’s homemade.

“Grant is…” Gina starts but doesn’t finish, almost like she doesn’t know what to say there. A touch of sadness gleams in her eyes, and when I shift my eyes to Marc, there’s a mirror image of it in his.

“He’s in New York. He won’t be in town.” Marc finished his wife’s sentence for her.

“Then there’s just Mack and Hammer.” Gina smiles, her mood shifting. “Mackenzie works the front desk, and she’s heavily involved with the wedding planning side of things, but since things are a little quieter right now, we shouldn’t have an issue.”

---