Fleur sat across from Gabby, Ronan’s older sister. The woman was beautiful and almost an identical image of her younger sister Charley. Well, except for attitude and demeanor. Fleur had been in Colorado for a month, and the sisters had visited her just about daily since she’d started staying at Ronan’s house. Charley’s husband, Dan, was a saint. Fleur had no idea how the man kept up with Charley. She was the battery bunny on steroids. But she really liked the woman. She and Gabby had also settled into a wonderful friendship.
“What I’m talking about is a position as project manager for all the international charity work that Guardian funds. I’ve talked to Mom, and she agreesthat we need someone to keep an eye on our interests full-time. She’s traveling with Dad and has let things float down to me. I’m too busy keeping Charley from driving Jason insane.”
“I heard that!” Charley called from the kitchen.
“I don’t care!” Gabby called back. “It is a significant undertaking; you’d have whatever staff you need.”
“Staff? How many charities do you fund?”
“Ah, we fund and manage six and own two.” Gabby handed her a folder about three inches thick.
“The annual salary is on the top page,” Gabby said, taking her drink from Charley. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Fleur, here’s yours.”
Fleur took the glass of chardonnay and opened the folder. She slapped it shut again and handed it to Gabby.
“What’s wrong?” Gabby said, taking the folder back.
“You made a mistake on the salary.”
Gabby opened it and frowned. “Did you want more?”
“More!” Fleur shrieked the word. “That is too much!”
Charley reached over and flipped the folderopen. “No, that’s what others doing the job are being paid. I helped with the research.”
Gabby handed the folder back to her. “That’s our offer. Of course, we'd understand if you don’t want to work with charities anymore.”
“No, it’s not that. My knowledge of the NGOs would be beneficial, but that salary is way too much.” A large single-digit number with six zeros behind it. Her mind had shattered at the thought of that much money in a lifetime, let alone in a year.
Gabby smiled and took a drink of her wine. “Consider the position. Look at the charities, the boards, and the members. The charters are in that folder, along with the financial breakdown of each charity. We don’t align ourselves with charities that pay their management more than they disperse to the needy. As a matter of fact, we only have one that is above twenty percent to management.”
“Yeah, because that’s Mom’s pet charity, and it sits at twenty-three percent to management.” Charley sipped her drink, which looked like some kind of brown liquor. “Well, management and the procurement of the dogs. We search out reputable breeders and trainers. Those dogs are lifesavers for our military and first responders.”
“I’ll consider it.” Fleur shook her head. “But, man, that is a sticker shock.”
Gabby chuckled. “I can imagine.” She glanced at her watch.
“Are you late for something?” Fleur had noticed her looking at her watch a lot tonight.
“What? No, not at all. So, tell me, did you find everything you needed in New York?”
“We did,” Charley said and smiled brightly. “She didn’t want to spend money on clothes, but we had Ronan’s black card, so he bought anything that looked good on her. He just doesn’t know it yet.” The woman laughed and swirled her drink. “I love spending their money.”
“Which I will repay.” Fleur pointed at Charley.
Charley snorted. “Fat chance of that happening. He’s going to show up and be all ‘me man, me protect’,” Charley grunted.
“Actually, it’s more like ‘me man, you woman’.”
Fleur spun and jumped out of the chair. “Ronan!” She ran across the floor and launched into Ronan’s arms. She wasn’t sure if she was laughing or crying, but she was holding the man who meant the world to her.
His lips found hers, and dear God, the magic between them flamed into existence again.
She laughed when he broke the kiss and spun her around. “Stop, I’ll get dizzy.”
When he put her back on her feet, she noticed that his brother, Wraith, and Ranger were also there. She smiled and felt her face blush with heat. “Hi.” She made a dorky wave movement with her hand.