Page 23 of Lorna's Savior
“I am, but you may call me Lorna. Who are you?”
“I’m Silver Roundtree. I’m a temp.”
“Oh, hello. I thought you wouldn’t be in until eight.”
“That’s what they told me, but I was too excited and got here early. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Come into my office and I’ll tell you what you’ll have to look forward to.”
“Thank you.” Lorna noted Silver had a pad of paper with her. “Would I have to take dictation?”
“No, I’m not that type of boss. Have a seat.” Lorna pointed to the chairs before her desk. “I’ll get right to the point. I’ve been with the Larson Foundation for almost seven years now. Up until last year, I was an assistant to the woman who ran this office. I now have her job.”
“May I ask what you do here?”
“It’s all a process, and one person helps the other, but what I personally do is set up fundraisers once they’re approved by the higher ups. For example, I’m putting a fundraiser together for the local aquarium. It was done a few years ago, but I’m doing it differently this time around.”
“How?”
“The first one was black tie, thousand-dollar-plate dinner. It was held in a swanky hotel over in Helena.”
“But, if it was for a local business, shouldn’t it stay local?”
“Exactly what I thought. So, this time around, it’s not black tie, here.” Lorna pulled an invitation and handed it over. “That’s for you. You’re invited.” Lorna grinned at Silver’s shock. “Like I said, it’s not black tie, but dressy will do. I’ve requested a temp, because all day yesterday I had to field phone calls as people received their invitations and had questions.”
“What were they?”
“What’s the dress code, where is the address of the event, is there a dinner. As I just said, it’s dressy, but not formal, the address is of the actual aquarium, and I’ll know more later this week once I talk to the caterer, but there will be food served. Also, unlike last time, the director and board of trustees from the aquarium will be there to talk to the patrons.”
“This will allow the people asking questions to get it straight from the horse’s mouths, so to speak.”
“Correct. For the time being, I’m asking you to answer my phone, but out at that desk.” Lorna pointed to her old desk. “It doesn’t start to get busy here until eight, so why don’t I show you the break room.”
“Would you expect me to get your coffee for you?”
“No, at this time, just answer the phone. I’m sure there will be other duties, but that’s it for now.”
“I’ll admit, when my worker from the temp agency called me about this job, I researched the company. Is it true that the Larsons are mega rich? And that there are three generations working here? I read somewhere that the youngest one is quite a catch.”
Lorna stopped, so suddenly that Silver almost slammed into her. She turned on her heel and glared at Silver. “First, this is a place of business. We do not work here to ogle the Larsons.”
“I didn’t think that, please. I just got out of a terrible relationship. I’m not looking for any involvement with any man for a long, long time. I was just passing on what I’d heard.”
“Thank you for your honesty. Just a heads up, we here at Larson’s don’t gossip, but to answer your question, and this is the only time I will, Eric, the grandfather retired earlier this year. He is a widower, but can be seen walking the halls if he’s bored at home. William is his son, he took over for Eric after he retired. William also is a widower. Then there is William’s son, Finn. He started working here late last summer, after serving his country for ten years. He is engaged to my best friend.”
“Wow.” Silver shook her head in awe. They started forward and Lorna frowned.
“Do you like dogs?”
“Not particularly. My ex had a dog that he would order to guard me. He was all teeth, and drool. Scared the piss out of me. But, what do dogs have to do with anything?”
“Finn has a dog, which served in the military with him, and he’s here at the office more than not. Major is a well-trained, well-behaved black German Shepherd. When Eric’s in the house, you should see a very young, like six-month-old, female puppy. She is Major’s daughter.”
“Ah,” Silver said, and watched Lorna as she made a pot of coffee.
“The only rule we have here is that if you empty the pot, make a fresh one. It’s not any one person’s job to make the coffee, it’s everyone’s. There’s a refrigerator to put your food in. I’d suggest you label it. Then, there are restaurants within two blocks in either direction of this building if you want to go out for lunch. I usually eat at my desk. You get an hour, and there are menus in the top center drawer of your desk. Do you have any questions?”
“Not at the moment.” Silver noted that Lorna took her coffee with only a small splash of cream. On the way back, Silver admitted that she did have one question.
