Page 9 of Taking a Chance on Charlevoix
Not too long ago, Marlowe and Landon had laughed about the guidelines that the company didn't have. How little she knew back then. The comradery now gone, Landon must still realize that he couldn't change an open house that one of his top realtors had organized.
“Right, let me know what those protocols are.” Smiling, Landon glanced over at Jenna as if sharing a joke. The poor girl didn't disappoint with her silly giggle. Had that been Marlowe a few years ago? Foolish and eager to get ahead in a career where there was big money to be made.
“Of course, there is the issue of the contract, Landon.” Shari’s voice made Marlowe turn with relief. The cavalry had arrived. “What name is down as the primary listing agent?”
It seemed as if the world stopped with that question. Shari had bought her time at the company and Marlowe was grateful. She had weight with Landon and right now he didn’t looked pleased.
But Marlowe had had enough. The people standing around them were becoming curious. This wasn’t the usual Happy Hourchatter. HALT strobed in Marlowe’s mind. She was more than hungry, and she sure was angry. The last two weeks had changed her. Without her family she was feeling lonely and tired. Her exhaustion went a lot deeper than simple flight fatigue. The feeling in the pit of her stomach went soul deep. She had a lot to think about.
“We'll have to see what we can do.” Looping one arm over Jenna's shoulder, Landon gave her a proprietary squeeze that seemed to make the young woman uncomfortable. “Maybe Jenna will give up part of her commission.”
Jenna’s stricken expression was overridden by Shari’s disgusted yelp. “Oh please, Landon. Really.”
At that point, Landon must have realized he'd gone too far. His arm released Jenna and he shook the empty glass in his hand. While the ice cubes rattled, Marlowe’s mind leapt ahead.
“The math is the math,” she said. “I have a few other properties open right now. But this has to be straightened out. And fast.” Was she threatening him? Maybe. Nostrils flaring, he took a deep breath. Looking like she might faint, Jenna grabbed the back of one of the bar stools.
After she'd gotten dressed that evening, Marlowe had pulled up her current listings. First she took Jenna's name off the two properties where she’d generously listed her protégée as secondary. That relationship was gone. Jenna had betrayed her. Marlowe knew the power of Landon’s flirtatious persuasion. But that didn’t make her feel any better.
The guys had ordered another drink and made inroads on the prosciutto and brie appetizers. Alberto drew closer to Jenna and looked as if he was comforting her. That would not work. It was always a bad idea to date within your company. But the days were gone when she would clue Jenna in on successful company policies.
Finally Landon gave them all a breezy goodbye and left. Feeling some relief, Marlowe tossed back a gulp of her drink. For some reason Shari had stayed close, as if she wanted to say something. Although she appreciated the moral support, Marlowe wasn’t in the mood for pity. The growl of Landon’s Ferrari was unmistakable as their boss left the parking lot.
“That Harry,” Shari murmured, so low that only Marlowe could hear.
“Harry who?” Marlowe looked at her blankly.
Sliding her empty glass onto the bar, Shari said, “That was Landon’s real name before his father left him the company. Harold Landon Hardy. Everyone called him Harry back then. And now I’ve got to run.”
Dumbfounded, Marlowe watched Shari swirl through the back door toward the parking lot. What else did Shari know?
After waiting a minute or two, Marlowe gave everyone a farewell wave and left. The sidewalk gave up the heat of the day, slowing her progress. The walk back to her car gave her time to think.
Had her life come to this? As difficult as it might be, she had to work through these troubling issues. This office fiasco might make it easier for her to make a change. The misgivings that had plagued her earlier were fading. Maybe she should take this as a sign.
Chapter Four
SAMANTHA
“Sam? What’s up?” Marlowe sounded so sleepy and Sam checked the time. Past midnight. What had she been thinking, contacting her sister at this hour? But earlier they’d talked about checking in at the end of the day.
“Sorry to be calling so late. You've probably had a long day with that flight and everything. But I can’t sleep.” Sam wished they were back at Sunnycrest. Their bedrooms had been right down the hall from each other when they were young. Back then it had been so easy to camp out on each other’s beds and talk in the darkness. Today had been draining for both of them, traveling back from Michigan. Sam should have waited until tomorrow to call. Marlowe would be more rested.
But tonight she felt desperate. Sam needed her sister. With only two years between them, they’d been close growing up, especially after losing their parents.
“Of course it's not too late.” Marlowe’s yawn turned the last words into a mumble. “I made the mistake of joining the guys from work for a drink.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” Her sister cleared her throat. “Ever. No apologies. What else did the idiot take from the house?”
Marlowe was so sharp. Of course she’d already pinpointed the problem. Heck with holding back. With her sister, Sam could always let it rip. “I am seething mad. The kind of mad that makes me want to throw plates, not that I’ve ever done that. I’ll leave that to Izzy.”
Marlowe snorted. “I don’t think she’s done that plate tossing since her Skipper Malone days.”
“Right, well, I don't know if I have enough dinnerware left to throw since Kurt raided the kitchen.”
“You go, girl!” Marlowe laughed, and Sam couldn't help joining her. Instead of pacing, she sat down in the chaise that Kurt probably didn't want so he’d left it. He'd always thought the flowered fabric was way too feminine. When they’d bought this house, her ex had negotiated to have his office desk in their bedroom, but Sam had drawn the line. Her chaise had taken that space. Phone to her ear, she sank into its comfort and pulled up the fuchsia afghan.
