Page 19 of Hiding Rose
He waved his hand in the direction of the door. “No one parks back there anyway. So many of the employees live here or are within walking distance. Those who don’t live near use public transportation or bikes. Even Mally finally got rid of the old taxi cab he kept parked back there. It’s wasted space now.”
“What about the delivery trucks? They use the parking lot to get to the delivery docks.”
He nodded. “They do, but we can bring them in the other side of the hotel. I’ll put up a fluorescent ribbon chain link privacy fence. There will be room for them to turn around and back in, but they don’t need room for anything else. Don’t worry, I’ve taken everything into consideration, which is why it took me so long to get back to you.”
“I don’t doubt it for a second, Gideon. These plans are extensive and well done. Do we have to get permits for any of this?”
“We do, but I’ve already taken care of it. The interior is considered redecorating, so we don’t need to wait to start it. The playground will have to be zoned. They’ll be out next week to look over the plans and recommend any changes. We can move forward with getting the center finished, even if the playground isn’t complete, though.”
“Agreed. Wow. I guess I better get to work. I’ve got some calls to make.”
He stood and leaned on the desk. “I’ll let you get to it, but I want to set up a time where all the major players can get together in the conference room and talk this out. I want everyone on the same page.”
I grabbed a notebook and a pen. “Tell me who the major players are. Obviously, you, me, Ellie,” I paused and waited for him to fill in the blanks.
“Flynn for electrical needs, Mally for technology, Niko for security, and Sawyer for catering.” I grimaced at his name and he chuckled. “He doesn’t bite, Rosie.”
I rolled my eyes heavenward. “Believe me, I know.”
He winked and tapped the desk twice. “Give him a chance. He’s one of those guys who comes along once in a lifetime. If you blink, you might miss him.”
I saluted him and he stuck his tongue out at me, then jogged out the door. Like I need to spend more time with Sawyer. It’s bad enough he’s constantly asking me, and I’m agreeing, to dinner. Take tonight for example. I’m not getting out of it; I know because I had already tried.
“What’s he talking about blinking and missing something,” the man in the white coat asked from the doorway.
I groaned audibly, I realized too late, and covered it with a cough. “Hi, Sawyer. Shouldn’t you be working?”
He strode through the doorway and rested his black and white striped butt on my desk. “You’re a slave driver. A guy can’t even take a break while his brisket is resting when you’re around. How are you today? Are you ready for an amazing dinner tonight? I have it on good authority from the chef it’s going to knock your socks off.”
I couldn’t hold in the laugh and let it out, shaking my head at him. “I’m already starving, so needless to say, I’m looking forward to it.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly two. Did you miss lunch?”
I sat back down in the chair. “I forgot to eat.”
He stood and closed the distance between us. His hand rubbed my arm and his face was inches from mine when he spoke. “You need to eat, Rose. You’re already too thin. I don’t know what happened in your past life, but the only thing I know how to do when it comes to healing someone is to feed them. From now on, when you’re hungry, call me in the kitchen. I’ll have something delivered.”
I searched his eyes and I knew what he said was true. He would feed me for however long I let him. I stared at the floor. “I normally eat, but I worked in the daycare all morning until Winnie took over. Then I had to meet with Niko. It seems someone thought a brace might help keep my leg from turning out.”
He grimaced and rubbed his temple as he sat back down on the desk, the trance between us broken. “He wasn’t supposed to tell you it was my idea.”
I laughed at the clearly embarrassed man in front of me. His face was a contrasting red against the white of his chef’s coat. “He threw you under the bus two minutes into the conversation.”
“Damn,” he said, sighing. “I suppose you refused his help.”
I shrugged. “Actually, I let him take the measurements and he’s sent the information to Honolulu. He said I should have it in a week or less.”
His eyes opened to the size of saucers and I saw a smile tip his lips. “I wasn’t expecting you to go for it.”
“I’m not always stubborn, Sawyer,” I said.
He laughed once then clapped his hand over his mouth. “Sorry, you took me by surprise. I’ll try harder next time,” he said, his grin naughty.
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Whatever. I might be stubborn, but I’m not dumb. I see how much difference the braces make for Bim. If the brace holds the leg in the right alignment when I’m walking, it might take care of the spasms in my hip. If nothing else, I’ll have worn it for a few weeks before I fly to the university in Honolulu to see a specialist there. I’ll know if a brace is a good option or not.”
I could see he didn’t know anything about the specialist as soon as I said it. “You’re flying to Honolulu alone?”
“Lord, no.” I almost said, ‘Like I could ever get out from under the watchful eye of anyone around here.’ Then I remembered he didn’t know the truth. “Gideon is going to fly me there and stay while I see his friend.”
