Page 5 of Trouble Me
There was clicking in the background on her end. “Done.”
“You're a rock star.”
“Then give me a rock star bonus. I’m going to have another mouth to feed this year.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” He paused. “Has my dad been to the office since I left?”
“Yeah.” Jenn’s voice was tight. “Alan doesn’t look good. I’ve gotta warn you Shane, I’ve never seen him this way. His face is drawn and he looks so...small.” She sniffled.
Shit. Shane’s fingers tightened around the phone. He couldn't allow himself to worry about dad at that moment. Alan would be fine. Plus, Shane had no desire to make a pregnant woman cry. Jenn was an honorary member of the Kavanaugh family. She’d worked for KVN in one capacity or another for over a decade.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Fucking cancer.” Composing himself, he continued. “Listen, I’ll be back tomorrow for his birthday, but I’ll only be there for a day. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done here and I really need to hire the operations director as soon as possible.” He stopped pacing, rubbing a hand over his chest where it felt tight. “While I’m here though, I need you to be my eyes and ears with Alan. I don’t expect to hear much from Colin. I never do.”
“Okay, I’ll keep you updated.”
“Appreciate it. You know Alan. He’ll just pretend all is well. For now, get off the phone with me. Be with your husband. Keep me out of trouble.”
“Shane?” The serious tone in her voice alarmed him. Jenn was unflappable most of the time.
“Yeah?”
“I’m so glad you’re back at KVN. Colin...well, he has a lot to learn. The company needs a leader. The year you were gone was rough on everyone.”
Shane swallowed, a storm of emotions running through him. Gratitude and regret led the charge.
“Me, too. Thanks.”
“Talk to you later, boss.”
He ended the call and put the phone down on the desk. Scrubbing his face with one hand, he plopped back down in his chair. Before he could think much more about his father, Lindsey showed up, right on time. By eight-thirty, she was settled in at her desk outside his office and reading over HR paperwork.
“I have an appointment coming in at nine, Lindsey. Buzz me when she gets here.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Kavanaugh,” she said eagerly, bobbing her head. When the wire-rimmed glasses she wore slipped, she shoved them back in place.
Jesus, she looked like a private school student in her cardigan, tweed skirt, and sensible shoes. She made him feel every second of his thirty-six years. “Please, call me Shane. Mr. Kavanaugh is my father.”
She wrung her hands in her lap and smiled shyly. “Yes, Mr.—I mean, Shane.”
He nodded his head once. “Could you make some coffee?”
“Would you like a cup, sir?”
Guess it was going to take some time for her to call him by his name. “That would be great. Black, please.”
“I’ll do it.”
Shane started to step away but then came back. “Oh, is there a good dry cleaner around here?”
Lindsey pushed her glasses up her nose as she nodded. “Yes, sir. The best one is right off the square, in town. Mrs. Richards has owned it forever. There’s not a stain on the planet that can get past her.” She paused and swallowed hard before speaking again. “If there’s something you need me to take, I’d be happy to do it for you.”
He shook his head. “No, I can handle it.”
“I really don’t mind, sir.” Shane appreciated Lindsey’s eager to please attitude, but for God’s sake he wished she’d stop calling him “sir.”
“No, thanks. I’ll take care of it.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.” Head bobbed, glasses slid as she stood slowly. “I’ll get your coffee now.”
