Chapter Forty-One
tried calling Leah to arrange a meeting, but she didn't pick up the phone. It seemed a little strange, but I figured that she was probably out on the warehouse floor helping the guys rearrange the inventory now that the renovation was almost complete. I wanted to tour the space with her and find out what needed to happen, but I decided that it could wait.
"Hey, Norma, have you heard from Leah today?" I shouted through the open door.
"No, hon, I have not," she called back. "Y’all want me to run down and see what's what?"
"No thanks," I said. "But I do need all of those reports you've been compiling for me on the sales figures and the incoming accounts."
"Darlin', that saleswoman of yours has not given me the paperwork as promised," she said as she came into my office and dropped the stack of papers on my desk. "She's got her nose so high in the air when it comes to me that she'd drown in a rainstorm."
"Norma, where on earth do you get these sayings?" I laughed, thinking about how well that one fit Sloan.
"Darlin', I was raised poor in the South," she said giving me a disapproving look. “Folksy sayings were all we had."
"I see. Well, carry on," I said as she tossed her perfectly coiffed head and marched back to her desk in a fit of faux fury.
I spent the next several hours making phone calls to everyone on my list, and by the time I was done, I was satisfied that things were going according to plan. I wanted to tell Leah what was going to happen, but since I couldn't find her, I decided it would have to be somewhat of a surprise.
"Norma, I'm going out for a bit," I said as I headed to the car. I felt my pocket for my phone, and said, "If anyone needs me, call my cell, or tell them I'll be back in a few hours."
"Okay, hon," she smiled as she looked up from her computer. "I'll do that."
By the time I returned from running my errands, Sloan was waiting for me in the front reception area looking highly irritated. I hid a smile as I walked through the door and acknowledged her.
"Any messages, Norma?" I asked as I stopped in front of her desk and received a wide smile, letting me know she was enjoying this as much as I was.
"No, sir. Not a one," she shook her head. "It's slower than a Sunday afternoon 'round here today."
"Very well," I nodded as I turned and looked at Sloan. "You want to step into my office and have a talk?"
Sloan got up and gathered her things before strutting through the doorway. I could tell she was angry, but I didn't do anything to stem her ire. Instead, I sat behind my desk and looked up at her expectantly.
"What?" she huffed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?" I said calmly.
"Like you're judging me or something," she replied as she dug through her purse. "I prefer it when you're doing things to make me happy."
"As do I," I said smiling at her. "That's why I want to invite you to dinner tonight at my mother's. It's going to be special."
"Oh, really?" she said looking up at me curiously. "What kind of special event are you planning?"
"You'll see," I said mysteriously. "Just show up at 8:00, and wear something pretty."
"Fine," she sighed as she closed her purse and smiled at me in a way that, before overhearing the conversation between her and my brother, would have made me fall to my knees and give her anything she wanted. Now, I just wanted her out of my sight until dinner. "I'll be there. And I'll dress nicely."
"You always do," I said as I turned to my computer and saw a host of messages waiting in my inbox. "Right now, I need to get back to work and make sure this business is running smoothly. Then I need to go check the warehouse and talk with Leah."
"Ah yes, your little assistant," Sloan said dismissively. "Be careful. I think she's got a crush on you, Jack."
"Oh, you think so?" I said as I feigned total disinterest. "Hey, do you have your orders from this week written up yet?"
"No, but I'm sure your secretary will be chomping at the bit as soon as I open that door," she said rolling her eyes. "I'll take care of them."
"Good, good," I said waving a hand in her direction to get her to leave. What I really wanted to do was sit her down and grill her about what she'd said about Leah, but I didn't want to tip my hand and doing that definitely would have.
I had two more calls to make before I headed down to meet with Leah. I picked up the phone hoping that, once I was finished, I'd have good news for her.