Best of Bosses 2008(149)

‘Please don’t say a corn cob.’

‘Why on earth would I say that?’

‘It’s what my brothers called me. And then everyone at school.’

‘Because of your hair?’

Sally sighed. ‘You guessed it.’

His gaze rested on her hair for longer than was necessary, but he made no comment. ‘Actually, you’re rather like my sister, Carissa,’ he said. ‘You’re totally different physically, but she has the same kind of vibrancy as you.’

Vibrancy? The boss thought she was vibrant?

‘And you like to talk. You and Carissa both really like to talk.’

He glanced again at the question sheet. Without looking at Sally, he said, ‘But I must admit that my recent impressions have been more favourable than my first one.’

Sally was rather pleased that he didn’t look up to see her blush.

‘And now it’s your turn.’ He smiled at her gently. ‘Don’t be too brutal.’

‘And risk getting sacked?’ She gave a shaky laugh. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’

‘But there’s no point in being dishonest.’

Sally swallowed, took a deep breath. ‘OK. My first impression was that you were—er—very big and dark.’ When his expression remained blank she quickly added, ‘And I also got the strong impression that you didn’t like children.’

‘Good heavens.’ He looked genuinely shocked.

‘You were holding poor little Rose away from you as if she might be infectious.’

He dismissed this with a shrug. ‘I’m not used to babies.’

‘Since then, of course, I’ve realised that was wrong. You’re wonderful with your nephews.’ She waited for him to frown or show displeasure that she’d mentioned this. When he did neither, she said bravely, ‘I’ve noticed that you’re always super-busy and nearly always very serious.’

‘That’s true.’

‘I thought you might not be very happy. Perhaps a bit lonely.’

He frowned at her.

‘But then the roses arrived,’ she said carefully.

‘Roses?’

‘The white roses that come every Friday.’

‘Oh, yes, of course.’

‘And I realised there must be someone very special in your life.’

A faint smile tilted the corners of his mouth.

‘And, if that’s the case—’ She paused and swallowed. ‘If there is someone special, then I’m sure you must be happy.’

His eyes, as he regarded her, were so thoughtful that Sally wondered what she’d said wrong. She glanced down quickly. ‘What’s the next question?’

‘Who do I remind you of? And why?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She’d never really known many men from the city. There’d been that one, of course, who’d caused her so much grief. But he’d been oozing smiles and pseudo-charm and Logan, thank heavens, was absolutely nothing like him.

‘Actually, you remind me of quite a lot of people,’ she said eventually. ‘Men I’ve grown up with. Graziers, head stockmen, gun shearers. You have the same kind of confidence and inner drive. I’m guessing that you’re very goal oriented.’

‘And I’d say you’re right.’

‘My first impression wasn’t accurate at all,’ she admitted. ‘You were very different—’ She paused and took a deep breath. Perhaps she shouldn’t mention how he’d looked during that memorable moment just before he’d fallen in the pond. Or this morning when he’d been talking about music. Instead, she said, ‘I think you have a softer side that you try to hide.’

Predictably, Logan frowned again.

‘But that’s OK.’ Sally knew she was skating on very thin ice, but the workshop was nearly over and she was feeling rather reckless. ‘I guess a boss has to pretend to be tough.’

‘It’s not a matter of pretence. A boss has to be tough. It goes with the territory.’ Logan glanced again at his watch and stood quickly. His eyes took on a kind of hooded hardness. ‘Now, if you’ll kindly excuse me, I really must go to this meeting.’





CHAPTER FIVE




IT HAD been the weirdest day.

Logan drove rather recklessly to his meeting, jumping lanes and taking corners too fast as his head reeled from the conversation he’d just had with his newest employee. Team-building was all very well—he had to admit he’d gained a new respect for many employees today—but he couldn’t believe he’d revealed so much of his inner self to Sally Finch.

Allowing a glimpse beneath his careful façade was completely out of character. And to the front desk girl of all people!