Chapter 6
“Qasim?” Minka Gerald traded unsteady looks with the other people at the long, rectangular table that Monday morning. She resorted to leaning forward to tap Qasim’s hand, smiling encouragingly when he focused on her face as if he had no idea what she was doing there.
“Do you need more time to decide?” she asked. “We’ve been giving this business to area hotels for years now. We all think this could be a good alternative.” Her smile faltered a bit, and she glanced toward the opposite end of the conference table. “Most of us think it’s a good alternative.”
“Changing venues is a big, complex alternative,” Will Lloyd stated.
“Changing venues?” Qasim’s interest heightened a tad.
“This event requires lots of planning and detail.” Will leaned forward in his chair. “A lot of that planning depends on the location. The hotels already have the necessary personnel in place to handle a lot of those details. Holding this thing at a private residence brings the brunt of that work way down on our shoulders.
“Given that I’m the one who has the job of planning this thing, I certainly don’t want to be responsible for screwing up the first time we decide to shake up the status quo.”
“This would save a lot of dollars from the bottom line.” Minka’s voice was flat, cool. “Dollars that could go to the donations side of the charity. It is why you started this, isn’t it?”
“So what’s the plan if we change venues?” Qasim asked.
Minka cast another look around the table. The group seemed fine with letting her step out on the ledge and answer the boss. “We thought Carro Vineyards would be the perfect location.”
Qasim frowned, not bothering to hide his surprise over the suggestion.
Minka lifted her hands in a show of mock defense. “Don’t shoot it down just yet. I got the idea when Vectra came to the office last week. We just want your permission to talk to her about it. I think we have an excellent chance at getting her blessings on the go-ahead.
“We all know that Carro holds that grape-gathering event every year for the kids. Having a part to play in something like this might be very exciting for them.”
Qasim thought he could feel his nerves grating, but admitted his frugal assistant had a point. No one could argue the fact that the Bauer family had no qualms about giving back. The annual Grape Gathering had been established by Rose Bauer, and Vectra had done more than simply continue her late mother’s charity extravaganza. It had been her idea to hold a special day exclusively for the very kids the proceeds from the Grape Gathering admission tickets were to benefit.
Local children from low-income families and those living in homeless shelters in and around the greater San Francisco area were invited out for a day of grape picking. The event began with a mountainous breakfast and continued with breaks for generous lunch and supper buffets.
“Think of the money we could save,” Minka urged her boss. “Vectra probably wouldn’t even charge us to hold the event there.”
Qasim shifted on his seat at the head of the long table. Rubbing his eyes, he attempted to veil the doubt lurking there. After the other night, the charitable mistress of Carro Vineyards might very well charge an arm and a leg for the privilege of hosting.
An arm and a leg is right—my own!
“We’ve got nothing to lose by asking,” someone at the table said.
“I like the idea of having it at a vineyard instead of some stuffy old hotel,” another agreed.
“Great idea, Mink,” someone else cheered.
Will stood suddenly and began to collect his belongings. “You guys will have to excuse me. Good luck, Minka. Sim, do you want me to keep working on this, or should I turn the event back over to Minka? It’s been her baby for a few years now.” He tugged at his tie indignantly. “Maybe she wasn’t as ready to give it up as you thought when you asked me to handle it.”
“I don’t think she’s looking to have all that work back.” Qasim attempted to play the role of peacemaker. It was very necessary for him to be fully committed to the conversation. Just then, however, he had no real interest in locales, budgets or any other aspects of the early-morning meeting.
After leaving Vectra’s, following their heavy conversation, he’d told himself that it was for the best. It was what he’d wanted after all, right? An involvement between them wasn’t the best idea, was it?
“Nothing’s set in stone, Will,” he said, “but anything that puts more money into the hands of the kids I’m trying to help has to be worth checking out. We keep Minka pretty busy around here. I’m sure she’s not trying to heap more work on her plate.”