Ian was only mildly appeased to learn the girl wasn’t quite a teenager, and had already been employed by the Gregson Group for a few years. “She still seems a trifle young – and inexperienced – to work at this level, Andrew. I realize I left the matter of Sarah’s replacement in your capable hands, but I have to question your decision on this issue.”
Andrew adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “I can understand your concern, Mr. Gregson. But I assure you there were several very good reasons for placing Tessa in this position. If I may?”
Ian gave a terse nod before sitting down in his imposing leather desk chair. “By all means. Convince me why that child is qualified to work on the executive floor.”
“Of course. First, the timing with Sarah’s very abrupt transfer happened to coincide almost exactly with Tessa’s arrival in San Francisco. Placing her in Sarah’s position was quick and seamless. We avoided the need to interview and do security clearance for a new employee, or worry about having to replace an in-house transfer.”
Ian waved a hand somewhat irritably. “Convenient, yes, but hardly a valid reason for giving her such a high profile job.”
“She’s got advanced training in Excel, sir. Certificates from continuing education classes, things like that. She’s an expert at the program, able to perform functions that none of the others on the team could even begin to guess at. Even I’m not proficient at some of the more advanced functions she is,” admitted Andrew somewhat reluctantly.
That revelation mollified Ian a bit. He relied heavily on the use of spreadsheets to keep track of all the aspects of the dozens of hotels he oversaw – expenses, profitability, occupancy rates, employee statistics, property maintenance, etc. It had always been a source of some annoyance that none of the support team seemed to be especially proficient in a program that was such a vital necessity to his business. Knowing that Tessa would possibly be able to produce the complex reports he needed might be reason enough to keep her on the team.
And, as if that wasn’t sufficient cause, Andrew had another weapon in his arsenal. “Also, Tessa comes very highly recommended by her previous manager – a Mrs. Francine Carrington.”
That name got Ian’s attention and he stared at Andrew in mild shock. Andrew realized he’d seen his normally unflappable boss show more emotion in the past ten minutes that in the entire three years they had worked together.
A slow smile crossed Ian’s features. “It’s hard to imagine Mrs. C. recommending anyone, much less highly so. Let me see that letter, please.”
After scanning the sheet of paper, his smile broadened. “Well, I suppose that settles it, then. If Tessa made this sort of impression on Mrs. C. – the toughest boss I ever had – then she must be qualified. There’s just one more thing, then.”
Andrew raised a brow expectantly, wondering what else his boss could possibly object to. “What’s that, sir?”
Ian grimaced. “Keeping her as far away from that bastard Jason Baldwin as possible. He’ll think Christmas and his birthday have arrived wrapped up in one big shiny package when he sees Tessa for the first time. We are not going to have a repeat of the Sarah incident with Tessa. Not to mention the previous two sexual harassment incidents my uncle swept under the rug.”
“Three, sir. There were actually three incidents on his record prior to this most recent one with Sarah,” pointed out Andrew. “But in regards to Tessa, I doubt that Mr. Baldwin will bother her under the circumstances.”
Ian frowned. “What circumstances would those be?”
“Tessa is married, sir. Hopefully that knowledge will keep all the males in this office at bay – whether they happen to be married themselves or not.”
Ian thought he’d received all the shocks one person could handle in one day, but the knowledge that the beautiful, golden girl - who had caught his attention like no other woman ever had before - belonged to another man was almost enough to knock him on his arse. “Married?” he repeated hoarsely. “How is that possible? I mean – she’s too damned young to be married.”
“I happen to agree, sir, but the fact of the matter is that she’s a married woman. Married to a Peter Lockwood. He’s evidently a journalist.”
“Children?”
Andrew glanced up from Tessa’s personnel file in surprise at the almost desperate tone of his boss’ voice. “No, sir. At least none that she listed as covered dependents for her medical insurance. And I’ve spent a good deal of time showing her the ropes these past two weeks so the topic of any children would certainly have come up. An unplanned pregnancy is most likely not the reason she got married so young.”