Their laughter filled the air.
“Unfortunately, I never got a chance to work with Charles King. For that, I am truly sorry.”
Tears smarted her eyes.
“From what I’ve heard, he was not only a charismatic salesman, he was a compassionate, caring man who had a dream for himself and his family.” His gaze landed on hers. She swallowed hard. “And, I’m told, by a very good source, dreams are what you hold onto through the darkness. They give you something to aim for, a standard of excellence you push yourself to achieve until you soar. That is the legacy you have carried on and that is the legacy we will continue to strive for here at King’s. I know you will guide me and work beside me to carry out Charles King’s vision.”
Cheers went up, the roar almost deafening. Through it all, she caught his glance and held it for a moment. He nodded to her as the corner of his lip moved ever so slightly upward.
He’d listened to her, to what she felt and thought and had to say. He took her seriously. Her heart turned over in her chest.
Wonder swelled in her. She gave him a thumbs-up. He chuckled.
“Girl, you should have told me how hot he was. Forget my date. I would have come running to meet him,” Rico said. “I’m in l-o-v-e.”
Me, too. A blast of heat rushed through her. Oh no, she couldn’t be. It was just a crush, wasn’t it?
***
Hours later, Griffin flexed his stiff fingers. His hand cramped from shaking hands and his jaw ached with the effort to keep a smile on his face all day as he went around to each department and introduced himself to every employee. With each one he met, something cold and sharp sank in his belly. They believed in this store, in the King family. Who was he to destroy them as well as the store?
Embedded in the enemy camp, he wondered if just after the first day, he was losing sight of his goal. Their enthusiasm and passion surprised him; he’d never encountered anything like it in the past. They weren’t getting just a paycheck: they were family, invested in a part of that dream he spoke of at the announcement.
As he recalled the speech, thoughts of his pixie took hold. She’d beamed with pride as he stepped up to the podium, taking center stage. Noticing her in the crowd, he used her as his inspiration at the last minute; somehow her words, her passion rang true with the employees. It had struck a chord in him, too, but he couldn’t imagine hoping for anything ever again and not being let down in the end. Nothing came easy for him.
Now as he roamed the store, in the back of his mind, he wondered when he’d see Priscilla again.
Peg, his new assistant he’d inherited with the job, chattered amicably, filling him in as they went. “Earth to Griff,” she called, snapping her fingers in front of his face. “You’re back. Good. Now this one, she’s been here since the dawn of time.” She ran a finger down the list of employees attached to her clipboard, and then tapped the paper. “And she doesn’t like change. Outspoken, too. Easy does it with her.”
“You’re a wealth of information.” He filed that away. This woman was a gem, albeit she possessed a less than professional style. It worked with the employees, though.
“I know. Worth my weight in gold.”
He turned to her, seeing the ghost of a smile.
“We gotta work on your sense of humor, Boss.”
“Somehow, I don’t see the reason behind that suggestion,” he drawled.
“Oh, I do. Believe me, I do.”
He frowned. “Is that an attempt at a joke?”
“It’s a fact, Jack.”
Griffin shook his head; it would take a lot to get used to her. “Let me know when you’re kidding around.”
She rolled her eyes. “Holy Toledo, I gotta really break you in and good.”
He wondered who was in charge here—him or her?
Another hour and he turned the corner to see the Charmings Wedding Boutique. It was everything the papers had said. Hip. Chic.
However, it was the woman standing a few yards in front of him that captured his attention. Priscilla stood with her sister, Francie, and a gentleman he hadn’t met yet.
“Oh, isn’t that so good to see?” Peg asked. “The sisters. It’s been a real joy to see them blossom.”
“I’m sure you’ve seen a lot.”
“And how. If it wasn’t for Charlie I would’ve been long gone years ago. She rescued me from her stepmother’s wrath.”
“You were Mrs. King’s assistant?” This just got very interesting.
“No, thank heavens. But I’ve seen her operate. A real piece of work, that one. My, the stories I could tell.”
“Maybe you can fill me in someday.” He wished she’d spill it. Why did she have to practice restrain now?