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“Well, since you’re here”—Jennifer hands me a manila folder—“you can sign these documents yourself. I was going to have Brody do it. He’s got your power of attorney.”
Brody is my legal counsel. He’s an American, but he was with me in Glasgow. So was Jennifer, who’s also an American, as well as my second-in-command, Sabrina Ellis. They’ve all been with me in the business since I took over for my father. They’re all sitting in my office with me.
Besides Brody, Jennifer, and Sabrina, I hired four others once we relocated here a month ago. They’ve all proved to be invaluable.
So yes, I trust them implicitly.
But still… They’re not me.
“All right.” I grab a pen. “So I checked my calendar. It looks like once we get these documents signed, we can move forward with hiring an architect to design our hotel.”
“Correct,” Sabrina says. “I’ve been looking into that. I found a good firm. Or what I thought was a good firm. But Braden Black recommended someone else.”
“Why?”
“He wouldn’t say why, only that he thought the first firm skated on ethics a bit.”
I nod. “Let’s go with Black’s recommendation.”
“That’s what I figured you’d say. I’ve already set up a meeting for next week.”
“Now that I’m back, can we move it up?” I grab my phone and open the calendar app. “This afternoon, if they’re available?”
“Jennifer?” Sabrina says.
“I’ll get right on it.” Jennifer whisks out the door to her own office next to mine.
“I know I originally wanted this resort in Las Vegas to have a Scottish theme,” I say, “but I’m rethinking that. What do you think about a New Orleans theme?”
“It’s not exactly original,” Sabrina offers. “The Orleans already has that theme.”
“Yes, I know. But I was thinking of really diving into the culture. Recreating some of the cemeteries, the seedier side of New Orleans.”
Sabrina shakes her head. “Ronan, we’ve had these plans drawn up for a year. Now that you’ve purchased the property from Braden Black, redesigning everything will take more time, and that will take more money. Besides, a Scottish theme, with all the dealers and employees wearing kilts? There’s nothing like that now in Vegas.”
I sigh. She’s right, of course. I just enjoyed getting back to my roots the last couple days.
But Scotland is also my roots. This way my company will offer something that isn’t currently available.
“You’re right,” I defer.
“Why the sudden change of your mind?” Brody asks.
“Just my time in New Orleans. You know I was raised there. It’ll always be home to me. Even though I look like I belong in a tavern in Scotland.” I laugh.
“How about a restaurant?” Sabrina says. “We all know that Scottish food in general isn’t anything exciting. You’ve already planned to have five restaurants in the hotel. Why not devote one of them to your grandmother’s Creole recipes?”
“I love that idea. Give yourself a raise, Bree.”
Sabrina laughs. “If I did that every time you told me to, you wouldn’t be able to afford me.”
“We’ll have one Scottish restaurant because it’s a Scottish-themed hotel. I believe most people will go there to see the hunky waiters in kilts.”
“Are you saying you’re only going to hire male waiters?” Brody asks.
“No. Federal law won’t allow me to do that, which I know is your point, Brody. But we’re going to put the women in kilts as well. A uniform.”
“Good.” Brody chuckles. “I know we’ve been in Scotland for a long time, but I didn’t think I had to educate you on Title VII.”
