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“Lanie texted me to say she was running late but she’d be here in time for the first interview,” Sandra continued, moving farther into the reception area and flipping on a light. “Did you want me to sit in as well, or do you think the two of you can handle it?”
“Don’t you want to have a say?” He frowned. “You’ll be working directly with whomever we hire.”
She shrugged. “I can get along with pretty much anyone. Besides, I’ve got a lot on my plate. I’d prefer to have the time to get through that.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Well, okay, but if we find someone we like, can we bring them to meet you?”
“That works for me.” She lifted her cup in salute. “If you need me, I’ll be drowning in pleadings.”
After checking the mail bin at the receptionist’s desk, Steven continued on into his office. A low groan rumbled in his throat as he stared at the mountains of paperwork on his desk. He might have kept up with things electronically well enough from home, but that was why he needed to be in the office.
At least he had a couple of hours before the first interview. Maneuvering around was a challenge, but someone had removed the rolling chair behind his desk, and his wheelchair fit well enough in its place. He set his coffee cup on the only clear space he could find and began sorting through the piles, determining what needed his immediate attention and what could wait.
Just as he had finally gotten into a groove, someone knocked at his door. A quick glance at the time confirmed it was almost ten.
“Come in,” he called.
Lanie entered the room and carried two coffee cups.
“Ah, thanks, sis, but I’ve had about all the decaf I can handle for today.”
She leaned down and plopped the cup in front of him with a conspiratorial wink. “It’s not decaf.”
His head snapped up, and he raised an eyebrow. “Real coffee? You’re playing with fire.”
“I figure you deserved a treat for good behavior.”
Chuckling, he sipped and sighed with pleasure. “I’m not sure if Rose would agree with you on that.”
“Eh, she worries too much.” Lanie slipped into one of the chairs on the other side of his desk and raised an eyebrow. “So, you ready for this?”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?” He pulled the pile of applications in front of him. “I just hope there’s a true diamond among the rough you found.”
She snorted. “Sorry I couldn’t find anyone from Yale or Harvard, but somehow, I doubt they would be interested in sleepy little Cedar Haven.”
“But you did find a few from decent local schools. I guess I can forgive you.”
“There’s even a Georgetown in there,” she said, separating the pile and pushing a file toward him.
“Yeah, but what are the odds they’ll leave DC to come here? I can’t compete with the salary, let alone the prestige.” He sighed, laying his head back on his chair and staring at the ceiling. “I need someone who can share my vision and is willing to do the work.”
A warm hand covered his own, and he glanced at his sister.
“We’ll find someone.” He must not have looked convinced, because she hurried on. “Maybe not today, but the ad is running for another week.”
Leslie appeared in his doorway, her dark-brown hair pulled back in a bun. “Your first interview has arrived.”
With a quick nod, Steven focused on Lanie. “I guess it’s now or never.”
“That’s the spirit!” she deadpanned.
He gathered the application for the first interview and motioned for Lanie to head into the conference room, where Leslie had already set them up. The moment they entered the room, the applicant, Jason Gilherst, pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. His pleasant smile faltered as he took in Steven’s wheelchair, and he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. But his eyes widened when they landed on Lanie, and his smile morphed into a leer.
Steven tensed, bracing himself for some inappropriate comment toward his sister. To her credit, she caught on to the man’s sudden interest and lifted her left hand to brush her hair away from her face, putting her shiny diamond ring on display.
Well played. Steven bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
“Mr. Gilherst, this is Steven McAllister,” Leslie said. “And this is Lanie McAllister, his sister.”
