“S how do you feel about working here?” I asked.
He thought for a second. “I love it.”
That surprised me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I love the consistency. I’ve been working here over twenty-five years and nothing’s really changed. Not even the staff. Matter of fact, you may be our first new face in about thirteen years. Outside of Lav, but she don’t count.”
My jaw dropped. “Really now?”
“Really. We get contract workers every now and again but the main staff stays the same. It’s nice to know what to expect from a job everyday. Nothing really changes. Even though wechanged owners, the head hunchos made sure nothing changed. For instance, every year staff pay goes up five percent.”
I paused mid-bite. “Five percent? Every year?”
He nodded. “Like clockwork, since I started.”
“Damn,” I murmured. “Anybody ever quit?”
He laughed. “Nah. Not really.”
“No one?” I pressed almost in disbelief.
“Not that I know of,” he said. “Why would we? Benefits are solid. Hours are fair and Mr. Sinclair don’t play about his people.”
I leaned back, chewing slowly, my mind spinning.
I was in awe.
It sounded harmless at first, almost comforting. It’s a steady, predictable climb. But stacked over years, it doubles. And double salaries paired with nobody leaving… no one gets replaced, no costs reset—it’s just a building full of people getting more expensive every single year.
That means this company has to grow consistently to keep pace with rising payroll.
Otherwise, it’s just pressure building beneath the surface.
No wonder things are tight right now and my Dads so pissed about the money. That little stunt at the hotel cost him at least five people’s yearly salary.
This is insanity! It’s not even the least bit sustainable. Not with the sale projections I’ve seen. It’s either he scales back on staff bonuses. Or, he may need to look at some lay offs.
I glanced over at Lavender, who was watching me with cautious curiosity.
Interesting, I thought. Very interesting.
After lunch, as me and Lavender walked back to my so called office, she gave me an impromptu speech about the history of the vineyard I was not listening to.
I was too busy thinking about ways to help this place.
Her, my father and Marlon mistakenly thought my lack of interest in being here with me being disinterested in the company, which is not the case. This company was supposed to be mine one day so I had to ensure it stood the test of time.
Well, the vineyard should. Not sure about this building. Maybe it needs to be redone? Or is the interior design the only thing lacking? Should I hire a professional? Is that in the budget? The windows were a big asset we should capitalize on. The windows were a very pale face was staring at me through?—
“Lavender girlie, this place haunted?”
“Hm. No?”
“So why is a white man staring at me through that window?”
Her eyes follow mine, her shoulders relaxing when they land on what I’ve been seeing.
“Oh! That’s just Wyatt.”
