“Part of the problem is how women react to Zane.” The fine china cup rattled against the saucer as McKenna’s hand shook.
McKenna detailed what had happened today with Cora’s bridesmaids, careful to keep her voice level and her expression blank. She went on to explain the problems she experienced when women discovered he wasn’t in the office. “They grill me about where he is and when he’ll be back. A couple asked me to call him, and when they don’t get to see him, they whine, mope, and pout.”
She chewed on her lip. Should she mention her meeting with Susannah and Campbell? Guilt over possibly causing a problem between Zane and his grandmother warred with McKenna’s self-interests.Stop it. This was Ginny’s livelihood. She deserved to know how bad the issue was and the possible ramifications. InDragnetjust-the-facts-ma’am style, McKenna relayed an edited version of the situation with Campbell. “It’s not entirely Zane’s fault. Women seem to lose all common sense when he’s around.”
“The ninnies.” Ginny shook her head. “Don’t any of them have an ounce of self-respect?”
“I’ve concluded they don’t.” How could any woman think a man she’d won over acting the way these women had was worth having? “I think if Zane wasn’t there word would get around town and the office would go back to normal.”
Ginny shook her head. “No. I need him in the office.”
The stern, clipped, almost final, tone in Ginny’s voice sent apprehension shooting through McKenna. Had something happened since they’d talked about her managing Lucky Stars Weddings that changed Ginny’s mind? Had something or someone made her concerned about leaving her in charge? What if Ginny had learned what happened in Houston?
McKenna swallowed hard and forced out her question. “Are you unhappy with my work? Have I done something wrong or something that’s made you distrust me?”
“Gracious, no, dear.” Ginny’s voice rang with affection as she patted McKenna’s hand. “You are amazing, and I’d be lost without you, but I’m worried about overburdening you. There’s too much for you to do alone. You and I working full-time barely kept up.”
McKenna waved a hand in dismissal. “You needn’t worry about me. I don’t mind putting in more hours until you return. This is what I studied to do, and the plan we made is solid. Between you, me, and Opal, we don’t need Zane seeing to the finances.”
“That’s what he said he was doing? Handling the finances?” Ginny asked, her eyebrows knit together in confusion.
McKenna nodded and chuckled. “He also said he’d handle ‘management issues.’ Can you see Miss Opal, Tyler, and me having management issues?”
“Oh, that’s not right. I’ll talk to Zane tonight about that, too.”
Something felt off, almost as if McKenna had come in partway of a conversation. While she’d convinced Ginny to talk to Zane, what exactly would they discuss? Hoping for the best, but knowing she had to know what Ginny meant, McKenna said, “I tried to tell Zane there had to be a misunderstanding. That his working in the office wasn’t a good fit.”
“I’m afraid you’re misunderstanding, too, dear. I expect Zane to help with more than the finances. I intend for him to help with everything, including running events.”
No. No. No. McKenna swallowed hard. Blood pounded in her ears. This couldn’t be happening. How could she have screwed up this conversation so badly? She’d come here to convince Ginny she didn’t need Zane’s help, and instead she’d ended up with him involved with every aspect of the business.
Please don’t make me have to work events with Zane. It’ll be my worst nightmare come to life. He’ll treat them like a frat party. All the unattached women will fawn all over him, and I’ll have to hire EMTs to be on standby in case catfights break out.
How could she undo this disaster?
Chapter Eight
“While I appreciateyour concern, it’s unnecessary. Plus, Zane has a full-time job. It’s not fair to ask him to juggle two. He’s the one you should be worried about burning out. Worse yet, I’d feel terrible if helping us put his job at risk.” Before Ginny could object, McKenna added her final point. “While I’m sure Zane’s very good at what he does, I don’t see how his skills as a video game designer translate to the wedding industry.”
Ooh, that was good. Emphasizing her concern for Zane paired with her ability to handle things alone and his lack of industry experience laid out a solid case. Not that her apprehension for his career was a lie, it was real. She simply wasn’t as worried about his career as hers. McKenna relaxed against the chair back and took a bite of bread. This time it didn’t taste like dust.
“He’s more than a designer. When he and a coworker pitched a game set here on the ranch with cowboys killing zombies, their company rejected it. He and Cody quit and started their own company.”
“Zane owns the company that createdCowboys and Zombies?” McKenna gasped. She loved that game. One reason being its main female character, a cowgirl, possessed as much strength, ingenuity, and ability as any of the game’s cowboys.
His partner must’ve designed the cowgirl.
Ginny’s revelation sank in. Zane owned his own business. He possessed management experience. Controlled his financial destiny. He’d already obtained what she so longed for and his company probably employed more people than his grandmother’s. Why hadn’t he or Ginny told her?
“Didn’t I tell you he owned half a gaming company?”
McKenna shook her head. “Then he certainly doesn’t have time to manage your company, too.”
“He’ll be another set of hands, and he might be more help than you think,” Ginny said, ignoring her comment. “He has industry experience. He worked receptions for me when he was in high school and college.”
Well, then, never mind. I didn’t realize he hadthatmuch industry experience. I’m sure he’ll be oodles of help. At least when the single females in attendance give him enough room to move.
Was it opposite day and no one told her? That was what it felt like because all her arguments appeared to have the reverse affect from the ones she intended. “What about the women falling all over him? I’m worried for your business. You’ve spent years building a solid reputation. His presence is disruptive, through no fault of his,” she quickly added. “Aren’t we simply trading one set of difficulties for another?”
