AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Levi.” She wilted a little at the sound of his voice. He’d always seemed to like her. He felt like a kind father figure, and tears sprang to her eyes at the happiness in his voice.
“Ms. Kade, you have truly pulled out a victory for this team. A complete victory. I am stunned. As is the rest of the board.”
“I’m honestly not even sure I know what’s going on.”
“Didn’t you talk to Jeanine? She said she called.”
“I got her message, but…I’m still not sure I understand. He just dropped the suit?”
“He not only dropped the suit, but he cited you as the principal reason he dropped it. He said… Just a moment, let me get this right. ‘Ms. Kade’s love for the town of Providence and her enthusiasm for the goals of the Provi
dence Historical Trust have persuaded me that the restoration of the town is a worthwhile project that should be pursued. Her unique perspective on the project combined with professionalism and unmatched energy are resources that will be invaluable to the development of this historical landmark.’”
Professionalism.
Tears welled from her eyes and coursed down her face. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
Levi cleared his own throat. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you there’ll be no more discussion of this being a temporary position. I won’t hear of it.”
For a moment, she felt such fierce pride and joy that she couldn’t breathe. She’d done it. She’d found her place. And she’d succeeded at it. But in the next moment, fear and regret rent that joy with a painful slash. She didn’t deserve this. She’d done everything all wrong.
“Mr. Cannon, I…I don’t think I deserve this. I can’t imagine what I said or did or…” Visions of what she’d done with Shane suddenly cascaded through her mind, but she shook it off. She wasn’t some femme fatale so skilled at sex that she could persuade men to give up millions of dollars. “I need to confess something. Something important. I’m the one who destroyed that mailbox. Or, rather, I bumped into it with my car and it fell over. I’m sorry. And then that sign. That stupid sign! I just wanted the board to call a meeting. I’m so sorry. And ashamed. And—”
She stopped talking when she realized Levi was laughing. Frowning at Grace’s pointed look of question, Merry shook her head in confusion.
“Oh, my God!” Levi howled.
“Mr. Cannon?”
“Those old biddies and their hand-wringing! And it was you the whole time!”
“I can’t apologize enough. When I hit the mailbox, I’d just found out that you hadn’t hired me for the reasons I’d thought. I was just a temporary placeholder and I thought if I owned up to hitting the mailbox, you’d fire me on the spot. I picked it back up. I thought it was fine, but… My deception was inexcusable. And then I made it worse.”
“Well, I suppose if you were my daughter, I’d make you go over and apologize and pay for the repairs. But you’re not my daughter, so I’m free to just laugh.”
“If you want me to resign, I understand. And there’s more, I’m afraid.”
“More?”
“Yes. I hired…I mean I accidentally hired Shane Harcourt to work on the saloon. I had no idea who he was. His name wasn’t Bishop!” She choked on tears again. “It’s obviously unforgivable.”
There was silence for a moment as Levi took in her words. “Darlin’, whatever you did was obviously the best thing that could’ve happened to Providence. If he intended to work for you and take advantage, I guess it got all turned around on him in the end, didn’t it? You beat him at his own game. That’s darn impressive.”
She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “So you don’t want me to resign?”
“Your techniques may be unorthodox, but they obviously work. I won’t hear of you leaving now, so I hope you enjoy working out there in the dust and dirt.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I love it so much, I can’t even express it. Have you talked to Shane, by chance?”
“Nope, but I’ll shake his hand when I do. His grandfather was a hard man, and I didn’t expect him to be any different, but I guess he’s got a bit of a soft side after all.”
He did. She knew he did. She’d seen it, but after everything, she’d no longer trusted herself. And if he had a soft side, and if he’d meant it that he’d changed his mind about what he was doing… Maybe he’d meant everything else, too.
She had to find him.
Merry got off the phone and resumed her pacing. “What does Cole say?”
“Nothing yet.”
