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“It’s all right.” Blake waved in the woman Savannah recognized as his sister. “Zora, this is our new event manager, Savannah Carlisle. Savannah, this is our sales VP, Zora Abbott—the baby of the family.”
“And they never let me forget it.” Zora sat beside her older brother and elbowed him. The woman leaned across the table and shook her hand. “Welcome aboard, Savannah. We need you desperately. You’ve certainly impressed my big brother here. Not an easy feat.”
A deep blush of pink bloomed across Blake’s cheeks. He seemed relieved when another member of the Abbott clan stepped into the room.
“Max, this is your new event manager, Savannah Carlisle,” Zora informed the handsome newcomer, then turned to Savannah. “Max is our marketing VP. You’ll be working for him and with our mother—who isn’t here.”
There was no mistaking that Max and Blake were brothers. They had the same square jaw capped by a cleft chin. The same narrow, brooding dark eyes. And the same nose—with a narrow bridge and slightly flared nostrils.
Max wore his curly hair longer than Blake’s. And where Blake’s skin was the color of terra-cotta tiles, his brother’s skin was a deeper russet brown. Max was a little taller than his brother, with a leaner frame.
“I look forward to working with you, Savannah.” Max sat beside her and shook her hand, his grip firm and warm. His smile seemed genuine. “I’m excited to hear more of your ideas for the anniversary celebration.”
“That’s why I invited her to join us. She can relay them much better than I can.”
Two more men walked into the room. “Didn’t realize we were having guests,” the younger of the two said, his voice gruff.
“My brother Parker.” Zora rolled her eyes. “Chief financial officer and resident cheapskate.”
Parker was not amused, but the older man—whom Zora introduced as their father, Duke—chuckled and gave Savannah a warm greeting.
Parker offered a cursory greeting, then shifted his narrowed gaze to Blake.
“I thought we were going to discuss the proposal honestly.” Parker sat at one end of the table. Duke sat at the other.
“We will.” The intensity of Blake’s tone matched his brother’s. He nodded toward Savannah. “No one is asking you to pull any punches. She might as well get accustomed to how we do business around here. Besides, she can best respond to your questions about the kind of return on investment we should expect.”
“Welcome, then.” Parker tapped something on his phone. “I’ve been described as…no-nonsense. Don’t take it personally.”
“I won’t, if you promise not to take my tendency to shoot straight personally, either.” Savannah met his gaze.
Parker nodded his agreement and the other siblings exchanged amused glances.
“You found someone Parker can’t intimidate.” Zora grinned. “Good job, Blake.”
The Abbotts continued to tease each other while Zora or Blake filled her in on the inside jokes. Savannah smiled politely, laughing when they did. But an uneasiness crawled up her spine.
The Abbotts weren’t what she’d expected.
Her grandfather had portrayed them as wild grizzly bears. Vicious and capable of devouring their own young.
Don’t be fooled by their charm.
“Ready to make your presentation?” Blake asked.
Parker drummed his fingers on the table and glanced at his watch.
Don’t show fear.
“Absolutely.” Savannah stood, clutching her portfolio.
Blake’s warm smile immediately eased the tightness in her chest. Her lungs expanded and she took a deep breath.
Savannah opened her portfolio and glanced around the room.
“All right, here’s what I’m proposing…”
* * *
Blake typed notes into his phone as Savannah recapped her presentation. She’d won over everyone in the room. They were all on board with her plan—even penny-pinching Parker.
The event had graduated from the “little shindig” his mother had envisioned to a full gala. One that would retain a rustic charm that paid homage to the company’s history. Savannah had also suggested holding anniversary events in other key cities.
The upgrades Savannah proposed to the old barn on his parents’ property to prepare for the gala would significantly increase its rental income. They could charge more per event and would draw business from corporations and folks in nearby towns. All of which made Parker exceedingly happy.
“There’s one thing I’m still not sold on,” he interjected. “The majority of our market share is here in the South. Why invest in events elsewhere?”
