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While she lay beneath the sheet, waiting for their hired stud to come into the bedroom, she felt like a sacrifice on an altar. And it occurred to her then that that was precisely what she was, a sacrifice on the altar of Foster’s ego. She’d been crying over that when Griff came into the room.
Neither had expected what happened next. She was certain that Griff hadn’t intended it any more than she. Indeed, her tears had made him angry at first.
And then, with surprising gentleness, he had whisked them away. His caring had soothed the hurt of Foster’s rejection. Instinctually she had grasped at it, clutched it with a desperate need for validation and tenderness, understanding and affection. Griff had responded to this reaction as most men would, sexually.
She had never joined him in that house seeking sexual satisfaction. Quite the opposite. She had fought the very idea of it. She went through her days, and nights, telling herself that she didn’t feel deprived, that fulfillment came from other aspects of her life with Foster, that she didn’t miss the weight of a man on her.
But feeling him swell inside her had been powerfully erotic. She was seized by a longing so acute, wasn’t it natural, even excusable, that her body responded, and that, almost in spite of herself, she had given herself over to it?
She could almost justify what had happened between them that day.
But how could she excuse the afternoon four weeks later? She couldn’t. What they’d done had been wrong, and ultimately calamitous.
Now she pressed her hand against her lower abdomen and wept for the child who would never know his father.
Either of them.
The next day she presided over the meeting she had called. All the department heads were there, as were all the board members.
She cut straight to the chase. “I won’t hold you to the terms of Foster’s will, automatically appointing me CEO. Foster wrote the proviso to prevent leaving the airline without a specified executive officer in the event of his sudden death. You know how he hated leaving anything to chance. However, he also ran this corporation as a democracy. I intend to carry on that tradition.”
She reached for her water glass and took a sip. “Foster’s manner of death will result in a trial. If not a trial, then at least there will be a formal inquiry and legal entanglements that can’t be avoided. One way or another, I’ll have to get through them, unsure of how or when they will be resolved. I want to prepare you for some unpleasantness. Allegations will be made, and I’ll have to address them publicly.
“There will be an ongoing melee with the media. I hope to protect SunSouth from the worst of it, but Foster’s and my names are synonymous with the airline. I beg your cooperation. If anyone from the media asks you for a comment, please refer them to our legal department. No matter how harmless a reporter may seem, please don’t reply to any questions or make any statements or speculations. Anything you said could be used out of context.”
“What unpleasantness do you predict?” one asked.
“The nature of our relationship with Griff Burkett may come into question. I confess it was intensely personal and private.” An awkward silence descended over the room. Everyone focused on something other than her.
When no one spoke, she continued. “That brings me to my next point. If at any time you deem me unsuitable or incapable of carrying out my responsibilities to SunSouth Airlines and its employees, if you don’t wish me to represent the airline as CEO or in any other capacity, request my resignation and I’ll tender it immediately and without argument. I want you all to understand that.”
Finally Joe McDonald raised his hand. “I’ve been appointed spokesperson for this meeting.”
“All right.” She braced herself. Perhaps they’d already decided that a woman whose husband had died under unexplained but violent circumstances, who was involved with a felonious ex–football player in any way, wasn’t fit to be their CEO.
“We discussed this in advance of the meeting,” Joe told her. “And we’re in unanimous agreement that we want you to remain in your present position. That is, CEO.”
“I’m very pleased to hear that,” she said, struggling to keep her emotions under control. “I would hate to lose my husband and my job in the same week. But what I told you remains in effect. The continued success of SunSouth must be your priority. If ever you feel the future of the airline is in jeopardy, it’s your duty to replace me.”
“It’s our duty to support our leader,” Joe said. Several others said, “Hear, hear.” Joe continued. “We stand with you, Laura. You have our complete trust in your integrity, as well as in your ability to run this airline.”
“Thank you.” She blinked away tears. “Now, with that matter settled, let’s talk about Select.” There were murmurs of surprise. “Are there still copies of the syllabus circulating?” she asked Joe.
“I collected them all. You told me that, for the time being, Select
was tabled.”
“For the time being, it was. I’m officially untabling it.”
It was an exhausting day but a rewarding one. She accomplished much. The reintroduction of SunSouth Select had been received with the enthusiasm she had hoped for. Many commended her for moving ahead and focusing on the future, rather than dwelling on the unhappiness of the past.
Following that meeting, she had conferred with the senior partner of the law firm that handled Foster’s personal affairs. In deference to her, the venerable gentleman had come to her office. They went over Foster’s will, the various bequeathals he’d made to charity groups, and specifically to the foundation named after Elaine.
“I’d like to deliver that donation personally,” Laura told him. “As you know, the foundation was very dear to Foster. In fact, once the estate is sold, I want all the proceeds to go to it.”
“Sold?”
He was surprised that she wished to sell the estate and tried to dissuade her from making such a radical decision at a time when her emotions were running high.
