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He replied with one.
Tanner sat, waiting. Imogene, their managerial assistant, as she preferred to be called, had welcomed him with a smile. Tanner felt bad leaving her here with Carson and his temper. The woman had stuck it out through some serious conflict between Tanner and Carson. And today would likely be no exception.
The front door to the office slammed hard, signaling Carson’s arrival, the intensity of which didn’t bode well. Door-slamming was a harbinger of Carson’s mood for the day. Clearly something hadn’t gone well. Imogene had likely cringed at the loudness of it from her post as receptionist. She wouldn’t have let Carson see it of course, as Imogene was a hundred percent professional.
Carson’s expression resembled a thundercloud as he entered his personal office to find Tanner seated in a chair across the desk from his own. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too.” Tanner forced himself to smile like he hadn’t a care in the world.
“I don’t have time forthis.” Carson waved his hand as if swatting at a fly.
“Sure you do. Check your schedule. I’m on it.”
Carson removed his dark suit jacket and hung it carefully on the coat-tree in the corner. He wore expensive clothing and shoes from expensive stores. Only the finest.
As Carson sat down, he frowned even harder—if that was possible—at Tanner. “What are you doing in my office?”
“I’ve come to share my good news. I’m opening my own practice.” Before Carson could respond, Tanner produced the folder and shoved a stapled document toward him.
Carson narrowed his eyes at Tanner. “Is this a joke?”
“No, it’s not. I’ve more than compensated you for my educational expenses and it’s time I went out on my own.”
Carson was very quiet as he read Tanner’s proposal, which was two concise pages of legal jargon describing their parting of ways. So, more statement than proposal. Since Tanner hadn’t signed a contract initially, there were no terms of employment to break.
Carson tossed the pages aside. “This is utter bullshit. You’ll leave when I say it’s time.”
Tanner was prepared for his reaction. “No. I’m leaving today. I’ve already cleared out my desk and bought a building in town. They’re hanging the sign as we speak.”
“What? Where?” Carson glared at him. “I won’t allow it. You owe everything to me.”
“I’ve paid my dues. There’s no noncompete, nothing legal that says I can’t practice here in Cypress Bayou.” Tanner remained calm and looked his father directly in the eye.
Carson’s face was quickly reddening to an unbecoming shade of crimson. He stood and slammed his fist on the desk, causing the only photo to tip off the edge and shatter the glass. It was a photo of Carson with Tanner and Jake’s mom, Judy. Carson hardly spared a glance for the photo. “You’d better rethink your actions, son. Once you leave here, there’s no going back.”
“I’m leaving, and I perceive what you’ve said as a threat. And I’m assuming Imogene has heard every word you’ve spit at me since our conversation started. So, if you plan to cause trouble for me, keep that in mind.”
Tanner turned and walked out, leaving Carson to seethe alone.
“I’ll ruin you!” Carson called to his back.
“Imogene? Did you hear that?” Tanner called toward the woman who was clearly listening to every word. The question was rhetorical, of course.
Tanner grabbed the last small box from his desk across the hall from Carson. Then, as he got to the reception area, he realized that Imogene had gathered her purse and a few personal items as well. “I’m coming with you, if it’s all right.”
Tanner was completely taken aback by her pronouncement. “B-but, I can’t pay your salary yet, Imogene.”
She patted his hand in a motherly way. “That’s all right. I’ll be fine for a while. I won’t stay here one more day.” She sniffed in a disapproving way. “You’re the only thing that makes this office a place that’s worth staying at.” She cast her eyes back down the hallway. “I heard every word he said to you.”
Tanner grinned at the woman. “Well, let’s get going then. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have on my team.”
When they got outside, Tanner breathed a huge sigh. “I’m glad that’s over.”
“I’ve been wondering when you planned to finally quit that horrible man, even though he is your daddy.” Imogene said this as if everybody knew something he didn’t. But Tanner did know.
“Why did you work for him if you were unhappy?” Tanner asked Imogene.
“Carson helped my Hank with an unfortunate situation a couple years back, a few months after I went to work at his front desk. It was an intoxicated driving charge that never went to court. Hank would’ve lost his job if it’d come out. Carson held it over our heads that if I ever quit my job, he’d make sure everybody knew about Hank’s—incident. But Hank retired a week ago, and now since you’re leaving, I’ve got no reason to put up with any more abuse.”
