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“Ah!” Now it all made much more sense. Grant had had a feeling that what needed to be reconciled with Zosca was the differing visions of the owner and the manager. Now he understood. An owner would normally fire a manager who didn’t share his vision. He was less likely to do that when the manager was his daughter. He gave Cameron a rueful smile. “In that case, yes, please. I’ll take the coffee and all the insight you can give me.”
Cameron led him into his office. “I’m only going to give you pertinent information that will hopefully make your job a little easier.”
“That’s all I’m looking for.”
“Okay.” He pressed the intercom. “Could you send for coffee for us, Mary Ellen?”
“Of course, what would you like?”
Grant refused to think about the other Mary Ellen, the one he’d met on Saturday—Chelsea’s friend. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about her. Not at all, and especially not right now when he was about to glean some useful info about what he was getting himself into.
“An americano for me,” said Cameron.
“Me too, thanks,” said Grant.
“Okay. I understand that you’ve been told this is supposed to be a standard turnaround job.”
Grant nodded. “That was the initial briefing I received, yes. However, I’ve had a chance to go through the books and sensed there was something else going on here.”
Cameron raised an eyebrow.
“Zosca isn’t a sinking ship, not like I’m usually brought in to save. From what I’ve seen, it’s doing okay—if you think of it as a newer company which is building its brand and defining its offering. Profit margins aren’t great, and there’s certainly room for efficiencies, but it’s in startup mode.”
“Except,” began Cameron.
“I know, except it isn’t in startup mode. In your father’s eyes, it’s a well-established business which should—and could—be turning more of a profit. I’d already figured out that the major discrepancy isn’t found in the accounts, or even in the management. Rather it’s the discrepancy in expectations. If you have a manager, who sees things one way and an owner who sees them differently, then you have a problem.”
Cameron smiled. “Especially when the owner and manager are father and daughter.”
“Yeah. I’m wondering if I’m even the right person for the job at this point.”
Cameron frowned.
“It sounds to me that some kind of family mediator would be more appropriate. Your father and your sister need to reach an understanding of which path is best for the business and then follow it.”
Cameron laughed. “You may have a point there. Are you any good at mediation?”
Grant hoped he was joking. “It’s starting to sound like I might need to learn fast.”
There was a knock on the door, and a blonde woman appeared with two cups of coffee. Grant stared at her in shock. It was the same Mary Ellen—what where the odds?
Judging by the look on her face and the way she let both coffee cups slip to the ground, she was even more surprised to see him. “Oh!”
Cameron got to his feet and went to help her. Grant continued to stare as she shot him horrified looks while she mopped up the coffee.
“What’s going on here?” Mr. Hamilton Sr. appeared outside the doorway, looking concerned.
“Nothing, it’s fine, Dad.” Cameron turned back to Grant. “You should probably head to the boardroom. I’ll get some fresh coffee sent in.”
Grant nodded and got to his feet. He smiled at Mary Ellen as he passed her. It was a pretty big coincidence to run into her again like this, but he couldn’t say he was upset about it. She, on the other hand, just gave him another horrified look. He didn’t get it, but then he didn’t have time to figure it out either. Mr. Hamilton put his hand on his shoulder and led him away.
“Thanks for coming. I have to say, I’m glad you’re here. I did a lot of research when I decided that we needed to bring someone in to help. You have a great reputation, and I’m sure you’re going to do a great job.”
“Thank you. I’m going to do my best.” He looked up at the older man. He wanted to lay out for him why he wasn’t sure he’d be able to, but there wasn’t time. A young man hurried toward them.
“The boardroom is all set up for you.”
“Great. Is she here yet?”
