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“You got lucky because she’s going to be excellent and she’s going to be reliable. She’s got two kids to support, and if I can find a way to make sure that they don’t spend their entire childhoods with a mom who works two or three jobs to barely make a living, I will do it,” she vowed.
“I would typically require an associate degree. Even for a receptionist.”
Jayna shrugged. “Then she’s going to need tuition assistance. Quaid, how old is your legal secretary? Because if I’m correct and we’re talking about Cynthia Dobson, she’s in her sixties. How long before she wants to retire and hang out with her grandkids all the time?”
He sighed. “She’s already told me she intends to retire in five years.”
“Are you willing to take the chance that you’ll find someone qualified who’ll want to move here?” She could win this particular negotiation. And that’s what they were doing. Quaid Havery had a problem. She had a problem. There was a simple solution that only required something Quaid had plenty of—money. The other part might be harder. She had to convince her sister to believe in herself, but she would deal with that. She would make Sienna see how perfect she was for this job. “Or you could take on someone who needs a break and give it to her. You could lift someone up.”
He stared at her for a moment and then Sienna was standing next to him, a fresh pot of coffee in her hand.
“Am I interrupting?” The smile she’d had on her face faltered. “Are you about to fight? Because I heard it got heated between the two of you at the courthouse the other day.”
Quaid simply turned Sienna’s way, and for a moment Jayna worried she’d way overplayed her hand.
“What would you say if I told you I’ll pay for you to go to school to become certified as a paralegal?”
Her sister’s eyes went wide. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I’m going to need one when Cindy retires, and it was recently pointed out to me that it’s going to be difficult to import one. This same person might have convinced me that I should look around and find a smart, hardworking person to train, someone willing to stay in Papillon for a long time,” Quaid continued. “So here’s the deal. You work for me from eight a.m. to three as my receptionist and office manager. You pick up your girls and then you do online classes or night school. You might have to do both, but I’ll pay for the tuition and the certification process. You don’t have to rush, but I’ll expect you to get that certification before Cindy retires in five years, and then her job will be yours and we’ll find another receptionist.”
“I... I have a job,” Sienna stammered. “A couple, actually.”
“This one will pay better and has actual medical and dental.” She wished Quaid hadn’t hit Sienna like this. She’d been planning to ease her sister into the idea. With blunt force, if necessary, but a little more time to let her adjust.
Sienna’s hand tightened around the coffeepot handle. “I’m not qualified.”
“You would be after you finished the classes,” he pointed out.
Jayna’s gut twisted. “Maybe Sienna and I should talk about this.”
Quaid shook his head. “No, this is between me and Sienna. If I’m going to make this investment, I need to know she’s serious about it. This would be an important job and will require discipline and hard work. It’s also a job where you can make enough money to support your kids without a side hustle. You won’t have to work weekends unless we’re on a big case, and we don’t usually have those. Now that I think about it, I like the idea of having someone who knows the town.”
“Yeah, and they know me. They know I’m not some paralegal. I’m the girl who brings their breakfast and pours their beers on weekends,” Sienna replied, her voice soft.
Quaid sat back. “Sienna, this is an opportunity that could work out for both of us, but you have a decision to make, and I know it’s a hard one. You can stay the girl everyone loves who brings them their breakfast and pours their beers. Or you can be the woman who believes enough in herself to take the chance to better her life. Her daughters’ lives. Do you honestly believe you can’t get through the classes?”
Sienna’s jaw went tight. “I can do it. I was good at school. I liked school.”
“Are you uninterested in the type of work?” Quaid asked.
“I am fascinated with all of it. I just never thought I could...” Sienna’s shoulders went straight. “I can do it, Mr. Havery. I would like to talk to you about salary, but I agree to all your other terms. When would you like me to start?”
Relief flooded Jayna. She’d thought for a moment that Sienna’s insecurities would hold her back, but her sister had been brave.
“As soon as possible,” Quaid replied. “Especially since you’ll be working for two of us in the beginning. Your sister has agreed to move from this incredible location to my extra office. She’ll be answering the phones until you get there. Please come as quick as you can before she has the firmtaking goats in exchange for legal services. Or running off clients with her intense personality.”
“I can be nice.” She wasn’t inte... Well, maybe a little.
“Do you feel like being nice?” Quaid asked.
“Not most of the time,” Jayna allowed.
“Are you serious, Quaid Havery?” Sienna ignored their byplay, her eyes on the man who might be her boss. “Are you telling me I can answer phones for you and take care of the office and you’ll pay for me to become a paralegal?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
