Her Unexpected Admirer Page 0,26
finally got off the phone and slid it back into the pocket of his dark suit. She turned slightly towards him, away from the amazing view of the Denver landscape with the tall mountains in the distance. “What’s in Denver?” she asked, clearing her throat and trying to focus on the numbers.
“Horses. Mountains. Lots of people,” he teased, watching her head snap up and her eyes flash with anger. “Okay,” he chuckled, and relented – explaining his business and how each of the cities were chosen for their location and the various advantageous characteristics of that location.
When he was finished, she felt as if her mind was spinning. The intricacies of each city’s purpose were well thought out. He’d really done his research before he established each area of expertise. “Impressive,” she replied, wishing she could be so logical. Her paintings were never logical, she thought. They were usually shockingly unruly, and mirrored her feelings at the time of creation. She didn’t understand things until she’d painted them and worked small pictures or objects into the canvas. But the discipline of painting, of figuring out which piece of the chaotic thoughts swirling through her mind needed to be painted first, was always thoroughly enjoyable and challenging. She wanted to talk to him about that, to compare her painting technique to his business decision making process but bit back the possibility. Her painting was not something she shared with anyone, especially not a client that might say something to her father. That man would be livid if he heard that she was still painting. He’d always told her it was a waste of time and money.
Davis saw something strange light up her eyes and thought about asking her about it, but it was too soon. She needed to trust him before she would share what might be going on in her head. “Thank you. So where are you going to start first?” he asked.
Kate thought back to her forensic accounting classes, trying to remember what she should do first and the process she should take to unhide the secrets of his accounting system. “Well, since this is my first location, why don’t I go through the numbers and establish the patterns? Once I know those patterns, I can find places where the pattern doesn’t fit.”
He nodded his head, agreeing with her. “Sounds good. We’re here.”
He led her through the office and Kate controlled her surprised expression at how everyone jumped, stammered and dropped things when they saw Davis. It was more than just his startling size and shocking good looks. She saw fear in their eyes! Looking up at him, she understood that as well. He was different right now, more stern and tough looking. All the tenderness he’d shown her last night was gone, replaced by the businessman who had made billions with his intellect.
Davis introduced Kate to his accounting department head for the Denver office, explaining that she was doing a special project for him and should have access to any information she might request. The department head, Marcy Shuttleman, was startled to even be speaking with the CEO of her company, but she nodded her head, agreeing to provide any information Kate might request.
For the next four hours, Kate listened to Marcy explain the accounting procedures. Then Kate was placed in a room with a computer and lots of files. There were stacks of them, surrounding her and blocking her in. She took several deep breaths, trying not to become overwhelmed by the task ahead of her. Just one bite at a time, she told herself, thinking of eating a bear. Just one bite at a time.
She wasn’t exactly sure where to start and thought about calling her father. But what if she figured it out for herself? What if she were able to start the process and he might be proud of her when she called to check in tonight?
Eyeing all of the stacks of files, she decided that she was going to tough it out for herself. She'd taken the classes, she knew what to do. It was just a matter of getting into the details and figuring out all the pieces.
So she attacked the first stack of invoices just like she would one of her larger canvases. It was slightly intimidating to stand in front of a completely blank, new canvas, especially with so many thoughts rushing around in her mind. This was just like it, but with files of invoices instead of a canvas,