aging.” He gave her a tight smile. “The other two properties have the same problem. The one with the scratched floors for example. That flooring has been replaced twice. The second time was right after a cleansing to remove any nefarious spirits. It obviously didn’t work.”
“And the cottage? I assume he’s already hired someone to do a cleansing?”
“Yep. Whatever is there still manages to run everyone off before they even get in the door.”
Grace had gotten in the door at least. Still. This wasn’t good. It meant the houses didn’t need sprucing; they needed exorcisms. No wonder Landers had given them to her. Since she was a witch, she was probably more qualified to handle them than anyone else on staff. But Grace wasn’t a ghost hunter. She mostly dealt with restorative potions and minor parlor tricks like lighting candles with her mind. “Why didn’t you tell me all of this when you gave me the files?”
His expression turned sheepish. “Honestly, Grace, I guess I was testing you. I hadn’t expected you to dive right in without seeking input from me.”
Grace’s temper flared, but she kept herself in check. Blowing up at her boss wasn’t going to help, but she sure as hell didn’t appreciate the implication that she needed his help to do her job. After all, she had been in the real estate business for twenty years. “Is that what you expect? For me to run to you with every issue?”
He let out a bark of laughter. “Nope. Not at all. In fact, agents who don’t need any handholding are my favorite kind.” Landers stood and held his hand out to her. “Welcome to the team, Grace. I really hope you sell at least one of those properties, because I think we could work well together.”
Grace sat in her chair, stunned for a brief moment. This wasn’t the same guy who’d interviewed her. This guy was a tough-as-nails manager who was also fair and appreciative of his staff. And that was exactly what she wanted in a boss. She pushed herself to her feet and took his hand in hers.
“Do you think you can clean up those properties enough that we can find buyers?” he asked her.
Grace nodded, even though she had no idea. Exorcising ghosts wasn’t exactly a skill in her toolbox. But there had to be someone who knew how to do it, and she’d do everything in her power to pick their brains. “Yes. I do. I just need some time.”
His lips curved into a pleased smile. “Good. Now get out of here and enjoy your date.”
“Um, about that. How do you feel about interoffice dating?”
His lips twitched. “You’re not asking me out, are you?”
Grace coughed and her entire body heated… again. She was desperate to shed the sweater wrap, but she really didn’t want to flash him her cleavage after that exchange. She forced a chuckle. “No. But I’m having dinner with Owen and wanted to make sure that isn’t against company policy or going to affect my job here.”
He waved an unconcerned hand. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with your work, I don’t care what either of you do on your own time.”
The tension she’d been carrying in her shoulders eased, and she smiled at him. He wasn’t so bad after all. Suddenly she didn’t just want the job because it was the only viable one in town. She wanted it because, despite their rocky start, he seemed like a decent man to work for. “Thanks. I’ll call Mr. Saint tomorrow with a plan on how to deal with his properties.”
“Once you have it worked out, loop me in on the details,” he said as he rose from his chair.
“Of course.”
Landers followed Grace out of the office.
Nina glanced up at them. She gave Landers a wide smile. “Is that all for the day, boss?”
“No. I just emailed you some contracts I need you to double-check and then send out to the sellers. Let them know I’m out for the night but that if they have questions, they can give me a call. After that, I need you to make a run to the office supply store. There’s an email with a list of supplies you missed during your last trip.”
“I can go in the morning—” she started.
“You could, but I need you, the supplies, and the bakery order you’re supposed to pick up to be here by eight o’clock. I’m meeting with a new client first thing.”
“Oh, okay.” Nina bit her lower