To Find Her Place (Redemption's Light #2) - Susan Anne Mason Page 0,6

setting his briefcase on the floor beside him.

Mrs. Linder folded her hands on the desktop. “I admit that learning about your impending arrival yesterday came as quite a surprise, Mr. Wilder. All Mr. Fenmore told me is that you are here to study our operations and advise us how we can improve our situation.” She glanced down at a piece of paper. “From your file, I see you have excellent credentials, including a business degree. I presume you’ll wish to study our financial records first.”

Garrett held back his surprise. She knew a lot more about him than he’d expected. “The finances are part of it, certainly, but my job here encompasses a great deal more than that.”

“I see.” She twisted a plain gold wedding band on her left hand.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind about what type of man her husband must be. How did he feel about his wife working in such a demanding position, one that would likely require long hours and come with a great deal of responsibility? Would Garrett ever be as open-minded when he married? Granted, his mother helped his father with the family farm, but that wasn’t quite the same as this type of career.

“I plan to study all areas of the agency’s operations,” he continued. “I’ll observe how things are done, then make recommendations for overall improvement.” He didn’t add that a big part of his job would be studying her.

A slight frown creased her brow. “Given the current economic situation, my employees are understandably nervous. Will these recommendations lead to any potential layoffs?”

Garrett knew he had to tread with care or he would alarm the staff unnecessarily, which in turn might hinder their performance. “Only if it makes sense and only as a very last resort. I simply wish to see how we can streamline procedures in order to maximize everyone’s time and eliminate unwarranted expenses.”

Brushing some lint from his pant leg, he rose. “Now, if you’d be kind enough to show me to my office, I’ll get settled in and prepare to meet the other staff members.”

She stood and tugged her suit jacket into place. “Of course. Follow me.”

As she came around the desk, he stepped back. She was tall for a woman. In fact, with the heels on her shoes, she stood almost at his eye level. At six foot two, however, he still had several inches over her.

“There’s a room at the end of the hall we’ve fixed up for you.” She moved by him, leaving a lingering floral scent. “You’ll find we are rather cramped for space in this building. However, we make do the best we can.”

He followed her to a room not much larger than a broom closet, which looked as though it were normally used as a storage area, but now contained a rather beat-up desk, a captain’s chair, and a metal file cabinet. A wooden letter tray and an office lamp were the only items on the desktop. Not exactly the executive suite he’d hoped for. He set his briefcase on the desk’s scarred surface and frowned. “I will need a telephone.”

“I figured as much. The phone company should be here sometime today or tomorrow to install one.” She shrugged. “I know it’s a little rough in here, but feel free to add your own touches. Whatever will make your job easier.” She smiled, and though she was saying and doing all the right things, he sensed her aversion to having him here.

“Most of the supplies are kept in that cupboard.” She waved a hand toward the corner. “But if there’s anything else you need, Melanie can help you.”

“Melanie?”

“Miss Benton, our secretary and receptionist. She handles all the office supplies, orders, typing, et cetera. In truth, this place couldn’t run without her.” She gave a light laugh as she backed toward the door. “Well, I’ll let you get settled. . . .”

Garrett bit back an oath. This awkwardness was no way to begin a working relationship. He needed to establish some sort of rapport with this woman in order to gain her cooperation. “Before you go, Mrs. Linder, I’d appreciate it if we could clear the air.”

Jane froze, caught in the man’s hypnotic blue gaze, and found herself wishing for the paunchy middle-aged man she’d envisioned. An older man’s experience might have intimidated her but not as much as this man’s incredible good looks did. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

She tilted her chin, doing her best not to allow her facial expression to