grateful to be working for you. No matter if we get the projects in the cool cities or not, I wouldn’t change my position to be working for any other person in this firm. I just wanted you to know that.”
“Thank you, Kendra. I really appreciate all you do.”
She hung up the phone thankful that it wouldn’t be long before she’d be spending time with Anna over the holidays.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I just put those last two meetings you asked me to set up on your calendar,” Lilene said proudly from the door.
Vanessa straightened in her seat. It was the third time Lilene had startled her today. She just poked her head in the office and started talking like Vanessa had nothing else to do but wait for her next story.
Why couldn’t she at least knock?
Pasting an appreciative smile on her face, she thanked Lilene. With the office closing early for the holiday, she’d been worried Lilene wouldn’t get them scheduled before everyone left for the day.
Edna Barkley and Bill Campbell had more years of service than anyone else at Porter’s. They’d probably cut their teeth on fruitcake, they’d started at such a young age. Or chipped a tooth. Vanessa giggled at her own terrible joke. Folks around here wouldn’t have found it funny. They loved fruitcake. Wore it like a badge of honor.
“You’re just going to love them,” Lilene said from the door. “They are two of our longest-tenured employees. They know everything about the history of Porter’s.” Lilene clapped her hands, so excited for Vanessa to meet them.
A knot formed in Vanessa’s stomach. I’m doing the right thing. “Thank you.”
“Don’t forget about Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I sent you the address in a little email earlier so you can just print it and tuck it into your pocket. I’m not going to ask if you’re coming, you just be there. Edna is already here.” Lilene stepped farther into the office, pulling the door closed a bit. “She’s always early for everything,” she whispered across the room. “Should I send her on in?”
“Sure.” Vanessa took a long sip of her coffee.
Lilene walked Edna into the room. An attractive woman, she had hair as white as if she’d been caught under the powdered-sugar duster. Her rosy cheeks lifted a smidge when she smiled, as if recognizing an old friend in a crowd. Her sassy blue tortoiseshell eyeglasses matched her blazer.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Larkin.” Edna approached the desk.
Vanessa stood and came around her desk, extending a warm handshake.
“I’m a hugger.” Edna had completely ignored Vanessa’s extended hand.
Vanessa stiffened at her touch, closing her eyes as Edna spoke.
“Everyone is family around here. Welcome to our town. You’ve come at such a great time of the year.”
Vanessa harrumphed under the squeeze of Edna’s enthusiastic hug. “Thank you,” she managed as she broke free and smoothed her shirt while escaping to the security of being behind her desk. “Have a seat.”
Lilene still stood there, beaming.
“You can close the door on your way out,” Vanessa said to Lilene.
“Oh. Yes. Right.” Lilene scurried from the room.
“Thank you for your years of service, Edna. I was reviewing all of the personnel files and yours is quite impressive.”
Edna glowed. “I love this company. Porter’s is my whole life. I started on the factory floor, even improved the recipe a few times over the years to help make it easier to ship to our customers across the country. Now I oversee the quality of our products. My name, or someone on my team, signs off on every batch.” With a snap, she’d tugged an ink pen from her blazer pocket. “Personally sign off on them.” She squiggled her autograph in the air.
“That’s important. I bet you have a stellar team.”
“I do. I handpicked each one, and they are as dedicated as I am.”
“Well, that is wonderful. To reward you for your efforts and long years of service and dedication to grow the brand and instill quality in the products…” Vanessa slid a stack of papers across the desk. “… I’ve put together a wonderful package for you. You’ve been entitled to receive retirement and pension benefits for quite a while.”
“Well, yes … but…” Edna’s face twisted as she reached toward the papers. “I love my job.”
“It shows. Thank you so much. I’ve been able to provide you with extra compensation and a very nice bonus along with the package you’re already eligible for. I’m so excited to be able to do this for you.”
“Why?” Edna stared blankly across