“I’d agree, except I’m the one who has to answer their increasingly angry calls.”
I blew out a breath. “Fine. Tell them to come in at four-thirty. I have to bring in Kenna first.”
“I’ll give them a call.”
“Thank you.”
I hit End, and my thumb hovered over Kenna’s contact in my phone. I had the burning urge to shelter her from all that was about to come her way. I knew that Harriet had the best intentions, but things were going to get incredibly messy. Hopefully, Kenna could hold on for the ride.
7
Kenna
A string of colorful curses flew through my head as I glanced at my watch for the fifth time. I took a deep breath, trying to find that inner peace that Caelyn was always going on about.
I gave my head a little shake. I wanted to hold on to my mad. If I were angry, the grief couldn’t get a foothold. I glanced up at Penny, who sat behind her desk, studiously avoiding my gaze. “If Crosby isn’t going to have the decency to show up after he called me over here with some mysterious, ‘I need to talk, it’s important’ BS, I’m going back to work.”
Penny winced, her curls bouncing with the action. “He was coming back from Shelter Island. The ferry’s probably just running a little behind.”
More like Crosby probably got distracted by some shiny object or high-risk adventure he just had to try. I let out what almost sounded like a growl. “How do you work for that man and not go crazy?”
Penny chuckled. “He has certainly been an exercise on my patience.” Her eyes met mine with a sincerity that caught me by surprise. “But he’s got a good heart. The best.”
That might be true, but what good was a wonderful heart if it wasn’t present where it needed to be? I pushed to my feet. “I’m sorry, but I’m not waiting any longer. He can reschedule when it’s convenient for me. I’ve already lost too much time today.” Time I needed to stay on top of my pile of paperwork back at the office.
The door to the small, cottage office swung open. “I’m here. And I brought donuts.”
I scowled at the man who was too handsome for his own good. That cheeky smile, one I was sure he used time and again to get what he wanted, only made me angrier. “That’s great for you, but I’m heading back to work.”
I started towards the door, but Crosby caught my elbow. “Whoa. We haven’t had our meeting yet.”
I firmly tugged my arm from his grasp. “You asked for an hour of my time. That hour was up five minutes ago. I have appointments and work.”
“But I got these donuts just for you.” He looked as if I’d just kicked his puppy.
“I don’t like donuts.” Lies, lies, lies. I loved the airy confections, especially the ones from Wholly Donuts on Shelter. They were to die for. But I didn’t want Crosby’s bribe.
“Please. I really do need to talk to you.”
The blood coursing through me heated at his words. “If it was truly important, you wouldn’t have gone to get donuts and missed your ferry. You would’ve been here when you said you’d be.”
Crosby held up his hands in a placating gesture. “You’re right. I got distracted and thought you might like these. They’re my favorites. Please, just give me fifteen minutes.”
I sighed. If I didn’t give him the time now, I’d have to deal with him later. And Crosby would probably be late then, too. “Fine.”
Crosby held out a hand, motioning towards his office. “Right this way.”
I walked through the door, taking a moment to soak in the space. I’d picked up paperwork from Penny for Harriet before, but I’d never been inside Crosby’s inner sanctum. It was both surprising and expected. No photos rested on his desk or hung on the walls, only an impressionistic oil painting of what looked like Anchor Island. On the opposite wall hung a mountain bike, dried mud still on the tires. But everything else was neat as a pin.
I eased into one of the chairs opposite the desk. As I did, anxiety shot through me, a realization of why I was here. I didn’t know why it hadn’t crossed my mind as I sat waiting for Crosby. I’d known I would have to leave The Gables, but I’d pushed the thoughts out of my mind all day. Maybe the Abbots already had plans to sell. They certainly weren’t going to