Seducing Megan: Prossers Bay Series Novella (5 page)

“Good morning, everyone. This is Megan Adams, our new housekeeping manager. For the next couple of days while she finds her feet, Megan will be taking a look at what we do and how we can do it better. No need to look like that, Rose. You know it’s been a disaster lately, and something has to change if we don’t want the business to go down the drain. If that happens, we all lose our jobs.”

Rose, a petite redhead, went pink and Megan felt sorry for her. No one liked change at first, especially when it was forced on them, and to be singled out was embarrassing.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

Jordan smiled at her encouragingly as he left, totally oblivious to the resentment he’d caused. Taking a deep breath, she looked around at each of the women, trying to make eye contact as she’d learned to do in her prior life – pre babies.

“Good morning. I won’t pretend to know anything about you or what your strengths are individually. I do know a lot about management, and I’ll make every effort to make all our lives as easy as possible, using that knowledge and with your help. I will also work very hard to make this place hum, and all I ask is that you do the same.”

There were a few nods and a few blank stares. Nothing unusual there, and at least no open hostility seemed to be evident. Yet.

“For today you’ll carry on with the schedule that’s already in place, but that’s the first thing I’m going to be dealing with. I’ve brought with me a questionnaire for each of you to fill out.”

This was met with a few groans.

“Yes, it’s a pain, but vital for any changes to work effectively. On it you’ll find the hours necessary to make this place run twenty-four seven. Please tick the time slots that you prefer. I’m not promising anything will change dramatically over the next week or so, but, where possible, I will ensure that you work the best hours for you as individuals.”

“You can’t be serious. Everyone wants school holidays off and to work around their kids,” Rose blurted. She’d turned pink again, but looked determined to argue.

“I understand that, and I hope we can work something out.”

“Most of us have children. How the heck can it work?”

Thank goodness she’d done her homework on the subject. “I believe the best way is to make a rotation so that everyone gets some school holidays off, even if it’s only a few days, but let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. I’ll try to catch up with everyone on a personal level before the end of the week. In the meantime, please drop those forms back to me before you leave today. Now, if there is nothing urgent, we’d better get to work.”

They filed out and she heard a couple of whispers and some giggles as she sat down at her desk, glad that the first meeting was out of the way. Barely a minute had passed before Jordan walked in with a smile plastered across his handsome face, and leaned against the door frame.

“That was great.”

“Were you eavesdropping?” She sat back and crossed her arms.

“I most certainly was, and maybe it was a bit rude, but I had to see for myself that they didn’t beat you into submission.”

“You never said that was likely.”

“I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“Give me some credit. I’m made of stronger stuff than that.”

“Even though I knew that, I couldn’t help being a little worried. Rose, especially, doesn’t like to be told what to do, but she’s my best worker.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

He sat in a chair opposite her and grinned at her. “Were you happy with the overall way it went?”

“It was predictable. No one likes change, but it’s not like you’ve all been working together for years, and most of them seemed interested in what I could bring to the table.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. There’s a couple of stubborn ones who were friendly with the last manager, but they’re all good women who will work hard with the right leadership. And I think they have it now.”

Megan could feel herself blushing. “I’d better get on and look busy before the boss catches me.”

“Me too.” He winked, and left her to her files.

In spite of the image of Jordan that had burned into her memory as he stood in the doorway, looking exceptionally handsome, and making her hot in places that weren’t appropriate for the workplace, the first file grabbed her attention immediately.

What had the old manager been thinking when she made up the roster? There were double-ups and huge blanks on nearly every day and what was worse, the roster was only filled in until this Friday. If she didn’t work this out soon, the weekend was set to be a disaster and, as Jordan had said, that was their busiest time.

Fortunately, it seemed like that was the worst thing, even though, as she glanced at some other files, it looked like there were a million other details needing her attention. She would have to sort out her staff and give someone a bit more responsibility to help her. Her job as an event manager hadn’t been like this. Maybe it had been more pressured for smaller amounts of time, but she could see that the resort was a never-ending machine which needed to be maintained correctly to get the best outcome. Keeping it well-oiled would be an every-day necessity.

By the end of the day she had a headache, but felt like she had learned a lot. Jordan came by her office just as she was packing up to leave.

“How did your first day go?”

“You were in a pile of trouble.”

“Tell me as much as you can on the way to your car.”

Megan was impressed that he wasn’t trying to delay her. As much as she’d enjoyed her first day back in a more corporate role, she missed the girls and was looking forward to seeing how they’d fared. She explained about the rosters and a few other things she’d found. Then he ruined it.

“Maybe we should talk more in depth over a meal or a drink.”

“I have to get home.”

“I didn’t mean right this minute. It does sound important, though.”

Embarrassed at jumping to the wrong conclusion, Megan was contrite. “How about first thing tomorrow morning?”

“Okay. But a drink might make it sound better, and I doubt that even as the owner I could get away with drinking that early.”

In spite of herself, Megan laughed. “It wouldn’t be a good look. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She left the resort with a view of Jordan in her mirror. Damn it all, she’d wanted to say yes to that drink. Thank goodness she could never meet him after work, since it appeared she had no willpower when Jordan was around.

Chapter Five

When Megan walked into the restaurant first thing the next morning Jordan couldn’t believe how much he’d anticipated seeing her. She was dressed in her usual white shirt but today she had on a black skirt that flirted with her knees as it swung. It made her legs look longer and Megan look taller. The whole look made him hot.

Back in New York he’d dated models who wore designer dresses and had a make-up regime that defied logic and time. He much preferred Megan’s natural look. Yes, she tried to hide those cute freckles on her nose but she didn’t hide who she was and that was its own enticement.

She smiled warmly at several guests and chatted with a family before she made her way over to him.

“Sorry to interrupt your breakfast but Chelsea said you’d be here and to come on through.”

“I was hoping that you would. I usually have something at my place but I didn’t think you’d want to meet there.”

Megan blushed, while maintaining her composure.

“This is just fine.”

“Would you like something to eat or drink?”

“I’d love a coffee.”

Jordan called over one of the waitresses and waited for her to order.

“How did the girls go yesterday?”

Megan’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought this was a business meeting?”

“It is. But I’d hate for them to be miserable, and changing a routine that works is hard for everyone, including you. It wouldn’t be good for any of us if that’s how it was permanently.”

She looked sceptical. “They were very tired but pleased to hear I would be able to collect them straight after school most days. I hope that was okay to mention?”

“Of course. I meant it when I said we can work around the afternoons. It would be good to organise a person to cover you if there’s a crises, but I know that you’ll give me my money’s worth.”

She stiffened a little. “My intention is to do my job to the best of my ability no matter how many hours it takes.”

He really had to mind what he said about money. Megan seemed to have a huge chip on her shoulders about it and, from what he’d heard, the girls’ father had a lot to do with it.

“I have no doubts on that score. Abby raved about you and so did some of your clients. Everyone thought you were wasted as a cleaner and I’m inclined to agree.”

“After one day?”

“I have a knack for reading people. Just looking at how you interact with the staff and the guests I know I’ve made the right choice. Now, it just remains to be seen whether you feel the same way.”

“Not being a spur of the moment person, you’ll forgive me if I take a little longer to answer that?”

He smiled at her challenge. “You do that, and while I’m waiting how about you tell me what you’ve found that’s probably going to upset my day.”

Megan laughed. “It was bad, but I worked on the rosters last night and I think I can give us a bit of grace for the next week before I put a better plan into place.”

Intrigued he listened as she explained what she was planning and how there had been nothing organised for the weekend. He did listen, but he also watched her expressive hands and her plump lips. And the way the sun streamed through the windows, setting her hair alight with red and amber highlights.

Nothing and no-one had ever affected his work and he didn’t intend for it to happen now. He needed to get her out of his system and the way he hoped to do that made him a little short of breath. He needed to pull himself together.

“Do you have any questions?”

“What? No. It all sounds like you have everything under control.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’m glad we had this meeting. I feel like I’m on the right track. I’d better get to work. Thanks for the coffee.”

She marched off leaving him a little dazed. Megan’s keep away at all costs stance made far more sense than his let’s try this on and see how we fit attitude, but it was one he seemed to have no ability to accept. And, he still had no idea why.

***

After the first week, Megan was shattered. There had been so many things to rectify, not the least being that mess of a roster, so she’d had to take work home. Jordan had given her a company laptop and she couldn’t leave it alone when she had a spare few minutes.

By Saturday, the house looked like a junk yard and she should be making some meals for the week but she’d promised to take the girls to the park with Liam, Abby’s boy.

The girls were excited and even more so when Liam got in the car.

“Settle down, girls, or Liam will want to go home.”

“Liam likes playing with us, don’t you?”

The boy was still shy in front of adults but with the girls his gentle personality always came out.

“When you are being nice, I love to play games, but not dolls,” Liam said, firmly.

“Yuck, I don’t play with dolls,” Cody stated.

“Sometimes you do,” Mia added.

Looking in the rear view mirror, Megan almost laughed at Cody’s look of annoyance. Being a tomboy was all-important around Liam, but when she was at home sometimes she let her girly side out. She just didn’t like to admit to it.

“Alright, we’re here now and you know the rules. No leaving the green and no talking to strangers, okay?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Yes, Megan.”

The three of them ran to the swings and Liam automatically began to take turns pushing them. Abby was so lucky to have him for a son. His real mother had done a good job of raising him until she was murdered. Megan shivered at the memory. It was a lovely day and she wasn’t going to spoil it with maudlin thoughts.

She headed over to one of the park benches, not surprised to see Dr. McGregor in his favorite place, feeding the birds. He smiled warmly at her.

“Good morning, Megan. I see you have an extra today.”

“Yes, Abby was working so I offered to look after Liam.”

“Good for you. I can’t imagine he’s much trouble.”

“None at all. In fact, he keeps my two in line a bit more.”

“He’s a remarkable boy, for sure.”

The doctor offered her some bread and they sat in companionable silence for a while.

“How’s the job going?”

“It’s full on, but I’m really enjoying the challenge.”

“That’s good news. I know it must have been hard to leave Abby’s cleaning business.”

“It was. Very hard.”

“I’ve been to the resort and had a look around. I’d say that working at such a lovely place would be a benefit.”

“I haven’t spent too much time out of my office yet but, yes, it’s got a wonderful feel to it.”