Page 36 of Help Wanted

Chapter 7

When Kenley got the confirmation that the Oliver boat was ready to be transferred, she knew it was going to be a problem.

The woman who owned the boat was only available on Wednesday. She knew Zane already had a meeting to settle on the Lake Erie property on Wednesday. She walked into his office to find out he’d already heard.

“I can’t be in two places at the same time,” Zane was complaining to someone on the phone. “I understand that, but I have to be in Galveston to purchase a boat I already have a buyer for.”

He waved and smiled at her and then let his head fall back.

“I understand, but can we just move it to the next day?” He let out a sigh. “I know it’s not your fault. Let me think about it and I’ll call you back.”

He hung up and took a sip of his coffee.

“Sounds like you’re starting the day out right,” she said as he rubbed his temples. “Can I do anything?”

“Can you split me in half? I need to get that boat in Texas now that she’s finally ready to sell it, and you saw the settlement for the Ohio place is tomorrow as well.”

“Yeah, but I think splitting you in half would be kind of messy.” She got a smile out of him at least.

“Maybe you can tell me how I’m supposed to be in Galveston signing the papers on a boat and in Ohio settling on the new property.”

She twisted her lips to the one side while she thought over the predicament. Which thing was the priority?

Both.

Which thing did he absolutely need to be there in person to do?

She smiled and held up her index finger to indicate she had an idea.

“You sign over temporary power of attorney to me. Then I can go to Galveston and buy the boat. You can go handle the settlement on the new place.”

“I need to have the boat shipped out immediately.”

“Brady can take care of that while I handle the purchase.”

“You would do that?” he asked.

“Yes. It would be much easier than splitting you in two.”

“Okay. That will work.”

“I’ll call your attorney so we can go have the paper drawn up, then I’ll fly out.”

“Tell her we need this quick.”

She nodded.

“Thank you, Kenley. Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” His words held a sincerity that made her break out in goose bumps.

“Well, hopefully you won’t ever have to find out,” she said, before she realized how it sounded. Rather than retract it and make it worse, she turned and left his office as quickly as possible.

* * *

Kenley was in heaven.

Actually she was at JFK, but as she waited to board the plane to go to her first assignment, it was pretty damn close to heaven.

Most people wouldn’t be this happy about flying out for a job, but she was excited to have the opportunity. She was going to do her best to make Zane glad he’d hired her.