“Good. Stay on top of it, make sure everything’s in order for the closing, and keep me posted.”
“You still want to go out to the rig?”
With all that had happened, he needed to focus. Touring the rig, talking to the people who worked there, was something he had been trying to do from the start. “As a matter of fact, yes. I’ll handle the arrangements from this end.”
“Great. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“Will do.” Reese ended the call.
The valet had his black Jag up and running. Reese slid behind the wheel and pulled the car out into the street.
The protesters were gone. A big storm had blown in last night and it was still cloudy and raining off and on. The group had already dwindled to around ten people. Now the last of the stragglers where gone. Turned out, protesting was a lot more work than people believed.
Which made him think of the accidents DeMarco had arranged to stop Garrett Resources from purchasing the rig. Reese had been working with the installation supervisor on the platform to identify the person or persons responsible, so far without results. Eventually, they’d find the guy and throw his ass in jail. At least with Haines and DeMarco both dead, the trouble on the rig was over.
And Griff and Kenzie were no longer in danger.
He started to pick up the phone to call so she’d know he was coming, but what if she refused to see him?
Reese kept driving. She was still his executive assistant. If he just showed up, she’d be hard-pressed not to let him in.
Reese pulled up in front of her town house and turned off the engine, then just sat there. What was it about McKenzie Haines that set her apart from every other woman he had dated?
The thought had kept him awake more nights than he could count. Then he remembered telling her about Billy Curtis, the boy who’d been killed in the car wreck when Reese was seventeen. He’d been at least partly to blame. He’d never told anyone what a devastating, life-altering event Billy’s death had been.
But Kenzie had a way of reaching through the iron control he wore like armor around him. He’d let her in and she’d revived a part of him that had died that night with Billy. Kenzie had brought him into the light, restored his hopes and dreams, and taught him how to love.
He loved her, he silently admitted. He’d tried to deny it, but it was true. He loved her and he wasn’t letting her go without a fight.
Unfortunately, when he finally got out of the car and knocked on the front door, it was Florence who answered.
“I’m sorry, Reese, Kenzie’s not here. She took Griff to see that psychologist, Dr. Stone. I’m not sure when they’ll be back, but you’re welcome to come in and wait.”
Reese just shook his head. “I can’t. I’ve got too much to do at the office.”
“At least come in for a glass of iced tea. I haven’t had a chance to thank you for saving my grandson.”
He weakened. He liked Florence Spencer. When she held open the screen door, he walked inside and followed her into the kitchen.
“Griff might be safe,” he said, “but I don’t think Kenzie approves of my methods.”
“She told me about it. Sometimes bad things happen and there’s nothing we can do. She’ll figure it out. She’s just worried about her son.” Flo poured two glasses of tea, and they sat down at the kitchen table. “She worries about you, too, you know.”
He knew in some way it was true. She was his assistant. It was her job to care of him, do whatever he needed to help him keep the company running smoothly. But that wasn’t the same as loving him.
“I need to talk to her, but it never seems to be the right time.”
“My advice? Make time.”
But with everything going on, that was easier said than done.
“Detective Ford came by to tell her about Arthur. He was a lot more pleasant this time. I think he’s finally starting to believe she’s innocent.”
Reese set his glass down on the table. “Heath Ford’s a good cop. He’s looking for the truth. We just have to help him find it.”
“Arthur’s the reason Kenzie took Griff back to see Dr. Stone. She was afraid his grandfather’s death on top of everything else would be too much for Griff to handle.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Griff’s a strong boy. He’ll be okay, but it’s going to take some time.”
“Yeah.” Reese finished his iced tea and rose from the table. “Tell Kenzie... Tell her I’m sorry I missed her.”
“I’ll tell her.” Flo walked him to the door. “Don’t give up on them, Reese. In time, everything will get back to normal.”
Reese just nodded. He’d given up on normal a long time ago.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Kenzie spent a miserable weekend thinking about Reese, wishing she had handled things differently. He’d called her twice on Friday, but she had missed both calls and hadn’t called him back.
She wasn’t sure what to say. She had no idea what he was thinking after the way she had treated him. Reese had saved her son’s life—at great risk to his own—and she had practically tossed him out in the street.
She knew he’d come by the house to see her, but again, fate had intervened and she had missed him. Reese hadn’t tried to contact her again.
Choosing a very businesslike navy-and-white skirt suit, she drove to the office Monday morning. Until Reese fired her or she quit, she still had a job to do. She arrived early and so did Louise, but Reese hadn’t come in yet.
“Boy, am I glad to see you,” Louise said. “I don’t know how you keep up with that man. He’s a handful, I swear.”
“I know he can be demanding.”
“That, dear girl, is an understatement.” Louise smiled. “He’s different when you’re around. You know how to handle him.” Her eyes twinkled. “How to soothe the savage beast, so to speak.”
Kenzie laughed. “Maybe so. I think the three of us make a pretty good team.”
“You’re right, we do.” The familiar deep voice sent tingles down her spine. “Welcome back, Kenzie. You ready to go to work?”
“I’m...I’m ready.”
“Good, let’s go.” He strode off toward his office without another word, and Kenzie fell in behind him. Her pulse was racing, her mouth paper-dry.
After everything that had happened, she had no idea what to say, so she just closed the door behind her and sat down in her usual chair in front of his desk. She opened her iPad, ready to go over his schedule and make notes on what he needed her to do.