“I see.” Jake roamed the space again and then walked toward the back of the house where the second space was that was going to become Sydney’s office before turning and walking back toward him. He studied Haley’s area again and with a curt nod, he said, “Looks great. You putting a TV in here?”
“That’s what we were just doing when you rang the bell. We’re taking one from the guest room and moving it down here.”
Sydney came down the stairs just then, looking slightly flustered but smiling. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem,” Jake replied easily. “So...it looks like you’re almost done with this area, huh?” He turned toward Kyle, smiling, and Kyle felt himself sag with relief.
“Yeah. Just a few finishing touches and then it will be ready for Haley and her friends to hang out. It really makes a lot of sense to have the two spaces down here so there’s less mess and clutter up in the main living area,” he explained.
“I know it wasn’t really part of the original plan,” Sydney chimed in. “But I’m so thankful for the extra donations. Now that we’re doing it, I’m so relieved. I was worried about how I was going to find a job and handle full-time care of Haley.” Then she shook her head. “I mean, she’s going to be starting school soon, but I want to be accessible to her whenever she needs me. Especially since this is all new.”
“So what is it you’re going to be doing? Is your job from back in…was it Boston? Are they allowing you to work remotely?”
She shook her head. “No. I had to leave my job. I was working for the local news station as a digital executive producer.”
“Wow! That sounds cool!”
“Yeah, I really enjoyed it, but…this is more important than any job.”
Nodding, he asked, “So what are you going to be doing?”
“One of my best friends is a best-selling author of mysteries and thrillers. Her books just got optioned for movies and she’s got a lot on her plate right now. So I’m going to be her assistant—remotely,” she said, smiling. “The office space will house an inventory of her books, and I’ll be responsible for sending them out and dealing with scheduling her signings and doing correspondence, handling her social media marketing…”
“Oh! My sister Scarlett does that,” Kyle interjected. “If you ever need any help in that area - not that I’m saying you will, but…just in case—I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help out.”
“Thanks! I did a lot of social media work with the station, but I’m not sure it’s to the same degree that Mia is going to need.”
“Wait, Mia?” Jake asked. “Mia Kingsley?”
“Uh…yeah. Why?”
He looked at Kyle and then back to Sydney. “Oh, uh…I’m kind of a fan of her work. I didn’t realize the two of you were friends.”
Nodding, she said, “We met our freshman year in college—we were roommates—and we’ve been friends ever since. I’m so excited about all the amazing things happening for her. I just hope I can handle everything she’s going to need. I’m afraid with everything going on with getting settled in here and with Haley that I’m not going to be able to give the job the level of attention she’s going to need.”
“I’m sure you’re going to do great,” Jake said. “And so I’m guessing Kyle’s going to be putting your office space together next?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “That’s the plan!” The sound of a phone ringing again stopped them all, and when Sydney pulled her phone from her pocket, she gave them an apologetic smile. “Speak of the devil…” She laughed softly. “I’m sorry, but…”
“Go take your call,” Kyle said. “I’m going to finish walking through with Jake.”
“Thank you!” And with a dazzling smile, she took off up the stairs.
Once she was out of earshot, Kyle walked around and picked up the last of his tools. “I take it you’re paying for the office too?” Jake asked.
He figured it was best to be honest from now on. Facing his boss, he nodded. “I am.”
Jake’s expression was cool as he stared first at Kyle and then toward the opening to the office. Then he turned and walked back toward it. “What are your plans for in here?”
Unsure if he should be relieved or worried, he followed him. “Sydney’s ordered some furniture, and I’m going to build some bookcases and some other shelving for her. I’m going to paint, and the sliding glass doors were already slated to be changed out, so…”
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Jake nodded and stayed silent for a moment. “I think what you’re doing is admirable, Kyle,” he began slowly.
“But…?”
“But…you need to talk to me about these things. I know this is a special case and I don’t think you’d be doing this sort of thing on a commercial job. However, Coleman’s does a lot of residential work, and if you take on projects like this for everyone, you’re going to go broke.”
“Trust me, this won’t happen on other jobs.” Groaning, he paced a few feet away. “I’m here every day, Jake, and I’ve seen how hard things have been for the two of them.” He shook his head. “You know Sydney and I have a…a history, and I guess I just wanted to do something to…”
“Make amends for the past?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Raking a hand through his hair, he sighed.
“What if I told you I was pulling you off this job because it seems like you’re unable to be objective and get the work done?”
Kyle stopped pacing and stared back at Jake. “I’d have to strongly disagree with you.”
Jake continued to simply stare at him expectantly.
“You explained to me from the get-go how this was a special situation—a delicate one. You also reminded me of Ezekiel Coleman and the kind of things he used to do to help out the people of Magnolia Sound. The way I see it, I’m simply following the example of a fine man, and I’m doing a damn good job of representing the company. Now I’ll admit it was wrong not to get approval from you first on this, but I promise that won’t happen again.” He stood ramrod straight and waited for the backlash.
“Does she know that you’re paying for this?”
Silently, Kyle shook his head.
With another curt nod, Jake looked around. “Is everything else still on track? All the materials ordered for the work upstairs?”
“It is.”
“Okay then.” Walking out of the room, Jake headed toward the stairs. “I’d like you to join Pastor Steve and me on Monday. He was curious about an update and I figure you should be involved in it. We’re meeting for breakfast at eight at the church.”
“I’ll be there.”
It wasn’t until he heard Jake call out a goodbye to Sydney and the front door close that Kyle let himself breathe.
“Figure on the boxes of books arriving by the end of next week and my publicist is going to send you the links to all the software programs and websites you’ll need for postage, graphics, my newsletter, and then the tutorials on how to do social media ads,” Mia said before she let out a long breath. “Am I going too fast? Are you sure you’re going to be ready for all of this? Because if you need more time, just say so.”