Page 51 of Never Fall Again
Before Landry could add her thoughts to the discussion, Bronwyn’s phone rang. “Bronwyn Pierce.” Bronwyn listened intently, then closed her eyes and shook her head.
Landry met Cal’s gaze and widened her eyes.
Cal mimicked her and whispered, “Beep isnothappy.”
Bronwyn frowned at them and walked several steps away.
“Any guesses what that’s about?” Cal nodded toward Bronwyn.
“It could be anything.” Landry had no idea how Bronwyn managed everything she did. “Anything from a guest complaint to an employee who wants a day off when it would leave us short-staffed.”
Cal’s expression darkened. “Neither of those things should be in her job description. Doesn’t she have a general manager?”
“She does.” Landry let her disdain color her words.
“Let me guess. One of her cousins?”
“Bingo.”
“My father’s never been a fan of The Haven, but he was good friends with one of the Pierces. Hence the SPQ business name. People thought it was a big deal when he left, but Dad and Uncle Douglas never had any drama with him. Dad wanted The Haven to be a success and to do what the Pierces said it would do. And for the most part, The Haven has met or exceeded every expectation the Pierces had for it. It hasn’t destroyed the town. It’s a source of income and training for people all over the area. They pay a huge amount in taxes, which benefits everyone.”
“I sense abutcoming.”
Cal pointed toward Bronwyn. “Dad contended from the beginning that Bronwyn’s side of the Pierces needed to completely buy out the other side as soon as they could. They have two different philosophies on almost everything. Dad says family businesses only work when everyone’s pulling in the same direction. I have a feeling that The Haven is going to experience some growing pains before it’s all resolved.”
Landry didn’t want to betray Bronwyn’s confidence, but Cal had the picture right. Bronwyn’s cousin was a lazy moron. And Bronwyn planned to fire him. This latest drama would probably be another nail in the coffin that idiot was building around himself.
In the long run, it would help to get rid of him. In the short run?
Bronwyn slid her phone into her pocket with a force that threatened to rip the pocket right off her pants. “You two go on to lunch without me. I have to take care of this.”
What? Wait. What?
“Anything we can help with? I’m pretty handy,” Cal offered before he had any idea what the problem might be, and Landry sensed that the offer was genuine, with no strings attached.
“I’d take you up on that if I could. But sadly, this isn’t structural. This is a guest disputing their bill.”
“Don’t these people have money to burn?” Cal didn’t ask the question as rhetorical, and Bronwyn didn’t take it as one.
“In my experience, the people with the most money are some of the pickiest. They ask for discounts for every perceived slight or inconvenience, and they expect their wishes to be honored because they starred in a movie or their daddy made billions in oil.” Bronwyn puffed her cheeks and blew out a breath. “I’m going to run to my office to freshen up before I face the demon...I mean, the delicate flower who has decided she should get a free night because one night the chef ran out of asparagus.”
“I could come with.” Cal cracked his neck and frowned. “I can be menacing.”
His dramatics made Bronwyn smile. For about half a second. “No. But thanks for the offer.” They’d reached the fork in the path that led to the parking lot on the left and Bronwyn’s office on the right.
“Text us when you get done, okay?” Landry gave Bronwyn a quick hug.
“Want us to bring you a burger?” Cal asked.
Bronwyn’s eyes lit up. “Yes. Please!”
“Consider it done. Let’s see. As I recall, you’ll want lots of mayo and mustard—”
Bronwyn smacked his arm. “Keep your disgusting condiments off my burger.”
Cal winked at her. “Lettuce, tomato, cheese, and pickle. We’ll check it before we leave the premises.”
“You’d better.” Bronwyn squared her shoulders and walked to her office.