Family for Keeps & Sadie's Hero (24 page)

“You don’t have to say or do anything if you don’t want to.”

“That’s a pretty naive way to look at life.” He started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

“I’ve never considered myself naive.”

“Don’t you do things that must be done?”

“Well, yes. Everyone does at some time in his life, but people do make their own choices, you included.”

“Exactly. I choose to work. I find comfort in work.”

“Because it doesn’t require an emotional commitment?”

He sucked in a deep breath. “You do know how to hit below the belt. But then maybe that’s because we are alike.”

“I know how to commit emotionally. I do to my students.”

“Not the same thing as a relationship with a man. You know why I won’t commit. Why won’t you?”

“Haven’t found Mr. Right,” she quipped.

“Are you looking?”

“Do you want to be a candidate?” she asked, hoping to shut this conversation down quickly.

“Touché. I’ll be quiet. That’s what you want.”

For the next forty-five minutes silence reigned in the car while the landscape sped past. Sadie was glad for the reprieve. She felt emotionally overloaded from their brief conversation. He had a way of getting past her defenses. She was constantly finding herself having to shore them up when she was around him.

When Andrew pulled into a gated driveway that led to the lake, she noticed his demeanor change. A new tension hung in the air, as though he were preparing to do battle. She could almost see him running through a list of tasks in his head.

“Is there anything I should know, do?” she asked, wishing she could ease his burden.

“No, just be yourself.”

“Are you sure about that?” Laughter tinged her words.

He quirked a brow at her. “Should I be worried?”

“No, I’ll be on my best behavior. Promise. I would never do anything to ruin your chances of becoming president.”

“Now I am worried.”

But the expression on his face belied his statement. His features relaxed into an easy grin, and he took her hand as they approached the front door. Her impression of IFI’s cabin on Grand Lake was one of a sprawling structure of glass and rustic wood that blended with the surrounding water and woods. The only things out of place were the expensive cars that lined the circular drive, underscoring the purpose of the evening’s reception. Tension whipped down her as they waited for someone to open the front door.

When she stepped into the foyer, she felt drawn to the panoramic view from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, which overlooked the lake. The setting sun tinted the water a rosy hue while the colorful fall leaves on the trees along the shoreline danced in the light breeze. The beautiful vista reminded Sadie of the power in God’s creation, in His love. That thought brought peace to her, and she knew everything would be all right this evening. She discarded her tension like an unwanted cloak, determined to enjoy herself even if she felt out of her element.

Taking her elbow, Andrew directed her to a small group near the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I want you to meet Lawrence Wilson, the president of IFI. This is Sadie Spencer.”

She shook Mr. Wilson’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. This place is beautiful.”

“I like to entertain here. A much more relaxing environment.”

Andrew went around the group, introducing her to the other two candidates for the presidency and their wives. Charles Benson and his wife, Elizabeth, greeted her with smiles and a warmth Sadie found herself responding to. The Edgars, Stephen and Linda, were more formal but nice.

When another man and his wife entered, Lawrence Wilson said, “Now that everyone is here, I have an announcement to make.”

The room quieted, and people turned toward him, waiting for him to continue. Andrew enclosed her hand within his, his arm touching hers.

“As you probably all know, since there seem to be no secrets at IFI, I’m retiring next year. What you don’t know is that I’m retiring earlier than you think. I will be stepping down in six months instead of nine, and I’ve gathered here tonight the three men I think are capable of running IFI after I’m gone.” Lawrence gestured to each man as he introduced them.

Andrew’s hand tightened when his name was announced. She felt his tension as though it were a part of her.

“Over the next few months the board and myself will be taking a careful look at each man to determine who will be the best one to run IFI in the twenty-first century. Good luck.”

Sadie felt as though she were at a horse race, watching the colts contend for the purse. After that announcement the room buzzed with noise as everyone began to talk at the same time—except Andrew, who remained unusually quiet next to her.

He scanned the people and leaned toward her to whisper, “Let the games begin.”

She smiled. “I was thinking more along the lines of a horse race.”

He tipped his head back and laughed. “I’ve been called many things but never a horse.” His gaze was riveted to hers. “Thanks, Sadie, for making me laugh. I needed that.” His stance relaxed, his grip on her hand a loose connection. “I guess I’d better start making my rounds.”

“I think I’ll escape outside to the deck.”

“Already? The evening’s only begun.”

“But the sun is setting, and the sky is beautiful. Later I won’t be able to see a thing from the deck.”

“True. Want me to come with you?”

“That would amount to stumbling at the starting gate. No, you need to woo some board members.”

Sadie watched Andrew weave his way through the small crowd, stopping to converse with several people. Mostly she noticed he listened intently to what the others were saying, interjecting a comment when necessary. Any tension he felt wasn’t evident, and Sadie thought he was in his element, much as she was teaching her students.

She slipped outside, smiling at several people who were also taking time to absorb the beauty of the sunset slanting across the waters below. The scent of meat roasting on a grill and the sound of water lapping against the shore drifted to Sadie. She wished she could bottle this moment. The breeze rustled the leaves of the maple and oak trees. She shivered in the darkening light, hugging herself.

“Cold?”

She whirled, surprised that Andrew was standing behind her holding a sweater for her.

“I borrowed Mrs. Wilson’s sweater. I thought you might be getting cold.”

“But you’re supposed to be in there wooing the powers that be.”

He moved close and draped the sweater over her shoulders. “I have plenty of time to woo. Besides, if my hard work and record don’t get me the presidency, then I don’t deserve it. I didn’t want you to enjoy the sunset by yourself.”

She laid her hand on his forehead. “What did you do with Andrew Knight?”

He chuckled. “Nothing. He’s in here somewhere.”

She turned and noticed that the sun had sunk below the trees. “Oh, it’s gone. You missed it.”

“That’s okay.” Andrew gripped the railing, leaning into it and slanting a look at her. “Tell me about it. I’d rather see it through your eyes, anyway.”

“I—” She couldn’t think of a thing to say to that statement.

“Sadie Spencer, don’t tell me you’re speechless. That’s got to be a first.”

“You’re getting awfully good at teasing me.”

The smile that touched his mouth went to her heart. “Yes, you have a gift of bringing that out in a person.”

“I think that was a compliment. Thank you.”

“It was. You were perfect to bring tonight.”

Perfect. There was that word again. She hated it. What would happen when Andrew discovered all her flaws?

The urge to pace Andrew’s outer office was strong, but Sadie remained seated next to Chris, her hands gripping her purse as though any second someone was going to dash into the room and snatch it away. Thankfully Chris was flipping through a magazine, oblivious to the turmoil churning in her stomach.

She heard footsteps approaching and glanced up to see Andrew hurrying into the office. He threw her a grin before turning to his secretary and giving her a stack of papers.

“I need these to go out immediately.” He snagged Sadie’s gaze and nodded toward his office. “Give me a few minutes. I have to make a quick phone call.”

After Andrew disappeared into his office, Sadie took the magazine from Chris and replaced it on the coffee table. “I want you to do this by yourself. I know you think Mr. Knight is a friend, but Chris, when you are at work, remember you greet him with a handshake, not a hug.”

“I remember, Miss Spencer.”

“Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t mumble.”

“Why aren’t you coming?”

“Because this is something you need to do by yourself. I’ll be right out here when you’re through.”

Andrew opened his door and motioned for them to come inside. Chris stood and walked toward him. “You aren’t joining us?”

Sadie shook her head and watched her student enter Andrew’s office. For a second her heart stopped beating. This was so important to Chris and to her. She closed her eyes and turned to the One who gave her strength.
Heavenly Father, watch over Chris and be with him. Help him through the interview and the first days on the job. Please help Mrs. Lawson to understand the worthiness of an employee like Chris.

Fifteen minutes later Sadie had scanned the three magazines on the coffee table and was trying to decide how to occupy her time until Chris was finished. She pushed to her feet and started to walk down the hall to the water fountain when the door to Andrew’s office opened and Chris came out with Andrew behind him. Chris grinned from ear to ear.

“You should see how high up we are,” Chris exclaimed. “I can see the river from his window.”

Sadie suppressed a moan, realizing Chris would never lose his enthusiasm for the small things. “How did everything go?” Her gaze skipped from Chris to Andrew.

“I’m taking him downstairs to meet Mrs. Lawson right now. Would you like to come along?”

Sadie agreed. She followed the pair to the elevator. She wanted to pull Andrew to the side and find out how well Chris did, but she didn’t.

“This goes fast,” Chris said as the elevator came to a halt on the ground floor.

When they entered the mail room, Sadie noticed everyone was at work. The only sounds were the shuffling of paper and the copy machine running. Chris paused for a moment to survey his new work area. A young man looked up, and Chris grinned and waved at him.

“Come on. Mrs. Lawson’s office is this way.” Andrew motioned to a closed door with a large window next to it that afforded Mrs. Lawson a view of the mail room.

Again Sadie’s reservations surfaced. This would work if the environment was conducive to Chris. She worried about the extra-tight rein Mrs. Lawson seemed to have on the people who worked for her. How would Chris fare when he was so openly friendly and social? Sadie threw a glance over her shoulder at the workers in the room going about their jobs. Her doubts multiplied.

Inside Mrs. Lawson’s office Chris sat between Sadie and Andrew while the older woman perused his application. A tiny frown knitted her brow.

Sadie’s chest tightened with each breath she dragged in. She flexed her hands, then gripped the arms of the chair and waited for the woman to say something.

Mrs. Lawson looked at Chris. “You will have to clock in and out every day. I will show you where when we leave here. You will have a fifteen minute break at two. If you don’t understand something, ask for help. I will have you work with Bert until you learn the job. You’ll be delivering and picking up mail as well as sorting it. Do you understand your duties?”

Chris nodded, a big grin on his face.

Andrew rose. “If you don’t have any questions for Miss Spencer or me, we’ll be leaving then.”

“Who’ll be picking him up?” Mrs. Lawson asked, standing, too.

“I will, this first day, with his mother. After that his mother will. Today we’ll come up with a place for Chris to be when she comes.”

“I suggest the lobby.”

“Of course.” Sadie got the distinct feeling the woman didn’t want anyone disrupting her routine in the mail room.

When Mrs. Lawson didn’t say anything else, Andrew opened the door and waited for Sadie to leave first. She hated walking away from Chris. Chewing on her bottom lip, she gave Chris one last glance before exiting.

In the lobby Andrew faced her. “It will work out. Mrs. Lawson comes across as being stern and inflexible, but she does a good job running her department.”

“But how happy are her employees?”

“I don’t receive any complaints. She’ll make sure that Chris is trained properly in his job. Will you trust me on this one?”

She nodded. “You know IFI better than I do. I guess I just feel like a mother hen.”

“Chris did fine in the interview with me, and he’ll do fine with Mrs. Lawson.” He began walking her toward the doors that led outside. “What time do you want me to come on Thanksgiving?”

“My father will be there. Mom asked him, and he agreed.”

Andrew halted a few feet from the door. “Does that make a difference in me coming or not?”

“No, I just wanted to warn you. My father can be difficult at times.”

“And yet you’re upset about your mother walking out on your father.”

“It seems my feelings concerning my father are all tangled up.”

“I don’t have to come. I always have work to do here.”

She grasped his arm. “I want you to come. I only wanted to warn you about what you might be getting yourself mixed up in. Come around twelve.”

“You’re going to have turkey and all the trimmings?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be there. It’s not that often I get a home-cooked meal.”

Her mouth quirked up. “Then you’ll have something to be thankful for.”

As she left the building, she sensed Andrew watching her, but she didn’t glance back. For the first time in a long while, she was looking forward to Thanksgiving Day. She tucked that knowledge away to examine later when she was alone and had time to reflect.