My Last and Never, page 6
Then he had received a call on his phone that his two friends he was trying to keep out of this mess wanted to see him for breakfast. He wasn’t sure how they found out, but he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way.
He walked into the restaurant and saw his friends sitting at the table. He nodded to the waitress and gestured to the table. As he approached, the two of them had their heads together whispering. Cord had a bad feeling, and he hadn’t even sat down. He had to admit he thought about just turning around and coming back later, but just then, Liam Butler looked up and saw him. He waved him over and gave him a strained smile.
Cord took a seat and saw that Travers Warner had some papers on the table. It wasn’t unusual for Liam, the CEO, Travers the COO, and him the CIO to meet, but it was odd that they were all in Chusada, Florida, in a little diner.
“So gents, what’s going on because Travers has his lawyer face on, and Liam, you just look sour.”
Travers slid a paper over to him, and Cord picked it up. It was the receipt of an electronic wire of 20,000 dollars.
“I take it this is supposed to make this meeting all clear, but it doesn’t,” Cord said as the tightness in his gut was almost enough to make him grit his teeth.
“That is a receipt of your girl accepting money from Darren to sell us out!” Travers said through clenched teeth.
“My girl? Are you both taking meetings with Gregory and Darren to find out about me?” Cord asked. Cord hadn’t gone to the same fancy school Liam and Travers had. He’d gone to a school he could pay for. It didn’t have a fancy name, but it gave him what he needed to make his way in the world.
Liam cleared his throat.
“Cord, Travers, pull yourselves together. This meeting is all my fault.”
Cord turned to Liam confused.
Liam held up his hands.
“Listen, you don’t live in a house overrun by women. It seems as though my wife spoke to her Aunt Becky last night and the latest gossip around town was how Joy Frost had left her job at the church. On top of that, they all said Joy had brought back two strange men and Mr. Gregory Butler back to town. They are all waiting for her to marry one of them.”
Cord looked at Liam as if he had just grown another head.
“Okay, that is just too weird. You get a pass,” Cord said. He turned to Travers. “You, on the other hand, have got a lot of nerve just jumping to conclusions. I’ll ask her and then -”
“No!” Liam and Travers said at the same time.
“Okay, wonder twins, why did you show me this if you didn’t want me to address it?”
Travers looked as if he were about to speak when Liam jumped in.
“The thing is, Cord, we want to use that as our ace in the hole just in case.”
“In case of what?”
“In case we run out of options when it comes to dealing with Gregory and Darren.”
“Spell it out for me. I just speak computer language; obviously, this human language is not my specialty,” Cord pressed.
Liam sat back and spread his hand open on the table.
“Let’s not drag this out,” Travers interjected. “The hope is that we find an answer to what Darren is doing, but if we don’t, we can use this evidence as proof that something might be wrong, and then you know the protocol.”
Travers didn’t have to finish the thought. Cord knew the protocol because he was the one who had written it. The protocol was if there were any doubts of a breach, and there was proof of the potential violation, an external auditor would be brought in. They would compare the backup files and the original specs for any abnormalities or breeches. If they could trigger that event, it would solve the problem. The only reason they hadn’t was because Gregory or Darren hadn’t made any moves that would implicate them or the software. Sending money to an out of work coder who was one of the original designers would be enough proof. It would be great if it weren’t for the fact that Cord knew Joy wouldn’t do that. He wasn’t sure why the money wire had been sent to her, but he knew there was a good reason.
Looking at his two friends, he could tell they thought this was a great go-to plan, but they were willing to give him some time to find an answer.
“So are the two of you saying you think that Joy Frost is involved with this scheme that Darren and Gregory are doing?”
Travers shrugged.
“She might be a woman scorned looking for some cash and a little revenge.”
Cord looked at Travers and then at Liam.
“Hey, don’t ask me. I can’t tell you I understand what motivates a woman to do anything. I’m married to one, and that has brought me no clarity whatsoever.”
“I know you are both wrong, but I’m willing to go along with this until we get the code, and then we drop this idea.”
The two men looked at one another and then agreed with Cord.
“We know we are asking a lot Cord,” Liam said. “You are more than likely right, and we’re paranoid, but there is so much at stake here. If Gregory can prove anyone of us are incompetent, he’ll use that as a wedge to convince the board that I need help running the company. I’m not sure why he wants to Co-CEO now, but whatever it is, I’m not willing, and I just don’t trust him.”
Cord waved that all away.
“Listen, I get how many lives are on the line here. I understand that this is bigger than us at this table. It’s because I do that I’m willing to go along with this. What I want from the both of you is that you will keep me informed. I don’t want things to get out of hand before I can make sure Joy is okay.”
Liam looked him in the eye.
“I can’t make any promises Cord, but I’ll do my best because I understand how important this is.”
“Well, if you two are finished delivering the good news for the day, I’m sure you will understand I’m not hungry. Both of you have a good day.”
Cord got up and left to go to Selena’s place. He wanted to just rage against the fate that had brought him back to Joy, and already he was keeping secrets from her. He wanted to run to Joy and tell her everything, but the fact of the matter was Liam and Travers were right. There were a lot of people who were counting on the three of them to make sure Liam kept control of the company. He knew what was at stake for Butler Hotels. Cord just hoped it didn’t cost him the only woman he’d ever loved.
Joy had driven to the address that was at the end of town. It was close enough for her to make it back home for Peter but still far enough for her to need a car. There was a sign on the front of the lone building. It said Help needed, not gawkers or people who don’t understand that animals are children. On the poster, there were two little dogs; maybe there were Yorkies? Joy wasn’t a big dog person.
Joy repositioned her car so that she was parallel parked in front of the building. . Did she want to work at this place with Cord? It was a rescue veterinarian’s store, for goodness sakes. She knew next to nothing about animals. She remembered what Becky said. This is what she had, and she’d work it from here. When she didn’t get the job, she’d just find something else.
The sooner she was told she wouldn’t get the job, the sooner she could find another. She had to think of Peter. As soon as she walked through the front door, a brown and black behemoth came towards her. Joy wanted to run, but she would never make it.
“Oh no, I'm going to be eaten by a monster dog, and I won't even be covered by life insurance,“ Joy said.
“I want you to know that as soon as I saw you come through the door, I was going to tell you to go right back out. The only thing that is making me even talk to you right now is that Mel thinks you are a good person.”
“I assume the miniature horse in front of me is Mel?” Joy said through chattering teeth not wanting to upset or agitate the infamous “Mel.” Joy looked at the woman who was standing in front of her. The woman wore a short sleeve black T-shirt and blue jeans. The woman was obviously shorter than she was, but she didn't seem to have any fear at all around the behemoth. In fact, she looked as though she would fit the stereotype of working in a bar or some other type of really rough woman who people underestimated but could bring a gang of ruffians to their knees.
“Yes, the little baby in front of you is Mel. He's a full-grown Malinois, but he’s still one of the smaller dogs that I have here.”
That was really all Joy needed to hear. Could it be what she thought was the largest animal she had ever seen was just the smallest in the building? Nope, this was not going to work.
“Is Cord here?” Joy asked.
“No, Cord isn't here. I think that man would be late for his own funeral,” Selena joked.
Joy snickered to herself. The woman was right. Cord was rarely on time.
“Well, since Cord hasn’t arrived can you tell me your name?” Joy prodded.
“My name is Selena Garvey. And if Cord gets his way you'll know me as boss lady.”
“Well, Cord can't get his way all the time. I think this is going to be one of those times he is about to be disappointed.”
“Well, you can't just up and leave. We have to at least do the interview first,” Selena said.
Joy wasn't clear what the point was of doing an interview on a job she clearly couldn't take. She didn't know anything about dogs, and she didn't want to get any closer to the behemoth that, for some reason, kept inching closer and closer to her while he was lying on his stomach.
“Did you read the sign on the front door about help wanted?”
“Yes, I did.”
“That's a check for you. I love employees who can read,” Selena said enthusiastically.
Joy looked at Selena as if she had lost her mind. She couldn't really be serious. Certainly, Selena could see how she wasn’t for this job.
“Second question, are you here because you want to get married to Cord? Or maybe you think you want to find out some more information about Cord? Or you are here to see if there's any way you could be the one to carry Cord’s love child?”
Joy wanted to laugh hysterically at all of the questions. However, when she looked at Selena, she looked serious.
“Do you really get women who come in here to work for you just because you know Cord?”
“I like that look of disbelief that you have on your face. One, it gives me hope and faith in the female race, and two, unfortunately, to answer your question, yes, women do come here with the hope of finding out some information about Cord.”
“I mean, I think Cord is attractive but not that attractive,” Joy murmured.
“Girl, you don't know the half of it. As soon as I opened up this site, I had young girls, older women, and anything in between come to the door, and not a one of them wanted to do any real work. Some of them came in here to hold a cute little pocketbook dog. Then they met Mel. Some of them just wanted to be here just in case Cord came in one day and didn’t do any work during the wait.”
Joy cleared her throat.
“Well, I'm not here for anything that has to do with Cord.”
Selena stood up as tall as she could and gave Joy a wide smile. It was only after she saw Selena smile that she realized just how beautiful this woman was.
“That's right, you are not here for anything to do with Cord, and that is exactly why I'm hiring you.”
Joy shook her head in denial.
“You can't hire me, and if you do, I'm just going to quit.”
Selena stood up and raked her hands through her hair.
“Well, you can't quit.”
“What do you mean I can't quit?”
Selena made some kind of noise, and Mel got up and went to her side so that he could get his head rubbed standing beside her.
“Well, it seems Cord installed some reservation tracking system to help out my vet office, and if I understand, correctly you and him are the only two who know how to work it. So unless you want to be the cause for all of these animals not being able to find any place to go because I can't find someone to work that system, I think you're going to be staying.”
“Ladies, ladies, I'm so glad that I made it, and I'm so glad that the two of you are already talking and getting along so well,” Cord said as he came into the office. Mel looked between both of the women and abandoned them for Cord. He went right into Cord’s arms, showering him with dog kisses.
“Well, it doesn't really matter what you think, or how well it seems to be going as Joy here has decided she doesn't want to stay, and she's quitting,” Selena quipped.
“How can you be quitting, Joy? You just got here. I happen to know that you are available. Besides, I've got a great system that I want you to start looking at,” Cord enticed. Cord pushed Mel away from him and went to stand by Joy.
“What is she talking about a brand new reservation system? Is that what I think it is? “Joy pressed Cord looking nervously between Cord and Selena.
“What do you mean is that what you think it is?” Selena said as she moved in closer.
“Ladies again, I just want you all to not be so suspicious and non-trusting of me right now. Let's look at the facts. Joy here needs a job. Selena, you need help here at the office,” Cord said matter factly.
“Just so you know, you do not look that good, Cord to make me lose my train of thought as you weave with that voice. However, in this situation, he is telling the truth that I do need someone to help me out in the front office. Joy, you can always say no I will just have to find a way not to close down or reduce services to animals in need,” Selena said, blinking her eyes at Joy.
Joy knew her face was flushed red. She knew Cord could see it too because she could see him changing tactics and using that soothing voice of his, that always came out when he was trying to get people to agree that he was right. Cord interrupted her before she could speak.
“So Joy, are you going to give us a chance? Are you going to be the hope for all those four-legged friends out there? Come on, say yes,” Cord pitched. When she didn’t move, he folded his hands together in supplication. “If you won't do it for me, at least do it for the strays.”
If Joy didn't need a job so bad, she would just walk right out of the door.
“Don't you think this is a little dramatic even for you Cord?” Joy snapped.
“The test is if it works or not. Are you staying?”
Joy turned away from Cord and looked Selena straight in the eye.
“Well, it seems as though you have a new front desk person. When do I start, and what do I need to sign?”
“Why don't we start this first thing in the morning? I'll have all of the paperwork put together, and that will give me some time to talk things over with Cord. Does that work for you?”
“No problem, I have to tell you that I'll be here by 9:15. I have to drop my son first. Is that okay?”
“That's fine. The office doesn’t open until 11 a.m., and we close around 7.p.m, but you'll be able to leave probably by 5. Everyone who comes in after 5 is looking for boarding, and I handle those exclusively.”
“Then I'll see you in the morning,”Joy said as she turned to Cord.
“Actually, you'll see us in the morning,” Cord corrected Joy.
“Us?”
“Yes, Joy, we're both going to be here.”
Just then, the both of them turned around to see Selena laughing in the background.
“Cord, if only you had told me that you would be working here too I would have paid her extra to make sure she took this job!” Selena said as she walked out of the room. When Selena was no longer in the room, Joy focused back on Cord.
“The last time I looked, Cord you had a job.”
“You're right, and I still do, but if this doesn't go well, I won't have one either.”
“Do you even know how to work for a veterinarian?”
“Don't worry, Joy I'm just as confident about working in a front office in a vet’s office as you are.”
“And the reservation system, I take it that's courtesy of you?”
“It is. I've set this up just like the hotel itself now; instead of finding the best rates for hotels the software will find the best rates for a veterinarian. If we can fix it while it's working here, we can go ahead and take the same thing and put it back at the hotel. Then everything is fixed, and we can all benefit.”
“You do know how crazy this is right?”
“But that's the way it always is between us.”
“If you'll excuse me, I've got to go and get my son.”
Joy managed to walk by Cord without falling over her feet or panting at his. It was almost as if she could feel the heat that radiated off of his body, calling her to fall into his embrace.
“Joy?”
She stopped in her tracks and wondered was there something that she had done that had given her away? Did he know that he still had that kind of effect on her?
“Yes?” Joy mumbled but refused to turn to face him.
“Make sure you wear jeans and comfortable clothing. I have a feeling it's going to be a challenging day.”
Joy nodded and walked out the door to her car. When she sat down in the driver's seat and started her car, she saw Cord still looking at her from the front window.
“A challenging day, he said, every day around that man was challenging,” she muttered to herself.
Chapter Eight
“I hope you two are finished in there with whatever you're doing -” Selena called out
“Joy has exited the building.” Cord took a seat in one of the waiting room chairs and waited for the blasting from Selena.
“Well, it seems as though you have neglected to tell me a couple of things.”
Cord held out his hands, unsure.
“Selena, I'm not sure about a lot of things right now, so you know, so it's not that I'm keeping you out of the loop. I'm just trying to find out where it all fits together.”
“So let me take a guess. This has to do with your job?”
Cord put on a humorless smile.
“Yeah, it has to do with my job.”
Selena took a seat next to him in the nearby chair.
“Does she know what she’s getting into? Does she know that she will always be number two next to your career?”
