THOROUGHBREDS AND TRAILER TRASH - Contemporary Romance by Bev Pettersen

THOROUGHBREDS AND TRAILER TRASH - Contemporary Romance by Bev Pettersen

Author:Bev Pettersen [Pettersen, Bev]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Westerhall
Published: 2012-03-27T16:00:00+00:00


***

“Any candidates for a new manager?” Edward asked, from his office in New York. “When are we free of this Wally Turner?”

“Still trying to force him to quit.” Burke adjusted the phone against his ear. “Can’t prove his theft and politically it wouldn’t be wise to fire him. Stillwater is a tight town.”

Edward gave an impatient sigh. “Someone must know something. We’re not there to coddle.”

“I’m working with someone now. She’s starting to trust me, but they’re all inconveniently loyal.”

“You talk to Theresa yet?”

“Yes, I did. Not that it’s any of your business.” Burke jotted a reminder on his yellow pad. Theresa hadn’t been happy but he’d send her a necklace, a tastefully expensive one, along with his very best wishes. Women were always soothed if they walked away with a blue Tiffany box. Perhaps he’d order one for Jenna as well. Two necklaces, he scribbled.

He swiveled his chair, watching Wally through the window. The man grinned and gestured again, pointing out the new flowers and cobblestones to Jenna. Wally always seemed more animated when she was around.

Interesting.

“I might have found Wally’s little weakness,” Burke said into the phone.

“Good. Because the quicker you find a manager,” Edward said, “the quicker you can leave that hick town.”

“I’m not in that big of a hurry,” Burke said, and cut the connection.

He turned in his chair, watching as Wally and Jenna re-entered the building. Waited one minute then called Frances. “Please tell Wally to come see me,” he said. It was always good to send for employees; it made them feel vulnerable, and vulnerable people made mistakes.

Wally walked in ten minutes later.

“Good work over the weekend,” Burke said. “The courtyard looks nice. Just in time for our visitors today.”

Wally looked blank. If Jenna had told him about the Ridgeman visit, he hid it well.

“Have a seat, Wally.”

Wally pushed the chair further from the desk and sat.

“As you know, we’re changing our target market,” Burke said, “and our strategy. Better employees, better horses, higher fees. No more locals dropping by the back door. Some of our employees have been lax about that.”

Wally held his gaze for a long moment, eyes impassive, but a muscle twitched on the side of the man’s jaw.

“I’m thinking of Leo Winfield’s girl,” Burke continued, watching Wally’s face. “Thinking of moving her to head masseuse.”

“Oh, God!” Wally jerked forward, his composure gone. “You can’t do it. A move like that would kill Jenna.”

Bingo. Burke leaned back in his chair, careful to keep his expression impassive.

“I mean you can do it, but it wouldn’t be good for employee morale.” Wally’s words came out in a rush. “Kathryn Winfield is jealous of any pretty girl but especially bitter toward Jenna. Carried a grudge since eighth grade when Jenna won the science fair, the 4-H leadership award and was voted May Queen all on the same day. And it’s only worsened with time.”

“Oh?” Burke raised an eyebrow. “Jenna has a nimble brain and is definitely spunky, but everyone seems to look up to her.



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