Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
For the next hour, in addition to the buff guys who trailed in to talk to Hawking, Sadie enjoyed seeing some very fit women apply as well. She started to pick up on who would spend a longer time in the interview process with Hawking. Those who walked in with a confident air seemed to fit the profile he was looking for, while the others, who were obnoxiously looking at themselves in the window reflections or flirting with her, left quickly. She completely approved.
When the interviews were finished, Hawking walked out of the conference room with his notes and a stack of applications, stretching as he returned to the desk. “I think we’re going to be in good shape,” he announced.
“I don’t know anything about security, but the people you were actually considering fit were ones I would’ve concentrated on, too,” Sadie shared.
“Great minds and all that,” Hawking murmured. “I’m going to get Magnus to do some background checks on my choices and start calling people to offer them jobs.”
“I’ll hold down the fort here,” Sadie said cheerfully.
“Call before you need help,” he said meaningfully.
“Of course,” she answered. As he walked away, she buried herself in the task of scheduling the laundry and housekeeping staff training.
The rest of the day was quiet. Since the guys were handling the repair staff at the rear entrance, the lobby was deserted of everyone but her. It was almost eerie, but she soon got used to it as she made major strides through all the work that had piled up.
“Hey, Little girl.” Rocco’s voice broke the silence. “I brought lunch. Put a bookmark wherever you are and take a break.”
Sadie jumped and looked up. “Wow! You need to clomp when you come down the hall. Aren’t mountaineers supposed to wear hiking boots?”
“Not usually. For hiking, yes. Climbing mountains, no. Are you hungry?” he asked, tipping the tray her way.
“Starving. I was going to finish emailing and texting the new staff for training before I checked to see if the kitchen could send something over for me,” Sadie shared.
“Mark your place and take a break now. If I know you, you’ve been putting off even going to the bathroom…”
“No, you said the B word!”
Immediately, Sadie walked as fast as she could toward the bathroom, squeezing her legs together as she chanted no, no, no, no in her mind. She’d studiously avoided thinking that word so she could get one more thing done before she allowed herself to go. She definitely should not have pushed it off quite this long. Please don’t let me have an accident!
Pushing the door open, she ran inside, gathering her dress up from the bottom as she scurried to the first stall. Oh, thank goodness!
She couldn’t keep her cheeks from flaming with heat as she exited the restroom to find Rocco lounging against the reception desk with their food still on a tray in his hands. “Sorry.”
“That’s not healthy, Little girl. You need to take a break without me being here to remind you.”
“I know. I was so involved in what I was doing, I didn’t think. Can we talk about something else, please?”
Rocco chuckled and answered, “Give me a kiss or two, and I’ll forget everything.”
“Deal!”
Sadie tried to lean over the tray but couldn’t reach her Daddy, so she moved to the side and pushed the tray slightly out of the way to plant a good one on his lips. She was almost out of breath when she leaned away from him.
“That will do it,” Rocco murmured. His gaze was fixed on her lips, and she knew what he was thinking.
“What’s for lunch?” she asked to distract him.
“Some soup and sandwiches and a few mini cupcakes.”
“Yum. I’m going to be sad when the kitchen stops experimenting with different dishes. I’ve loved everything,” Sadie said as she led the way to a grouping of chairs in the lobby. “Shall we sit here?”
“This works great.” Rocco put the tray on the table and uncovered the dishes, telling her what each one was. “Want to share or…”
“The broccoli cheese soup is mine. You can have the chicken noodle,” she said, claiming the creamy soup.
“Or we’ll both eat one,” Rocco said with a grin as he watched her nab a spoon and take a bite.
“This is awesome. Try the other, and if you don’t like it, I’ll share,” Sadie told him, crossing her fingers that he’d like the one she rejected.
As she watched, Rocco tasted a spoonful of the soup and gave her a thumbs up. “You definitely missed out on this one. That’s not canned broth—and those noodles are unmistakably homemade.”
“Yum, I’m glad you like it,” Sadie responded, not at all concerned that she had made the wrong choice. “I love cheese and broccoli. This is by far my favorite of all soups.”
“Then this worked out exactly as it should,” Rocco said, taking another bite of his soup.