The Trouble With Twins. Jo Leigh

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СКАЧАТЬ He got up, but Jem was running full speed ahead. The doorbell was big around here, right up there with dogs barking and phones ringing. By the time Gray got to the door, it was already open. A man, a big man, stood on the porch smiling at the boy. Gray knew him. He just couldn’t remember in what context. A friend of Ben’s, maybe? A neighbor he’d seen on a previous visit?

      “Gray Jackson?”

      “That’s right.”

      The man thrust out a beefy hand. “Jim Lattimer here.”

      “Jim…” Gray snapped his hand out for a firm shake. “How do you do, Mr. Lattimer. I didn’t expect—”

      “I know that. And I don’t make it a habit of dropping in on prospective employees like this. But I couldn’t reach you on the phone.”

      “Right. The twins.”

      “There’s another one like this?”

      Gray nodded. He felt completely off guard, unprepared and vulnerable. What he had to do was calm down. Breathe. Get himself together. “He’s got a sister.”

      “I’ll bet she’s just as cute as can be.”

      Gray smiled, then jerked back a step. “Come in.”

      “Thank you.”

      Jem stared at the big man. Lattimer was at least six five and maybe three hundred pounds. He was solid as a rock, like a football player or a refrigerator.

      “As I said, I couldn’t reach you on the phone, and I was in the neighborhood, so I took a chance on finding you home. If it’s not a good time, I can turn right around again.”

      “No,” Gray said, leading him into the living room. “It’s fine. Fine. Come on in. Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

      Lattimer swallowed. “I’d be grateful. I’ve been on the road since six this morning without a break. Had one of those gas station cups of coffee. It was hot, which is about all the good I can say about it.”

      “Water or—”

      “Water will do nicely,” Lattimer said. “For a start.”

      “Great.” He headed for the kitchen. Lattimer started talking to Jem, and Gray moved faster.

      Shelby was at the sink. Scout stood next to her, a square box of juice in her hand.

      “What do we have to drink?”

      Shelby turned at the sharpness of his voice. “Not much. Water. Coffee. Juice.”

      “No beer?”

      “I don’t know. Why?”

      “Lattimer. He’s here.”

      “Pardon?”

      “Jim Lattimer. The man I’m supposed to be interviewed by next Monday. He dropped by.”

      “Oh, dear.”

      “Yeah. And from the looks of him, he’s hungry. I know he’s thirsty.”

      “Uh-oh.”

      “Yeah.”

      She turned and poured a glass of filtered water, then handed it to him. “Stall him.”

      “Stall him?”

      “Go!”

      Gray nodded, then headed toward the CEO of Lattimer Spices, Inc. Damn it, Gray’s clothes were a mess. His hair—oh man, who knew what that looked like. Of all the damn times to—

      “There you are,” Lattimer said, his voice deep and booming. He grinned as he took the glass, then downed the liquid in several large gulps.

      Jem’s mouth hung open at the sight.

      “What’s wrong, young man? Haven’t you ever seen a thirsty fella before?”

      Jem shook his head, his gaze not leaving the big man’s face. Lattimer laughed. “You should see me eat!”

      “Jem, why don’t you go find Scout? I think she’s in the kitchen.”

      It was clear Jem was far more interested in the strange man. But when Gray gave him a private glare, Jem got moving.

      “Great kid,” Lattimer said. “Great. But I know you don’t want to talk children. You want to know what the high heaven I’m doing here on this fine Tuesday.”

      “Yes, I was curious about that.”

      “Sit down, son.”

      Gray obeyed, sitting across from the couch.

      “I’m here because I like to meet the people who want to work for me. Meet ’em away from the office. See what they’re like in the real world.”

      “That makes sense.”

      “It does. Especially in view of the considerable financial risks I’m about to take.”

      “I don’t think the risks are that big,” Gray said. “From what I can see, Lattimer Spices is ready for the expansion. You’re well capitalized. You’ve already got exposure via your catalogues.”

      “That’s right. But we’re not on every shelf in America, and that’s where we want to be.”

      Gray leaned forward as he jumped in with both feet and gave his spiel. No time like the present to wow the boss with his ideas. Lattimer kept nodding, which Gray took as a good sign. He interrupted a few times, but only for questions or clarification.

      “Excuse me, gentlemen.”

      Gray looked up at Shelby’s voice, then he checked his watch. He’d been talking for almost thirty minutes.

      “I thought you might want something to eat while you talk. And perhaps some nice cold tea.”

      Lattimer stood, and Gray followed suit. Shelby came around the couch carrying a large tray of food, which surprised him. The fridge had been less than bountiful, so where had this all come from?

      She set the tray down, then handed each of them a napkin. “Please, help yourself. Mr. Lattimer, how do you like your tea?”

      “It’s Jim, ma’am.”

      She smiled that kind smile. “Shelby.”

      He took a cracker from the tray. It had something on top, but Gray couldn’t tell what. “I like my tea sweet, just like my women.”

      Shelby laughed and handed him a glass. “Now, how come I already guessed that?”

      He sipped the tea. “It’s perfect.”

      “Ah, you’re just trying to flatter me.”

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