Fraternize Me Page 13

  “Ah, there’s my brother.” Drake leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I was wondering if you were going to stop in or if you were going to hightail it out to the ranch.”

  “You’re an asshole, Drake.” Hank swept off his cowboy hat and instead of sitting down, he loomed over the desk. “Once a year, I go off the ranch and host the Cattlemen’s convention and you pick that week to have me do your dirty work. You’re never going to grow up.”

  Drake raised his brows. “Damn, you sound like Dad.”

  “Leave Dad out of this.” He threw Drake a look. “We had an agreement. I’d be a silent partner. So far, this week has been anything but silent.”

  “Ah…that’s what this is all about.” Drake chuckled. “Couldn’t handle your job, huh?”

  “I handled it just fine,” he spit out. “But the hotel is your responsibility. You’re the one that wanted to take charge of it after your mom retired. This wasn’t the time to go gallivanting off with your girlfriend.”

  “You’d change your mind if you saw Dalia.” Drake whistled. “She’s one woman you don’t turn down when she tells you to go away with her. The things she can do with her legs…”

  “What about Ava?” Hank curled the edge of his hat. “You were off getting your jollies, while she was here working her ass off, cleaning up after every prank you had me pull. I swear, if you don’t give her the job, I’ll come across the desk right now and beat the shit out of you. She went above and beyond the call of the managerial job. She deserves the position and a helluva’ bonus when you confess to what you’ve put her through.”

  Drake stared at Hank, and then he burst out laughing. His legs came off the desk and plunked to the floor. Hank leaned over and planted his hands on the desk. There was nothing funny about what Drake had made him do.

  “S-she got to you too,” Drake barked out and slapped Hank on the shoulder. “I knew it.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Hank swiped his arm out and hit Drake upside the head with his hat. “You’re starting to piss me off.”

  Drake held his hands up. “Listen. I knew she was perfect for you.”

  “Who?”

  “Ava.”

  He backed away from the desk. “You set me up?”

  Drake had better start explaining fast, because he was about ready to beat the living shit out of him. He tossed his hat in the chair, and unbuttoned first one sleeve and then the other.

  “Hank. Calm down. Let me explain.” Drake held out his hands. “Ava came into the hotel with no experience. I could tell from the moment she stepped into the office that she didn't have enough experience to run the hotel, and I was reluctant to let her try for the position."

  “Why the hell not? She’s perfect for the job.”

  “Hang on.” Drake nodded. “You’re right, but all I could see the day she applied was a woman who was trying so hard to impress me, she’d do anything to get the job. She has no experience and little marketable skills for this kind of business.”

  “Yet, you hired her,” he said. “Why?”

  “Damn right I did.” Drake grinned. “She’s confident, smart, witty, and made no excuses for her lack of experience, her lack of education, or her young age. She sat in front of me and declared she’d be honest, hardworking, and loyal. I believed her.”

  Hank walked around the room. His anger simmered, and left him confused. If Drake knew he was going to hire Ava from the start, then why did he put her –he shot a glance at Drake–Hell, why did he have to go through with testing her?

  “I don’t understand you.” Hank sat down in front of the desk. “You knew I had a convention to run.”

  “I also know you’re stubborn and all you think about is that ranch of yours.”

  “The money from that ranch has saved your ass when you’ve neglected the hotel and needed to borrow money from me.” Hank glared. “That ranch supported all of us growing up. When Theresa left, it was Dad who financed the hotel from that ranch to make her happy.”

  “I know.” Drake nodded. “This isn’t about the ranch, but you.”

  “Me?”

  “I worry about you.”

  Hank snorted. “I’m the last person you should worry about.”

  “We’re family, bro. There was a time when we did everything together.”

  Hank inhaled. “It wasn’t my decision to leave the ranch.”

  “Would you’ve wanted mom to be by herself?” Drake said, softly.

  “No.” Hank leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “I understood why you left. It’s what happened afterward that drives me crazy.”

  Drake picked up a piece of paper and scooted it across the desk. “Tell me about Ava.”

  The tension in the room eased. He sagged in the chair. Moments ago, he had Ava panting in the hallway. The charade was over. Ava would get the job, and he’d be able to see her again without her feeling guilty.

  “She’s more than fine for the job. I doubt if you’ll find anyone more creative in finding ways to fix whatever problems come up.” Hank sighed on a smile. “You should’ve seen her. The first thing she did when we took the element out of the oven was to create a menu herself and then she rolled up her sleeves and fed everyone. Best damn meal I’ve ever had at the hotel.”

  “I’ve heard.” Drake nodded. “Patricia has done nothing but praise Ava since I’ve got back.”

  “Her talents don’t end in the kitchen. The day George was supposed to rig the hotel cars, I found her with grease up to her elbows, consulting with a mechanic and doing the work herself.” Hank smoothed his goatee. “I'm telling you, the woman can do anything she sets her heart to.”

  Ava’s talents didn’t end at her job. He shifted in the chair. She’d shown him a side of her that even he hadn’t seen coming last night. She was brave, adventuresome, and stubborn. She gave him the best night of sex he’d ever had, and he wanted to keep it that way. There was no way he could walk away from a woman who made him feel as if he was the only man in the room, and she wanted him.

  “Damn.” Drake sat back and chuckled. “I didn’t think it would work.”

  He frowned. “What would work?”

  “I knew from the three weeks of watching Ava work, she was perfect for you.” Drake stood up. “Because you had the convention going on, I had to figure out a way to make sure you spent time with her. So, I set up the tests, hoping you’d notice what a great gal she is.”

  “You set me up?” Hank mumbled.

  “Of course, I did. That’s what brothers are for.” Drake laughed. “She was never in danger of losing her job. I knew I’d be coming back here and telling her she was hired. I just wasn’t sure if I’d return to find you so damn happy. Got her in bed, huh?”

  Swift, hot anger exploded inside Hank. He swung, clipping Drake on the chin and sent him crashing against the bookcase. Pain curled his fingers, and he shook his hand. Damn, that felt good.

  Drake rubbed the side of his face. “What’d you do that for?”

  “That’s for screwing around with Ava. She doesn’t deserve it.” Hank turned and walked to the door.

  “Hey!”

  He paused with his hand on the door handle. “What?”

  “Aren’t you going to stick around?”

  “I’ve got a couple of things to do, and then I need to get back to the ranch. I’ve been gone too long, and I don’t need to find that hell broke out when I was gone.” He slapped his hat on his head. “Can you do me a favor?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Let Ava know she has the job soon. She’s worried.” He glanced behind him. “She’s worth more than you’re paying her.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Ava stood outside Mr. Holland’s office. She smoothed her skirt over her thighs, wiping her sweaty palms off in the process. The last month of working came down to today.

  In her heart, she knew she didn’t deserve the job. She’d jumped in without knowing enough about t
he hotel business or having enough experience. Someone with more knowledge could’ve handled all the problems she’d dealt with this week better and more proficiently. Without Hank coming to her rescue, things would’ve turned out much worse.

  Not to mention she’d broken the rule about fraternizing with a guest. She wrinkled her nose. Fraternize, such a stupid word for sex.

  What she experienced with Hank was indescribable. He’d given her the best night of her life, awakened a part of her she had no idea she even had, and for those hours, she’d experienced how it would feel to be first in someone’s life. Whatever happened after she opened the door and walked into Mr. Holland’s office would never make her regret what she did.

  She raised her hand and knocked. The door swung open, and Mr. Holland motioned for her to come in. She waited until he told her to sit, and then took the chair in front of the desk.

  “Thanks for being on time, Ava.” Mr. Holland sat down and opened a folder. “I’ve had time to talk with the hotel staff, take into consideration their opinion on how you handled yourself this week, and have assessed your performance.”

  She clasped her hands on her lap. Her legs shook, and she pressed her feet to the floor, trying to hide her nervousness. Here it came. He’d tell her that she didn’t fit in at Holland Hotel, and thank her for applying. Then she’d have to hold back her embarrassment, thank him, and walk out the door with her head held high.

  Mr. Holland stopped talking and lifted his brows. “Ava?”

  “Yes.” She sat up straighter, determined to pay attention.

  He held out his hand. “Welcome to the Holland family.”

  Her lips opened, but she didn’t know what to say. He shook her hand, smiling. She let out her breath, afraid she’d pass out on the office floor from hyperventilating.

  “T-thank you, Mr. Holland.” She laid her hand on her chest. “I wasn’t expecting....”

  He laughed. “Relax. You’ve been the perfect employee. I left the hotel in good hands and from what I’ve heard, you’ve done an excellent job. The staff sings your praises and several guests have paid compliments on how you’ve run the convention. I’m thrilled to have you on my staff.”

  An excellent job? She gazed down at her hands. None of it was true. She’d flubbed up many times. She had no experience about what to do in an emergency. When problems arose, she'd second-guessed herself constantly. Hank helped her maintain control, and made sure she completed her job properly.

  Hank.

  She’d broken the most important rule Mr. Holland set for his employees.

  No matter what running the hotel meant to her or how much she needed the income to support her gram, it was dishonest for her to let him continue thinking he’d hired the perfect person. She blinked. Hard. The truth would come out, and he’d never forgive her.

  “Mr. Holland?” She raised her gaze. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept the job.”

  He studied her. “Can you tell me why?”

  She nodded and whispered, “I broke rule number twenty four, sir. I won’t apologize for what I did, but I am sorry I disappointed you.”

  Mr. Holland stood and removed the employee handbook from the shelf, and thumbed through the pages. She lifted her chin. Nothing he said would make her feel bad about sleeping with Hank.

  He fingered the page. Her heart sank the second she witnessed his understanding. His brows rose, and he cleared his throat before setting the book back on the shelf. Warmth traveled up her neck and she was sure her cheeks were bright red. It was unfair to think Mr. Holland would understand about love. He’d put his trust in her, and she’d failed.

  A soft sound came from Mr. Holland. She looked across the desk, but what she saw left her frowning.

  “Mr. Holland?” She crossed her arms.

  He waved her off, and let go of the laughter he was trying so hard to withhold. “I couldn’t get the answer out of Hank, but I had no idea you’d confess to sleeping with my brother.”

  “Your brother?” She shook her head. “No…”

  He nodded. She stared at his face, trying to find a resemblance to the rugged man she knew so well, and not finding anything but a well-dressed businessman around Hank’s age—she gasped—There!

  Mr. Holland’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and gleamed under the light of the room. Once she saw the same expression she’d memorized from Hank, she studied Mr. Holland further. Hank’s hair was longer and untamed, where Mr. Holland’s short, manicured style was nothing like it, but they had the same color hair. She titled her head. Hank weighed less than Mr. Holland did, but they both had broad shoulders. Wooziness came over her and she leaned forward, her arms around her middle.

  “Hank’s your brother?” She pressed her lips together.

  It was true. This whole time she should’ve noticed the similarities. Oh, their personalities were different, and they each had their own style, but once she looked, it was obvious. Then she remembered the night she’d thought Mr. Holland had walked up behind her and it turned out to be Hank.

  Mr. Holland nodded. “We’re actually half brothers, same father. He’s a rancher, I’m a businessman.”

  “I see…”

  “Ava. There’s no reason for you to give up the job. I want you as my manager,” he said. “I asked Hank to run a few simple tests while I was gone to see how you handled unexpected emergencies, and you did exceptionally well. I need you here at Holland Hotel, and I’m more than happy to pay you five hundred more a month than I originally quoted.”

  She couldn’t think. A raise? A test?

  What was he talking about? She stood and kneaded her hands together. Had he asked Hank to sleep with her?

  The reality of what had happened left her cold. The test was why Hank was always around to bail her out of trouble. How could she have been so stupid? She hated herself for falling for Hank’s scheme. She’d believed he wanted her, and she’d let herself fall into bed with him without having any doubts. He must be laughing at her.

  “Did he shut down the oven to test me?”

  Mr. Holland nodded.

  “The cars?”

  “Yes.”

  She swallowed down the anger and whispered, “The seagull?”

  “The what?”

  “The seagull that flew into the sliding door in his room and broke the glass.” She waited, but Mr. Holland appeared confused. She couldn't make a decision until she knew the truth. “Did you have Hank lie about a seagull breaking the sliding door in his room, so he'd have to stay with me last night in the honeymoon suite?”

  “No.” Mr. Holland grimaced. “No, Ava. That wasn’t my idea.”

  She turned away and closed her eyes. Not that knowing the truth helped. He’d still used her. No wonder he hadn’t wanted to make love to her after finding out she was a virgin. She covered her mouth, afraid she was going to be sick. She’d all but forced him to take her after showing up in the living room naked and begging him to have sex.

  She opened her eyes. A full-time job. God, she needed the money.

  “Ava?”

  She turned back around, dropped her hands, and looked into his eyes. “I’ll take the job on one condition.”

  Mr. Holland grimaced. “You’re upset.”

  “I’m sure I’ll get over it.” She shrugged, feeling anything but confident.

  “What can I do to help?”

  “Make sure I never have to see your brother again.” She lifted her chin. “The next time he wants to stay at the hotel, you can count my absence as vacation days.”

  Mr. Holland inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I think you need to talk to Hank.”

  She shook her head. “I have nothing more to say to him. If that bothers you, then I’m not the person for the job.”

  Her heart pounded. This job meant everything to her. Gram could continue living at Shady Oak, she could keep the house, and she’d have the security of knowing she was doing the best she could for a bad situation. But her job could have nothing to
do with Hank. Period.

  Mr. Holland held out his hand. “I’ll agree to those conditions, and I'm sorry if plotting the mishaps caused you more stress.”

  She shook on the deal. “Thank you. I’ll get back to work and leave you alone.”

  “Wait.” He walked to the credenza. “I almost forgot. There was a package dropped off for you a few minutes before our meeting.”

  “I haven’t ordered anything.” She held up her hand. “Maybe it’s something the maintenance crew ordered, and they put the order in my name.”

  “No. It’s for you. I had to sign for it.” He handed the package to her.

  “Okay. Thanks.” She walked out the door, reading the box.

  There was no return address or paid shipping stamp on the outside. She frowned. Even the label only had her name printed on it with no location. That’s strange.

  She stepped into the elevator, rode up to the second floor, and walked out. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she slipped into the stairwell and sat down on the top step. Not sure what to expect, she carefully peeled back the tape and opened the end.

  Unable to tell what the packaged contained behind the Styrofoam, she pulled the contents out.

  "What in the world?" she mumbled.

  Inside sat a small box strapped to an elastic band. She looked in the box again, found the paperwork, and unfolded the instructions. Her gaze skimmed over the writing, and she gasped. No way.

  Someone had sent the GPS monitor device she wanted to get for Gram. She pressed her hand to her forehead. These things cost a lot of money. She knew exactly how much, and planned to rent one if she’d gotten the job.

  Gram would be safe and never wander away again so she had to worry. A smile grew, and she pulled out her phone. She left a quick message at the nursing home, telling them she’d be there before work in the morning. This was wonderful. It was one more precaution that’d let Gram live a more normal life without having to have someone watching her constantly.

  She gathered the package in her arms, stood and plopped back down. Shit.

  The only person in the world who she’d spoken to about the GPS device was Hank, the night she’d come back from finding Gram. She groaned. Was this a gift for sleeping with him? For being a good sport while he and Mr. Holland had a laugh over all the trouble they caused?