Lucas turned to watch him leave. “You would think he’d be happy to finally do what he wanted. I hope the rest of your staff is more agreeable.” Lucas spoke softly, pleasantly.
Miranda swiveled on her heel and tilted her head to study him. “Frankly, I expected you to be less agreeable than you are. What changed your mind?”
He tossed the stapled packet on the desk. “This is a solid plan. Given the right amount of time and other factors, it would work.”
“So you’ve said,” she replied, coolly.
He stepped closer, forcing her head up further. “And you were right. I have responsibilities and if you’re willing to work at this, then I should step up.”
“Even if Roger disagrees?” She spoke quietly, voicing a critical question, testing his loyalty.
“Are you questioning my ethics again, Miranda?”
“I’m just seeing if you can be trusted.”
“Don’t trust anyone, Miranda. This is business. Not a social club.”
“Then you don’t belong to many social clubs, Lucas. I would trust more people in business than I would in social circles.” She turned on her heel and strode around the desk. “Is that everything?” She sat in her chair and clicked to waken her computer, ignoring him.
“Not quite. You’re going to Florida? I’d like to join you.”
“That won’t be necessary, Lucas. I can handle it just fine.” Her fingers tightened on the mouse and her gaze remained fixed on the screen.
“Our agreement, Miranda, was that I would be at every meeting. Include me in your travel arrangements. I’ll talk with Cole about a few analysts who might be open to joining your team. They love a challenge.”
He gave a slight bow, eyes never leaving hers, and he walked out of the room.
Miranda let out a deep exhale and allowed her head to fall forward, a sudden attack of nerves finally allowed to escape. She drew in a deep, shuddering breath. She had played her hand, made her decision, and now she had to run with it. Like a base runner committed to going for two, she had rounded first base and had to make second or the inning, and the game, would be over. She had to succeed, even if her father would not approve at all.
Would she score or be thrown out by a mile?
*
Miranda walked downthe main aisle in the ticket sales department. Her mind spun from the updated numbers provided in the recap. Lucas had predicted this, but had not estimated how bad the sales were. They’d be lucky to fill half the stadium on a good day with good promotional items. But honestly, that wasn’t even a guarantee. People didn’t want prizes and trinkets. They wanted wins and affordable seats. Neither of which were promised by the Knights this season. And maybe not even in the next few seasons.
“Miranda? How’s your father doing?” A woman’s voice spoke from within one of the cubicles down Miranda’s left.
She glanced down and saw the hesitant face of an older woman. It took a moment but she refused to check at the nameplate to remember the woman’s name. Miranda had worked in ticket sales on her way to learning all functions of the team and this woman had been a mentor to her as she learned the job.
“Grace Ann! How are you?” The name came in a flash and she smiled warmly at the woman, reaching out for a hug.
The older woman stood and awkwardly embraced Miranda, as if somehow the action was a little too personal for their circumstances. At that moment, a few other people also stood and greeted Miranda.
“How’s Mr. Callahan, Miranda? We’ve been praying for him.” Grace Ann spoke softly, as if not everyone would pray for the cantankerous man.
Miranda understood more than anyone how difficult her father could be. Lord knew, he had been tough on her growing up, especially once she’d joined the business. While she didn’t always appreciate it, that same toughness prepared her for this situation. Some would say it was that toughness that made this situation as bad as it was but Miranda was looking forward, not backwards to blame someone. That time had passed. She had to fix the future or there wouldn’t be one to fix.
“He’s hanging in. He’s been moved to a regular room in the cardiac unit, then he’ll head for rehab.”
Mutters of “Praise be” greeted her words, along with comforting pats on the arm. Miranda smiled, feeling the love from her staff seeping into her with every touch, every smile. This was why she loved working for the Knights. They were family.
“How’s your new grandbaby, Grace Ann? Is she just wonderful?”
Before the question was even out of Miranda’s mouth, Grace Ann had pictures out to show her. After oohing and aahing, Miranda asked after other people and their family. Finally, after about ten minutes or so, the conversation wound down. Suddenly, the group went silent and a shiver up her spine indicated that it wasn’t just due to a lack of conversation. She turned her head and saw Lucas standing behind her, a carefully blank expression on his face. He glanced at his watch, not very subtly indicating they were late for another meeting.
Wanting him to know the staff like she did, she gestured him over to the group. “Lucas, you remember Grace Ann? She was here when your father was here. She always had those amazing oatmeal raisin cookies.”
He nodded politely. “Of course. Nice to see you again, Ms. Cox.”