“But I was born in Wenstown. I was raised here.” Jason realized that he had started moving the chair back and forth again and stopped. “Surely, having a former local buying out the place would appeal to them?”
“You’d think so, but it’s been years since you lived here. You’re not considered a local anymore, and because you’ve got money and made a name for yourself, people are naturally distrustful of you.”
Jason had guessed that, but he didn’t realize things were quite so rigid. He was going to have an uphill battle to get people to trust him again.
“Fine, then,” he sighed, nodding at the papers in Melinda’s arms. “I take it that’s all for me?”
“Yes, sir. The files are from me regarding the team. Everything else is mail for you.”
“Mail? Already?”
“As soon as people found out you were the new owner, they started coming in. I’m sure your email inbox is going to be pretty full as well.”
Jason wasn’t looking forward to firing up his laptop. Maybe he should go through the physical mail first before he checked his email. That might help prepare him for what was to come.
It had been a very long time since he had had so many people hating him, and Jason was feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll look over everything. Do you need me to sort anything out for you?”
“No, it’s fine. I know what I need to do.” Melinda put the pile of papers on the desk in front of him. “If you need anything, you can use the intercom next to the phone. I’ll be going to lunch at eleven thirty, so if you want me to order food for you, let me know by eleven so I can organize that. You have no meetings today, as of now, and the schedule for the team’s training, physical therapy and gym workouts is in the diary to your right. Contact information for everyone on the coaching staff is in there as well.”
“I…wow.” Jason took a moment to let that sink in. “Thank you, Melinda. That’s very efficient.”
“I do what I can, Mr. Munro.” Her mouth twitched again, and Jason wondered if she had ever smiled properly. “Welcome to the Wenstown Wolves.”
Jason watched her leave, still amazed that she was able to walk in those heels. As Melinda closed the door behind her, Jason drew the stack of papers towards him, bracing himself at the sight of all the letters.
This was going to take a long time, he was sure of it. And he wasn’t sure if he wanted to see what had been written to him.
He was going to need a lot of coffee for this.
His phone started ringing, and Jason picked it up without looking at it.
“Hello?”
“Your mother’s just arrived, Mr. Munro.”
“Oh, right. Send her in. Also, Melinda?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Do I need to ask you to get some coffee sent in?”
“Normally, yes, but Mrs. Munro has some coffee with her.” Melinda’s voice was tinged with amusement. “I think you’re covered on that part.”
Jason wasn’t surprised. His mother was an angel, and she knew when he needed coffee.
He smiled. “Send her in, Melinda. Thanks.”
He hung up just as the door opened and a pleasantly plump woman in her fifties with graying dark hair came into the office, carrying two takeout coffees in her hands. She had a handbag slung over one shoulder, but it was balanced precariously.
“Can you take your coffee?” she asked as she nudged the door shut with her hip. “If my bag goes, I’m going to drop everything.”
Jason was up immediately and hurried over, taking both cups from his mother. Sarah Munro grabbed her bag as it slipped, and she hoisted it back onto her shoulder.
“Thanks. I think I need a new bag. It won’t stay still.”
“Maybe don’t wear such bulky coats, Mom?”