He took a sip of the coffee then nodded appreciatively before saying, “Coming from you, that’s a compliment.”
Kelsey sighed.
“I know you disagree with my decision, but you put that aside.As I suspected, others in the company have taken their cue from your behavior.Loyalty is the hardest when you disagree with a course of action, and you showed impressive leadership ability.I appreciate your support of Donovan Logistics.”
“I like Seward and his family,” she said.“I spent some time with the Newmans on Tuesday, and Mrs.Newman let me know that the company really would have been in trouble if it hadn’t been for Donovan’s flexibility in moving up timelines.She told me you’d pulled off something close to a miracle.”
He shrugged.For the first time since she’d known him, he looked a bit uncomfortable.
“I’d prefer that we could have kept Seward.”The next bit, she had a difficult time admitting to herself, much less him.“I was thinking on a micro level, a personal one.But I understand you’re looking at the company as a whole.”
“Sometimes, Kelsey, it’s easier to come in from the outside.I wasn’t burdened by an existing relationship with Captain Seward,” he said.“Making difficult decisions, some that you wish you didn’t have to, is what separates success from failure in business.It’s about the bottom line.You don’t have to like a particular course of action, but you have to be willing to commit to it.A good CEO can’t risk the entire company for one individual.”
“Career advice?”
“Probably worth every penny you paid for it.”
“It was free.”
“My point exactly.”
Marvin’s daughter brought over the quiche, complemented by fresh-cut fruit.
Since it was already late, they ate quickly then took their beverages back to the office.
A new blossom had opened on the hibiscus, the yellow a bright, welcome sight.“I’ve been meaning to ask,” she said.“Where did this come from?”
“Aunt Kathryn.She has them everywhere.Something about the color and having them indoors is soothing.As if that’s not enough, she makes the blossoms—or whatever you call them—into tea.”
She smiled.“Nice of you to indulge her.”
“I didn’t.”He shook his head.“If it died, I’d never hear the end of it.I figured the thing had a better chance of survival if you were taking care of it.”
“Thanks.I think.”
“We’ve got a lot to do,” he said.“Be ready to leave at five.”
Though she was still sad about Seward and her heart wasn’t in either her job or the evening ahead, she knew better than to argue.
Nathan went into his office and closed the door.
She sat back and exhaled then leaned forward when her office phone rang.“Nathan Donovan’s office,” she answered.
“Is this Kelsey Lane?”
She glanced at the caller identification screen.It read BHI.“Yes.”
“This is Lara Donovan.Nathan’s sister-in-law.”
“Good morning, Mrs.Donovan.Let me see if—”
“Please, call me Lara,” the woman interrupted.
Kelsey heard a hint of a soft Cajun drawl in the woman’s voice.
“I called for you, actually.Not Nathan.”
“For me?”She frowned.“What can I do for you?”
