Hannah knocked and waited for Leo to answer.
“Damn it, come in,” he barked. Upon noticing Hannah, he winced and rubbed his jaw. “Sorry about all the yelling. Your favorite salesman sent me an invoice with a return surcharge. I’m ready to hunt him down and string him up by the balls, if he even has any.”
“Let me see,” she said, going around his desk. He slid the computer over for her to see his headache for the moment. “Do you use this company all the time?”
“Not anymore,” he grumbled. “Kit Kat expected me home over an hour ago and Derrick’s teething, Grace pooped all over herself and then the wall and Melody’s collecting money for the swearing. I’ll be lucky if I have balls by the time I get home,” Leo unloaded. “Then Whiskey has lost his head and mixed theinvoices for the Texas team and us. I’ll be here for at least another three hours,” he groaned.
“All right. I’ll accept the position,” Hannah said, feeling sorry for him. “I’ll need my own computer, and I’ll come in when I need to, but I prefer to work from home. As you know, I have some issues.”
Leo turned in his chair and handed her a brand-new computer, complete with a bag. “Have you met the assholes who work here? Here ya go. Bear already added all the programs you might need and it’s secure. I know you don’t like small rooms, but I have a lovely pool area with a table you can use while I hold my meeting.” He slid a piece of paper over to her. “Here’s your pay, comprehensive health insurance, eye coverage, and dental, thanks to Kit Kat reminding me I have three kids who will most likely need braces.”
Hannah eyed him speculatively. “You planned this.”
“Hell yes, I did. You’ve already said yes, and you’ll see my offer’s more than fair,” Leo said, standing. “Welcome to the team, Stormy.”
“How did you know about my nickname? Cole only gave it to me this morning,” she exclaimed. Her eyes nearly bugged from her head when she saw the amount Leo filled in.
Leo winked. “I know everything that happens on this mountain. Happy to see you like my offer. Come by in the morning and I’ll formally introduce you. You don’t have to stay long. If you need anything else, find Sparky or me.”
She placed the computer in the bag along with his sneaky contract. “May I review this and give it to you at the end of your meeting?”
“You bet,” he agreed while he escorted her to the pool room.
Cole’s eyes met hers from the kitchen, and she shrugged before sitting down. Pulling out the papers and contract, she shook her head. Leo must be crazy for his offer, but she didn’tplan to let him steamroll her. She crossed out a few lines about reporting for PT, using an office, and attending weekly meetings. As the supply clerk, she didn’t need to sit in on mission meetings.
She separated the invoices and created Excel sheets listing all suppliers and the items they regularly order. Then, she broke down all the expenses. She needed to find a couple of new companies and lower their outgoing expenses. Hannah made a few notes and glanced up as Cole entered the room.
“You have ten minutes to get to your appointment with Dr. Meyers,” he told her as he glanced at the items on the table. “I’ll drive you over.”
“I’ll explain later,” she said, stacking everything in an organized pile and placing it in the bag.
He took it from her as she held the contract in her hand. Leo met them in the hallway, and she handed it to him. “I didn’t sign it yet, I made a few adjustments. If they’re agreeable, we have a deal. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Leo’s brow arched as he glanced at her contract. “We’ll discuss it in the morning.”
Cole rushed her to the hospital, and she hurried to her appointment.
He lingered in the hallway, watching her until she disappeared from his sight.
“How’s it going, Cole?”
He turned to greet one of the veterans who showed him the bus route to the community center. “I’m doing great. How’s the route going? Have more seniors started using it?”
Larry shook his head. “Word got around about the two-hundred-dollar cash prize, and if attendance picks up anymore, we’ll have to add a second bus.”
“I consider that good news,” Cole said.
“Yeah, it’s good. Kassie’s over the moon. Do you want to volunteer for a few driving shifts? Gene returned home and Bud leaves this week.”
“Sure,” he said, walking toward the sign-up sheets. He went down the list and signed up for once a week through the end of the year. “If no one signs up for the week of Christmas, let me know. I’ll do it.”
“Thanks, man,” Larry said, appearing relieved.
Finding no reason to stay, he glanced one more time toward Claire’s office and returned to the facility. He planned to pick her up after her appointment. He entered the kitchen as Leo pulled out a map. “Here’s where the attacks occurred. Whiskey signed the contract for us to work here.” He pointed to an area close by. “According to the records, Cole’s boss worked before the attack and the day after. How many of us got regular days off for an entire six months? It’s fishy.”
“He made the schedules,” Cole added. “John volunteered to go, and I took Brody up to him later. After the accident, while I waited for my papers, I checked the schedule. On the day of the attacks, John got assigned with Brody for every single one. It seemed strange no other dog team led the units.”
Brody rose from his spot and sat at his side. His wise old eyes begged Cole to find out what happened. He owed it to Brody and his best friend to find out what happened. The thought of leaving this soon after meeting Hannah made his gut twist in knots. What if she suffered an episode while he went on tour with the team? What about Brody? Somehow, he needed to have them settled before he left.
