Chapter 6
SHELBY GLANCED UP WHEN MARTINEZ poked her head in the office where Shelby had spent the last five days cooped up.
“Hey, boss.” Martinez said. “Want me to bring you something from the cafeteria?”
“That would be wonderful. Can you pick me up some munchies too? I’ll be here late.” She straightened and arched her back until it popped.
Martinez stepped fully into the room and did a quick scan. “Your blood sugar bothering you again?”
“No. I’ve got cheese sticks and crackers, but it’d be nice to have a better variety. Tomorrow I’m moving my office to Rochefort-en-fleur.” Shelby rose from her chair. “There’s a sweet office with a great view of the beach.”
“Youarelooking pale.” Martinez sat on the edge of the desk. “You’re on a Southern California island withfourgreat beaches. No one should be pale in this setting. You need to get out. Do something besides work.”
“I know.” Shelby’s duties with this job were different from any she’d done before. The individual project managers reported to her, but she was little more than a liaison between them and Alan. Her primary responsibilities, besides coordinating with Wade, included doing an audit of the entire project’s books. She gave a soft chuckle. “These books have turned into a bit of a treasure hunt. I guess I’m obsessing about it.”
“Mr. Bradley asked if you were.” Martinez grinned.
Shelby shifted in her chair, all humor gone. “Please don’t tell me he’s turned you into his little spy.”
“No, Ms. Nash.” She stood, her posture turning more formal, matching Shelby’s tone. “But I am charged with your security during the day. He’s just concerned about you.”
Shelby sighed and forced herself to relax. A part of her still wanted to be mad at Alan over the Wade thing, but she couldn’t get up the energy. Working with him hadn’t been too bad after all. She decided to drop it. Martinez was only doing her job anyway, and Shelby liked the woman.
“He isn’t usually a naggy old man,” Shelby said. “And can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what?”
“Can you call me Shelby?”
“Is that appropriate?” Martinez asked. “I don’t want to get in trouble.”
“You won’t. I’m the only one who’d complain, and since it’s my request ...” Shelby raised her brows. “Didn’t you introduce yourself as Ava? I’ll call you that.” She lowered her voice. “But I’m still calling Shang ‘Shang Junior.’”
Ava laughed. “Does kind of bring that on himself, doesn’t he?”
“I’m glad he’s on night duty. It’d drive me crazy to have his scowl hanging around all the time.” She turned back to her work.
“I’ll bring back your supper. Oh.” Ava paused, and Shelby looked up. “I go hiking in the mornings before it gets too hot. Want to come? There are some sweet trails.”
“Yeah, I think I would,” Shelby said. “I need to get some exercise.”
***
Wade sat down to eat his dinner in the small staff cafeteria and scanned the room. He’d thought meals might provide a chance to interact with Shelby, but she only showed up for breakfast. Once, he’d seen Martinez carrying a tray over to the building where Shelby had set up her office. The only other time he saw her was during their planning meetings with the staff. Since Martinez hadn’t provided any help yet, he’d considered just dropping in at Shelby’s office to see if he could get her to talk about anything besides work.
He dug into his spaghetti. The cafeteria only had a few people. Not unexpected since it was Thursday evening. Most of the work crews did four/ten schedules. A few chose to stay overnight in the dorms. On Monday morning, it’d taken three large ferries to bring in the crews. Wade had worried about the sheer number of people who worked on the island, but the layered organization seemed to flow well. He had daily meetings only with the section leaders. A few crews were putting the finishing touches on the Chinese village, while the majority of the crews had moved on to the French town square.
“Hey, Masters.”
Wade shifted in his seat to find Martinez approaching him. He indicated the other chair.
“I’m here for Shelby’s dinner.” She put her foot on the chair and bent, conspiratorially. “You still coming for a hike tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Why?” He took a bite.
Martinez wiggled her brows and grinned. “We’re having company in the morning.”
He sucked in air and choked.
