That earned her an eye roll. “I’m not going to fall, Devyn.”
“I hope not. I’ve had my lifetime fill of visiting the ICU. Humor me, okay? I’ll get you a fancy pastry from Sweet Dreams this week if you do.” She called up a grin.
“That’s a hard bribe to pass up. Emma’s baklava is to die for.” She set off toward the steps, the slight tease in her tone heartening.
Spirits lifting, Devyn glanced again at the quilted tote and the sewing supplies spread over the long table.
Hmm.
As an idea began to percolate in her mind, she followed her sister up the stairs.
Lauren might nix the notion, but it could be worth broaching—after she discussed it with a couple of people.
In the meantime, she’d nuke their dinners, which had surely grown cold by now.
But something more important was beginning to warm up.
Namely, her relationship with her sister.
And if all went well, perhaps by the time she had to wing back to New York for the fall season, the two of them would be on their way to smoothing out the bumps in their long-troubled relationship.
13
This might not be the best time to interrupt his boss.
Aaron slowed his pace as he approached the window-rimmed office that allowed Martin to keep tabs on the floor of the mill below.
The owner was in front of the open laptop on his L-shaped desk, his back to the expanse of glass that overlooked the debarker, his shoulder toward the door. But his attention wasn’t on the screen. It was fixed higher, on a blank wall beside a row of filing cabinets.
It almost looked like he was daydreaming.
Not likely, though. Martin Fisher’s focus was always razor sharp at work.
Maybe he was deep in thought over a mill issue. Contemplating a new equipment purchase, perhaps, or strategizing how to eke out higher productivity or clinch a sale with a new customer.
But he could do all of those things swiveled ninety degrees and facing the door, as he usually did.
Could his unusual behavior have more to do with the news circulating through town that his wife had left him?
Again, not likely. Martin never let personal matters interfere with business.
Whatever the reason for his uncharacteristic posture, it might be smart to come back later. Broaching a personnel issue was always tricky, and recommending that someone be let go was even trickier in a market where skilled, reliable workers were hard to find and the mill was already shorthanded.
Aaron stopped his advance.
He should listen to his gut and retreat. Martin might be less inclined to shoot the messenger this afternoon.
Unfortunately, as he started to turn away, Martin swiveled around. Waved him forward.
He was stuck.
Psyching himself up for what could be a testy exchange, he continued to the office, opened the door, and stepped inside. “Morning, Martin. If you’re busy, I can come back later. I know Mondays can be crazy.”
“No crazier than usual. What’s up?”
No sense beating around the bush. The news wasn’t going to get any better by putting it in cold storage for a few hours.
“The drug test we had Wade take after the band saw accident last week came back positive. Opioids.”
