“Emma, you’ve got a total black thumb.I’ll be fretting the entire time.Those plants are my livelihood.Remember when you babysat my cactus?”
Emma waved the disastrous cactus-sitting episode away.“I’ll bring my brother.He can grow anything.I promise it will be fine.It’s not like you have a choice.Besides, you have great staff, and they’ll be doing your corporate jobs.And didn’t you say the trip was mandatory?”She pushed her red hair out of her face and handed Wanda her bag from the trunk.
Wanda set the bag on the curb outside Varner Industries’ head office.The six-story brick building sat just off Macleod Trail, near Chinook Centre.Across the parking lot, people were milling around several buses.She studied them for a moment, looking for familiar faces; she loved meeting new people, but maybe not this many all at once.Shaking her head, she focused on Emma’s question.“Technically, I don’t work here.I’m a contractor for Pete’s sake.I keep their plants healthy and change out the unwell ones, just like I do for twenty other companies.”
“Are other contractors going?”Typical Emma.Pure logic.So frustrating.
“I guess so.I mean, I assume so.I’ll probably get partnered with an idiot who’s never been in a canoe.”She shuddered, “Or an accountant.”Her stick-in-the-mud ex had been an accountant.
“You’ll be fine.”
A loud screech preceded an announcement.“As I call your name, please board and sit with your partner.”
“I’m supposed to have a partner?”She panicked a little inside.
“Get over there,” Emma grabbed the backpack off the ground, shoved it into Wanda’s arms, and pushed her toward the milling crowd.“I’ll see you in a few days.”As Wanda walked away, she shouted, “Your plants are safe with me.”
Wanda ignored her.
Thespeakercrackledagainas she trudged toward the small crowd.“Wanda Irwin, your partner is Eric Varner.”
“What?”she stumbled to a halt.
“Holy cow,” Emma exclaimed, rushing to Wanda’s side.“Isn’t that the CEO?”
Swallowing hard, Wanda said, “I…I…I think so.This is so not good.”
A tall man with dark hair and a dark, neatly trimmed scruff strode forward and handed his bag to the man loading the luggage compartment.He stepped onto the bus stairs and looked around.Sweet heaven, he was gorgeous.Tall, dark, handsome…just her type.Not that she was actively seeking anyone.
This is work,Wanda, not a dating opportunity.Her mind shot a warning to her over-eager hormones.
“Go,” Emma hissed.“Don’t make the boss mad on the first day.”
“Wanda?”the man with the speaker called out.“Is Wanda here?”
“Here!”Emma shouted and gave Wanda another gentle push.
“Step it up,” the man called out, making the bullhorn squeal again.
Wincing, she hurried forward and handed her bag over to the handler.Eric Varner was still on the steps.He greeted her with a grin and offered his hand.“Howdy, partner.I’m Eric.”
“Wanda.”The word croaked out like she was some kind of exotic frog.She reached for his hand.Their palms met.Electricity jolted through her.
Oh, no way, just no.Hard no!This was not happening.Static.It was just static electricity.It was NOT attraction.No way.No how.And definitely not now.
Chapter Two
Hispartnerstrodetowardthe bus.Eric looked her over, careful not to leer or stare too long, though he was tempted.Shoulder-length hair, trim figure, nervous smile.He did prefer shorter women, and this one was cute.His protective instincts kicked in.
He held out his hand to help the woman, Wanda, up onto the bus.It was a big step for his long legs, and hers were considerably shorter.He nearly dropped his hand when their fingers met.Lightning shot through him, and he jerked backward, yanking her arm and half pulling her into the bus.
“Geez.Take it easy on a gal.”She chided.“Bank that enthusiasm.”
“Sorry.I didn’t mean to do that.”He studied her carefully, trying to place her within the company.With over a hundred people in the home office alone, he didn’t know everyone, but he sure tried to.She was pretty, though her light brown hair had fallen half out of its low ponytail.
Stepping back, he waved her forward.“Come on, partner.Let’s pick a seat.”
Another woman stepped onto the bus, leaving them no option but to move further inside.
