Page 25 of The Rebel Billionaire

“That would be lovely, Callie,” Mother answers, moving towards my office.

“A water, if it’s not too much trouble,” the young woman replies. “I can give you a hand?”

Callie’s eyes flash to mine, silently asking if I want a moment alone with Sophia. I acknowledge her with a blink.

Callie turns, her smile aimed at Brooke. “That would be great,” she says. “Follow me, and I’ll show you the kitchen.”

We watch them leave before I usher us into my office.

“Another waif and stray, Mother? Really?” I say, closing the door behind us.

“Oh, no, this one is far from a waif or a stray,” she says, smiling, but adds nothing further.

“But you are getting her a job here?”

“Why not? Speaking of jobs, what on earth are you going to do when Callie leaves?”

“I’ll get by,” I say.

I have no intention of discussing this with my mother.

“Callie said she’ll be training up her replacement.”

I stifle the groan.

“Yes, she’s kindly agreed to stay on for a couple of weeks to help bring the new person up to speed.”

Callie and her big mouth. She should know better. It’s not like she didn’t work for my mother.

“Maybe you need someone fresh off the line, ready to be moulded into whatever you need, just as Callie was when I first gave her a job,” she says.

“Please don’t suggest Brooke. I’m telling you now.”

I don’t want to think about moulding the young woman I’ve just met. That’s the last thing I need.

“Oh heavens no. I wouldn’t dream of it,” she says, her expression one of horror. “I’m just saying that you don’t always have to go for someone with lots of experience.”

I refrain from rolling my eyes.

There’s a knock at the door.

Both women enter. Callie smiles down at Mother while motioning for Brooke to place the drinks on the far side of my desk. A nice, thoughtful touch, not letting Callie carry them in her pregnant state. I clamp my mouth closed as my mother pats the seat next to her, encouraging Brooke to sit.

Callie’s eyes widen, her gaze meeting mine over their heads.

“I’ll go and call the agency, see if they have any other candidates they can send over.”

I frown. “Are there no more lined up?”

I could have sworn I’d selected at least ten from the list she sent me.

“Mrs Donnelley was number five,” she says, and I can’t miss the twinkle in her eye.

She thinks I’m being pedantic.

“Call them and let me know ASAP,” I say.

The problem with wanting someone now is that I only have a limited pool to choose from. And with Callie agreeing to perform a handover, I need to take the stress off her as quickly as possible. I can’t expect her to stay indefinitely.