WindSwept Narrows: #7 Francine Kendall

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Francine Kendall

  WindSwept Narrows

  Book Seven

  Karen A. Nichols

  Copyright 2011 by Karen A. Nichols

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Karen Nichols. Copyright, Karen Nichols. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter One

  Abby Murray worked to maintain her professional demeanor as she escorted the new manager around, showing him the locations and introducing him to various heads of departments.

  Donovan Banner looked at the woman dart past them for the second time since they began their tour. He glanced over at Abby only to find her staring straight ahead, chewing on her lip.

  “This is the play care and learning center,” Abby picked up once they exited the long hall. “Eve Hastings Covington is the Director, that’s her on the floor there. You have some very good directors and base line managers.”

  “Can you explain the tornado in the blue gown that keeps running past us?”

  “I was really hoping you wouldn’t ask me that question,” Abby pursed her lips. “However…Francine Kendall…”

  “Let’s start with what department she works for,” Donovan decided to go with a line of questions instead of waiting for her explanation.

  “Well, she doesn’t work for the resort,” Abby said carefully. “She’s more of what you might call an outside vendor…partially for the resort and partially for the health center. At least for the moment. We’re working on a contract type thing with her now. It’s almost complete. Frannie’s not difficult. The paperwork is with our attorney and the medical board for the hospital and should be finalized next week.”

  “Alright. Like a pizza delivery person?”

  “Pretty much,” though she sounded less than confident with the answer.

  “I think I can manage, Abby. I can find my way back to my office and if I need anything, I have your number,” Donovan saw the doubt on her face, but she nodded and stopped walking with him. “I’m badged and people know I’m in the building. You told me the memo went out. No one in what’s designated my new department should be surprised. Thanks for the tour.”

  Abby smiled and left him to go back to her office.

  Donovan spent an hour talking with Eve about her department, nodding and satisfied with her answers, he was striding toward the cafeteria when he saw the flying long skirts of the blonde come moving at a fast clip in front of him. She made a move to go around him with a vague smile when he altered both their courses deliberately, stepping directly into her path. There wasn’t time for her to swerve, the surprise evident in the wide green eyes when she crashed into him.

  He had prepared himself for the collusion, his hands up and catching her firmly at the waist, holding her solidly in place.

  “Oh! I am so sorry!” She peered up the five inches or so into a pair of blue eyes, full lips and a firm jaw that seemed a little tense. “How very odd. I’ve never done that before.”

  “Donovan Banner,” he said as he set her carefully back on the floor a few steps, his palm out politely.

  “Oh,” she stared at his palm, her own up and shaking his hand firmly, her smile bright and friendly. “Francine Kendall. Excuse me…”

  Donovan stepped into her path again, a frown pulling her full lips into a pucker. “Are you authorized to be here? I don’t see a badge telling me what department you’re assigned to.”

  “Badge?” Francine looked from his and then down at her chest. She reached up and pulled the photo identification from the bodice of the dress she wore. “This? Got one. That’s me…now…if you’ll excuse me…” She quickly tucked the badge back into the top of her dress and smiled at him.

  Donovan stared after the bare foot figure dashing down the hall and around the corner, long blond hair flying behind her. He knows his mouth opened to say something. To stop her. But nothing came out and then she was gone, leaving the scent of flowers in her wake.

  ****

  Mac carried his tray to the table where Donovan sat peering out one of the large windows. “Want some company? How’s your first week coming along?” He set his food down and sunk into a chair when Donovan waved his palm.

  “The food is fantastic,” he complimented, hungrily eating the harvest vegetables and Italian sausages. “The layout is incredible. Logan showed me around a little when I interviewed, but this is like a contained, small town. I’m learning my way around. You guys have built the start of a big revolution here.”

  “Thanks…we believe it’s way past time,” Mac said honestly. “Any questions? Stuff I can help with?”

  “Her.” He nodded to the blonde that moved quietly through the line selecting food.

  “Ahh…Frannie…”

  “Alright…that’s three of you now…I’m starting to think she’s a mythical character with a badge for clearance,” Donovan ground out in frustration. “No one seems to be able to actually explain her.”

  “Frannie is Sam’s cousin,” Mac began slowly. “She is associated with the health center, more than the resort. However, because of her specialties, she has clients because of the resort. And she’s brought a lot of customers to the resort because they’re her clients. Does that make sense?”

  “What the hell does she do? And why isn’t she wearing shoes?”

  “Frannie is an herbalist and holistic medicine practitioner. The shoes thing…she has a tendency to take them off when she’s working and forgets where she leaves them,” Mac explained cautiously. “She’s also a massage therapist and works out of the spa on occasion. I also know she has a bad habit of forgetting travel time and puts her appointments too close together. Hence, the running.”

  “Alright. Thank you.”

  “Lose your shoes again, Frannie?” Mac asked as she moved past them to the far corner of the cafeteria.

  “Did I?” She looked down with an absent frown, a large cotton tote on her shoulder and plate of salad and bread on her tray. “I think they’re in the play care. I’ll find them. I always have spares.” She said firmly in a lilting soft voice.

  “Have you met the new manager, Frannie? Donovan Banner,” Mac continued with his lunch.

  Frannie looked at the man who had stood up, short blond hair and blue eyes, all neat and tidy suit and expression that was less than fun. She reached into her bodice, badge in her fingers.

  “Yes…badge…I’m authorized,” she assured him quickly.

  “Have a seat, Frannie…you look hungry.” Mac invited with a grin.

  “It’s been a busy morning,” she admitted, lifting her fork and stabbing the mixed vegetables hungrily. “I know Logan told me about the new manager. He said you hav
e brilliant managerial skills. I’m not sure why he told me to avoid you for awhile, though. You look totally normal to me,” she stared at him while he ate. “Are you?”

  “Am I normal?” Donovan asked in disbelief.

  Mac coughed and pushed away from the table. “I’m back to work. Any problems or questions, feel free, Donovan. See you, Frannie.”

  “Bye, Mac.”

  “Thanks for the herbs,” He added with a wave.

  “Hmm…oh, excuse me…” Frannie sat back in the chair, turning to the side and bending to the floor, hands busy digging into her tote. “Ah-hah! I knew I had them in here somewhere…you do know it’s perfectly alright to not be normal, Mr. Banner. I’m not even sure what normal is these days…perception and normalcy often times conflict and even overlap given the outlook of an individual.”

  Donovan watched her bend, the low front of her dress had a lacey gold edge that was straining as her hands worked to tie a pair of flat ballet type shoes in place.

  “Do you always dress like this?” Donovan asked when she sat up and began eating.

  “You don’t like girls in dresses?” She asked, blinking at him curiously, a slight frown creasing her lips as she looked down at the simple powder blue dress, the skirt stopped in the middle of her calves and had a nice flare. “I’m sorry. Well, no, that’s wrong, if it’s your preference, of course I’ve nothing to be sorry about at all.”

  Donovan felt his mouth open and close. “No, I…yes, I like…I meant it doesn’t project a professional image…” His frown deepened as she simply smiled and continued eating.

  “You look exceptionally professional, Mr. Banner,” she complimented politely. “You were military, like Logan and some of the others, weren’t you? It’s a trifle puzzling that he would ask me to avoid you…don’t you find it puzzling?”

  “I was…in the military, I mean.” he answered, slightly surprised. “How did you know? Good guess? As for avoiding me, he was probably trying to spare my sanity…”

  “Crystal ball,” she answered, the ever present smile tilting her lips. “Have you been out long? You don’t look like the type that would run from something, Mr. Banner.” Her eyes widened. “Oh. You think Logan was trying to save you from me. How funny,” she said with a grin.

  “A little over five years now.”

  Frannie sensed his reluctance to talk about it and nodded quietly. “There are a lot of previous military working for the resort. It’s a mindset that doesn’t appeal to everyone, though. It amazes me how Abby sorts through the people that would work and enjoy the altruistic view and mission of the resort.”

  “It helps when you have owners actively networking,” Donovan agreed, unaware of the wince crossing his features.

  “You have a headache,” Frannie said quietly, rising from her chair and moving behind him. “And you don’t sleep well…”

  “Crystal ball?”

  “It’s in your eyes, Mr. Banner and on your features,” she touched his temples lightly, massaging fingers making small circles that firmed steadily.

  “Miss Kendall, this is hardly…” His head was nestled between her breasts, the one hour seminar he’d attended regarding sexual harassment coming instantly into his mind.

  “Stress?” She asked, ignoring his protest and attempts to move. “Please sit still…taking on a new position can easily be the cause of many stress related headaches…so much to learn and do…” Her hands moved to the base of his skull. “Add to that relocating…”

  “After the department heads I’ve met today, I think this will be one of the less complex positions I’ve ever had,” Donovan admitted, his attempt to turn his head halted when palms much stronger than they looked held him firmly in place. “Really, I’m not comfortable with…”

  “Shh…” Frannie used her thumbs, stroking lightly over the column of his throat and back to his temples and just above his ears. “You are tense…perhaps the move, the new job…a few different factors…you lived someplace below sea level before…and very dry…”

  Donovan felt his eyes narrow. “I lived in the high desert. The climate here is quite a change…” He stopped, realizing that the throbbing that had been plaguing him all morning was no longer there.

  “You need to drink more fluids…preferably water…your skin is very dry, Mr. Banner, it’s also why you’re blinking more than normal.” Frannie collected her tray in one hand, the tote in the other. “I’m glad you’re no longer in pain. Have a great day,” she said with a backward wave, wandering off through the cafeteria.

  Francine Kendall walked away shaking her head. She’d spent most of her life listening to people tell her she was behaving oddly. Then her choice of career further added to that in the realm of acceptable medicine. There were times she felt like a lynch mob was waiting to burn her at the stake. She sighed and went off to the health center, slipping an ear pod in place and humming softly.

  Chapter Two

  Two days later, Donovan rounded the corner, peering at his phone. He looked up to see Francine Kendall sitting cross legged, her laptop resting comfortably as she typed. He closed his eyes, hoping this was a mirage from a frustrating weekend. He dropped to his heels in front of her.

  “Miss Kendall,” her name came out in a long sigh, his elbows rested on his knees, palms dangling off the ends and clasp.

  Pale lashes blinked at the verbal interruption, her fingers still tapping away until she felt something beneath her chin, forcing her eyes from the screen. Her eyes cruised over the creased slacks, shiny shoes and firm, strong hands dangling not far from her face when she looked up. He had his head tilted to the side, both pale brows arched patiently. Frannie’s head bounced back at the closeness.

  “Mr. Banner,” she said in surprise, green eyes taking in the man studying her. “Is something wrong?”

  “Other than a woman sitting in the middle of a hallway floor, not a thing.”

  “I’m not in the way,” she assured him quickly, tucking her legs a little tighter, her back a little straighter against the wall.

  “Do I need to find you an office, Miss Kendall?”

  “Is there one missing, Mr. Banner?” She replied sweetly, matching the mild, calm tone effortlessly.

  “Why are you on the floor?”

  “Because typing while standing up is rather difficult,” she told him cheerfully. “Having WiFi throughout the buildings is a wondrous thing, don’t you agree? I sometimes get a little behind on my client notes and when I have a free space, I like to sit some place quiet and complete them. Most people don’t notice me.”

  “I find that incredibly difficult to believe, Miss Kendall. You are a very noticeable woman.”

  Donovan looked over the full gold colored skirt, white lace at the edges of the top of her dress and a dangling silver pocket watch on a chain around her waist. He watched as she seemed to finish something, nod to herself and quickly close the laptop, sliding it into the large cloth bag she always had with her. He extended his palm and stood up.

  Frannie looked at the palm and held up one finger. She dug in her pack and found a pair of slightly muddied black flats that she put on and buckled into place before her hand was out to fit comfortably in the center of his palm as she rose to her feet.

  “Thank you. Badge, shoes…I’m authorized,” she said absently, staring for a long few seconds into his eyes. “Much better…being hydrated is essential. It helps your eyes a great deal which in turn won’t strain so much and cause a headache. But you still appear tense. Bad weekend?”

  “Home hunting. A headache in itself. Apartments are a nightmare. I’m not ready to buy yet and renting…” He stopped when she opened the satchel on her shoulder, hands rummaging and murmuring to herself. He looked at the three inch by five inch card she held out to him.

  “Try that address. It’s a very nice, newly renovated two bedroom, two bath. There’s a carport and a garage. It’s across the Sound in Gig Harbor. Very nice little town,” Frannie smiled and then frowned when th
e swinging silver pocket watch began to chime. “Oh dear, gotta go!”

  Donovan watched her take off at a very fast, long legged walk toward the exit, her head shaking and he could hear her muttering to herself as she disappeared. He half expected to see a white rabbit following at break neck speed.

  He looked down at the card with very neat printing across the surface. A description of the rental, an address and a name. “Dr. Alister Reed. Alright…guess I’ll check it out after work.”

  ****

  Frannie was perched on the low stool in the center of her study, books open all around her, busily writing over the notepad she had on her knee.

  Donovan Banner guided his all wheel vehicle down the old fashioned cobble stoned driveway. He felt like he had driven into a small villa on the coast of France. The house was huge. There was a very large tower on either end that stretched what looked like three stories, while the main house was a single level with some arching, vaulted ceilings throughout the house. The outside was covered with cobblestones similar to those in the driveway, thick ivy weaving its way across the surface.

  He stood on the wide decking outside the front doors. It didn’t fit. But there were bits of several different styles throughout the grounds. A very large green house was off a level lower than the house and he looked up across the Sound and could see the massive sprawling resort. A field in the process of being put to rest for the late fall spread to the north of the driveway. He wasn’t sure where the apartment was that was printed on the card but he looked around the frame of the large, ornate double doors. An eyebrow arched when he found a brass ring hanging slightly to the right. He pulled down carefully, listening to the delicate chimes that echoed around the property.