by Elle Wright
“If breakfast is what you’re looking for,” she continued, “the Bee’s Knees has the best western omelet this side of the state. But if you have a taste for lunch, I’d recommend Margie’s Soup Kitchen for lighter fare. I enjoy the chicken and rice. On brisk days like this, it’s packed, but I know the owner.”
“The Bee’s Knees?” he asked, a frown lining his forehead. “Is that like a diner?”
Nodding, she babbled on, aware of the stares from townspeople entering the café. “It is. I eat there almost every day, sometimes twice a day. It’s close to my job, and the prices are reasonable. And they have really good chocolate cake. It’s my favorite. Oh, and—” An elbow in her back stopped her from revealing a bunch more information that he didn’t ask for. Like he cares if you enjoy the chocolate and caramel brownies that Dee makes every Tuesday.
Carter tensed visibly, almost as if he had to work extra hard to not flee from the awkwardness. “Thanks for the information,” he offered stiffly. She watched him glance at his watch and mutter something under his breath. “I better go.”
Brooklyn turned just in time to see him practically run out of the café. Well, that was . . . mortifying. She caught Nicole’s wide-eyed glance out of the corner of her eye. “Don’t say anything.”
“What the hell was that?” Nicole said, her arms outstretched. “And what did you do with my best friend?”
Pushing past Nicole, Brooklyn gestured to the barista. “Shut up. I was just . . .” Hell, she didn’t even know what she was doing. The stranger with the most soulful eyes she’d ever seen had just brushed her off. In the middle of the café. “I don’t want to talk about this.” Brooklyn decided to forgo the water she’d ordered and instead settled on a frozen double caramel cocoa latte, extra whipped cream.
“This is nuts. Since when do you get all nervous when it comes to men?”
“Have you seen him?”
“Yes, and he’s fine as hell. And you just let him slip right through your fingers.”
It was probably a good thing she did. She had to focus on finding a place to stay, not some brooding stranger. “Nicole, I need you to focus. I have things to do.”
“No, don’t turn this around on me because you choked.”
Her best friend, the traitor, barked out an amused laugh. Brooklyn ignored her and paid for her order. Mumbling a string of curses, she pulled out her phone and busied herself checking her calendar.
A few minutes later, they were walking arm in arm down Main Street toward the downtown courtyard to eat their lunch on one of the benches and people watch.
“All jokes aside, did you see how he turned me down cold?” Brooklyn asked, sipping on her latte. “Maybe he has a girlfriend?”
“You never know. Men are full of it.”
“Says the happily married pregnant woman,” Brooklyn muttered.
“Ha ha.” Nicole bumped her shoulder as they walked. “Or maybe he turned you down because you were a babbling fool?”
Her best friend burst out in a fit of laughter, drawing a reluctant chuckle from Brooklyn. Nicole was right, she had been off her game. But next time she saw Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding, she wouldn’t be.
* * *
Carter hurried down the street, his mission clear. Food. And get far away from Brooklyn. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he picked it up. “What’s up, Aisha?”
His sister’s calm voice carried over the receiver. “How’s everything going?”
“I’m good. On my way to find something to eat.”
“This won’t take long.”
Carter snickered. Aisha was about their business at all times of the day. His sister had never married, nor seemed inclined to be attached to a long-term partner. Maybe she has the right idea.
“Martin will call you later this evening so you can go over the game plan for the initial meeting. Your rental will be ready next Friday, possibly sooner.”
Aisha explained that the company provided housing for however long it was needed. It was a nice touch when trying to lure prospective consultants to such a remote area.
“Thanks, sis. How many rooms?”
“Two. Apparently, the place is new construction with stunning views and an indoor/outdoor pool for residents. There is also a small gym in the clubhouse, but an even bigger one about a mile away.”
Aisha had obviously bought into the hype. She seemed more excited than anybody about the project in Wellspring.
“Where is it?” he asked. The hotel he was in was nice, but he’d prefer to have a private entrance and a kitchen so he could cook his own meals.
“It’s about ten minutes from the downtown area. According to the map, it is about five miles from the expressway and twenty from Wellspring Water, so you’ll have a bit of a commute. But you don’t like to be too close to work anyway, so it works.”
His sister knew him well. Carter had never been too keen on living close to the office, preferring a commute to gather his thoughts before and after work. He did his best thinking in the car. The drive to Wellspring had been therapeutic for him, leaving the city behind for fresh air and open space.
“You’re set to meet with Parker Wells Sr. and Parker Wells Jr. Monday morning at ten o’clock. Martin is available to conference in as well.”
“Perfect,” he said.
It felt good to be working again, better than he’d hoped. With Martin conferencing in, he’d have a chance to observe while Martin talked. They were a true tag team. Where he fell short, Martin excelled. And vice versa. Normally, they worked alongside their client company’s employees for a few weeks, getting to know them without revealing their true mission. It gave them a chance to observe the dynamics between employees and management. Upper management was often not aware of the actual day-to-day work and the needs of the employees. It helped to delve into the organizational culture to figure out what employees needed to be effective and efficient.
“Have you met anyone yet?”
His sister’s question caught him off guard, because he’d managed to get through the entire conversation without thinking about Brooklyn—until now. Thanks a lot, Aisha. Clearing his throat, he mumbled that he’d only met a few people in passing.
“Liar,” his sister said. “Spill.”
“Aisha, it’s nothing. I have to go.” He glanced up and found himself standing at the Bee’s Knees. He scanned the immediate area, half expecting to see Brooklyn somewhere around since she’d mentioned she worked close to the place. She wasn’t there, which was supposed to be a good thing. “I just found a spot to eat.”
He walked in and was immediately greeted by an older man, probably in his late sixties. “How ya doin’, young man?”
“I gotta go, Aisha. I’ll call you later.” Carter hung up and shook the man’s waiting hand. “I’m doing okay.”
“Table for one?”
Carter nodded. “That would be good.”
The man hobbled over to a corner booth and gestured for Carter to take a seat. “You must be the new guy in town.” This damn town is small as hell. “Word has it you’re from the big city.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable about revealing too much, Carter simply nodded.
“My wife delivers pastry over to the hotel café and the ladies are talking about a handsome stranger,” the older man clarified. “You’ll find that word gets around fast in this town.”
“Yes, I’m in town for work. I was told you had the best western omelet this side of Michigan.”
The man perked up then, swung the towel in his hand. “I do. My wife was born and raised in Colorado. She grew up on what they called Denver sandwiches. The Denver, or western omelet, derived from that sandwich. One day of the year, we have a Denver sandwich day. People come from the surrounding area for it.”
The man went on to tell the story of how he’d met his wife one day while traveling to California. He’d stopped off in Colorado to see the sights and happened upon her working as a cook in a diner. They’d hit it off and he ask
ed her to marry him before the week was out. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for men and women to marry quickly.
“How did you end up in Michigan?”
“Family. I grew up in Wellspring. My grandfather was the first mayor of the city, one of the founding fathers along with the Wells family. The name’s Clark. William Clark.”
Carter clasped William’s hand again. “Carter Marshall.”
“My wife, Dee, is in the back, bothering the cooks. I swear, she needs to sit down somewhere. But I’ll see to it she makes you a nice western omelet. The first one is on the house.”
“Thank you, sir.” Carter smiled at the older man. He kind of reminded him of his grandfather.
“Where are you staying, son?”
“I’m over at the Wells Hotel.”
Mr. Clark snorted. “Pretty highbrow, huh? Not sure why he built that eyesore in a town known for its natural beauty. Always trying to do it bigger and better than everyone else.”
Carter had the feeling there was an unpleasant history between Mr. Clark and Mr. Wells. He couldn’t help but wonder about it. “Do you know Parker Wells Sr.?”
“Do I know him?” The man finally slid into the booth across from him, making himself right at home. “Everybody knows Senior. I went to school with his father. My father and his grandfather were best buddies as kids. All of that changed when Wellspring Water started buying up all the land. He’s tried to buy mine right out from under me many times, but I refuse to sell. My granddaughter is friends with his youngest son, so I try to be nice, but he can shove his Wellspring Water up his ass.”
Carter barked out a laugh. Mr. Clark had laid it all out there for him, and now he couldn’t wait to finally meet Parker Wells Sr. He always did like a challenge.
“There is a lot more to Wellspring than that damn corporation,” Mr. Clark continued. “I hope you get a chance to visit some of our landmarks. Not too many mostly black towns in this country. We made it work back in a time when it was hard for us to even find gainful employment.”
Being from the city wasn’t much better for finding employment back in the day. It just so happened that the boom of the automobile industry in Detroit had paved the way for many people of color to find work and earn a livable wage. The opportunity was there for many to take advantage and make good lives for themselves working the assembly line.
He suspected Wellspring had a very similar story, with Wellspring Water being the main corporation in town. Carter made a mental note to do a little research into the town’s origins when he was settled into his rental house.
An hour later, Carter had finished the best omelet he’d ever eaten, full of juicy ham, cheese, onions, and bell peppers. As a result of his eyes being bigger than his stomach, he wanted to go to sleep. But he had a lot to do, including making his way over to his temporary residence to scout out the area.
“Did you enjoy it?” Mr. Clark asked, approaching him with a grin on his bearded face.
“I did. Please give your wife my thanks.”
“She ran out the back door, probably in a rush to go gossip with the church ladies.” The old man laughed. “I tell ya . . . women.” He shook his head, amusement lining his features.
“Well, she really did make me a believer in the wonders of the western omelet. Tell me, where can I buy groceries? I’m moving into a rental house about ten minutes away from here next week.”
“Oh, you must be moving into those new condos coming up. They’re real nice. Plenty of space, I heard. Tried to get my wife to consider downsizing.”
Carter felt a sense of relief at the man’s obvious admiration for the neighborhood. For some reason, he trusted the man’s opinion, which didn’t come easy to him. “That’s good to know.”
“If you’re going to be living there, you’ll be pretty close to the Walmart. We fought tooth and nail to keep that store out of here, but in the end, it turned out to be good for the local economy. Well, except for Mr. Mays, who ran the small market round the corner.”
Standing, Carter stretched and dropped a tip on the table, only to have his money pushed right back into his hand.
“Your money is no good here today, son.” Mr. Clark shot him a scolding look. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Clark.”
“Call me Will. Mr. Clark was my father’s name.”
“Thanks, Will.”
“If you should find your way back over this way for dinner, our special is fried catfish with coleslaw and home fries. One of our best days of the week.”
Carter nodded before saying his goodbyes. Fried catfish and home fries? He just might get used to this town.
Chapter 5
Monday morning, Carter allowed himself extra time to take the scenic route to Wellspring Water Corporation Headquarters. The run he’d taken through the downtown area had worked wonders, and he felt centered. He’d spent the weekend preparing for his meeting and avoiding Brooklyn.
Despite the fact that he’d tiptoed through the hotel, hoping he wouldn’t see her, he’d actually seen the woman every day since he’d arrived—even though she hadn’t necessarily seen him. They bumped into each other at the lobby store Saturday afternoon, and she’d shot him a wide smile, waving on her way out. On Sunday morning, he’d seen her in the lobby, in her pajamas, laughing with the hotel front desk employee and a few hotel guests. Sunday night, he’d watched as she ate at the hotel restaurant with her friend Nicole and a man who he assumed was Nicole’s husband. Throughout their dinner, many people had walked over to her table and greeted them. As far as he could tell, she was well-known and well liked in the community.
He understood why, too. She was personable, and always seemed to be laughing. It was hard not to be affected by her. He’d noticed that she was a hugger. She’d hugged every single person that approached her, and he was baffled by the fact that they were genuine hugs.
He’d also taken the opportunity to do a little exploring of the town. With a population of approximately six thousand people, he was amazed that the town was as progressive as it was. There were several historic buildings in the downtown area, but there were also several modern attractions as well. He’d half expected to come to a ghost town. But Wellspring was anything but.
There were several subdivisions that housed single family homes as well as condominium communities and apartment complexes. The city had four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Walker Park was a focal point and bordered the man-made Wellspring Lake. According to Mr. Clark, the park hosted several festivals throughout the summer and put on a light show at Christmas.
It was easy to see how Wellspring Water had impacted the city. He’d met several people who worked for the corporation and others who worked servicing the company and its employees. If something were to ever happen to the business, or if they chose to relocate out of the city, the effects would be devastating.
Wellspring Water had attracted business to the area. Although it was primarily a bottled water company, they’d diversified in recent years, delving into several industries. They’d made the news recently, donating a significant amount of bottled water every month to Flint, Michigan, which was going through a water crisis that had put thousands of lives in danger.
As he pulled into the company parking lot, he eyed the grand building in front of him. The glass structure was nestled in an expanse of tall trees, but it was still visible from the highway. The front of the grounds boasted a reflecting pool surrounded by lush landscaping.
He had to admit, he was impressed. The slate floors in the reception area and the wall of water in the lobby were brilliant focal points. The high-tech design and amenities would put many businesses to shame. WWCH was miles ahead of the competition.
The first floor was busy with activity as employees scurried through the doors and rushed off to their jobs. Carter approached the receptionist and gave her his name. It only took a few minutes for another woman to escort him to the executive conference r
oom.
When he was ushered into the room, he was immediately greeted by a man his age. “I’m Parker Wells Jr.” The man held out a hand and Carter shook it. “Welcome to Wellspring Water Corporation.”
Carter introduced himself and the two took their seats. “You have an impressive building here.”
“The recent reorganization allowed us to make much needed changes. The original headquarters was attached to the main warehouse, and wasn’t conducive to our mission. There was a need for separation, and I think we’re better for it.”
“I’d say it was a worthy investment.” Opening his briefcase, Carter pulled out his laptop. “My business partner will join us via conference call. Will your father be joining us today?”
Carter caught the tick in the other man’s jaw at the mention of his father. “My father had to leave town for a few days. I’ll be your point of contact on this project,” Parker Jr. replied. “And I’m available to assist in any capacity.”
After a few minutes, Martin called in and the two went through the project schedule, giving Parker an overview followed by the details and metrics they would be compiling. Carter explained their process of shadowing employees as they complete their day-to-day tasks. Once the system was implemented, they’d begin testing prior to launch.
Parker had a wealth of knowledge about the business, and was willing to listen and contribute. The goal was to bring Wellspring Water into a new era, one strengthened by the use of data to improve their operation. Carter was excited about the possibilities.
The meeting ended on time, and Parker showed Carter to the office he’d be occupying. “Please let me know what you need to get started. We want to be sure you have everything you need. Once you decide to bring your team out, they will be housed in the area right outside your office.”
Carter walked around the office before stopping to stare out at the view of the river. “Excellent.” He’d lived in Michigan all his life, but had not made it a point to actually explore the different counties. After a few days in Wellspring, he viewed his state in a new light and made a mental note to visit other areas.
