Love & Hope: Mother's Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 5)

by Elsie Davis

  Everything was laid out in a logical way, which would make her job easier. The fact they wanted it broken down by various regions made it more difficult, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be long before they were able to hire a separate office administrator so she could focus on her one true love. Marketing.

  Grace pulled up the second ad but found it hard to concentrate, preferring to watch Holly as she slept. It was only Monday, but she was already looking forward to the weekend. A time when she’d have all day to revel in the joy of having a baby with her. Not just at night after work, but two whole days.

  The park would be a fun place to take Holly, or maybe a walk around town to show her off. They could watch videos or simply play on the floor. Anything that allowed Grace to witness the world through the joy and sweet innocence of a baby sounded perfect to her.

  An email popped into Grace’s account, the notification icon flashing with a big red number one to announce her unread email count. She typed in the username and password provided in her new employee paperwork.

  Incorrect username or password.

  Passwords were always frustrating, the stars to protect the privacy providing no help as to whether the account holder typed the word correctly the first time around. Grace retyped the information.

  Incorrect username or password.

  She glanced at Holly and then at her door. Ryan had said to ask if she needed help, and it would seem she did. There was always a chance the password he’d provided was wrong, or the account wasn’t set up properly.

  Coming to a decision, she headed for Ryan’s office after one last check on Holly. Grace would only be gone for a few seconds, and if she left the door open, she’d know if the baby woke up.

  Grace tapped the door before entering his office to announce her arrival, even though it was wide open. He glanced up at her, pausing over whatever document he was working on.

  “Do you need something?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

  “Yes. The password on my email account isn’t working.” She shrugged.

  “Have you tried it a couple of times to make sure you input it correctly? They are case sensitive.” He frowned, sitting back in his chair, resigned to deal with the problem.

  “This isn’t my first rodeo using an email, and, yes, I’ve tried several times.” She couldn’t help the sarcasm that tinged her voice, but it was no more than he deserved.

  “Hang on, and I’ll check it out,” Ryan said, frustration evident in every word. He closed the file on his desk and placed it in his top drawer. He stood and crossed the room, following her across the hall.

  Grace glanced at Holly as she entered her office, relieved the baby was still sound asleep. She sat at her desk, while Ryan moved to stand behind her, looking over her shoulder to see the screen. His cologne wafted around her, the spicy musk appealing. She didn’t want to think of him as anything other than her boss, but this close, she couldn’t help her wandering brain. Strangely enough, he made her nervous. Giddy, to be exact.

  Except Giddy was for young girls and lovesick fools, and she was neither.

  Ryan reached down in front of her as she leaned back and let him take control of the computer. He typed in her username and then the passcode on the form.

  Incorrect username and password.

  “Told you. Either the information is wrong, or you’re no better at this than I am,” Grace teased, challenging Ryan on his earlier comments.

  “Very funny. I didn’t mean anything by it, it’s just the typical first question anybody asks when a password doesn’t work. And it’s the same question the IT guy will ask me when I call him.”

  There was some definite truth to what Ryan said. “Point taken,” Grace conceded.

  Ryan pulled his phone from his pocket, pressed a few buttons, and waited. He’d put it on speakerphone, but at least it wasn’t set to a high volume.

  She glanced nervously at Holly, but so far, the baby hadn’t stirred.

  “John Baden. How can help you?” the man asked, getting straight to the point.

  “Hey, John, it’s Ryan. We’re having trouble logging in on Grace Baxter’s email account.”

  “The passwords are case sensitive. Did you make sure to retype it with the correct upper and lower cases?”

  Ryan shot her an I-told-you-so look. “I have, multiple times, in fact. Can you connect and see what’s going on?”

  “Sure thing. Hang on.” Within seconds, John connected to her computer, taking over the control from his remote location.

  Ryan glanced at the sleeping baby and then back at her. He pressed the mute button. “She’s been asleep a long time. Is that normal?” He frowned.

  “Yes.”

  “Good way for you to get your work done.” Was Ryan trying to make amends for his earlier gruffness?

  “I’m not accomplishing anything right now, and it’s no fault of Holly’s,” she teased, taking his moment of weakness and making the most of it.

  “Point taken,” he said, mocking her words.

  John moved her mouse pointer across the screen and tapped her email icon. He typed in her password, except this time, her account opened instantly. “There doesn’t seem to be a problem now. What username and password did you use?”

  Ryan unmuted the phone and read back the information from the paperwork.

  “Well, there’s your problem. The password is World12B, not World12D. B as in Baxter. That’s how we set up all the emails.”

  “Gotcha. I’ll remember that in the future. Thanks,” Ryan said, picking up a pen and changing it on her paperwork.

  “No problem.”

  After the two men hung up, Ryan glanced at her, his expression apologetic. “Sorry. I copied it wrong.”

  “No worries. Apparently, we are all human and can make mistakes. Just keep that in mind, boss.” She grinned.

  Ryan caught and held her gaze as if unsure what to say. Seconds passed before he finally nodded. “I’ll do that.” He left her office without another word, leaving Grace to wonder more and more about the man, and not necessarily as her boss.

  The email turned out to be nothing more than a welcome letter, and soon, she was back working on the second ad. The shrill tone of an incoming call on her cell phone had her scrambling to silence it.

  Faith.

  Grace debated whether to answer it, still upset with her sister for the predicament she was in today and for the rest of the week. She may have told Ryan it was one day, but it would only be one day if she could find somebody else to watch Holly on short notice.

  “Hello?” Grace said in hushed tones, worried the call would rouse the baby. Every second Holly slept was valuable work time.

  “It’s me, Faith.”

  “I realize that. What’s going on? I’ve got work to do.” Grace didn’t have time for more of her sister’s nonsense.

  “I’ve called to tell you I’ve changed my mind. I’ll watch Holly like I promised.” Except Faith didn’t sound overly happy with the decision, and therefore, it wasn’t something Grace could put stock in.

  She wouldn’t play this game again with her sister. “I don’t know. You put me in a difficult position this morning by bagging out on me. And you don’t sound all that excited about it now. What gives?”

  “Mom. I’m not gonna lie, I’d rather be out having fun. And babysitting doesn’t ring any fun bells for me.”

  “What does Mom have to do with this?” Grace asked.

  “Apparently, everything. Mom found out from Aunt Judith that you were watching the baby, and she asked me if I knew anything about it. I made the mistake of telling her you’d asked me to babysit. One thing led to another, and I was told in no uncertain terms that if I didn’t help you out and then get a full-time job afterward, I’m going to need to find a new place to live. Apparently, she doesn’t believe kids should have fun for a little while after thirteen years of being a prisoner in the school system,” Faith said sourly.

&nbs
p; “The problem is, Faith, you’re not a kid. You’re a young woman now. The time for all-day fun was while you were in school. Now it’s time to become responsible for yourself. Lay the groundwork and be like any other normal adult. You must work to earn money, get a place of your own, become your own person. Then you get to make your own rules. If you’re living at home, you play by Mom’s rules.”

  Grace was happy her mother was finally bringing the situation to a head. Her sister had been ruled by fun for far too long and showed no signs of changing. Something had to give.

  “What about fun?” Faith asked petulantly.

  “Welcome to adulthood. You must work to make money, pay bills, and when you can fit it in, have fun. It’s simple. Time to grow up, sis.”

  “Whatever. I don’t have to like it, but I’ll do it. I’ll be there in the morning. It sounds like I don’t have a choice.” Taking Faith at her word was difficult at best, or stupidity at its worst.

  “Promise?” Grace hoped she wouldn’t regret the decision, but it’s not like she had many choices.

  “Promise.”

  * * *

  Ryan returned to his office and tried to focus on the file he had in front of him. Reading through some of the investors’ concerns and suggestions, he wanted to give each one his personal attention and honest assessment. It was essential to keep them happy. After all, without the investors, he wouldn’t have been able to put this grand plan for World Sport, Inc. into place. He’d personally sunk his life savings into the deal, but with the investors backing him, he’d been able to think big.

  Globally big. Competing with the number one online retailer and trying to take their sporting goods business was a huge endeavor. It was a small piece of the internet pie, but it was a piece that would make a big difference to the sports enthusiasts of the world. World Sport would be a place they could get unparalleled technical support to have the confidence they were getting the right equipment based on skill, experience, and need. This type of in-depth technical support was nothing a huge online conglomerate could ever provide, and it would make World Sport a favorite.

  Which is precisely why the situation with Grace irritated him. Everything he owned was riding on this company’s success, and yet, one of the lead people in the organization had a baby. At work. Ryan had always known family got in the way of business, and the two never mixed. His own parents were proof of that. His father had spent every waking moment taking care of his business, his wife, and his family. But in the end, his efforts hadn’t been enough to save any of it.

  But where his mother was soft and weak, Grace was determined and strong, surprising Ryan. Her down-home freshness had caught him off guard. He’d expected someone more city savvy with the experience listed on her resume. Ryan admired the realness of her attitude and her ability to meet life’s challenges head-on without backing down. It would stand her in good stead throughout life, he just preferred those qualities weren’t tested on his company. Or, at least, not against him.

  He noticed she didn’t wear a wedding band, which allowed him to make the leap that she was a single mom. Another piece of information he wished he didn’t know, because it was one more reason he wouldn’t fire her. He had a conscience, whether he approved of it or not. It was one of the big differences between him and his dad.

  He pulled up the ad she’d emailed him, anxious to see what she’d come up with. Ryan wasn’t disappointed. She’d nailed the exact attitude he was after. One-stop shopping and the go-to place for sports enthusiasts who cared to get their purchases right the first time around. He was excited by the spirit of the ad, and by her promise to have the video footage ready by the end of the week.

  A movement at the door caught his attention. He was shocked to see the baby crawling toward him. Ryan didn’t move, expecting at any moment to see Grace in hot pursuit to reclaim the errant wanderer.

  Holly came right up to him, using his leg to hold on to as she pulled herself upright. It was a wobbly move at best, and Ryan reached out to steady the baby. “Grace,” he called out.

  The baby held up her arms, wanting to be picked up. Ryan debated what to do, hoping at any second Grace would appear. Holly started to babble small sounds, her smile tugging at his heartstrings.

  “Hey there, Holly.” He tentatively picked the baby up, almost afraid of a repeat performance of this morning. Except she was smiling, not crying. Ryan held her close, letting the baby pull at his tie and then poke his cheek with her chubby little finger. Ryan grinned.

  “Don’t tell your mom, but you are a cutie.” A sensation of wetness crept through his shirt. Ryan looked down to see a dark-blue stain. The baby was soaked through and through. He held her away from him, unsure of what to do. First vomit, and now pee. The baby sure had a way of making sure he didn’t form any attachment. If anything, it reinforced his mindset of never having children. This was disgusting.

  Ryan waltzed into Grace’s office, keeping the baby at arm’s length.

  She was hanging up the phone, which explained her lack of response—but not her lack of vigilance over her daughter. Grace glanced up, her expression turning to one of wide-eyed shock. Jumping up, she came around the desk, taking the baby from him. “What are you doing with Holly? I don’t understand.” Her gaze drifted to his shirt. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. She just woke up from her nap, and she’s wet. You don’t have much luck with babies, do you?” She grinned, her attempt to soften the situation falling short with him. She wasn’t the one with a peed-on shirt.

  “It would appear not. I thought we had an agreement that you were going to keep the baby in your office, which would require you to keep your door closed.”

  “I did. I don’t know how it got opened.” Grace shook her head, her brow pulled into a frown as she considered the situation.

  “Well, it’s safe to say she didn’t open it.” A sudden image of when he’d walked out of her office not long ago provided him with a good idea of what happened.

  “But you did. And clearly, you didn’t close it,” Grace said, pointing out the same conclusion he’d come to.

  “Fair enough.” He shrugged. “I’ll let this one pass. This isn’t a lucky shirt for me and needs to be burned. It wouldn’t be the first today,” Ryan added, remembering his morning run in with another shirt before he’d even left the house.

  Grace laid the baby down on the blanket and began changing her diaper. “Don’t be so dramatic. The shirt just needs washing.” She laughed. “And about the door, it’s still my fault, and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’m not used to…” Grace stopped, leaving him to wonder what she’d been about to say. “I’m not used to having Holly in the office, and it’s my responsibility to keep her contained and safe. My apologies. Send me the bill for the dry cleaning on the shirt.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” He was just ready for the day to be over.

  “What did you mean about burning another shirt?” she asked.

  He rolled his eyes. “I normally have everything dry cleaned, but Hallbrook doesn’t have a dry cleaner. I tried to iron my shirt this morning and lost. The one I’m wearing was my second choice.”

  Grace laughed. “I see. You’re a lot like Holly.”

  He wasn’t sure he enjoyed being likened to a baby. “What do you mean?”

  “You both require lots of clothing changes in a day. Perhaps you should keep extras around the way I do for the baby,” she teased.

  “At least I don’t need a diaper change.” He chuckled, seeing the humor in the situation for the first time. It was a one-off occurrence, and if anyone had told him this morning what his day would entail, he would have thought them insane. He didn’t know how Grace did it on her own day after day, but he couldn’t fault her sense of humor.

  “There is that,” she said, chuckling as she shot him a saucy grin. Grace picked up Holly and held her close. The image of a loving mother and daughter hit him hard. It wasn’t anything he remembered growing up, at least not after he was placed in the
foster system. And before that, his memories weren’t that good either.

  Ryan moved to leave, pausing at the door. “I’ll close it this time. Out of curiosity, where’s the baby’s father?” He’d let the question slip before he had a chance to think better of it. There was no reason to get involved in an employee’s personal life.

  “I don’t know. The father isn’t interested in Holly.” She shrugged as if it didn’t matter. Maybe she was one of those independent women who wanted to raise a child on her own. More power to her if that was the case, if it didn’t interfere with her ability to do her job.

  “I see. You do have daycare for the rest of the week, right?”

  “I do.” She nodded with more assurance than when she’d said it earlier today. That is if Faith didn’t bag out on her again.

  “Good. Tomorrow, we need to go to the Mt. Washington Ski Resort and check the setup and the inventory to make sure everything is ready for the grand opening. It’s our only onsite location, and with it being off-season, they hope business will pick up for their summer sports.”

  “Sounds like fun. Should I meet you there?” Grace asked while getting the baby’s bottle and formula out of the diaper bag, along with a jar of carrots. Chunky mush by the looks of it. It would be messy, but there was nothing she could do about it. The baby had to eat.

  “No. I’ll pick you up. I live in Hallbrook, so it’s easier to ride together.”

  “Since when? I’d never seen you until this morning at the bakery.”

  “Since yesterday.” He laughed. “I was away on a business trip, which is why I wasn’t able to be at the interview. I pre-arranged a place to stay in Hallbrook to force me to leave the warehouse and keep me from becoming a workaholic. It’s one of the challenges I face.”

  “I see. That makes sense then,” she said, nodding.

  “Is nine okay?” Riding together would give him more time to get to know the woman he’d be working closely with, and for them to clear any remaining tension from the mishaps of today. It would be like a fresh start.